1 L isten, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;

2 f or I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.

3 F or I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

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

5 G et wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

6 D on’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

7 W isdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

8 E steem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

9 S he will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”

10 L isten, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.

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

12 W hen you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.

13 T ake firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

14 D on’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.

15 A void it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.

16 F or they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. 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 righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.

19 T he way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.

20 M y son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.

21 L et them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart.

22 F or they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.

23 K eep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

24 P ut away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.

25 L et your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.

26 M ake the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.

27 D on’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.