Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness112

4:1 Listen, children,1 to a father’s instruction,2

and pay attention so that3 you may gain4 discernment.

4:2 Because I give5 you good instruction,6

do not forsake my teaching.

4:3 When I was a son to my father,7

a tender only child8 before my mother,

4:4 he taught me, and he said to me:

“Let your heart lay hold of my words;

keep my commands so that9 you will live.

4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;

do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.10

4:6 Do not forsake wisdom,11 and she will protect you;

love her, and she will guard you.

4:7 Wisdom is supreme12—so13 acquire wisdom,

and whatever you acquire,14 acquire understanding!15

4:8 Esteem her highly16 and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.

4:9 She will place a fair17 garland on your head;

she will bestow18 a beautiful crown19 on you.”

4:10 Listen, my child,20 and accept my words,

so that21 the years of your life will be many.22

4:11 I will guide you23 in the way of wisdom

and I will lead you in upright paths.24

4:12 When you walk, your steps25 will not be hampered,26

and when you run,27 you will not stumble.

4:13 Hold on to instruction,28 do not let it go;

protect it,29 because it is your life.

4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked

or walk30 in the way of those who are evil.

4:15 Avoid it, do not go on it;

turn away from it, and go on.31

4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm;32

they are robbed of sleep33 until they make someone stumble.34

4:17 For they eat bread35 gained from wickedness36

and drink wine obtained from violence.37

4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light,38

growing brighter and brighter39 until full day.40

4:19 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness;41

they do not know what causes them to stumble.42

4:20 My child, pay attention to my words;

listen attentively43 to my sayings.

4:21 Do not let them depart44 from your sight,

guard45 them within your heart;46

4:22 for they are life to those who find them

and healing to one’s entire body.47

4:23 Guard your heart with all vigilance,48

for from it are the sources49 of life.

4:24 Remove perverse speech50 from your mouth;51

keep devious talk far from your lips.52

4:25 Let your eyes look directly53 in front of you

and let your gaze54 look straight before you.

4:26 Make the path for your feet55 level,56

so that57 all your ways may be established.58

4:27 Do not turn59 to the right or to the left;

turn yourself60 away from evil.61