1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- if thou wilt receive H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- my words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- and hide H6845 (צָפַן) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk
- my commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- So that thou incline H7181 (קָשַׁב) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
- thine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- unto wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- apply H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- to understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
3 Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Yea, if thou criest H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
- after knowledge H998 (בִּינָה) — understanding
- liftest up H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- thy voice H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
- for understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
4 If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If thou seekest H1245 (בָּקַשׁ) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
- her as silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
- and searchest H2664 (חָפַשׂ) — to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e. let be sought), or mask
- hid treasures H4301 (מַטְמוֹן) — a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried); generally money
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then shalt thou understand H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
- the fear H3374 (יִרְאָה) — fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
- of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- and find H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
- the knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- of God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- giveth H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- out of his mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- and understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He layeth up H6845 (צָפַן) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, (unfavorably) to lurk
- sound wisdom H8454 (תּוּשִׁיָּה) — support or (by implication) ability, i.e. (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding
- for the righteous H3477 (יָשָׁר) — straight (literally or figuratively)
- a buckler H4043 (מָגֵן) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
- to them that walk H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- uprightly H8537 (תֹּם) — completeness; figuratively, prosperity; usually (morally) innocence
8 That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He keepeth H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
- the paths H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of judgment H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
- and preserveth H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of his saints H2623 (חָסִיד) — properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a saint)
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, yea, every good path.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then shalt thou understand H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
- righteousness H6664 (צֶדֶק) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
- and judgment H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
- and equity H4339 (מֵישָׁר) — evenness, i.e. (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, i.e. (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often adverbially)
- every good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- path H4570 (מַעְגָּל) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
10 For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, And knowledge shall be pleasant unto thy soul;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- When wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- entereth H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- into thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- and knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- is pleasant H5276 (נָעֵם) — to be agreeable (literally or figuratively)
- unto thy soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
11 Discretion shall watch over thee; Understanding shall keep thee:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Discretion H4209 (מְזִמָּה) — a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
- shall preserve H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- thee, understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
- shall keep H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
12 To deliver thee from the way of evil, From the men that speak perverse things;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- To deliver H5337 (נָצַל) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
- thee from the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of the evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- from the man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- that speaketh H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
- perverse things H8419 (תַּהְפֻּכָה) — a perversity or fraud
13 Who forsake the paths of uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Who leave H5800 (עָזַב) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
- the paths H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of uprightness H3476 (יֹשֶׁר) — the right
- to walk H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- in the ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
14 Who rejoice to do evil, And delight in the perverseness of evil;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Who rejoice H8056 (שָׂמֵחַ) — blithe or gleeful
- to do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- delight H1523 (גִּיל) — properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear
- in the perverseness H8419 (תַּהְפֻּכָה) — a perversity or fraud
- of the wicked H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
15 Who are crooked in their ways, And wayward in their paths:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Whose ways H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- crooked H6141 (עִקֵּשׁ) — distorted; hence, false
- perverted H3868 (לוּז) — to turn aside , i.e. (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse
- in their paths H4570 (מַעְגָּל) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the foreigner that flattereth with her words;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- To deliver H5337 (נָצַל) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
- thee from the strange H2114 (זוּר) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
- woman H802 (אִשָּׁה) — a woman
- from the stranger H5237 (נׇכְרִי) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
- flattereth H2505 (חָלַק) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate
- with her words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
17 That forsaketh the friend of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Which forsaketh H5800 (עָזַב) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
- the guide H441 (אַלּוּף) — familiar; a friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock (as being tame; applied, although masculine, to a cow); and so, a chieftain (as notable, like neat cattle)
- of her youth H5271 (נָעוּר) — (only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
- and forgetteth H7911 (שָׁכַח) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
- the covenant H1285 (בְּרִית) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
- of her God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
18 For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For her house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- inclineth H7743 (שׁוּחַ) — to sink, literally or figuratively
- unto death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- and her paths H4570 (מַעְגָּל) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
- unto the dead H7496 (רָפָא) — properly, lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only)
19 None that go unto her return again, Neither do they attain unto the paths of life:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- None that go H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- unto her return again H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- neither take they hold H5381 (נָשַׂג) — to reach (literally or figuratively)
- of the paths H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, And keep the paths of the righteous.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That thou mayest walk H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- and keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- the paths H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of the righteous H6662 (צַדִּיק) — just
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, And the perfect shall remain in it.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For the upright H3477 (יָשָׁר) — straight (literally or figuratively)
- shall dwell H7931 (שָׁכַן) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
- in the land H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- and the perfect H8549 (תָּמִים) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
- shall remain H3498 (יָתַר) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, And the treacherous shall be rooted out of it.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- But the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
- shall be cut off H3772 (כָּרַת) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh a…
- from the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
- and the transgressors H898 (בָּגַד) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
- shall be rooted out H5255 (נָסַח) — to tear away