9. Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income; [Deut. 26:2; Mal. 3:10; Luke 14:13, 14.]
10. So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine. [Deut. 28:8.]
11. My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof, [Ps. 94:12; Heb. 12:5, 6; Rev. 3:19.]
12. For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13. Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],
14. For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.
15. Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her. [Job 28:12-18.]
16. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor. [Prov. 8:12-21; I Tim. 4:8.]
17. Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.
19. The Lord by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens. [Col. 1:16.]
20. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies distill the dew.
21. My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion,
22. And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self).
23. Then you will walk in your way securely and in confident trust, and you shall not dash your foot or stumble. [Ps. 91:11, 12; Prov. 10:9.]
24. When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.
25. Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless],
26. For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].