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. |