A Father’s Wise Instruction
Hear, O sons, the adiscipline of a father,
And bpay attention that you may know understanding,
2 For I give you sound alearning;
bDo not forsake my instruction.
3 When I was a son to my father,
aTender and bthe only son before my mother,
4 Then he ainstructed me and said to me,
“Let your heart bhold fast my words;
cKeep my commandments and live;
5 aAcquire wisdom! bAcquire understanding!
Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
aLove her, and she will guard you.
7 aThe beginning of wisdom is: bAcquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, acquire understanding.
8 aPrize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 She will give afor your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”
10 Hear, my son, and areceive my sayings
And the byears of your life will be many.
11 I have ainstructed you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in upright tracks.
12 When you walk, your asteps will not be impeded;
And if you run, you bwill not stumble.
13 aSeize discipline; do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your blife.
14 aDo not enter the path of wicked men
And do not step into the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
aStray from it and pass on.
16 For they ado not sleep unless they do evil;
And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17 For they aeat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the apath of the righteous is like the blight of dawn,
That cshines brighter and brighter until the dfullness of day.
19 The away of the wicked is like thick darkness;
They do not know over what they bstumble.
20 My son, apay attention to my words;
bIncline your ear to my sayings.
21 aDo not let them deviate from your eyes;
bKeep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are alife to those who find them
And bhealing to all his flesh.
23 Guard your heart with all diligence,
For afrom it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you a aperverse mouth
And bput devious lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
And even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you.
26 aWatch the track of your feet
And all your bways will be established.
27 aDo not turn to the right nor to the left;
bTurn your foot from evil.