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A Father's Teaching

¹ O sons, hear the teaching of a father. Listen so you may get understanding. ² For I give you good teaching. Do not turn away from it. ³ When I was a much loved and only son of my mother and father, ⁴ he taught me, saying, "Hold my words close to your heart. Keep my teachings and live. ⁵ Get wisdom and understanding. Do not forget or turn away from the words of my mouth. ⁶ Do not leave her alone, and she will keep you safe. Love her, and she will watch over you. ⁷ The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom! And with all you have gotten, get understanding. ⁸ Honor her and she will honor you. She will honor you if you hold her to your heart. ⁹ She will put on your head a crown of loving-favor and beauty."

¹⁰ Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. ¹¹ I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you on the right paths. ¹² When you walk, your steps will not be stopped. If you run, you will not trip. ¹³ Take hold of teaching. Do not let go. Watch over her, for she is your life. ¹⁴ Do not go on the path of the sinful. Do not walk in the way of bad men. ¹⁵ Stay away from it. Do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. ¹⁶ For they cannot sleep unless they do wrong. They are robbed of sleep unless they make someone fall. ¹⁷ For they eat the bread of sin, and drink the wine of wrong-doing. ¹⁸ But the way of those who are right is like the early morning light. It shines brighter and brighter until the perfect day. ¹⁹ The way of the sinful is like darkness. They do not know what they trip over.

²⁰ My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. ²¹ Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. ²² For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. ²³ Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life. ²⁴ Put false speaking away from you. Put bad talk far from you. ²⁵ Let your eyes look straight in front of you, and keep looking at what is in front of you. ²⁶ Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure. ²⁷ Do not turn to the right or to the left. Turn your foot away from sin.