Online Bible

Hear, O sons, the ^ainstruction of a father,And ^bgive attention that you may ¹gain understanding,2 For I give you ¹sound ^ateaching;^bDo not abandon my ²instruction.3 When I was a son to my father,^aTender and ^bthe only son in the sight of my mother,4 Then he ^ataught 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 nor turn away from the words of my mouth.6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;^aLove her, and she will watch over you.7 “^aThe ¹beginning of wisdom is: ^bAcquire wisdom;And with all your acquiring, get understanding.8 “^aPrize her, and she will exalt you;She will honor you if you embrace her.9 “She will place ^aon your head a garland of grace;She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

10 Hear, my son, and ^aaccept my sayingsAnd the ^byears of your life will be many.11 I have ^adirected you in the way of wisdom;I have led you in upright paths.12 When you walk, your ^asteps will not be impeded;And if you run, you ^bwill not stumble.13 ^aTake hold of instruction; do not let go.Guard her, for she is your ^blife.14 ^aDo not enter the path of the wickedAnd do not proceed in the way of evil men.15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;Turn away from it and pass on.16 For they ^acannot 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 ^dfull day.19 The ^away of the wicked is like darkness;They do not know over what they ¹^bstumble.

20 My son, ^agive attention to my words;^bIncline your ear to my sayings.21 ^aDo not let them depart from your sight;^bKeep them in the midst of your heart.22 For they are ^alife to those who find themAnd ^bhealth to all ¹their body.23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,For ^afrom it flow the springs of life.24 Put away from you a ^adeceitful mouthAnd ^bput devious ¹speech far from you.25 Let your eyes look directly aheadAnd let your ¹gaze be fixed straight in front of you.26 ^aWatch the path 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.