With all vigilance, keep your heart, for from it [comes] the source of life.

The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom! With all [that is in] your possession, gain insight.

Get wisdom and insight; do not forget and do not turn from the sayings of my mouth.

My child, be attentive to my words; to my sayings incline your ear.

But the path of the righteous ones [is] like the light of dawn, leading and shining until the day {is full}.

Do not forsake her--then she will guard you; love her and she will keep you.

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

She will give a garland for your head; she shall bestow a crown of glory upon you."

Listen, my child, take my sayings, and [the] years of your life shall be great.

In the way of wisdom I have instructed you; I have led you in the path of uprightness.

Seize the instruction! Do not let go! Guard her, for she is your life.

In the path of the wicked do not go; do not walk in the way of those who do evil.

{When you walk}, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.

Avoid it; do not transgress it; turn away from it and pass by.

For they will not sleep if they have not done wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep if they do not cause stumbling.

he taught me and said to me, "May your heart hold fast [to] my words; guard my commandments and live.

Remove from yourself {deceitful speech}, and abolish {devious talk} from yourself.

The way of the wicked ones [is] like deep darkness; they do not know what they stumble over.

For I have given you good instruction; do not forsake my teaching.

May the path of your foot be balanced and all your ways be sure.

For they are life to those who find them and healing {to the entire body}.

When I was a son to my father, tender and alone before my mother,

For they ate the bread of wickedness, and they drank the wine of violence.

May they not escape from your {sight}; keep them in [the] midst of your heart.

Do not swerve right or left; remove your foot from evil.

May your eyes look forward and your gaze be straight before you.

Children, listen [to the] instruction of a father, and be attentive [in order] to know insight.