“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father.
“You, Reuben, my firstborn, my strength and the first fruit of my vigor, excelling in rank and excelling in power!
The rich grow poor and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you fear of the Lord.
Listen to your father who begot you, do not despise your mother when she is old.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes keep to my ways,
My son, to my wisdom be attentive, to understanding incline your ear,
Observe, my son, your father’s command, and do not reject your mother’s teaching;
My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands.
So now, children, listen to me, be attentive to the words of my mouth!
Now, children, listen to me; happy are they who keep my ways.
All of you assemble and listen: Who among you declared these things? The one the Lord loves shall do his will against Babylon and the offspring of Chaldea.