[1] Listen, sons, to a father`s instruction. Pay attention and know
understanding; [2] For I give you sound learning. Don`t forsake my law.
[3] For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight
of my mother. [4] He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain
my words. Keep my commandments, and live. [5] Get wisdom. Get
understanding. Don`t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
[6] Don`t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will
keep you. [7] Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all
your possessions, get understanding. [8] Esteem her, and she will exalt
you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. [9] She will
give to your head a garland of grace. A crown of splendor will she
deliver to you." [10] Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years
of your life will be many. [11] I have taught you in the way of wisdom.
I have led you in paths of uprightness. [12] When you go, your steps will
not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. [13] Take firm hold
of instruction. Don`t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
[14] Don`t enter into the path of the wicked. Don`t walk in the way of
evil men. [15] Avoid it, and don`t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass
on. [16] For they don`t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken
away, unless they make someone fall. [17] For they eat the bread of
wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. [18] But the path of the
righteous is like the dawning light, That shines more and more until the
perfect day. [19] The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don`t
know what they stumble over. [20] My son, attend to my words. Turn your
ear to my sayings. [21] Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in
the midst of your heart. [22] For they are life to those who find them,
And health to their whole body. [23] Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it is the wellspring of life. [24] Put away from yourself a
perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. [25] Let your eyes look
straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. [26] Make the path of
your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. [27] Don`t turn to
the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
