[1] Children, listen to your father's teaching. Pay attention and you will learn how to learn. [2] The advice I give is good, so don't ever forget what I teach you. [3] When I was my father's little boy and my mother's dear son, [4] my father taught me this: "Pay attention to what I say. Obey my commands and you will have a good life. [5] Try to get wisdom and understanding. Don't forget my teaching or ignore what I say. [6] Don't turn away from wisdom, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will keep you safe. [7] "The first step to becoming wise is to look for wisdom, so use everything you have to get understanding. [8] Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Hold on to wisdom, and she will bring you honor. [9] Wisdom will reward you with a crown of honor and glory." [10] Son, listen to me. Do what I say, and you will live a long time. [11] I am teaching you about wisdom and guiding you on the right path. [12] As you walk on it, you will not step into a trap. Even if you run, you will not trip and fall. [13] Always remember this teaching. Don't forget it. It is the key to life, so guard it well. [14] Don't take the path of the wicked; don't follow those who do evil. [15] Stay away from that path; don't even go near it. Turn around and go another way. [16] The wicked cannot sleep until they have done something evil. They will not rest until they bring someone down. [17] Evil and violence are their food and drink. [18] The path of those who live right is like the early morning light. It gets brighter and brighter until the full light of day. [19] But the path of the wicked is like a dark night. They trip and fall over what they cannot see. [20] My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. [21] Don't let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. [22] These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. [23] Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life. [24] Don't bend the truth or say things that you know are not right. [25] Keep your eyes on the path, and look straight ahead. [26] Make sure you are going the right way, and nothing will make you fall. [27] Don't go to the right or to the left, and you will stay away from evil.
