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Advice to Young People

My child, listen closely
to my teachings
    and learn common sense.
My advice is useful,
    so don't turn away.
When I was still very young
and my mother's favorite child,
my father     said to me:
“If you follow my teachings
and keep them in mind,
    you will live.
Be wise and learn good sense;
remember my teachings
    and do what I say.

“If you love Wisdom
and don't reject her,
    she will watch over you.
The best thing about Wisdom
    is Wisdom herself;
good sense is more important
    than anything else.
If you value Wisdom
and hold tightly to her,
    great honors will be yours.
It will be like wearing
a glorious crown
    of beautiful flowers.”

The Right Way and the Wrong Way

10 My child, if you listen
and obey my teachings,
    you will live a long time.
11 I have shown you the way
    that makes sense;
I have guided you
    along the right path.
12 Your road won't be blocked,
and you won't stumble
    when you run.
13 Hold firmly to my teaching
and never let go.
    It will mean life for you.
14 Don't follow the bad example
    of cruel and evil people.
15 Turn aside and keep going.
    Stay away from them.
16 They can't sleep or rest
until they do wrong or harm
    some innocent victim.
17 Their food and drink
    are cruelty and wickedness.

18 The lifestyle of good people
    is like sunlight at dawn
that keeps getting brighter
    until broad daylight.
19 The lifestyle of the wicked
    is like total darkness,
and they will never know
    what makes them stumble.

20 My child, listen carefully
    to everything I say.
21 Don't forget a single word,
    but think about it all.
22 Knowing these teachings
will mean true life
    and good health for you.
23 Carefully guard your thoughts
because they are the source
    of true life.
24 Never tell lies or be deceitful
    in what you say.
25 Keep looking straight ahead,
    without turning aside.
26 (A) Know where you are headed,
and you will stay
    on solid ground.
27 Don't make a mistake by turning
    to the right or the left.

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