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Admonitions Concerning Wisdom
v. 1. Hear, ye children, the affectionate address being intended to arouse attention in his readers, the instruction of a father, one who, for that reason, had the experience needed to teach others, and attend to know understanding, to make it their property.
v. 2. For I give you good doctrine, teachings which he had received from his father, the value of which had been proved, which he could therefore hand over to the younger generation with words of warm commendation; forsake ye not my law, by setting his advice aside, by neglecting it.
v. 3. For I was my father's son, an object of special care and tender regard in David's eyes, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother, the one whom she surrounded with particular love.
v. 4. He taught me also and said unto me, David thus proving himself a wise teacher, Let thine heart retain my words, holding them fast for the purpose of following them always; keep my commandments and live, for by observing them he would become the possessor of true life and enjoy its advantages.
v. 5. Get wisdom, get understanding, that being the sum total of David's instruction; forget it not, clinging to it as a most valuable possession; neither decline from the words of my mouth, literally, "forget not, turn not aside from, the sayings of my mouth," as they were offered in the maxims which Solomon heard time and again.
v. 6. Forsake her not, the wisdom which was here so highly praised, and she shall preserve thee, serve as a protection against bad influences and uphold true life; love her, and she shall keep thee, this being the reward dispensed by wisdom.
v. 7. Wisdom is the principal thing, the highest and most desirable possession; therefore get wisdom, this being suggested as the guiding rule of life; and with all thy getting, at the price of all one's possessions, no matter how much it costs, get understanding, the prudence and discretion needed for a virtuous life.
v. 8. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee, this being the wonderful exchange made by wisdom in rewarding her followers; she shall bring thee to honor when thou dost embrace her, wisdom being personified here as a beloved and honored wife, queen of the home.
v. 9. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace, a graceful or charming wreath, for so wisdom serves to adorn its possessor; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee, a glorious diadem, which bestows dignity.
v. 10. Hear, o my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many, a long and happy life being one of the rewards granted to him who uses knowledge aright and happy life being one of the rewards granted to him who uses knowledge aright.
v. 11. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom, in the conduct which is in agreement with the precepts of true wisdom; I have led thee in right paths, literally, "in the paths of straightness," following the standard of right always.
v. 12. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened, be hindered and confined by obstructions, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble, rather have ample room for a full and free stride.
v. 13. Take fast hold of instruction, the moral training given by wisdom; let her not go; keep her; for she is thy life, by bestowing long life and happiness upon those who are devoted to her. That is the sum of instruction which should be given to all young people in an appropriate and effective manner.