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4:1  Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment.
4:2  For I give you good doctrine; Do not turn away from my instruction.
4:3  When I was a son with my father (David), Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba),
4:4  He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live.
4:5  “Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
4:6  “Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
4:7  “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
4:8  “Prize wisdom [and exalt 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 and glory.”
4:10  Hear, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.
4:11  I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open]; And when you run, you will not stumble.
4:13  Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
4:14  Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not go the way of evil men.
4:15  Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.
4:16  For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall.
4:17  For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence.
4:18  But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.
4:19  The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
4:20  My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings.
4:21  Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart.
4:22  For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh.
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 (lying, misleading) mouth, And put devious lips far from you.
4:25  Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage] And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].
4:26  Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet, And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.
4:27  Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk]; Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.