Supreme Value of Wisdom

1Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my law.

3For I was my father's son, tender and the only one in the sight of my mother.

4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let your heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither turn away from the words of my mouth.

6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve you: love her, and she shall keep you.

7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding.

8Exalt her, and she shall promote you: she shall bring you to honor, when you do embrace her.

9She shall give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to you.

10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many.

11I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.

12When you go, your steps shall not be hindered; and when you run, you shall not stumble.

13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is your life.

14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

16For they sleep not, unless they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause someone to fall.

17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.

19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20My son, attend to my words; incline your ear unto my sayings.

21Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.

22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and perverse lips put far from you.

25Let your eyes look directly forward, and let your eyelids look straight before you.

26Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove your foot from evil.