1. Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding:
2. For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my law.
3. For I was a son unto my father, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4. And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thine 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 thee; love her, and she shall keep thee.
7. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: yea, with all thou hast gotten get understanding.
8. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9. She shall give to thine head a chaplet of grace: a crown of beauty shall she deliver to thee.
10. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
12. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.