4:1  Hear, {O} sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,

4:2  For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.

4:3  When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

4:4  Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;

4:5  Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

4:6  "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

4:7  "The beginning of wisdom {is:} Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

4:8  "Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.

4:9  "She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty."

4:10  Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.

4:11  I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.

4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.

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

4:14  Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

4:15  Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.

4:16  For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make {someone} stumble.

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

4:18  But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

4:19  The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.

4:20  My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

4:21  Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.

4:22  For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.

4:23  Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it {flow} the springs of life.

4:24  Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.

4:25  Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

4:26  Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.

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