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 As a young 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 consists of acquiring 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 greatly increase. |
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 have threats of any impediments; And if you run, you will not stumble. |
4:13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go Guard her, for she will guard 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 become 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 resembles the light of dawn,That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. |
4:19 The way of the wicked resembles 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 bring 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 fix straight in front of you. |
4:26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will find security. |
4:27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil. |