Study Desk

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,

For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

Then he taught me, and he said to me, "Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown."

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.

for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.