Hear, O sons
, the ainstruction
of a father
, And bgive
attention
that you may 1gain
understanding
,
For I give you 1sound
ateaching
; bDo not abandon
my 2instruction
.
When I was a son
to my father
, aTender
and bthe only
son
in the sight
of my mother
,
Then he ataught me and said
to me, "Let your heart
bhold
fast
my words
; cKeep
my commandments
and live
;
aAcquire wisdom
! bAcquire
understanding
! Do not forget
nor
turn
away
from the words
of my mouth
.
"Do not forsake her, and she will guard
you; aLove
her, and she will watch
over you.
" aThe 1beginning of wisdom
is: bAcquire
wisdom
; And with all
your acquiring
, get
understanding
.
" aPrize her, and she will exalt
you; She will honor
you if
you embrace
her.
"She will place aon your head
a garland
of grace
; She will present
you with a crown
of beauty
."
Hear, my son
, and aaccept
my sayings
And the byears
of your life
will be many
.
I have adirected you in the way
of wisdom
; I have led
you in upright
paths
.
When you walk, your asteps
will not be impeded
; And if
you run
, you bwill not stumble
.
aTake hold
of instruction
; do not let
go
. Guard
her, for she is your blife
.
aDo not enter the path
of the wicked
And do not proceed
in the way
of evil
men
.
Avoid it, do not pass
by it; Turn
away
from it and pass
on.
For they acannot sleep
unless
they do
evil
; And 1they are robbed
of sleep
unless
they make someone stumble
.
For they aeat the bread
of wickedness
And drink
the wine
of violence
.
But the apath of the righteous
is like the blight
of dawn
, That cshines
brighter
and brighter
until
the dfull
day
.
The away of the wicked
is like darkness
; They do not know
over what
they 1 bstumble
.
My son, agive
attention
to my words
; bIncline
your ear
to my sayings
.
aDo not let them depart from your sight
; bKeep
them in the midst
of your heart
.
For they are alife to those who find
them And bhealth
to all
1their body
.
Watch over your heart
with all
diligence
, For afrom it flow the springs
of life
.
Put away
from you a adeceitful
mouth
And bput
devious
1speech
far
from you.
Let your eyes look
directly
ahead
And let your 1gaze
be fixed
straight
in front
of you.
aWatch the path
of your feet
And all
your bways
will be established
.
aDo not turn to the right
nor
to the left
; bTurn
your foot
from evil
.