An admonition of a father to his son. Acquiring wisdom
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Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
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For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.
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When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,
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he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.
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Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.
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Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.
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Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire,(a) gain understanding.
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Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
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She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”
The way of the wise and the way of the unrighteous
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Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.
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I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.
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When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.
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Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
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Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
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Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.
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For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
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For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
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The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
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But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
A father's admonition
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My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
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Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
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For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
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Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
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Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.
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Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
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Make a level path for your feet,(b) and all your ways will be sure.
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Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.
Footnotes