[1] Hear, O sons, the discipline of a father, And pay attention that you may know understanding, [2] For I give you sound learning; Do not forsake my instruction. [3] When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son before my mother, [4] Then he instructed me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live; [5] Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth. [6] “Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; Love her, and she will guard you. [7] “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, acquire understanding. [8] “Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. [9] “She will give for your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.” [10] Hear, my son, and receive my sayings And the years of your life will be many. [11] I have instructed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright tracks. [12] When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. [13] Seize discipline; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. [14] Do not enter the path of wicked men And do not step into the way of evil men. [15] Avoid it, do not pass by it; Stray from it and pass on. [16] For they do not sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. [17] For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. [18] But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the fullness of day. [19] The way of the wicked is like thick darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. [20] My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. [21] Do not let them deviate from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart. [22] For they are life to those who find them And healing to all his flesh. [23] Guard your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. [24] Put away from you a perverse mouth And put devious lips far from you. [25] Let your eyes look directly ahead And even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you. [26] Watch the track of your feet And all your ways will be established. [27] Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
