Wise Instruction

¹ Hear, children, fatherly instruction; pay attention to gain understanding. ² I’ll teach you well. Don’t abandon my instruction. ³ When I was a son to my father, tender and my mother’s favorite, ⁴ he taught me and said to me: “Let your heart hold on to my words: Keep my commands and live. ⁵ Get wisdom; get understanding. Don’t forget and don’t turn away from my words. ⁶ Don’t abandon her, and she will guard you. Love her, and she will protect you. ⁷ The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom! Get understanding before anything else. ⁸ Highly esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you if you embrace her. ⁹ She will place a graceful wreath on your head; she will give you a glorious crown.” ¹⁰ Listen, my son, and take in my speech, then the years of your life will be many.