⁴ to give prudence to ^(A)the simple,
    knowledge and ^(B)discretion to the youth—

4 ^(A)Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may ^(B)gain^[a] insight,
² for I give you good ^(C)precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
³ When I was a son with my father,
    ^(D)tender, ^(E)the only one in the sight of my mother,
⁴ he ^(F)taught me and said to me,
^(G)“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    ^(H)keep my commandments, and live.
^5 (I)Get wisdom; get ^(J)insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    ^(K)love her, and she will guard you.
^7 (L)The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get ^(M)insight.

5 ^(A)My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
    ^(B)incline your ear to my understanding,
² that you may keep ^(C)discretion,
    and your lips may ^(D)guard knowledge.

9 ^(A)Wisdom has built her house;
    she has hewn her ^(B)seven ^(C)pillars.
² She has ^(D)slaughtered her beasts; she has ^(E)mixed her wine;
    she has also ^(F)set her table.
³ She has ^(G)sent out her young women to ^(H)call
    from ^(I)the highest places in the town,
^4 (J)“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    ^(K)To him who lacks sense she says,
⁵ “Come, ^(L)eat of my bread
    and ^(M)drink of ^(N)the wine I have mixed.
⁶ Leave ^(O)your simple ways,^[a] and ^(P)live,
    ^(Q)and walk in the way of insight.”