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4. Wisdom is Supreme

¹ Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
   pay attention and gain understanding.
² I give you sound learning,
   so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
   still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
   “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
   keep my commands, and you will live.
⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
   do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
   love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
   Though it cost all you have, Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get get understanding.
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
   embrace her, and she will honor you.
⁹ She will give you a garland to grace your head
   and present you with a glorious crown.”

    ¹⁰ Listen, my son, accept what I say,
   and the years of your life will be many.
¹¹ I instruct you in the way of wisdom
   and lead you along straight paths.
¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
   when you run, you will not stumble.
¹³ Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
   guard it well, for it is your life.
¹⁴ Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
   or walk in the way of evildoers.
¹⁵ Avoid it, do not travel on it;
   turn from it and go on your way.
¹⁶ For they cannot rest until they do evil;
   they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
¹⁷ They eat the bread of wickedness
   and drink the wine of violence.

    ¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
   shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
   they do not know what makes them stumble.

    ²⁰ My son, pay attention to what I say;
   turn your ear to my words.
²¹ Do not let them out of your sight,
   keep them within your heart;
²² for they are life to those who find them
   and health to one’s whole body.
²³ Above all else, guard your heart,
   for everything you do flows from it.
²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity;
   keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead;
   fix your gaze directly before you.
²⁶ Give careful thought to the Or Make level paths for your feet
   and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;
   keep your foot from evil.