## A Father's Wise Instruction 

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Hear, _O_ sons, the discipline of a father, And pay attention that you may know understanding, 

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For I give you sound learning; Do not forsake my instruction. 

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When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son before my mother, 

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Then he instructed me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live; 

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Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth. 

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Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; Love her, and she will guard you. 

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The beginning of wisdom _is_: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, acquire understanding. 

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Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 

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She will give for your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty." 

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Hear, my son, and receive my sayings And the years of your life will be many. 

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I have instructed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright tracks. 

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When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. 

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Seize discipline; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. 

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Do not enter the path of wicked men And do not step into the way of evil men. 

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Avoid it, do not pass by it; Stray from it and pass on. 

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For they do not sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make _someone_ stumble. 

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For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. 

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But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the fullness of day. 

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The way of the wicked is like thick darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. 

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My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 

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Do not let them deviate 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 healing to all his flesh. 

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Guard your heart with all diligence, For from it _flow_ the springs of life. 

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Put away from you a perverse mouth And put devious lips far from you. 

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Let your eyes look directly ahead And _even_ let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you. 

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Watch the track of your feet And all your ways will be established. 

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Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.