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4:1  Gather, children, to hear your father’s instruction. Pay close attention so you will understand,
4:2  For I am passing down to you important precepts. Do not abandon these valuable life lessons.
4:3  Back when I was young—the very image of my father, and yet from my mother’s view, still her only boy—
4:4  My father, with his years of experience, became my teacher. Father: Son, grab on to every word I say to you—hold them close— stay true to my instructions as you live, and they will serve you well.
4:5  Whatever it takes to gain Wisdom, do it. To gain understanding, do it! Never forget this! Never stray from what I am telling you.
4:6  If you don’t forsake Lady Wisdom, she will protect you. Love her, and she will faithfully take care of you.
4:7  Gaining sound judgment is key, so first things first: go after Lady Wisdom! Now, whatever else you do, follow through to understanding.
4:8  Cherish her, and she will help you rise above the confusion of life— your possibilities will open up before you— embrace her, and she will raise you to a place of honor in return.
4:9  She will provide the finishing touch to your character—grace; she will give you an elegant confidence.
4:10  Hear my words, my son, and take them in; let them soak in so that you will live a long, full life.
4:11  I have pointed you in the way of wisdom; I have steered you down the path to integrity.
4:12  So get going. And as you go, know this: with integrity you will overcome all obstacles; even if you run, you will not stumble.
4:13  Tighten your grip around wise advice; don’t let it slip away. Protect Wisdom, for without her, life isn’t worth living.
4:14  Do not start down the road of the wicked— the first step is easy, but it leads to heartache— do not go along the way of evildoers.
4:15  Stay away from it; don’t even go past it— and if you find yourself anywhere near it, turn your back and run as far as you can in the opposite direction.
4:16  For evildoers are so twisted they cannot sleep unless they have caused harm; they’ll lie awake all night until they figure out a way to cause someone to stumble.
4:17  For they feed on evil the way most eat bread; they drink violence the way most guzzle wine.
4:18  Yet the way of those who do right is like the early morning sun that shines brighter and brighter until noon.
4:19  Evildoers travel a dark road because they love to hide their deeds in darkness; they can’t see the perils ahead that cause them to stumble.
4:20  My son, pay attention to all the words I am telling you. Lean in closer so you may hear all I say.
4:21  Keep them before you; meditate on them; set them safely in your heart.
4:22  For those who discover them, they are life. They bring wholeness and healing to their bodies.
4:23  Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life.
4:24  Do away with any talk that twists and distorts the truth; have nothing to do with any verbal trickery.
4:25  Keep your head up, your eyes straight ahead, and your focus fixed on what is in front of you.
4:26  Take care you don’t stray from the straight path, the way of truth, and you will safely reach the end of your road.
4:27  Do not veer off course to the right or the left; step away from evil, and leave it behind.