1 Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake you not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said to me, Let your mind retain My words: keep My commandments, and live.
5 Pay the price to get wisdom. Pay the price to get understanding. Don't forget it. neither decline from the words of my mouth. *
6 Don't forsake her, and she shall preserve you; love her, and she shall keep you.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore pay the price to receive wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding. *
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote you; she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her.
9 She shall give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to you.
10 Hear, Oh my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.
12 When you go, your steps shall not be straitened; and when you run, you shall not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is your life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they do not sleep unless they have done mischief; and their sleep is torn away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the complete day. *
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Don't let them be lost from view from your spiritual and mental eyes; keep them in the center of your mind.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Watch and guard your mind with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a distorted mouth, and willful lips put far from you.
25 Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove your foot from evil.