4 ^1-2 Young men, listen to me as you would to your father. Listen, and grow wise, for I speak the truth—don’t turn away. ³ For I, too, was once a son, tenderly loved by my mother as an only child, and the companion of my father. ⁴ He told me never to forget his words. “If you follow them,” he said, “you will have a long and happy life. ⁵ Learn to be wise,” he said, “and develop good judgment and common sense! I cannot overemphasize this point.”^{[a] 6} Cling to wisdom—she will protect you. Love her—she will guard you.

⁷ Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment. ^8-9 If you exalt wisdom, she will exalt you. Hold her fast, and she will lead you to great honor; she will place a beautiful crown upon your head. ¹⁰ My son, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.

¹¹ I would have you learn this great fact: that a life of doing right is the wisest life there is. ¹² If you live that kind of life, you’ll not limp or stumble as you run. ¹³ Carry out my instructions; don’t forget them, for they will lead you to real living.

¹⁴ Don’t do as the wicked do. ¹⁵ Avoid their haunts—turn away, go somewhere else, ¹⁶ for evil men can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest unless they cause someone to stumble and fall. ¹⁷ They eat and drink wickedness and violence!

¹⁸ But the good man walks along in the ever-brightening light of God’s favor; the dawn gives way to morning splendor, ¹⁹ while the evil man gropes and stumbles in the dark.

²⁰ Listen, son of mine, to what I say. Listen carefully. ²¹ Keep these thoughts ever in mind; let them penetrate deep within your heart, ²² for they will mean real life for you and radiant health.

²³ Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life. ²⁴ Spurn the careless kiss of a prostitute.^[b] Stay far from her. ²⁵ Look straight ahead; don’t even turn your head to look. ²⁶ Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe. ²⁷ Don’t sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.