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4:1  My children, listen to your father’s teaching. Pay attention so you will understand.
4:2  What I am telling you is good. Do not forget what I teach you.
4:3  I was once a young boy in my father’s house. I was like an only child to my mother.
4:4  And my father taught me and said, “Hold on to my words with all your heart. Keep my commands and you will live.
4:5  Get wisdom and understanding. Don’t forget or ignore my words.
4:6  Use wisdom, and it will take care of you. Love wisdom, and it will keep you safe.
4:7  Wisdom is the most important thing. So get wisdom. If it costs everything you have, get understanding.
4:8  Believe in the value of wisdom, and it will make you great. Use it, and it will bring honor to you.
4:9  Like flowers in your hair, it will beautify your life. Like a crown, it will make you look beautiful.”
4:10  My child, listen and accept what I say. Then you will have a long life.
4:11  I am guiding you in wisdom. And I am leading you to do what is right.
4:12  Nothing will hold you back. You will not be overwhelmed.
4:13  Always remember what you have been taught. Don’t let go of it. Keep safe all that you have learned. It is the most important thing in your life.
4:14  Don’t follow the ways of the wicked. Don’t do what evil people do.
4:15  Avoid their ways. Don’t go near what they do. Stay away from them and keep on going.
4:16  They cannot sleep until they do evil. They cannot rest until they hurt someone.
4:17  They fill themselves with wickedness and cruelty as if they were eating bread and drinking wine.
4:18  The way of the good person is like the light of dawn. It grows brighter and brighter until it is full daylight.
4:19  But the wicked are like those who stumble in the dark. They can’t even see what has hurt them.
4:20  My child, pay attention to my words. Listen closely to what I say.
4:21  Don’t ever forget my words. Keep them deep within your heart.
4:22  These words are the secret to life for those who find them. They bring health to the whole body.
4:23  Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life.
4:24  Don’t use your mouth to tell lies. Don’t ever say things that are not true.
4:25  Keep your eyes focused on what is right. Keep looking straight ahead to what is good.
4:26  Be careful what you do. Always do what is right.
4:27  Do not do anything unless it is right. Stay away from evil.