[1] Sons, listen to your father’s teachings. Pay attention so you will understand!
[2] Why? Because the things I teach you are important and good. So don’t ever forget my teachings.
[3] I was young once too! I was my daddy’s little boy and my mother’s only son.
[4] And my father taught me these things. He said to me, “Remember the things I say. Obey my commands and you will live.
[5] Get wisdom and understanding! Don’t forget my words. Always follow my teachings.
[6] Don’t turn away from wisdom. Then wisdom will protect you. Love wisdom, and wisdom will keep you safe.”
[7] Wisdom begins when you decide to get wisdom. So use everything you own to get wisdom! ˻Then you will become wise.˼
[8] Love wisdom, and wisdom will make you great. Make wisdom most important, and wisdom will bring you honor.
[9] She ˻(Wisdom)˼ is the greatest thing that can happen to you.
[10] Son, listen to me. Do the things I say, and you will live long.
[11] I am teaching you about wisdom. I am leading you along the straight path.
[12] Follow this path, and your feet won’t be caught ˻in any trap˼. You can run and not stumble. ˻You will be safe in the things you try to do.˼
[13] Always remember these lessons. Don’t forget these lessons. They are your life!
[14] Don’t follow the path evil people walk on. ˻Don’t live like that.˼ Don’t try to be like them.
[15] Stay away from evil. Don’t go near it. Walk straight past it.
[16] Bad people can’t sleep until they do something wrong. Those people can’t sleep until they hurt some other person.
[17] Those people can’t live without doing evil and hurting other people.
[18] Good people are like the early morning light. The sun rises and the day becomes brighter and happier.
[19] But bad people are like a dark night. They are lost in the darkness and they fall over things they can’t see.
[20] My son, pay attention to the things I say. Listen closely to my words.
[21] Don’t let my words leave you. Remember the things I say.
[22] My teaching will give life to people who listen. My words are like good health to the body.
[23] The most important thing is for you to be careful in the things you think. Your thoughts control your life.
[24] Don’t bend the truth and say things that are not right. Don’t tell lies.
[25] Don’t let yourself turn away from the good and wise goals that are before you.
[26] Be very careful what you do. Live a good life.
[27] Don’t leave the straight path—the way that is good and right. But always turn away from evil.