She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

The chief point of wisdom is that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding.

Which having no chief, Overseer, or ruler,

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].

A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good]
And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].

A Commander-in-Chief who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding, but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.