1. Listen, my 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 of 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 grace 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. Don’t set foot on the path of the wicked; don’t proceed in 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 sleepunless they have done what is evil;they are robbed of sleepunless they make someone stumble.