Verse 17 should begin a new paragraph. Verses 17-20 constitute a series of statements arranged in this manner:

(17) A is B and B is C
(18) and C is D and D is E
(19) and E is F;
(20) therefore A is F.

Some of the ancient Greek writers were fond of this arrangement. (Compare Rom 10.14-15). The series here is not a perfect example of this form because in verses 19 and 20 two different expressions are used for the F term. For this see the notes on verse 20.

The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction: Compare Psa 111.10; Pro 1.7; 9.10; Sir 1.14. The grammar is not clear here. The adjective sincere could just as easily go with beginning of wisdom. New English Bible translates well: “The true beginning of wisdom is the desire to learn.” (A more literal rendering of the Greek would be “The truest beginning….”) We recommend this over Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Translators could say “Wisdom really begins when you want to learn” or “You truly become wise [or, gain Wisdom] when you want to learn.”

And concern for instruction is love of her may be rendered “When you want to learn, you show your love for Wisdom.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.