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 her, 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.
4:15 Avoid it, do not go on it; turn away from it, and go on.
4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone fall.
4:17 For they eat bread gained from wickedness and drink wine obtained from violence.
4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighter until full day.
4:19 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; they do not know what causes them to stumble.