Wisdom Is Supreme
4 Hear, O children, the instruction of a father,
and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I was my father’s son,
tender and the only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He also taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart retain my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget it, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is principal; therefore get wisdom.
And with all your getting, get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;
she will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;
a crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,
and when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let her go;
keep her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not go in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and pass on.
16 For they do not sleep unless they have done mischief;
and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light,
that shines more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness;
they do not know at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them 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 all their body.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
and put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look right on,
and let your eyelids look straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
and let all your ways be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left;
remove your foot from evil.
