1 Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,  *

and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,

2 for I am giving you good instruction.  *

Don’t abandon my teaching.

3 When I was a son with my father,

tender and precious to my mother,

4 he taught me and said,

"Your heart must hold on to my words.

Keep my commands and live.  *

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;  *

don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.

6 Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;

love her,  * and she will guard you.

7 Wisdom is supreme — so get wisdom.

And whatever else you get, get understanding.  *

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

if you embrace her, she will honor you.  *

9 She will place a garland of favor on your head;

she will give you a crown of beauty."  *

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,  *

and you will live many years.  *

11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;

I am guiding you on straight paths.  *

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;  *

when you run, you will not stumble.  *

13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.  *

Guard it, for it is your life.

14 Keep off the path of the wicked;  *

don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.

15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it.

Turn away from it, and pass it by.

16 For they can’t sleep

unless they have done what is evil;

they are robbed of sleep

unless they make someone stumble.  *

17 They eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,  *

shining brighter and brighter until midday.

19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;  *

they don’t know what makes them stumble.  *

20 My son, pay attention to my words;

listen closely to my sayings.  *

21 Don’t lose sight of them;  *

keep them within your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them,

and health to one’s whole body.

23 Guard your heart above all else,  *

for it is the source of life.  *

24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,  *

and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

25 Let your eyes look forward;

fix your gaze  * straight ahead.  *

26 Carefully consider the path  * for your feet,  *

and all your ways will be established.

27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left;  *

keep your feet away from evil.