1Hear, O ye children, the instruction of a father, and give ear to learn understanding.
2For I do give you a good doctrine: therefore forsake ye not my law.
3For I was my father’s son, tender and dear in the sight of my mother,
4When he taught me, and said unto me, Let thine heart hold fast my words: keep my commandments, and thou shalt live.
5Get wisdom: get understanding: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her and she shall preserve thee.
7Wisdom is the beginning: get wisdom therefore: and above all thy possession get understanding.
8Exalt her, and she shall exalt thee: she shall bring thee to honor, if thou embrace her.
9She shall give a comely ornament unto thine head, yea, she shall give thee a crown of glory.
10Hear, my son: and receive my words, and the years of thy life shall be many.
11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom, and led thee in the paths of righteousness.
12When thou goest, thy gait shall not be strait, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall.
13Take hold of instruction, and leave not: keep her, for she is thy life.
14Enter not into the way of the wicked, and walk not in the way of evil men.
15Avoid it, and go not by it: turn from it, and pass by.
16For they cannot sleep, except they have done evil, and their sleep departeth except they cause some to fall.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18But the way of the righteous shineth as the light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19The way of the wicked is as the darkness: they know not wherein they shall fall.
20My son, hearken unto my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21Let them not depart from thine eyes, but keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22For they are life unto those that find them: and health unto all their flesh.
23Keep thine heart with all diligence: for thereout cometh life.
24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and put wicked lips far from thee.
25Let thine eyes behold the right, and let thine eyelids direct thy way before thee.
26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be ordered aright.
27Turn not to the right hand, nor to the left, but remove thy foot from evil.