12Wisdom shines bright and never grows dim; those who love her and look for her can easily find her. 13She is quick to make herself known to anyone who desires her. 14Get up early in the morning to find her, and you will have no problem; you will find her sitting at your door. 15To fasten your attention on Wisdom is to gain perfect understanding. If you look for her, you will soon find peace of mind, 16because she will be looking for those who are worthy of her, and she will find you wherever you are. She is kind and will be with you in your every thought.
18How terrible it will be for you who long for the day of the LORD! What good will that day do you? For you it will be a day of darkness and not of light. 19It will be like someone who runs from a lion and meets a bear! Or like someone who comes home and puts his hand on the wall — only to be bitten by a snake! 20The day of the LORD will bring darkness and not light; it will be a day of gloom, without any brightness.
21The LORD says, “I hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them! 22When you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings. 23Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps. 24Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.
17Wisdom begins when you sincerely want to learn. To desire Wisdom is to love her; 18to love her is to keep her laws; to keep her laws is to be certain of immortality; 19immortality will bring you close to God. 20This desire for Wisdom can prepare you to rule a kingdom.
