Proverbs 4:1-9

Legacy Standard Bible

4 Hear, O sons, the ^(A)discipline of a father,
And ^(B)pay attention that you may know understanding,
² For I give you ^[a]sound ^(C)learning;
^(D)Do not forsake my ^[b]instruction.
³ When I was a son to my father,
^(E)Tender and ^(F)the only son before my mother,
⁴ Then he ^(G)instructed me and said to me,
“Let your heart ^(H)hold fast my words;
^(I)Keep my commandments and live;
^5 (J)Acquire wisdom! ^(K)Acquire understanding!
Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
^(L)Love her, and she will guard you.
^7 [c](M)The beginning of wisdom is: ^(N)Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, acquire understanding.
^8 (O)Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
⁹ She will give ^(P)for your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”