^9 (A)For behold, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon
An assembly of great nations from the north country,
And they shall array themselves against her;
From there she shall be captured.
Their arrows shall be like those of ^[a]an expert warrior;
^(B)None shall return in vain.

^8 (A)My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;

4 Hear, ^(A)my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
² For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
³ When I was my father’s son,
^(B)Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
^4 (C)He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
^(D)Keep my commands, and live.
^5 (E)Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
^(F)Love her, and she will keep you.
^7 (G)Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
^8 (H)Exalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
⁹ She will place on your head ^(I)an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”