1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4 Thr he taught me, and he said to me, "Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get undersrtanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

7 The beginning of wisdom, is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you wuth a glorious corwn."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of yourlife will be many.

11 I instruct you in a way of wisdom aqnd lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go your way.

16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

17 They eat the breade of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of the day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix you gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful the thought paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.