Chapter 4
1 Listen , sons , to a father ’s instruction . Pay attention and know understanding ;
2 for I give you sound learning . Don’t forsake my law .
3 For I was a son to my father , tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me , and said to me : "Let your heart retain my words . Keep my commandments , and live .
5 Get wisdom . Get understanding. Don’t forget , and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth .
6 Don’t forsake her , and she will preserve you . Love her , and she will keep you .
7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom . Yes, though it costs all your possessions , get understanding.
8 Esteem her , and she will exalt you . She will bring you to honor when you embrace her .
9 She will give to your head a garland of grace . She will deliver a crown of splendor to you ."
10 Listen , my son , and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many .
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom . I have led you in straight paths .
12 When you go , your steps will not be hampered. When you run , you will not stumble .
13 Take firm hold of instruction . Don’t let her go . Keep her , for she is your life .
14 Don’t enter into the path of the wicked . Don’t walk in the way of evil men .
15 Avoid it , and don’t pass by it . Turn from it , and pass on .
16 For they don’t sleep unless they do evil . Their sleep is taken away , unless they make someone fall .
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence .
18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day .
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over .
20 My son , attend to my words . Turn your ear to my sayings .
21 Let them not depart from your eyes . Keep them in the center of your heart .
22 For they are life to those who find them , and health to their whole body .
23 Keep your heart with all diligence , for out of it is the wellspring of life .
24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth . Put corrupt lips far from you .
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead . Fix your gaze directly before you .
26 Make the path of your feet level . Let all of your ways be established .
27 Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left . Remove your foot from evil .