Proverbs 4:1-9

English Standard Version

4 ^(A)Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may ^(B)gain^[a] insight,
² for I give you good ^(C)precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
³ When I was a son with my father,
    ^(D)tender, ^(E)the only one in the sight of my mother,
⁴ he ^(F)taught me and said to me,
^(G)“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    ^(H)keep my commandments, and live.
^5 (I)Get wisdom; get ^(J)insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    ^(K)love her, and she will guard you.
^7 (L)The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get ^(M)insight.
⁸ Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
    she will ^(N)honor you ^(O)if you embrace her.
⁹ She will place on your head ^(P)a graceful garland;
    she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”