The Benefits of Wisdom

4 My children, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention, and you will have understanding. ² What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all. ³ When I was only a little boy, my parents' only son, ⁴ my father would teach me. He would say, “Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live. ⁵ Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say. ⁶ Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe. ⁷ Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. ⁸ Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her,^[a] and she will bring you honor. ⁹ She will be your crowning glory.”

¹⁰ Listen to me, my child. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life. ¹¹ I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live. ¹² Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run. ¹³ Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life—guard it well. ¹⁴ Do not go where evil people go. Do not follow the example of the wicked. ¹⁵ Don't do it! Keep away from evil! Refuse it and go on your way. ¹⁶ Wicked people cannot sleep unless they have done something wrong. They lie awake unless they have hurt someone. ¹⁷ Wickedness and violence are like food and drink to them.

¹⁸ The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come. ¹⁹ The road of the wicked, however, is dark as night. They fall, but cannot see what they have stumbled over.

²⁰ My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen to my words. ²¹ Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. ²² They will give life and health to anyone who understands them. ²³ Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. ²⁴ Never say anything that isn't true. Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. ²⁵ Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don't hang your head in shame. ^26 (A)Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. ²⁷ Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.