1 - Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 - I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3 - For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 - Then he taught me, and he said to me, "Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
5 - Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 - Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
7 - The beginning of wisdom is this: Get
8 - Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 - She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown."
10 - Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11 - I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12 - When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13 - Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14 - Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 - Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16 - For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 - They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 - The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 - But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 - My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21 - Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 - for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.
23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24 - Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 - Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26 - Give careful thought to the
27 - Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.