1-2. Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice;sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live.I’m giving you good counsel;don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.
3-9. When I was a boy at my father’s knee,the pride and joy of my mother,He would sit me down and drill me:“Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding!Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;love her—she keeps her eye on you.Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it;never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.She’ll garland your life with grace,she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”
10-15. Dear friend, take my advice;it will add years to your life.I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way,I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road.I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys,or wasting time making wrong turns.Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip.Guard it well—your life is at stake!Don’t take Wicked Bypass;don’t so much as set foot on that road.Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth.Make a detour and be on your way.
16-17. Evil people are restlessunless they’re making trouble;They can’t get a good night’s sleepunless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.Perversity is their food and drink,violence their drug of choice.
18-19. The ways of right-living people glow with light;the longer they live, the brighter they shine.But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.
20-22. Dear friend, listen well to my words;tune your ears to my voice.Keep my message in plain view at all times.Concentrate! Learn it by heart!Those who discover these words live, really live;body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
23-27. Keep vigilant watch over your heart;that’s where life starts.Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.Keep your eyes straight ahead;ignore all sideshow distractions.Watch your step,and the road will stretch out smooth before you.Look neither right nor left;leave evil in the dust.