4 Listen, my sons,^(A) to a father’s instruction;^(B)
    pay attention and gain understanding.^(C)
2 I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
³ For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
⁴ Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold^(D) of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.^(E)
5 Get wisdom,^(F) get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;^(G)
    love her, and she will watch over you.^(H)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get^[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all^(I) you have,^[b] get understanding.^(J)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.^(K)
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.^(L)”

¹³ Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
¹⁴ Punish them with the rod
    and save them from death.^(A)

¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise,
    then my heart will be glad indeed;
¹⁶ my inmost being will rejoice
    when your lips speak what is right.^(B)

¹⁷ Do not let your heart envy^(C) sinners,
    but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
¹⁸ There is surely a future hope for you,
    and your hope will not be cut off.^(D)

¹⁹ Listen, my son,^(E) and be wise,
    and set your heart on the right path:
²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine^(F)
    or gorge themselves on meat,
²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor,^(G)
    and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

²² Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.^(H)
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.^(I)
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.^(J)
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!^(K)