Guard your heart above all else,
for it is the source of life.

Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.

Get wisdom, get understanding;
don’t forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.

My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her, and she will guard you.

Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.

She will place a garland of grace on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty.”

Listen, my son. Accept my words,
and you will live many years.

I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.

Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.
Guard it, for it is your life.

Don’t set foot on the path of the wicked;
don’t proceed in the way of evil ones.

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

Avoid it; don’t travel on it.
Turn away from it, and pass it by.

For they can’t sleep
unless they have done what is evil;
they are robbed of sleep
unless they make someone stumble.

he taught me and said:
“Your heart must hold on to my words.
Keep my commands and live.

Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,
and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;
they don’t know what makes them stumble.

for I am giving you good instruction.
Don’t abandon my teaching.

Carefully consider the path for your feet,
and all your ways will be established.

For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.

When I was a son with my father,
tender and precious to my mother,

They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

Don’t lose sight of them;
keep them within your heart.

Don’t turn to the right or to the left;
keep your feet away from evil.

Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze straight ahead.

Listen, my sons, to a father’s discipline,
and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,