¹ O Eternal, our Lord,
    Your majestic name is heard throughout the earth;
Your magnificent glory shines far above the skies.
² From the mouths and souls of infants and toddlers, the most innocent,
    You have decreed power to stop Your adversaries
    and quash those who seek revenge.

³ When I gaze to the skies and meditate on Your creation—
    on the moon, stars, and all You have made,
⁴ I can’t help but wonder why You care about mortals—
    sons and daughters of men—
    specks of dust floating about the cosmos.

⁵ But You placed the son of man just beneath God
    and honored him like royalty, crowning him with glory and honor.
⁶ You ordained him to govern the works of Your hands,
    to nurture the offspring of Your divine imagination;
    You placed everything on earth beneath his feet:
⁷ All kinds of domesticated animals,
    even the wild animals in the fields and forests,
⁸ The birds of the sky and the fish of the sea,
    all the multitudes of living things that travel the currents of the oceans.

⁹ O Eternal, our Lord,
    Your majestic name is heard throughout the earth.

4 Gather, children, to hear your father’s instruction.
    Pay close attention so you will understand,
² For I am passing down to you important precepts.
    Do not abandon these valuable life lessons.
³ Back when I was young—the very image of my father,
    and yet from my mother’s view, still her only boy—
⁴ My father, with his years of experience, became my teacher.

Father: Son, grab on to every word I say to you—hold them close—
        stay true to my instructions as you live, and they will serve you well.
⁵     Whatever it takes to gain Wisdom, do it.
        To gain understanding, do it! Never forget this!
        Never stray from what I am telling you.
⁶     If you don’t forsake Lady Wisdom, she will protect you.
        Love her, and she will faithfully take care of you.
⁷     Gaining sound judgment is key, so first things first: go after Lady Wisdom!
        Now, whatever else you do, follow through to understanding.
⁸     Cherish her, and she will help you rise above the confusion of life—
        your possibilities will open up before you—
        embrace her, and she will raise you to a place of honor in return.
⁹     She will provide the finishing touch to your character—grace;
        she will give you an elegant confidence.