1. O sons, hear the teaching of a father. Listen so you may get understanding.
2. For I give you good teaching. Do not turn away from it.
3. When I was a much loved and only son of my mother and father,
4. he taught me, saying, "Hold my words close to your heart. Keep my teachings and live.
5. Get wisdom and understanding. Do not forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.
6. Do not leave her alone, and she will keep you safe. Love her, and she will watch over you.
7. The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom! And with all you have gotten, get understanding.
8. Honor her and she will honor you. She will honor you if you hold her to your heart.
9. She will put on your head a crown of loving-favor and beauty."
10. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many.
11. I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you on the right paths.
12. When you walk, your steps will not be stopped. If you run, you will not trip.
13. Take hold of teaching. Do not let go. Watch over her, for she is your life.
14. Do not go on the path of the sinful. Do not walk in the way of bad men.
15. Stay away from it. Do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
16. For they cannot sleep unless they do wrong. They are robbed of sleep unless they make someone fall.
17. For they eat the bread of sin, and drink the wine of wrong-doing.
18. But the way of those who are right is like the early morning light. It shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
19. The way of the sinful is like darkness. They do not know what they trip over.
20. My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
21. Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart.
22. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
23. Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life.
24. Put false speaking away from you. Put bad talk far from you.
25. Let your eyes look straight in front of you, and keep looking at what is in front of you.
26. Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
27. Do not turn to the right or to the left. Turn your foot away from sin.