A Father’s Wise Instruction

1Hear, O sons, the discipline of a father,

And pay attention that you may know understanding,

2For I give you [†]sound learning;

Do not forsake my [†]instruction.

3When I was a son to my father,

Tender and the only son before my mother,

4Then he instructed me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

Keep my commandments and live;

5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!

Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.

6Do 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.

8Prize her, and she will exalt you;

She will honor you if you embrace her.

9She will give for your head a garland of grace;

She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

10Hear, my son, and receive my sayings

And the years of your life will be many.

11I have instructed you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in upright tracks.

12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;

And if you run, you will not stumble.

13Seize discipline; do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life.

14Do not enter the path of wicked men

And do not step into the way of evil men.

15Avoid it, do not pass by it;

Stray from it and pass on.

16For they do not sleep unless they do evil;

And [†]they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

17For they eat the bread of wickedness

And drink the wine of violence.

18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

That shines brighter and brighter until the fullness of day.

19The way of the wicked is like thick darkness;

They do not know over what they [†]stumble.

20My son, pay attention to my words;

Incline your ear to my sayings.

21Do not let them deviate from your eyes;

Keep them in the midst of your heart.

22For they are life to those who find them

And healing to all his flesh.

23Guard your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life.

24Put away from you a perverse mouth

And put devious lips far from you.

25Let your eyes look directly ahead

And even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you.

26Watch the track of your feet

And all your ways will be established.

27Do not turn to the right nor to the left;

Turn your foot from evil.