^{1 Ref} Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;

^{2 Ref} For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.

^{3 Ref} For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

^{4 Ref} He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.

^{5 Ref} Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

^{6 Ref} Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

^{7 Ref} Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

^{8 Ref} Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

^{9 Ref} She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."

^{10 Ref} Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.

^{11 Ref} I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.

^{12 Ref} When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.

^{13 Ref} Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

^{14 Ref} Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men.

^{15 Ref} Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.

^{16 Ref} For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

^{17 Ref} For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

^{18 Ref} But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, That shines more and more until the perfect day.

^{19 Ref} The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over.

^{20 Ref} My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.

^{21 Ref} Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.

^{22 Ref} For they are life to those who find them, And health to their whole body.

^{23 Ref} Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.

^{24 Ref} Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.

^{25 Ref} Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.

^{26 Ref} Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.

^{27 Ref} Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.