[1] Hear, children, fatherly instruction; pay attention to gain understanding. [2] I’ll teach you well. Don’t abandon my instruction. [3] When I was a son to my father, tender and my mother’s favorite, [4] he taught me and said to me: “Let your heart hold on to my words: Keep my commands and live. [5] Get wisdom; get understanding. Don’t forget and don’t turn away from my words. [6] Don’t abandon her, and she will guard you. Love her, and she will protect you. [7] The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom! Get understanding before anything else. [8] Highly esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you if you embrace her. [9] She will place a graceful wreath on your head; she will give you a glorious crown.” [10] Listen, my son, and take in my speech, then the years of your life will be many. [11] I teach you the path of wisdom. I lead you in straight courses. [12] When you walk, you won’t be hindered; when you run, you won’t stumble. [13] Hold on to instruction; don’t slack off; protect it, for it is your life. [14] Don’t go on the way of the wicked; don’t walk on the path of evil people. [15] Avoid it! Don’t turn onto it; stay off of it and keep going! [16] They don’t sleep unless they do evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. [17] They eat the bread of evil, and they drink the wine of violence. [18] The way of the righteous is like morning light that gets brighter and brighter till it is full day. [19] The path of the wicked is like deep darkness; they don’t know where they will stumble. [20] My son, pay attention to my words. Bend your ear to my speech. [21] Don’t let them slip from your sight. Guard them in your mind. [22] They are life to those who find them, and healing for their entire body. [23] More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it. [24] Have nothing to do with a corrupt mouth; keep devious lips far from you. [25] Focus your eyes straight ahead; keep your gaze on what is in front of you. [26] Watch your feet on the way, and all your paths will be secure. [27] Don’t deviate a bit to the right or the left; turn your feet away from evil.
