1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instrustion; 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 the father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4 Then 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 understanding; 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. Through 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 with a glorious crown."

10 Listen, my son, accecpt what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

11 I instruct you in the way I say, and the years of your life will be many.

12 When you walk, you steps will not be hampherd; when you run, you will not strumble.

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 on 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 bread of wickedness andd 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 di know what makes them stuble.

20 My son, pay attentio to what I say; turn your ears to my words.

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

22 for they are life to those who find them and ealth 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 from your lips.

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

26 Give careful thought to the paths fo your feet and be stread fast in all your ways.

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