⁷ And now, my child,^[a] listen to me,
    and do not depart from the words of my mouth.^(A)

Incline your ear and hear my words^[a]
    and apply your mind to my teaching,
¹⁸ for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, yes, to you.^(A)
20 Have I not written for you thirty^[b] sayings
    of admonition and knowledge,^(B)
21 to show you what is right and true,
    so that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?^(C)

²⁴ And now, my children, listen to me,
    and be attentive to the words of my mouth.^(A)

³² “And now, my children, listen to me:
    happy are those who keep my ways.^(A)
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
³⁴ Happy is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.^(B)
35 For whoever finds me finds life
    and obtains favor from the Lord,^(C)
36 but those who miss me injure themselves;
    all who hate me love death.”^(D)