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4:1  Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father, And pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
4:2  For I give you good teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.
4:3  When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
4:4  He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart take hold of 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 abandon her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
4:7  The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your possessions, acquire 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  Listen, 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 wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; And if you run, you will not stumble.
4:13  Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
4:14  Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil people.
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 are 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 is like the light of dawn That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
4:19  The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
4:20  My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
4:21  They are not to escape from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.
4:22  For they are life to those who find them, And healing to all their body.
4:23  Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
4:24  Rid yourself of a deceitful mouth And keep devious speech far from you.
4:25  Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
4:26  Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established.
4:27  Do not turn to the right or to the left; Turn your foot from evil.