1 H ear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,

2 F or I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.

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

4 T hen he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;

5 A cquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 “ Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

7 “ The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

8 “ Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.

9 “ She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

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

11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.

12 W hen you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.

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

14 D o not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

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

16 F or they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

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 light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

19 T he way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they 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 sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.

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

23 W atch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

24 P ut away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.

25 L et your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

26 W atch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.

27 D o not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.