Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

"Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.

"She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty."

Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.

I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.

Take hold of instruction; do not let go Guard her, for she is your life.

Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.

Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.

For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;

Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.

The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.

For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.

Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.

For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.

When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence.

Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.

Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.

Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,