4:1 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.
4:2 Because I give you good instruction,
do not forsake my teaching.
4:3 When I was a son to my father,
a tender only child before my mother,
4:4 he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so that you will live.
4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.
4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will guard you.
4:7 Wisdom is supreme – so acquire wisdom,
and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding!
4:8 Esteem her highly and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
4:9 She will place a fair garland on your head;
she will bestow a beautiful crown on you.”
4:10 Listen, my child, and accept my words,
so that the years of your life will be many.
4:11 I will guide you in the way of wisdom
and I will lead you in upright paths.
4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered,
and when you run, you will not stumble.
4:13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
protect it, because it is your life.
4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of those who are evil.
4:20 My child, pay attention to my words;
listen attentively to my sayings.
4:21 Do not let them depart from your sight,
guard them within your heart;
4:22 for they are life to those who find them
and healing to one’s entire body.