|
|
|
| 1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father,
and attend to know understanding. 2For I give you good doctrine, forsake
ye not my law. 3For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the
sight of my mother. 4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart
retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding:
forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6Forsake her
not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7Wisdom
is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting
get understanding. 8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring
thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 9She shall give to thine head
an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall
be many. 11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in
right paths. 12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and
when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 13Take fast hold of instruction;
let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. 20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. |
My children, listen to me. Listen to your
father’s instruction. Pay attention and grow wise, 2 for I am giving you
good guidance. Don’t turn away from my teaching. 3 For I, too, was once
my father’s son, tenderly loved by my mother as an only child.
4 My father told me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live. 5 Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don’t forget or turn away from my words. 6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you. 9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” 10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. 12 If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run. 13 Carry out my instructions; don’t forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life. 14 Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers. 15 Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else, 16 for evil people cannot sleep until they have done their evil deed for the day. They cannot rest unless they have caused someone to stumble. 17 They eat wickedness and drink violence! 18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like complete darkness. Those who follow it have no idea what they are stumbling over. 20 Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. 21 Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, 22 for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. |