4:1 |
Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; |
4:2 |
for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law. |
4:3 |
For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. |
4:4 |
He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. |
4:5 |
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. |
4:6 |
Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. |
4:7 |
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. |
4:8 |
Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. |
4:9 |
She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." |
4:10 |
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. |
4:11 |
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. |
4:12 |
When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. |
4:13 |
Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. |
4:14 |
Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men. |
4:15 |
Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. |
4:16 |
For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. |
4:17 |
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. |
4:18 |
But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day. |
4:19 |
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over. |
4:20 |
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. |
4:21 |
Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. |
4:22 |
For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. |
4:23 |
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. |
4:24 |
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. |
4:25 |
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. |
4:26 |
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. |
4:27 |
Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. |