Come near, O sons of Jacob, and give ear to the words of Israel your father.
Come, children, give attention to me; I will be your teacher in the fear of the Lord.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes take delight in my ways.
Give ear to your father whose child you are, and do not keep honour from your mother when she is old.
Give ear to me then, my sons: for happy are those who keep my ways.
So now, my sons, give ear to me; give attention to the sayings of my mouth;
My son, keep my sayings, and let my rules be stored up with you.
My son, keep the rule of your father, and have in memory the teaching of your mother:
My son, give attention to my wisdom; let your ear be turned to my teaching:
Reuben, you are my oldest son, the first-fruit of my strength, first in pride and first in power:
What man has a love of life, and a desire that his days may be increased so that he may see good?
Come together, all of you, and give ear; who among you has given news of these things? the Lord's loved one will do his pleasure with Babylon, and with the seed of the Chaldaeans.