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. |