Proverbs 4:1-13

Hear, children, fatherly instruction; pay attention to gain understanding. I’ll teach you well. Don’t abandon my instruction. When I was a son to my father, tender and my mother’s favorite, he taught me and said to me: “Let your heart hold on to my words: Keep my commands and live. Get wisdom; get understanding. Don’t forget and don’t turn away from my words. Don’t abandon her, and she will guard you. Love her, and she will protect you. The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom! Get understanding before anything else. Highly esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you if you embrace her. She will place a graceful wreath on your head; she will give you a glorious crown.” Listen, my son, and take in my speech, then the years of your life will be many. I teach you the path of wisdom. I lead you in straight courses. When you walk, you won’t be hindered; when you run, you won’t stumble. Hold on to instruction; don’t slack off; protect it, for it is your life.