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4:1  Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
4:2  I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
4:3  For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4:4  Then he taught me, and he said to me, ‘Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
4:6  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
4:7  The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
4:8  Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you.
4:9  She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.’
4:10  Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
4:11  I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
4:13  Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
4:14  Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
4:15  Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
4:16  For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
4:17  They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
4:18  The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
4:19  But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
4:20  My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
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 one’s whole body.
4:23  Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
4:24  Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
4:25  Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
4:26  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
4:27  Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.