^8 (A)My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
⁹ For they will be a ^(B)graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.

3 My son, do not forget my law,
^(A)But let your heart keep my commands;
² For length of days and long life
And ^(B)peace they will add to you.

4 Hear, ^(A)my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
² For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
³ When I was my father’s son,
^(B)Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
^4 (C)He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
^(D)Keep my commands, and live.
^5 (E)Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
^(F)Love her, and she will keep you.
^7 (G)Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
^8 (H)Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
⁹ She will place on your head ^(I)an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
^[a]Lend your ear to my understanding,
² That you may ^[b]preserve discretion,
And your lips ^(A)may keep knowledge.

^20 (A)My son, keep your father’s command,
And do not forsake the law of your mother.
^21 (B)Bind them continually upon your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
^22 (C)When you roam, ^[a]they will lead you;
When you sleep, ^(D)they will keep you;
And when you awake, they will speak with you.
^23 (E)For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

7 My son, keep my words,
And ^(A)treasure my commands within you.
^2 (B)Keep my commands and live,
^(C)And my law as the apple of your eye.
^3 (D)Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.