8. Esteem her, and she will exalt you.She will bring you to honour, when you embrace her.
9. She will give to your head a garland of grace.She will deliver a crown of splendour to you.”
10. Listen, my son, and receive my sayings.The years of your life will be many.
11. I have taught you in the way of wisdom.I have led you in straight paths.
12. When you go, your steps will not be hampered.When you run, you will not stumble.
13. Take firm hold of instruction.Don’t let her go.Keep her, for she is your life.
14. Don’t enter into the path of the wicked.Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
15. Avoid it, and don’t pass by it.Turn from it, and pass on.
16. For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil.Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
17. For they eat the bread of wickedness,and drink the wine of violence.
18. But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light,that shines more and more until the perfect day.
19. The way of the wicked is like darkness.They don’t know what they stumble over.
20. My son, attend to my words.Turn your ear to my sayings.
21. Let them not depart from your eyes.Keep them in the centre of your heart.