1. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know intelligence;
2. for I give you good doctrine: forsake ye not my law.
3. For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.
4. And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thy heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live.
5. Get wisdom, get intelligence: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6. Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; love her, and she shall preserve thee.
7. The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence.
8. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her.
9. She shall give to thy head a garland of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow upon thee.
10. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be multiplied.
11. I will teach thee in the way of wisdom, I will lead thee in paths of uprightness.
12. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.