Chapter 4

A Father’s Instruction

1 Hear, O sons, the ainstruction of a father,

And bgive attention that you may 1gain understanding,

2 For I give you 1sound ateaching;

bDo not abandon my 2instruction.

3 When I was a son to my father,

aTender and bthe only son in the sight of my mother,

4 Then he ataught me and said to me,

“Let your heart bhold fast my words;

cKeep my commandments and live;

5 aAcquire wisdom! bAcquire understanding!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;

aLove her, and she will watch over you.

7 “aThe 1beginning of wisdom is: bAcquire wisdom;

And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

8 “aPrize her, and she will exalt you;

She will honor you if you embrace her.

9 “She will place aon your head a garland of grace;

She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

10 Hear, my son, and aaccept my sayings

And the byears of your life will be many.

11 I have adirected you in the way of wisdom;

I have led you in upright paths.

12 When you walk, your asteps will not be impeded;

And if you run, you bwill not stumble.

13 aTake hold of instruction; do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your blife.

14 aDo not enter the path of the wicked

And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;

Turn away from it and pass on.

16 For they acannot sleep unless they do evil;

And 1they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

17 For they aeat the bread of wickedness

And drink the wine of violence.

18 But the apath of the righteous is like the blight of dawn,

That cshines brighter and brighter until the dfull day.

19 The away of the wicked is like darkness;

They do not know over what they 1bstumble.

20 My son, agive attention to my words;

bIncline your ear to my sayings.

21 aDo not let them depart from your sight;

bKeep them in the midst of your heart.

22 For they are alife to those who find them

And bhealth to all 1their body.

23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For afrom it flow the springs of life.

24 Put away from you a adeceitful mouth

And bput devious 1speech far from you.

25 Let your eyes look directly ahead

And let your 1gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

26 aWatch the path of your feet

And all your bways will be established.

27 aDo not turn to the right nor to the left;

bTurn your foot from evil.