She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.

Let your way [in life] be far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house [avoid even being near the places of temptation],

That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches,
And that I may fill their treasuries.

“When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there;
When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,

She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high and conspicuous places of the city,

The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity].

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].

He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor and approval from the Lord.

To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?

As the door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy person on his bed [never getting out of it].

He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored.