1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
2For I give you sound teaching;
3When I was a son to my father,
4he taught me and said,
5Get wisdom, get understanding;
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you;
7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom.
8Prize her, and she will exalt you;
9She will set a garland of grace on your head;
10Listen, my son, and receive my words,
11I will guide you in the way of wisdom;
12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
13Hold on to instruction; do not let go.
14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
15Avoid it; do not travel on it.
16For they cannot sleep
17For they eat the bread of wickedness
18The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;
20My son, pay attention to my words;
21Do not lose sight of them;
22For they are life to those who find them,
23Guard your heart with all diligence,
24Put away deception from your mouth;
25Let your eyes look forward;
26Make a level path for your feet,4:26 Or Ponder the path for your feet; LXX Make straight paths for your feet; cited in Hebrews 12:13
27Do not swerve to the right or to the left;