Dual Panel1Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction, consider attentively how to gain understanding;
2it is sound learning I give you, so do not forsake my teaching.
3When I was a boy, subject to my father, tender in years, my mother's only child,
4he taught me and said to me: “Hold fast to my words with all your heart, keep my commandments, and you will have life.
5“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget or turn a deaf ear to what I say.
6Do not forsake her, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will safeguard you;
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8cherish her, and she will lift you high; if only you embrace her, she will bring you to honour.
9She will set a becoming garland on your head; she will bestow on you a glorious crown.
10“Listen, my son, take my words to heart, and the years of your life will be many.
11I shall guide you in the paths of wisdom; I shall lead you in honest ways.
12When you walk nothing will impede you, and when you run nothing will bring you down.
13Cling to instruction and never let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14Do not take to the course of the wicked or follow the way of evildoers;
15do not set foot on it, but avoid it, turn from it, and go on your way.
16For they cannot sleep unless they have done some wrong; unless they have been someone's downfall they lie sleepless.
17The bread they eat is gained by crime, the wine they drink is got by violence.
18While the course of the righteous is like morning light, growing ever brighter till it is broad day,
19the way of the wicked is like deep darkness, and they do not know what has been their downfall.
20“My son, attend to my words, pay heed to my sayings;
21do not let them slip from your sight, keep them fixed in your mind;
22for they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole being.
23Guard your heart more than anything you treasure, for it is the source of all life.
24Keep your mouth from crooked speech and banish deceitful talk from your lips.
25Let your eyes look straight before you, fix your gaze on what lies ahead.
26Mark out the path that your feet must take, and your ways will be secure.
27Deviate to neither right nor left; keep clear of evil.