1Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, || And give attention to know understanding.
2For I have given to you good learning, do not forsake my law.
3For I have been a son to my father—tender, || And an only one before my mother.
4And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, || Keep my commands, and live.
5Get wisdom, get understanding, || Do not forget, nor turn away || From the sayings of my mouth.
6Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, || Love her, and she keeps you.
7The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, || And with all your getting get understanding.
8Exalt her and she lifts you up, || She honors you when you embrace her.
9She gives a wreath of grace to your head, || She gives you a crown of beauty freely.”
10Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, || And years of life [are] multiplied to you.
11I have directed you in a way of wisdom, || I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.
12In your walking your step is not restricted, || And if you run, you do not stumble.
13Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, || Keep her, for she [is] your life.
14Do not enter into the path of the wicked, || And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers.
15Avoid it, do not pass over into it, || Turn aside from it, and pass on.
16For they do not sleep if they do no evil, || And their sleep has been taken away violently, || If they do not cause [some] to stumble.
17For they have eaten bread of wickedness, || And they drink wine of violence.
18And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, || Going and brightening until the day is established,
19The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, || They have not known at what they stumble.
20My son, give attention to my words, || Incline your ear to my sayings,
21Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, || Preserve them in the midst of your heart.
22For they [are] life to those finding them, || And healing to all their flesh.
23Above every charge keep your heart, || For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.
24Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, || And put perverse lips far from you,
25Your eyes look straightforward, || And your eyelids look straight before you.
26Ponder the path of your feet, || And all your ways [are] established.
27Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, || Turn aside your foot from evil!