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Hear, a my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
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For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
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When I was my father's son,
b Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
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c He also taught me, and said to me:
"Let your heart retain my words;
d Keep my commands, and live.
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e Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
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Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
f Love her, and she will keep you.
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g Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
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h Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
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She will place on your head i an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you."
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Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
j And the years of your life will be many.
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I have k taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
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When you walk, l your steps will not be hindered,
m And when you run, you will not stumble.
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Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.
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n Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
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Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
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o For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is 1 taken away unless they make someone fall.
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For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
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p But the path of the just q is like the shining 2 sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
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r The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
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My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
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Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
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For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
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Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of s life.
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Put away from you a 3 deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
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Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
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Ponder the path of your t feet,
And let all your ways be established.
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Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.