Online Bible

Hear, O sons, the ^adiscipline of a father,And ^bpay attention that you may know understanding,2 For I give you ¹sound ^alearning;^bDo not forsake my ²instruction.3 When I was a son to my father,^aTender and ^bthe only son before my mother,4 Then he ^ainstructed me and said to me,“Let your heart ^bhold fast my words;^cKeep my commandments and live;5 ^aAcquire wisdom! ^bAcquire understanding!Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.6 “Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;^aLove her, and she will guard you.7 “¹^aThe beginning of wisdom is: ^bAcquire wisdom;And with all your acquiring, acquire understanding.8 “^aPrize her, and she will exalt you;She will honor you if you embrace her.9 “She will give ^afor your head a garland of grace;She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

10 Hear, my son, and ^areceive my sayingsAnd the ^byears of your life will be many.11 I have ^ainstructed you in the way of wisdom;I have led you in upright tracks.12 When you walk, your ^asteps will not be impeded;And if you run, you ^bwill not stumble.13 ^aSeize discipline; do not let go.Guard her, for she is your ^blife.14 ^aDo not enter the path of wicked menAnd do not step into the way of evil men.15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;^aStray from it and pass on.16 For they ^ado not sleep unless they do evil;And ¹they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.17 For they ^aeat the bread of wickednessAnd drink the wine of violence.18 But the ^apath of the righteous is like the ^blight of dawn,That ^cshines brighter and brighter until the ^dfullness of day.19 The ^away of the wicked is like thick darkness;They do not know over what they ¹^bstumble.

20 My son, ^apay attention to my words;^bIncline your ear to my sayings.21 ^aDo not let them deviate from your eyes;^bKeep them in the midst of your heart.22 For they are ^alife to those who find themAnd ^bhealing to all his flesh.23 Guard your heart with all diligence,For ^afrom it flow the springs of life.24 Put away from you a ^aperverse mouthAnd ^bput devious lips far from you.25 Let your eyes look directly aheadAnd even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you.26 ^aWatch the track of your feetAnd all your ^bways will be established.27 ^aDo not turn to the right nor to the left;^bTurn your foot from evil.