1Sons, hear the instruction of a father, and listen in order to know understanding. 2For I give you good teaching; do not forsake my law. 3For I was my father's son, tender and only [beloved] in the sight of my mother. 4He also taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments and live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; forget not; nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her, and she shall keep you; love her, and she shall keep you. 7Wisdom [is] the main thing; get wisdom; and with all your getting get understanding. 8Prize her, and she shall lift you up; she shall bring you to honor when you embrace her. 9She shall give to your hand an ornament of grace; she shall shield you with a crown of glory. 10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life [shall be] many. 11I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the right paths. 12When you go, your steps shall not be narrowed, and when you run, you shall not stumble. 13Take fast hold of instruction; do not let go; keep her; for she [is] your life. 14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not into the way of evil. 15Avoid it; do not pass by it; turn from it, and pass on! 16For they do not sleep, except when 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 to the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked [is] as darkness; they know not at what they stumble. 20My son, listen to my words; bow down your ear to my sayings. 21Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart. 22For they [are] life to those who find them, and health to all his flesh. 23Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life. 24Put away from you a wicked mouth, and devious lips put far from you. 25Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you. 26Ponder the path of your feet, and all your ways [will be] established. 27Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left; remove your foot from evil.