[1] Give ear, my sons, to the teaching of a father; give attention so that
you may have knowledge: [2] For I give you good teaching; do not give up
the knowledge you are getting from me. [3] For I was a son to my father, a
gentle and an only one to my mother. [4] And he gave me teaching, saying to
me, Keep my words in your heart; keep my rules so that you may have life:
[5] Get wisdom, get true knowledge; keep it in memory, do not be turned
away from the words of my mouth. [6] Do not give her up, and she will keep
you; give her your love, and she will make you safe. [7] The first sign of
wisdom is to get wisdom; go, give all you have to get true knowledge. [8]
Put her in a high place, and you will be lifted up by her; she will give
you honour, when you give her your love. [9] She will put a crown of grace
on your head, giving you a head-dress of glory. [10] Give ear, O my son,
and let your heart be open to my sayings; and long life will be yours. [11]
I have given you teaching in the way of wisdom, guiding your steps in the
straight way. [12] When you go, your way will not be narrow, and in running
you will not have a fall. [13] Take learning in your hands, do not let her
go: keep her, for she is your life. [14] Do not go in the road of sinners,
or be walking in the way of evil men. [15] Keep far from it, do not go
near; be turned from it, and go on your way. [16] For they take no rest
till they have done evil; their sleep is taken away if they have not been
the cause of someone's fall. [17] The bread of evil-doing is their food,
the wine of violent acts their drink. [18] But the way of the upright is
like the light of early morning, getting brighter and brighter till the
full day. [19] The way of sinners is dark; they see not the cause of their
fall. [20] My son, give attention to my words; let your ear be turned to my
sayings. [21] Let them not go from your eyes; keep them deep in your heart.
[22] For they are life to him who gets them, and strength to all his flesh.
[23] And keep watch over your heart with all care; so you will have life.
[24] Put away from you an evil tongue, and let false lips be far from you.
[25] Keep your eyes on what is in front of you, looking straight before
you. [26] Keep a watch on your behaviour; let all your ways be rightly
ordered. [27] Let there be no turning to the right or to the left, keep
your feet from evil.