1 Hear, children, fatherly instruction; pay attention to gain understanding. 2 I’ll teach you well. Don’t abandon my instruction. 3 When I was a son to my father, tender and my mother’s favorite, 4 he taught me and said to me: “Let your heart hold on to my words: Keep my commands and live. 5 Get wisdom; get understanding. Don’t forget and don’t turn away from my words. 6 Don’t abandon her, and she will guard you. Love her, and she will protect you. 7 The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom! Get understanding before anything else. 8 Highly esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you if you embrace her. 9 She will place a graceful wreath on your head; she will give you a glorious crown.”