⁸ My child, listen to your father’s teaching.
    And do not forget your mother’s advice.
⁹ Their teaching will beautify your life.
    It will be like flowers in your hair or a chain around your neck.

3 My child, do not forget my teaching.
    Keep my commands in mind.
² Then you will live a long time.
    And your life will be successful.

4 My children, listen to your father’s teaching.
    Pay attention so you will understand.
² What I am telling you is good.
    Do not forget what I teach you.
³ I was once a young boy in my father’s house.
    I was like an only child to my mother.
⁴ And my father taught me and said,
    “Hold on to my words with all your heart.
    Keep my commands and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom and understanding.
    Don’t forget or ignore my words.
⁶ Use wisdom, and it will take care of you.
    Love wisdom, and it will keep you safe.
⁷ Wisdom is the most important thing. So get wisdom.
    If it costs everything you have, get understanding.
⁸ Believe in the value of wisdom, and it will make you great.
    Use it, and it will bring honor to you.
⁹ Like flowers in your hair, it will beautify your life.
    Like a crown, it will make you look beautiful.”

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
    Listen to my words of understanding.
² Be careful to use good sense.
    Watch what you say.

²⁰ My son, keep your father’s commands.
    Don’t forget your mother’s teaching.
²¹ Remember their words forever.
    Let it be as if they were tied around your neck.
²² They will guide you when you walk.
    They will guard you while you sleep.
    They will speak to you when you are awake.
²³ Their commands are like a lamp.
    Their teaching is like a light.
And the correction that comes from them
    helps you have life.

7 My son, remember what I say.
    Treasure my commands.
² Obey my commands, and you will live.
    Protect my teachings as you would your own eyes.
³ Remind yourself of them.
    Write them down in your mind as if on a tablet.