1 Children, listen to the discipline of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
2 For I gave you good instruction:
Do not forsake my Torah.
3 For I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the eyes of my mother,
4 Then he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
Guard my Commands, and live.
5 “Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not leave her, and let her guard you;
Love her, and let her watch over you.
7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom!
And with all your getting, get understanding.
8 “Exalt her, and let her uplift you;
She brings you esteem when you embrace her.
9 “She gives your head a wreath of esteem,
She shields you with an adorning crown.”
10 Hear, my son, and accept my words,
And let the years of your life be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom,
I have led you in straight paths.
12 When you walk your steps shall not be hindered,
And if you run you shall not stumble.
13 Hold fast to discipline, do not let go;
Watch over her, for she is your ḥai.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil-doers.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil.
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
17 For they have eaten the bread of wickedness,
And they drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know at what they stumble.
20 My son, listen to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your eyes;
Guard them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are ḥai to those who find them,
And healing to all their flesh.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For out of it are the sources of ḥai.
24 Turn away from you a crooked mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look forward,
And your eyelids look straight before you.
26 Consider the path of your feet,
And all your ways are established.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
Turn your foot away from evil.