⁴ To give ^(A)prudence to the ^[a](B)simple,
To the youth ^(C)knowledge and discretion;

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.

5 My son, ^(A)pay attention to my wisdom,
^(B)Incline your ear to my discernment;
² That you may ^(C)keep discretion
And that your ^(D)lips may guard knowledge.

9 Wisdom has ^(A)built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
² She has ^[a](B)slaughtered her cattle, she has ^(C)mixed her wine;
She has also ^(D)prepared her table;
³ She has ^(E)sent out her maidens, she ^(F)calls
From the ^(G)tops of the heights of the city:
⁴ “^(H)Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who ^(I)lacks a heart of wisdom she says,
⁵ “Come, ^(J)eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
^6 [b]Forsake your simplicity and ^(K)live,
And ^(L)step into the way of understanding.”

⁵ The ^[a]thoughts of the ^(A)diligent lead surely to profit,
But everyone ^(B)who is hasty comes surely to poverty.