1HEAR, O my children, the instruction of a father, and give ear to knowledge and understanding.

2Because I give you good doctrine, do not forsake my law.

3For I was also a son to my father, tender and the only begotten in the sight of my mother.

4He taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live; and let my law be as the pupil of the eye.

5Get wisdom, get understanding; and turn not aside from the words of my mouth.

6Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will save you.

7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all your substance get understanding.

8Love her, and she shall exalt you; embrace her, and she shall honor you.

9She shall put upon your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she bestow upon you.

10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many.

11I have taught you the ways of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.

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

13Take fast hold of my instruction, and do not forsake her; keep her, for she is your life.

14Do not walk in the way of evil men, and do not envy the way of the wicked.

15The place where they dwell, do not pass by it, turn away from it,

16For they do not sleep until they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away until their evil devices are carried out.

17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

18But the path of the righteous is like the shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day.

19The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know at what they stumble.

20My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

21Do not let them depart from your eyes; but keep them in the midst of your heart.

22For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all his flesh.

23Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

24Put away from you a perverse mouth, and the counsel of deceit put far from your lips.

25Let your eyes look straight forward, and let your eyelids look straight before you.

26Keep your feet away from evil paths; then all your ways shall be firm.

27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; but remove your foot from evil.