⁸ Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,
    and do not reject your mother’s teaching,^(A)
9 for they are a fair garland for your head
    and pendants for your neck.^(B)

3 My child, do not forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commandments,^(A)
2 for length of days and years of life
    and abundant welfare they will give 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.