1 Hear, you2f children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake you2f 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 unto me, Let youi heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve youi: love her, and she shall keep youi.

7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all youi getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote youi: she shall bring youi to honour, when youi do embrace her.

9 She shall give to youi head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to youi.

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of youi life shall be many.

11 I have taught youi in the way of wisdom; I have led youi in right paths.

12 When youi go, youri steps shall not be straitened (impeded or restricted; narrowed, distressed); and when youi run, youi shall not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction; let [her] not go: keep her; for she [is] youri 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 sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken 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 unto the perfect 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 youi ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from youi eyes; keep them in the midst of youi heart.

22 For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep youi heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

24 Put away from youi a perverse (twisted) [habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition] mouth, and perverse lips put far from youi.

25 Let youi eyes look right on, and let youi eyelids look straight before youi.

26 Ponder the path of youi feet, and let all youi ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove youi foot from evil.