4:1  Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;

4:2  For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.

4:3  When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,

4:4  He also taught me, and said to me:
' Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live.

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

4:6  Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.

4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.

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

4:9  She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

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

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

4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
And when you run, you will not stumble.

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

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

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

4:16  For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone 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 like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

4:19  The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them 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 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  Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.

4:24  Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.

4:25  Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.

4:26  Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.

4:27  Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.