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A Father’s Instruction

Verse1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Verse2For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.

Verse3When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,

Verse4he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.

Verse5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.

Verse6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.

Verse7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Verse8Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.

Verse9She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

Verse10Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.

Verse11I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.

Verse12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.

Verse13Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

Verse14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Verse15Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.

Verse16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

Verse17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

Verse18The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

Verse19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Verse20My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

Verse21Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.

Verse22For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

Verse23Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

Verse24Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.

Verse25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.

Verse26Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.

Verse27Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.