Proverbs 2

1 My son, listen to what I say, and [consider my instructions to be as valuable as] [MET] a treasure.

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and wilt hide my commandments with thee,

2 Pay attention to wisdom and try hard to understand it.

That thy ear may hearken to wisdom: Incline thy heart to know prudence:

3 Call out [to God] to get insight; plead with him to help you to understand more [of what he wants you to know].

For if thou shalt call for wisdom, and incline thy heart to prudence:

4 Search [eagerly] for wisdom, like you would search for silver, like you would search for a treasure that someone has hidden.

If thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her as for a treasure:

5 If you do that, you will understand how to revere Yahweh, and you will succeed in knowing God.

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and shalt find the knowledge of God.

6 Yahweh is the one who gives us wisdom. He is the one who tells us things that we need to know and understand.

Because the Lord giveth wisdom: and out of his mouth cometh prudence and knowledge.

7 He gives good advice to those who conduct their lives as they should. He protects [MET] those who do what is right.

He will keep the salvation of the righteous, and protect them that walk in simplicity.

8 He guards those who act justly/fairly [toward others], and he watches over those who are faithful/loyal [to him].

Keeping the paths of justice, and guarding the ways of saints.

9 [If you ask God for wisdom], you will understand what is right and just [DOU] [to do], and [you will know] the right way to conduct your life,

Then shalt thou understand justice, and judgment, and equity, and every good path.

10 because you will be wise in your inner being; and knowing [what God wants you to know] will cause you to be joyful.

If wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge please thy soul:

11 If you know [PRS] how to choose what is right to do and if you understand [what God wants] you to do, God will protect you and guard you and keep you safe.

Counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preserve thee,

12 If you are wise [PRS], you will not do what evil people do, and you will not [believe what] deceitful people say.

That thou mayst be delivered from the evil way, and from the man that speaketh perverse things:

13 Deceitful people have stopped acting fairly/justly [toward others] and (walk on dark and evil paths/do what evil people do) [MET].

Who leave the right way, and walk by dark ways:

14 They enjoy doing what is wrong; they like to do what is evil and to deceive [people].

Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in most wicked things:

15 They (walk on crooked paths/always deceive others) and are always dishonest.

Whose ways are perverse, and their steps infamous.

16 If you are wise [PRS], you will [also] be saved from (immoral women/prostitutes); you will not pay attention when adulterous women try to (seduce/entice you by what they say.)

That thou mayst be delivered from the strange women, and from the stranger, who softeneth her words:

17 Those women have left the husbands whom they married when they were young; they have disregarded the solemn promise they made to God [not to commit adultery].

And forsaketh the guide of her youth,

18 If you go into houses of women who are like that, you will die [when you are still young]; the road [to their houses] leads to hell. (questioned)

And hath forgotten the covenant of her God: for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths to hell. (questioned)

19 No man who (visits/sleeps with) a woman like that will again [live harmoniously with his family]. He will never have a [happy] life again.

None that go in unto her shall return again, neither shall they take hold of the paths of life,

20 If [you are wise], you should behave like good men behave. You should (stay on the paths that righteous [people] walk on/do what godly people do) [MET],

That thou mayst walk in a good way: and mayst keep the paths of the just.

21 because only godly people will live in this land [and receive God’s blessings]; [only] those who have not done wrong will stay here [for a long time].

For they that are upright shall dwell in the earth, and the simple shall continue in it.

22 Wicked [people] will be expelled from this land, and [people] who are not trustworthy will be thrown {God will throw them} out of it.

But the wicked shall be destroyed from the earth: and they that do unjustly shall be taken away from it.