⁴ To give unto the ^[a]simple sharpness of wit, and to the child knowledge and discretion.

²¹ My son, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but observe wisdom and counsel.

²² So they shall be life to thy soul, and grace unto thy ^[a]neck.

²³ Then shalt thou walk safely by the way: and thy foot shall not stumble.

²⁴ If thou sleepest, thou shalt not be afraid: and when thou sleepest, thy sleep shall be sweet.

^25 [b]Thou shalt not fear for any sudden fear, neither for destruction of the wicked, when it cometh.

²⁶ For the Lord shall be for thine assurance, and shall preserve thy foot from taking.

4 1 Wisdom and her fruits ought to be searched. 14 The way of the wicked must be refused. 20 By the word of God the heart, eyes, and course of life must be guided.

¹ Hear, O ye children, the instruction of a ^[a]father, and give ear to learn understanding.

² For I do give you a good doctrine: therefore forsake ye not my law.

³ For I was my father’s son, tender and dear in the sight of my mother,

⁴ When he ^[b]taught me, and said unto me, Let thine heart hold fast my words: keep my commandments, and thou shalt live.

⁵ Get wisdom: get understanding: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.

⁶ Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her and she shall preserve thee.

^7 [c]Wisdom is the beginning: get wisdom therefore: and above all thy possession get understanding.

5 3 Whoredom is forbidden, 9 And prodigality. 15 He willeth a man to live on his labors and to help others, 18 To love his wife. 22 The wicked taken in their own wickedness.

¹ My son, hearken unto my wisdom, and incline thine ear unto my ^[a]knowledge,

² That thou mayest regard counsel, and thy lips observe knowledge.

9 2 Wisdom calleth all to her feast. 7 The scorner will not be corrected. 10 The fear of God. 13 The conditions of the harlot.

¹ Wisdom hath built her ^[a]house, and hewn out her ^[b]seven pillars.

² She hath killed her victuals, drawn her wine, and ^[c]prepared her table.

³ She hath sent forth her ^[d]maidens, and crieth upon the highest places of the city, saying,

⁴ Who so is ^[e]simple, let him come hither, and to him that is destitute of wisdom, she saith,

⁵ Come, and eat of my ^[f]meat, and drink of the wine that I have drawn.

⁶ Forsake your way, ye foolish, and ye shall live: and walk in the way of understanding.

¹⁰ The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the knowledge of holy things, is ^[a]understanding.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the foolishness of the fools is deceit.

¹⁵ The foolish will believe everything: but the prudent will consider his steps.

⁵ The thoughts of the diligent do surely bring abundance; but ^[a]whosoever is hasty, cometh surely to poverty.