Listen to some motherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live. I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other. Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live! Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Hunt for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch! Kids, take my advice; it will add years to your life. I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns.
Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake! Don’t take Wicked Bypass; don’t so much as set foot on that road.Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way.
Evil people are restless unless they’re making trouble; They can’t get a good night’s sleep unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody. Perversity is their food and drink, violence their drug of choice. The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker— travelers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.
My dear loved ones listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
1. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.
2. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
3. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.
4. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
5. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.