4:1  O children, hear the instruction of a father, and be attentive in order to know understanding,

4:2  For I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my law,

4:3  For I was my father's son, tender and the only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4:4  He also taught me, and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.

4:5  Get wisdom; get understanding; forget it not, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

4:6  Do not forsake her, and she shall keep you; love her, and she shall preserve you.

4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; get wisdom; and with all your getting get understanding.

4:8  Exalt her, and she shall promote you; she shall bring you honor when you embrace her.

4:9  She shall place upon your head a garland of grace; she shall bestow upon you a crown of glory."

4:10  Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many.

4:11  I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the right paths.

4:12  When you go, your steps shall not be hampered, and when you run, you shall not stumble.

4:13  Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.

4:14  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not into the way of evil men.

4:15  Avoid it; do not go in it; turn from it, and pass on!

4:16  For they do not sleep except when they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall,

4:17  For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.

4:19  The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.

4:20  My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

4:21  Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart,

4:22  For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.

4:23  Above all guard the door of your mind with diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

4:24  Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and devious lips put far from you.

4:25  Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you.

4:26  Ponder the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established.

4:27  Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left; remove your foot from evil.