1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
And give attention that you maya Lit knowgain understanding, | |
2 For I give youb Lit goodsound teaching;
Do not abandon myc Or lawinstruction. | |
3 When I was a son to my father,
Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, | |
4 Then he taught 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 nor turn away from the words of my mouth. | |
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you. | |
7 “Thed Or the primary thing is wisdombeginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding. | |
8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her. | |
9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.” | |
10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings
And the years of your life will be many. | |
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths. | |
12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
And if you run, you will not stumble. | |
13 Take 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 proceed in the way of evil men. | |
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on. | |
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;
Ande Lit their sleep is robbedthey 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 full day. | |
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what theyf Or may stumblestumble. | |
20 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings. | |
21 Do not let them depart from your sight;
Keep them in the midst of your heart. | |
22 For they are life to those who find them
And health to allg Lit histheir body. | |
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life. | |
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devioush Or lipsspeech far from you. | |
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let youri Or eyelidsgaze be fixed straight in front of you. | |
26 Watch the path 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. | |
