in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge.

Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

I have not learned wisdom, nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One.

So they say to God, ‘Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways.

My words come from the uprightness of my heart, and my lips will utter knowledge sincerely.

Teach me proper discernment and understanding! For I consider your commands to be reliable.

then you will understand how to fear the Lord, and you will discover knowledge about God.

For wisdom will enter your heart, and moral knowledge will be attractive to you.

Receive my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

“I, wisdom, live with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.

The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person.

For I delight in faithfulness, not simply in sacrifice; I delight in acknowledging God, not simply in whole burnt offerings.

He is your constant source of stability; he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; he gives all this to those who fear him.

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.

I thought to myself, “I have become much wiser than any of my predecessors who ruled over Jerusalem; I have acquired much wisdom and knowledge.”

For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth – only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile – like chasing the wind!

They seek me day after day; they want to know my requirements, like a nation that does what is right and does not reject the law of their God. They ask me for just decrees; they want to be near God.