1 H ear, my sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain and to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, and interpretation.

2 F or I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my teaching.

3 W hen I was a son with my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

4 H e taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.

5 G et skillful and godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.

6 F orsake not, and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you.

7 T he beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).

8 P rize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.

9 S he shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to you.

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

11 I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom; I have led you in paths of uprightness.

12 W hen you walk, your steps shall not be hampered; and when you run, you shall not stumble.

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

14 E nter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15 A void it, do not go on it; turn from it and pass on.

16 F or they cannot sleep unless they have caused trouble or vexation; their sleep is taken away unless they have caused someone to fall.

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

18 B ut the path of the just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until the perfect day.

19 T he way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

20 M y son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.

21 L et them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.

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

23 K eep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

24 P ut away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you.

25 L et your eyes look right on, and let your gaze be straight before you.

26 C onsider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.

27 T urn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.