4 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction.
    Pay attention and know understanding;
² for I give you sound learning.
    Don’t forsake my law.
³ For I was a son to my father,
    tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
⁴ He taught me, and said to me:
    “Let your heart retain my words.
    Keep my commandments, and live.
⁵ Get wisdom.
    Get understanding.
    Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.
⁶ Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you.
    Love her, and she will keep you.
⁷ Wisdom is supreme.
    Get wisdom.
    Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
    Turn your ear to my understanding,
² that you may maintain discretion,
    that your lips may preserve knowledge.

9 Wisdom has built her house.
    She has carved out her seven pillars.
² She has prepared her meat.
    She has mixed her wine.
    She has also set her table.
³ She has sent out her maidens.
    She cries from the highest places of the city:
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
⁵ “Come, eat some of my bread,
    Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
⁶ Leave your simple ways, and live.
    Walk in the way of understanding.”