⁸ My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
⁹ They will be a graceful wreath for your head
    and a chain for your neck.

3 My son, don’t forget my instruction,
and keep my commandments carefully in mind.^[a]
2 For they will add length to your days, years to your life,
    and abundant peace to you.

4 Listen, children,^[a] to your father’s instruction,
and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
² I give you sound teaching,
so do not abandon my instruction.^[b]
3 When I was a son to my father,
    not yet strong^[c] and an only son to my mother,
⁴ he taught me and told me,
    “Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say;^[d]
        keep my commandments and live!
⁵ Get wisdom! Get understanding!
    Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!
⁶ Do not abandon her, and she will protect you.
    Love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom,
    and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.
⁸ Prize her and she will exalt you.
    Indeed, if you embrace her, she will honor you.
⁹ She will place on your head a graceful garland;
    she will present to you a crown of beauty.”

²⁰ My son, pay attention to my words,
    and listen closely^[a] to what I say.
²¹ Do not let them out of your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
²² For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole body.^[b]

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
² so you may carefully practice^[a] discretion
    and your lips preserve knowledge.

²⁰ Keep your father’s commands, my son,
    and never forsake your mother’s rules,^[a]
21 by binding them to your heart continuously,
    fastening them around your neck.
²² During your travels wisdom^[b] will lead you;
    she will watch over you while you rest;
and when you are startled from your sleep,
    she will commune with you.
²³ Because the command is a lamp
    and the Law a light,
        rebukes that discipline are a way of life—

7 My son, guard what I say
and treasure my commands.
² Keep my commands and you’ll live.
    Guard^[a] my teaching as you do your eyesight.
³ Strap them to your fingers
    and engrave them on the tablet of your heart.

¹⁷ Whoever heeds correction is on the pathway to life,
    but someone who ignores exhortation goes astray.