⁸ My son, listen to your father’s advice.
    Don’t turn away from your mother’s teaching.
⁹ What they teach you will be like a beautiful crown on your head.
    It will be like a chain to decorate your neck.

3 My son, do not forget my teaching.
    Keep my commands in your heart.
² They will help you live for many years.
    They will bring you peace and success.

4 My sons, listen to a father’s teaching.
    Pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you good advice.
    So don’t turn away from what I teach you.
³ I, too, was once a young boy in my father’s house.
    And my mother loved me deeply.
⁴ Then my father taught me.
    He said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart.
    Keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, and get understanding.
    Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Stay close to wisdom, and she will keep you safe.
    Love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ To start being wise you must first get wisdom.
    No matter what it costs, get understanding.
⁸ Value wisdom highly, and she will lift you up.
    Hold her close, and she will honor you.
⁹ She will set a beautiful crown on your head.
    She will give you a glorious crown.”

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
    Listen carefully to my wise sayings.
² Then you will continue to have good sense.
    Your lips will keep on speaking words of knowledge.

²⁰ My son, keep your father’s command.
    Don’t turn away from your mother’s teaching.
²¹ Always tie them on your heart.
    Put them around your neck.
²² When you walk, they will guide you.
    When you sleep, they will watch over you.
    When you wake up, they will speak to you.
²³ Your father’s command is like a lamp.
    Your mother’s teaching is like a light.
And whatever instructs and corrects you
    leads to life.

7 My son, obey my words.
    Store up my commands inside you.
² Obey my commands and you will live.
    Guard my teachings as you would guard your own eyes.
³ Tie them on your fingers.
    Write them on the tablet of your heart.