4:1  HEAR, MY sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain {and} to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, {and} interpretation [of spiritual matters].

4:2  For I give you good doctrine [what is to be received]; do not forsake my teaching.

4:3  When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only son in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba],

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

4:5  Get skillful {and} godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.

4:6  Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, {and} protect you; love her, and she will guard you.

4:7  The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful {and} godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).

4:8  Prize Wisdom highly {and} exalt her, and she will exalt {and} promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.

4:9  She shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty {and} glory will she deliver to you.

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 skillful {and} godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness.

4:12  When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.

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

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

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

4:16  For they cannot sleep unless they have caused trouble {or} vexation; their sleep is taken away unless they have caused someone to fall.

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

4:18  But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just {and} righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared].

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

4:20  My son, attend to my words; consent {and} submit to my sayings.

4:21  Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.

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

4:23  Keep {and} guard your heart with all vigilance {and} above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

4:24  Put away from you false {and} dishonest speech, and willful {and} contrary talk put far from you.

4:25  Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.

4:26  Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established {and} ordered aright.

4:27  Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.