✧1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. Copy✧2For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. Copy✧3When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother, Copy✧4he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live. Copy✧5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. Copy✧6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. Copy✧7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Copy✧8Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. Copy✧9She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”