1Sons, listen to [your] father's discipline, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.

2After all, I have taught you well. Do not abandon my teachings.

3When I was a boy [learning] from my father, when I was a tender and only child of my mother,

4they used to teach me and say to me, "Cling to my words wholeheartedly. Obey my commands so that you may live.

5Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget. Do not turn away from the words that I have spoken.

6Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you.

7The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding with all that you have.

8Cherish wisdom. It will raise you up. It will bring you honor when you embrace it.

9It will give you a graceful garland for your head. It will hand you a beautiful crown."

10My son, listen and accept my words, and they will multiply the years of your life.

11I have taught you the way of wisdom. I have guided you along decent paths.

12When you walk, your stride will not be hampered. Even if you run, you will not stumble.

13Cling to discipline. Do not relax your grip on it. Keep it because it is your life.

14Do not stray onto the path of wicked people. Do not walk in the way of evil people.

15Avoid it. Do not walk near it. Turn away from it, and keep on walking.

16Wicked people cannot sleep unless they do wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep unless they make someone stumble.

17They eat food obtained through wrongdoing and drink wine obtained through violence.

18But the path of righteous people is like the light of dawn that becomes brighter and brighter until it reaches midday.

19The way of wicked people is like deep darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble.

20My son, pay attention to my words. Open your ears to what I say.

21Do not lose sight of these things. Keep them deep within your heart

22because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body.

23Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.

24Remove dishonesty from your mouth. Put deceptive speech far away from your lips.

25Let your eyes look straight ahead and your sight be focused in front of you.

26Carefully walk a straight path, and all your ways will be secure.

27Do not lean to the right or to the left. Walk away from evil.