Security in Wisdom

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1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,

​​And give attention to know understanding;

2 ​​For I give you good doctrine:

​​Do not forsake my law.

3 ​​When I was my father’s son,

​​Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

4 ​​He also taught me, and said to me:

​​“Let your heart retain my words;

​​Keep my commands, and live.

5 ​​Get wisdom! Get understanding!

​​Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 ​​Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

​​Love her, and she will keep you.

7 ​​Wisdom is the principal thing;

​​Therefore get wisdom.

​​And in all your getting, get understanding.

8 ​​Exalt her, and she will promote you;

​​She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

9 ​​She will place on your head an ornament of grace;

​​A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

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10 ​​Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,

​​And the years of your life will be many.

11 ​​I have taught you in the way of wisdom;

​​I have led you in right paths.

12 ​​When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,

​​And when you run, you will not stumble.

13 ​​Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;

​​Keep her, for she is your life.

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14 ​​Do not enter the path of the wicked,

​​And do not walk in the way of evil.

15 ​​Avoid it, do not travel on it;

​​Turn away from it and pass on.

16 ​​For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;

​​And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.

17 ​​For they eat the bread of wickedness,

​​And drink the wine of violence.

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18 ​​But the path of the just is like the shining sun,[fn]

​​That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

19 ​​The way of the wicked is like darkness;

​​They do not know what makes them stumble.

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20 ​​My son, give attention to my words;

​​Incline your ear to my sayings.

21 ​​Do not let them depart from your eyes;

​​Keep them in the midst of your heart;

22 ​​For they are life to those who find them,

​​And health to all their flesh.

23 ​​Keep your heart with all diligence,

​​For out of it spring the issues of life.

24 ​​Put away from you a deceitful mouth,

​​And put perverse lips far from you.

25 ​​Let your eyes look straight ahead,

​​And your eyelids look right before you.

26 ​​Ponder the path of your feet,

​​And let all your ways be established.

27 ​​Do not turn to the right or the left;

​​Remove your foot from evil.

For deeper study: David Guzik Commentary