1Hear, you^2f children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2For I give you good doctrine, forsake you^2f not my law.

3For I was my father's son, tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother.

4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let youⁱ heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve youⁱ: love her, and she shall keep youⁱ.

7Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all youⁱ getting get understanding.

8Exalt her, and she shall promote youⁱ: she shall bring youⁱ to honour, when youⁱ do embrace her.

9She shall give to youⁱ head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to youⁱ.

10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of youⁱ life shall be many.

11I have taught youⁱ in the way of wisdom; I have led youⁱ in right paths.

12When youⁱ go, yourⁱ steps shall not be straitened (impeded or restricted; narrowed, distressed); and when youⁱ run, youⁱ shall not stumble.

13Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] yourⁱ life.

14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men].

15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.

17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.

19The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20My son, attend to my words; incline youⁱ ear unto my sayings.

21Let them not depart from youⁱ eyes; keep them in the midst of youⁱ heart.

22For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23Keep youⁱ heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

24Put away from youⁱ a perverse (twisted) [habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition] mouth, and perverse lips put far from youⁱ.

25Let youⁱ eyes look right on, and let youⁱ eyelids look straight before youⁱ.

26Ponder the path of youⁱ feet, and let all youⁱ ways be established.

27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove youⁱ foot from evil.