Proverbs 4:1-9

Evangelical Heritage Version

4 Listen, you sons, to a father’s discipline.
Pay attention so that you will gain discernment,
² because I have given you good instruction.
Do not abandon my teaching.
³ When I was a son living with my father,
a tender and only child with my mother,
⁴ he used to instruct me and say to me,
“Cling to my words with all your heart.
Obey my commands so that you may live.
⁵ Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding.
Do not forget,
and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not abandon it, and it will watch over you.
Love it and it will guard you.”

⁷ The beginning of wisdom is to obtain Wisdom.
Give up everything you have, in order to gain Understanding.
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you.
She will honor you when you embrace her.
⁹ She will set a garland of grace on your head.
She will present you with a beautiful crown.