⁸ So, my son, pay attention to your father’s guidance,
    and do not ignore what your mother taught you—
⁹ Wear their wisdom as a badge of honor and maturity,
    as fine jewelry around your neck.

3 My son, always remember what I have taught you;
    keep my instructions dear to your heart.
² If you do, they will be your guide to
    a long, healthy, prosperous life.

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.

¹⁰ Hear my words, my son, and take them in;
    let them soak in so that you will live a long, full life.
¹¹ I have pointed you in the way of wisdom;
    I have steered you down the path to integrity.
¹² So get going. And as you go, know this: with integrity you will overcome all obstacles;
    even if you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Tighten your grip around wise advice; don’t let it slip away.
    Protect Wisdom, for without her, life isn’t worth living.

²⁰ My son, pay attention to all the words I am telling you.
    Lean in closer so you may hear all I say.
²¹ Keep them before you; meditate on them;
    set them safely in your heart.
²² For those who discover them, they are life.
    They bring wholeness and healing to their bodies.

5 My son, stay focused; listen to the wisdom I have gained;
    give attention to what I have learned about life
² So you may be able to make sensible judgments
    and speak with knowledge.

²⁰ So, my son, follow your father’s direction,
    and don’t forget what your mother taught you—
²¹ Keep their teachings close to your heart;
    engrave them on a pendant, and hang it around your neck.
²² Their instruction will guide you along your journey,
    guard you when you sleep,
    and address you when you wake in the morning.
²³ For their direction is a lamp; their instruction will light your path,
    and their discipline will correct your missteps,
    sending you down the right path of life.

7 My son, live according to what I am telling you;
    guard my instructions as you would a treasure deep within you.
² Stay true to my directives, and they will serve you well;
    make my teachings the lens through which you see life.
³ Bind cords around your fingers to remind you of them;
    meditate on them, and you’ll engrave them upon your heart.