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.
17. They eat the bread of wickednessand 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.