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[1]Hear, O ye children, the instruction of a father, and give ear to learn understanding.
[2]For I do give you a good doctrine: therefore forsake ye not my law.
[3]For I was my father's son, tender and dear in the sight of my mother,
[4]When he taught me, and said unto me, Let thine heart hold fast my words: keep my commandments, and thou shalt live.
[5]Get wisdom: get understanding: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.
[6]Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her and she shall preserve thee.
[7]Wisdom is the beginning: get wisdom therefore: and above all thy possession get understanding.
[8]Exalt her, and she shall exalt thee: she shall bring thee to honor, if thou embrace her.
[9]She shall give a comely ornament unto thine head, yea, she shall give thee a crown of glory.
[10]Hear, my son, and receive my words, and the years of thy life shall be many.
[11]I have taught thee in the way of wisdom, and led thee in the paths of righteousness.
[12]When thou goest, thy gate shall not be strait, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall.
[13]Take hold of instruction, and leave not: keep her, for she is thy life.
[14]Enter not into the way of the wicked, and walk not in the way of evil men.
[15]Avoid it, and go not by it: turn from it, and pass by.
[16]For they cannot sleep, except they have done evil, and their sleep departeth except they cause some to fall.
[17]For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
[18]But the way of the righteous shineth as the light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
[19]The way of the wicked is as the darkness: they know not wherein they shall fall.
[20]My son, hearken unto my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings.
[21]Let them not depart from thine eyes, but keep them in the midst of thine heart.
[22]For they are life unto those that find them, and health unto all their flesh.
[23]Keep thine heart with all diligence: for there out cometh life.
[24]Put away from thee a froward mouth, and put wicked lips far from thee.
[25]Let thine eyes behold the right, and let thine eyelids direct thy way before thee.
[26]Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be ordered aright.
[27]Turn not to the right hand, nor to the left, but remove thy foot from evil.
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