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4:1  My ·children [L sons], listen to your father’s ·teaching [discipline; instruction]; pay attention ·so you will understand [L to the knowledge of understanding].
4:2  ·What I am telling you is good [L I will give you good teaching], so do not ·forget [L abandon; forsake] ·what I teach you [L my instruction].
4:3  When I was a ·young boy in my father’s house [L son to my father] ·and like an only child to [L tender, and the only one of] my mother,
4:4  my father taught me and said, “Hold on to my words with all your heart. ·Keep [Guard] my commands and you will live.
4:5  ·Get [Acquire] wisdom and ·get [acquire] understanding. Don’t forget or ·ignore [turn away from] ·my words [L the speeches of my mouth].
4:6  ·Hold on to wisdom [L Don’t abandon her; C Wisdom is here personified as a woman; 1:20–33; 8:1—9:6], and it [or she] will ·take care of [guard] you. Love ·it [or her], and ·it [or she] will ·keep you safe [protect you].
4:7  ·Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom [L The beginning of wisdom is: Get/Acquire wisdom]. ·If it costs everything you have [L Above all your acquisitions], ·get [acquire] understanding.
4:8  ·Treasure wisdom [Highly esteem her], and ·it [or she] will ·make you great [exalt you]; ·hold on to it [or embrace her], and ·it [or she] will bring you honor.
4:9  ·It will be like flowers in your hair [L She will place on your head a graceful garland;] ·and like a beautiful crown on your head [she will bestow on you a crown of glory].”
4:10  My ·child [L son], listen and ·accept what I say [L take in my speech]. Then ·you will have a long life [L your years will be multiplied].
4:11  I am ·guiding [L teaching] you in the way of wisdom, and I am leading you on the ·right [or straight] path.
4:12  ·Nothing will hold you back [L When you walk, your step will not be hindered]; ·you will not be overwhelmed [L when you run, you will not stumble].
4:13  ·Always remember what you have been taught [L Be determined/resolute in our instruction], and don’t ·let go of it [slack off]. ·Keep all that you have learned [L Protect it]; it is ·the most important thing in [L your] life.
4:14  Don’t ·follow the ways [go in the way] of the wicked; don’t ·do what evil people do [L walk straight on to the path of evil people].
4:15  Avoid their ways, and don’t ·follow [cross over to] them. Stay away from them and keep on going,
4:16  because they cannot sleep until they do evil. ·They cannot rest until they harm someone [L They are robbed of sleep unless they cause people to stumble].
4:17  They feast on wickedness as if they were eating bread. They drink violence as if they were drinking wine.
4:18  The way of the ·good [righteous] person is like the ·light of dawn [L shining light], growing brighter and brighter until full daylight.
4:19  But the ·wicked walk around in the dark [L path of the wicked is like deep darkness]; they ·can’t even see what makes them [L don’t know where they will] stumble.
4:20  My ·child [L son], pay attention to my words; ·listen closely to what I say [L bend your ear to my speech].
4:21  Don’t ·ever forget my words [L let your eyes slip]; ·keep them always in mind [L guard them in your heart].
4:22  They are ·the key to life [L life] for those who find them; they bring health to the whole body.
4:23  ·Be careful what you think [L Above all that you guard, protect your heart], because ·your thoughts run your life [L life flows from it].
4:24  ·Don’t use your mouth to tell lies [L Have nothing to do with a perverse mouth]; ·don’t ever say things that are not true [L keep loose lips far from you].
4:25  Keep your eyes focused on what is ·right [or straight ahead], and ·look straight ahead to what is good [L your eyelids on what is in front].
4:26  ·Be careful what you do [L Watch your feet on the way], and ·always do what is right [L all your paths will be secure/sure].
4:27  Don’t turn off ·the road of goodness [L to the right or to the left]; ·keep away [L turn your feet] from evil paths.