[1] Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may
gain insight; [2] for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.
[3] When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of
my mother, [4] he taught me, and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my
words; keep my commandments, and live; [5] do not forget, and do not turn
away from the words of my mouth. Get wisdom; get insight. [6] Do not
forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. [7]
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get
insight. [8] Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you
if you embrace her. [9] She will place on your head a fair garland; she
will bestow on you a beautiful crown." [10] Hear, my son, and accept my
words, that the years of your life may be many. [11] I have taught you the
way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. [12] When you
walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble.
[13] Keep hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your
life. [14] Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way
of evil men. [15] Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
[16] For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of
sleep unless they have made some one 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, which shines brighter and brighter
until full day. [19] The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do
not know over what they stumble. [20] My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings. [21] Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart. [22] For they are life to him who finds them,
and healing to all his flesh. [23] Keep your heart with all vigilance; for
from it flow the springs of life. [24] Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you. [25] Let your eyes look directly
forward, and your gaze be straight before you. [26] Take heed to the path
of your feet, then all your ways will be sure. [27] Do not swerve to the
right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.