Proverbs 4:3-9

New American Standard Bible

³ When I was a son to my father,
^(A)Tender and ^(B)the only son in the sight of my mother,
⁴ He ^(C)taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart ^(D)take hold of my words;
^(E)Keep my commandments and live;
^5 (F)Acquire wisdom! ^(G)Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not abandon her, and she will guard you;
^(H)Love her, and she will watch over you.
^7 (I)The ^[a]beginning of wisdom is: ^(J)Acquire wisdom;
And with all your possessions, acquire understanding.
^8 (K)Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
⁹ She will place ^(L)on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”