[1] Listen, sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, [2] for I am giving you good instruction. Don't abandon my teaching. [3] When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother, [4] he taught me and said, "Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live. [5] Get wisdom, get understanding; don't forget or turn away from the words from my mouth. [6] Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you. [7] Wisdom is supreme-so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. [8] Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. [9] She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty." [10] Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. [11] I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. [12] When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. [13] Hold on to instruction; don't let go. Guard it, for it is your life. [14] Keep off the path of the wicked; don't proceed on the way of evil ones. [15] Avoid it; don't travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by. [16] For they can't sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. [17] They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. [18] The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. [19] But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don't know what makes them stumble. [20] My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. [21] Don't lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. [22] For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body. [23] Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. [24] Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously. [25] Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. [26] Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. [27] Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
