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

O sons, hear the teaching of a father. Listen so you may get understanding.

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

For I give you good teaching. Do not turn away from it.

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

When I was a much loved and only son of my mother and father,

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

he taught me, saying, “Hold my words close to your heart. Keep my teachings and live.

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

Get wisdom and understanding. Do not forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.

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

Do not leave her alone, and she will keep you safe. Love her, and she will watch over you.

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

The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom! And with all you have gotten, get understanding.

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

Honor her and she will honor you. She will honor you if you hold her to your heart.

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

She will put on your head a crown of loving-favor and beauty.”

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

Hear, 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 straight paths.

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

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

When you walk, your steps will not be stopped. If you run, you will not trip.

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

Take hold of teaching. Do not let go. Watch over 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.

Do not go on the path of the sinful. Do not walk in the way of bad men.

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

Stay away from it. Do not 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.

For they cannot sleep unless they do wrong. They are robbed of sleep unless they make someone fall.

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

For they eat the bread of sin, and drink the wine of wrong-doing.

18 B ut the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.

But the way of those who are right is like the early morning light. It shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

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

The way of the sinful is like darkness. They do not know what they trip over.

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

My son, listen 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.

Do not let them leave 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.

For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

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

Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life.

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

Put false speaking away from you. Put bad talk far from you.

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

Let your eyes look straight in front of you, and keep looking at what is in front of you.

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

Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.

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

Do not turn to the right or to the left. Turn your foot away from sin.