1Whoever fears the Lord will do this,
and whoever holds to the law will obtain wisdom.
2She will come to meet him like a mother,
and like a young bride she will welcome him.
3She will feed him with the bread of learning,
and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
4He will lean on her and not fall,
and he will rely on her and not be put to shame.
5She will exalt him above his neighbors,
and will open his mouth in the midst of the assembly.
6He will find gladness and a crown of rejoicing,
and will inherit an everlasting name.
7The foolish will not obtain her,
and sinners will not see her.
8She is far from arrogance,
and liars will never think of her.
9Praise is unseemly on the lips of a sinner,
for it has not been sent from the Lord.
10For in wisdom must praise be uttered,
and the Lord will make it prosper.
Freedom of Choice
11Do not say, “It was the Lord’s doing that I fell away”;
for he does not do what he hates.
12Do not say, “It was he who led me astray”;
for he has no need of the sinful.
13The Lord hates all abominations;
such things are not loved by those who fear him.
14It was he who created humankind in the beginning,
and he left them in the power of their own free choice.
15If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
16He has placed before you fire and water;
stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
17Before each person are life and death,
and whichever one chooses will be given.
18For great is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power and sees everything;
19his eyes are on those who fear him,
and he knows every human action.
20He has not commanded anyone to be wicked,
and he has not given anyone permission to sin.
