Proverbs 2 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

My son, if you take my words to heart and store up what I tell you deep inside,

tuning your ear to wisdom and turning your mind toward real understanding —

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,

if you search for it like silver and dig for it like buried treasure —

then you will understand what it means to honor Yahweh, and you will discover what it means to truly know God.

Because Yahweh himself is the one who gives wisdom; from his own mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up success for those who live with integrity; he is a shield for those who walk blamelessly.

He guards the paths of justice and protects the way of those who are loyal to him.

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path forward.

Because wisdom will settle into your heart, and knowledge will become something your whole being enjoys.

Good judgment will watch over you, and discernment will guard you,

rescuing you from destructive ways of living and from people whose words twist the truth,

who abandon the straight path to walk down dark roads,

who actually enjoy doing what's harmful and celebrate when things get twisted,

whose paths are crooked and whose whole way of life is devious.

Wisdom will also rescue you from the forbidden woman — from the seductive stranger whose words drip with flattery,

who walked away from the partner of her youth and forgot her sacred commitment to God,

because her house sinks down toward death, and her paths lead to the shadows of the grave.

No one who goes to her finds their way back — they never again reach the paths of life.

So walk in the way of good people, and stay on the paths that the just have worn smooth.

Because those who live with integrity will inhabit the land, and people of wholeness will remain in it.

But those who do what's wrong will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be ripped out of it.