1 H ear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;

2 F or I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

3 W hen I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

4 H e also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.

5 G et wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 D o not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.

7 W isdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

8 E xalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

9 S he will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

10 H ear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.

12 W hen you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

13 T ake firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

14 D o not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.

15 A void it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.

16 F or they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.

17 F or they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

18 B ut the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

19 T he way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.

20 M y son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

21 D o not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;

22 F or they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

23 K eep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

24 P ut away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

25 L et your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.

26 P onder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

27 D o not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.