⁵ A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
    but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.^(A)

²⁰ A wise child makes a glad father,
    but the foolish despise their mothers.^(A)

⁷ Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
    whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.^(A)
8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
    rebuke the wise, and he will love you.^(B)

4 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain^[a] insight,^(A)
2 for I give you good precepts:
    do not forsake my teaching.
³ When I was a son with my father,
    tender and my mother’s favorite,^(B)
4 he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments and live.^(C)
5 Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget nor turn away
    from the words of my mouth.^(D)
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.^(E)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom,
    and whatever else you get, get insight.^(F)
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.^(G)
9 She will place on your head a fair garland;
    she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”^(H)

¹⁰ Hear, my child, and accept my words,
    that the years of your life may be many.
¹¹ I have taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.^(I)
12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
    and if you run, you will not stumble.^(J)
13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
¹⁴ Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of evildoers.^(K)

²⁰ My child, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹ Do not let them escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.^(A)
22 For they are life to those who find them
    and healing to all their flesh.^(B)