| | 1 | Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. | |
| | 2 | I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. | |
| | 3 | When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, | |
| | 4 | he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. | |
| | 5 | Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. | |
| | 6 | Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. | |
| | 7 | Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. | |
| | 8 | Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. | |
| | 9 | She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." | |
| | 10 | Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. | |
| | 11 | I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. | |
| | 12 | When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. | |
| | 13 | Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. | |
| | 14 | Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. | |
| | 15 | Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. | |
| | 16 | For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall. | |
| | 17 | They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. | |
| | 18 | The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. | |
| | 19 | But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. | |
| | 20 | My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. | |
| | 21 | Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; | |
| | 22 | for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. | |
| | 23 | Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. | |
| | 24 | Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. | |
| | 25 | Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. | |
| | 26 | Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. | |
| | 27 | Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. | |
