1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
3For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
4For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
5For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
6For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
7He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
8He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
9Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
10Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
11Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
12Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
13Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
14Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
15Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
16Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
17She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.4.9 a crown…: or, she shall compass thee with a crown of glory
18She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.4.9 a crown…: or, she shall compass thee with a crown of glory
19Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
20Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
21I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
22I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
23When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
24When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
25Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
26Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
27¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
28¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
29Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
30Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
31For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
32For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
33For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
34For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
35But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
36But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
37The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
38The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
39¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
40¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
41Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
42Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
43For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.4.22 health: Heb. medicine
44For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.4.22 health: Heb. medicine
45¶ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.4.23 with…: Heb. above all keeping
46¶ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.4.23 with…: Heb. above all keeping
47Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.4.24 a froward…: Heb. frowardness of mouth and perverseness of lips
48Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.4.24 a froward…: Heb. frowardness of mouth and perverseness of lips
49Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
50Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
51Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.4.26 let…: or, all thy ways shall be ordered aright
52Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.4.26 let…: or, all thy ways shall be ordered aright
53Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
54Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.