For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will delight you.

Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

Tie them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding;

Guard your heart above all else,[fn]

for it is the source of life.

a heart that plots wicked schemes,

feet eager to run to evil,

Always bind them to your heart;

tie them around your neck.

The one who commits adultery[fn] lacks sense;

whoever does so destroys himself.

I saw among the inexperienced,[fn]

I noticed among the youths,

a young man lacking sense.

A woman came to meet him

dressed like a prostitute,

having a hidden agenda.[fn]

Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways;

don’t stray onto her paths.

“Whoever is inexperienced, enter here! ”

To the one who lacks sense, she says,

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,

but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.

The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;

the heart of the wicked is of little value.

The lips of the righteous feed many,

but fools die for lack of sense.

Those with twisted minds are detestable to the LORD,

but those with blameless conduct are his delight.

The one who brings ruin on his household

will inherit the wind,

and a fool will be a slave

to someone whose heart is wise.

The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,

but those who promote peace have joy.

A shrewd person conceals knowledge,

but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.

Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,

but a good word cheers it up.

Even in laughter a heart may be sad,

and joy may end in grief.

The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,

and a good one, what his deeds deserve.

A tranquil heart is life to the body,

but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;

she is known[fn] even among fools.

A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,

but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

A discerning mind seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

All the days of the oppressed are miserable,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,

but a person with understanding walks a straight path.

The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

Bright eyes cheer the heart;

good news strengthens[fn] the bones.

Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,

but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[fn]

Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD;

be assured,[fn] he will not go unpunished.

A person’s heart plans his way,

but the LORD determines his steps.

Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speech[fn] increases learning.

The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;

it adds learning to his speech.[fn]