1Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father,

And pay attention so that you may [a]gain understanding,

2For I give you good teaching;

Do not abandon my [b]instruction.

3When I was a son to my father,

Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

4He taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart take hold of my words;

Keep my commandments and live;

5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6“Do not abandon her, and she will guard you;

Love her, and she will watch over you.

7“The [c]beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;

And with all your possessions, acquire 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.”

10Listen, my son, and accept 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 paths.

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

And if you run, you will not stumble.

13Take hold of instruction; do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life.

14Do not enter the path of the wicked

And do not proceed in the way of evil people.

15Avoid it, do not pass by it;

Turn away from it and pass on.

16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;

And [d]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 full day.

19The way of the wicked is like darkness;

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

20My son, pay attention to my words;

Incline your ear to my sayings.

21They are not to escape from your sight;

Keep them in the midst of your heart.

22For they are life to those who find them,

And healing to all [f]their body.

23Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life.

24Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth

And keep devious [g]speech far from you.

25Let your eyes look directly ahead

And let your [h]gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

26[i]Watch the path of your feet,

And all your ways will be established.

27Do not turn to the right or to the left;

Turn your foot from evil.