Proverbs 4:1-9

Christian Standard Bible

4 Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,^(A)
and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
² for I am giving you good instruction.^(B)
Don’t abandon my teaching.
³ When I was a son with my father,
tender and precious to my mother,
⁴ he taught me and said,
“Your heart must hold on to my words.
Keep my commands and live.^(C)
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;^(D)
don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.
⁶ Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her,^(E) and she will guard you.
⁷ Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.^(F)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.^(G)
9 She will place a garland of favor on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty.”^(H)