Add parallel Print Page Options

Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father,
And attend to know understanding:
For I give you good doctrine;
Forsake ye not my [a]law.
For I was a son unto my father,
Tender and [b]only beloved in the sight of my mother.
And he taught me, and said unto me:
Let thy heart retain my words;
Keep my commandments, and live;
Get wisdom, get understanding;
Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;
Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee;
Love her, and she will keep thee.
[c]Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom;
Yea, with all [d]thy getting get understanding.
Exalt her, and she will promote thee;
She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace;
A crown of [e]beauty will she deliver to thee.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:2 Or, teaching
  2. Proverbs 4:3 Hebrew an only one.
  3. Proverbs 4:7 Or, The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom
  4. Proverbs 4:7 Or, thou hast gotten
  5. Proverbs 4:9 Or, glory

The Father’s Wisdom

Children, listen to the instruction of a father,
    and be attentive in order to know insight.
For I have given you good instruction;
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son to my father,
    tender and alone before my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
    “May your heart hold fast to my words;
    guard my commandments and live.
Get wisdom and insight;
    do not forget and do not turn from the sayings of my mouth.
Do not forsake her—then she will guard you;
    love her and she will keep you.
The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom!
    With all that is in your possession, gain insight.
Cherish her and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will give a garland for your head;
    she shall bestow a crown of glory upon you.”

Read full chapter