4 ^(A)Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may ^(B)gain^[a] insight,

^8 (A)Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
    and forsake not your mother's teaching,

^17 (A)Incline your ear, and hear ^(B)the words of the wise,
    ^(C)and apply your heart to my knowledge,

5 ^(A)My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
    ^(B)incline your ear to my understanding,

2 ^(A)My son, ^(B)if you receive my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you,
² making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding;
³ yes, if you call out for insight
    and raise your voice ^(C)for understanding,
⁴ if you seek it like ^(D)silver
    and search for it as for ^(E)hidden treasures,
⁵ then ^(F)you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.

²⁰ Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom in ^(A)the future.