When ¹  I hear a reproof that dishonors ²  me, then my understanding ³  prompts me to answer. ⁴ 

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, ¹  and spreads its wings toward the south?

To ¹  learn ²  wisdom ³  and moral instruction, ⁴  and to discern ⁵  wise counsel. ⁶ 

Abandon your foolish ways ¹  so that you may live, ²  and proceed ³  in the way of understanding.”

Do not wear yourself out to become rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. ¹ 

“But wisdom – where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding?

“But wisdom – where does it come from? ¹  Where is the place of understanding?

“If you have ¹  understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. ² 

“Where were you when I laid the foundation ¹  of the earth? Tell me, ²  if you possess understanding!

For God deprived her of wisdom, and did not impart understanding to her.

indeed, if ¹  you call out for ²  discernment ³  – raise your voice ⁴  for understanding –

Listen, children, ²  to a father’s instruction, ³  and pay attention so that ⁴  you may gain ⁵  discernment.

Wisdom is supreme ¹  – so ²  acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, ³  acquire understanding! ⁴ 

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” ¹  and call understanding a close relative,

Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me; ¹  I possess understanding and might.

The beginning ¹  of wisdom is to fear the Lord, ²  and acknowledging ³  the Holy One ⁴  is understanding.

Acquire ¹  truth and do not sell it – wisdom, and discipline, and understanding.

Surely ¹  I am more brutish ²  than any other human being, ³  and I do not have human understanding; ⁴ 

Those who stray morally will gain understanding; ¹  those who complain will acquire insight. ² 

Now I am sending you Huram Abi, ¹  a skilled and capable man,