Proverbs

¹ sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.

² don't let it go in one ear and out the other.

³ the pride and joy of my mother,

⁴ "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!

⁵ Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch!

⁶ love her—she keeps her eye on you.

⁷ Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!

⁸ never let her go—she'll make your life glorious.

⁹ she'll festoon your days with beauty."

¹⁰ it will add years to your life.

¹¹ I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road.

¹² or wasting time making wrong turns.

¹³ Guard it well—your life is at stake!

¹⁴ don't so much as set foot on that road.

¹⁵ Make a detour and be on your way.

¹⁶ unless they're making trouble; They can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody.

¹⁷ violence their drug of choice.

¹⁸ the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

¹⁹ travelers can't see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.

²⁰ tune your ears to my voice.

²¹ Concentrate! Learn it by heart!

²² body and soul, they're bursting with health.

²³ that's where life starts.

²⁴ avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.

²⁵ ignore all sideshow distractions.

²⁶ and the road will stretch out smooth before you.

²⁷ leave evil in the dust.