| 章 |
| 4:1 |
Hear, [O] sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,
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| 4:2 |
For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.
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| 4:3 |
When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
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| 4:4 |
Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;
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| 4:5 |
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
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| 4:6 |
"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
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| 4:7 |
"The beginning of wisdom [is]: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
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| 4:8 |
"Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
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| 4:9 |
"She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty."
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| 4:10 |
Hear, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.
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| 4:11 |
I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
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| 4:12 |
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
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| 4:13 |
Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
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| 4:14 |
Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
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| 4:15 |
Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
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| 4:16 |
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make [someone] stumble.
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| 4:17 |
For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
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| 4:18 |
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
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| 4:19 |
The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
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| 4:20 |
My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
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| 4:21 |
Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.
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| 4:22 |
For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their whole body.
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| 4:23 |
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it [flow] the springs of life.
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| 4:24 |
Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put devious lips far from you.
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| 4:25 |
Let your eyes look directly ahead, And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
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| 4:26 |
Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established.
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| 4:27 |
Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
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