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4:1  Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention, to gain understanding.
4:2  For I give you sound learning— do not forsake my instruction.
4:3  When I was a son to my father, tender and special to my mother,
4:4  he taught me and said to me: “Lay hold of my words in your heart, keep my commands and you will 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 guard you. Love her, and she will watch over you.
4:7  Wisdom is supreme—acquire wisdom! With all your acquisitions, get understanding.
4:8  Prize her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you when you embrace her.
4:9  She will set a garland of grace on your head. She will give you a crown of glory.”
4:10  Listen, my son, and accept my words, so the years of your life will be many.
4:11  I instructed you in the way of wisdom. I have guided you along straight paths.
4:12  When you walk, your step will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.
4:13  Hold on tightly to instruction, do not let it go— guard it, for it is your life.
4:14  Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil people.
4:15  Avoid it—do not travel on it— turn away from it and pass by.
4:16  For they cannot sleep until they do evil. They are robbed of sleep until they make someone fall.
4:17  For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
4:18  The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until the full day.
4:19  The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble.
4:20  My son, pay attention to my words— incline your ear to my sayings.
4:21  Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart.
4:22  For they are life to those who find them and health to their whole body.
4:23  Guard your heart diligently, for from it flow the springs of life.
4:24  Put away perversity from your mouth, and keep devious lips far from you.
4:25  Let your eyes look directly ahead, and fix your gaze straight in front of you.
4:26  Clear a level path for your feet, so all your ways will be firm.
4:27  Do not turn to the right or to the left. Divert your foot from evil.