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