1
Hear, sons, the discipline of a father, and give attention to know understanding.
2
For I give you good instruction. Do not forsake my Torah.
3
For I was a son to my father, tender and only beloved before my mother.
4
And he taught me and said to me: “Let your heart hold fast my words. Guard my commandments and live.
5
Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6
Do not forsake her, and she shall guard you. Love her, and she shall preserve you.
7
Wisdom is the beginning. Acquire wisdom. And with all your acquisition, acquire understanding.
8
Exalt her, and she shall lift you up. She shall honor you when you embrace her.
9
She shall place upon your head a wreath of favor. A crown of beauty she shall deliver to you.”
10
Hear, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life shall become many.
11
In the way of wisdom I have instructed you. I have led you in straight paths.
12
When you walk, your steps shall not be restricted. And when you run, you shall not stumble.
13
Take hold of discipline. 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 pass through it. Turn away from it and pass on.
16
For they do not sleep unless they have done evil, and their sleep is taken away unless they cause someone to 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 shining light, going and becoming brighter until the established day.
19
The way of the wicked is like thick darkness. They do not know over what they stumble.
20
My son, give attention to my words. Incline your ear to my sayings.
21
Do not let them depart from your eyes. Guard them in the midst of your heart.
22
For they are life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh.
23
Above every thing guarded, guard your heart, for from it flow the sources of life.
24
Remove from yourself a twisted mouth, and put far from yourself crooked lips.
25
Let your eyes look straight ahead, and let your eyelids look directly before you.
26
Make level the path of your foot, and let all your ways be established.
27
Do not turn to the right or to the left. Remove your foot from evil.