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. |