Proverbs 4

1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.2For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.3When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,4he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire,1 gain understanding.8Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.9She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”