1. Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
2. For good learning I have given to you, My law forsake not.
3. For, a son I have been to my father--tender, And an only one before my mother.
4. And he directeth me, and he saith to me: `Let thy heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.
5. Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
6. Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee.
7. The first thing [is] wisdom--get wisdom, And with all thy getting get understanding.
8. Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her.
9. She giveth to thy head a wreath of grace, A crown of beauty she doth give thee freely.
10. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life [are] multiplied to thee.
11. In a way of wisdom I have directed thee, I have caused thee to tread in paths of uprightness.
12. In thy walking thy step is not straitened, And if thou runnest, thou stumblest not.
13. Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she [is] thy life.