1Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, "" And give attention to know understanding.

2For I have given to you good learning, do not forsake my law.

3For I have been a son to my father—tender, "" And an only one before my mother.

4And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, "" Keep my commands, and live.

5Get wisdom, get understanding, "" Do not forget, nor turn away "" From the sayings of my mouth.

6Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, "" Love her, and she keeps you.

7The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, "" And with all your getting get understanding.

8Exalt her and she lifts you up, "" She honors you when you embrace her.

9She gives a wreath of grace to your head, "" She gives you a crown of beauty freely.”

10Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, "" And years of life [are] multiplied to you.

11I have directed you in a way of wisdom, "" I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.

12In your walking your step is not restricted, "" And if you run, you do not stumble.

13Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, "" Keep her, for she [is] your life.

14Do not enter into the path of the wicked, "" And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers.

15Avoid it, do not pass over into it, "" Turn aside from it, and pass on.

16For they do not sleep if they do no evil, "" And their sleep has been taken away violently, "" If they do not cause [some] to stumble.

17For they have eaten bread of wickedness, "" And they drink wine of violence.

18And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, "" Going and brightening until the day is established,

19The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, "" They have not known at what they stumble.

20My son, give attention to my words, "" Incline your ear to my sayings,

21Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, "" Preserve them in the midst of your heart.

22For they [are] life to those finding them, "" And healing to all their flesh.

23Above every charge keep your heart, "" For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.

24Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, "" And put perverse lips far from you,

25Your eyes look straightforward, "" And your eyelids look straight before you.

26Ponder the path of your feet, "" And all your ways [are] established.

27Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, "" Turn aside your foot from evil!