[1] Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and be attentive to know understanding. [2] For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my law. [3] For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. [4] He taught me also and said unto me, "Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. [5] Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth. [6] Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love her, and she shall keep thee. [7] Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding. [8] Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee honor when thou dost embrace her. [9] She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." [10] Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many. [11] I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. [12] When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. [13] Hold fast to instruction, let her not go; keep her, for she is thy life. [14] Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men; [15] avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it and pass away. [16] For they sleep not unless they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall. [17] For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. [18] But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. [19] The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble. [20] My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. [21] Let them not depart from thine eyes, keep them in the midst of thine heart; [22] for they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh. [23] Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the outflowings of life. [24] Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. [25] Let thine eyes look right ahead, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. [26] Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. [27] Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.
