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1 Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, || And give attention to know understanding. 2 For I have given to you good learning, do not forsake my law. 3 For I have been a son to my father—tender, || And an only one before my mother. 4 And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, || Keep my commands, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding, || Do not forget, nor turn away || From the sayings of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, || Love her, and she keeps you. 7 The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, || And with all your getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her and she lifts you up, || She honors you when you embrace her. 9 She gives a wreath of grace to your head, || She gives you a crown of beauty freely.” 10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, || And years of life [are] multiplied to you. 11 I have directed you in a way of wisdom, || I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness. 12 In your walking your step is not restricted, || And if you run, you do not stumble. 13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, || Keep her, for she [is] your life. 14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked, || And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers. 15 Avoid it, do not pass over into it, || Turn aside from it, and pass on. 16 For they do not sleep if they do no evil, || And their sleep has been taken away violently, || If they do not cause [some] to stumble. 17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, || And they drink wine of violence. 18 And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, || Going and brightening until the day is established, 19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, || They have not known at what they stumble. 20 My son, give attention to my words, || Incline your ear to my sayings, 21 Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, || Preserve them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they [are] life to those finding them, || And healing to all their flesh. 23 Above every charge keep your heart, || For out of it [are] the outgoings of life. 24 Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, || And put perverse lips far from you, 25 Your eyes look straightforward, || And your eyelids look straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, || And all your ways [are] established. 27 Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, || Turn aside your foot from evil!

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