• Security in Wisdom

  • 1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;
  • 2 For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.
  • 3 When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
  • 4 He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.
  • 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
  • 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.
  • 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
  • 8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
  • 9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
  • 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 in right paths.
  • 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.
  • 13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.
  • 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.
  • 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.
  • 16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And 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 just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
  • 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
  • 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
  • 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
  • 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
  • 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
  • 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.
  • 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.
  • 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.
  • 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.