Listen, my child, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right way.
Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge.
Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes observe my ways;
Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise!
Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”
They must declare to the elders of his city, “Our son is stubborn and rebellious and pays no attention to what we say – he is a glutton and drunkard.”
Again, however, pay very careful attention, lest you forget the things you have seen and disregard them for the rest of your life; instead teach them to your children and grandchildren.