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.
14. Into the path of the wicked enter not, And be not happy in a way of evil doers.
15. Avoid it, pass not over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.
16. For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not [some] to stumble.
17. For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And wine of violence they drink.
18. And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established,
19. The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
20. My son, to my words give attention, To my sayings incline thine ear,
21. Let them not turn aside from thine eyes, Preserve them in the midst of thy heart.