4:4 he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so that 1 you will live.
4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak. 2
4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, 3 and she will protect you;
love her, and she will guard you.
4:7 Wisdom is supreme 4 – so 5 acquire wisdom,
and whatever you acquire, 6 acquire understanding! 7
4:8 Esteem her highly 8 and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
4:9 She will place a fair 9 garland on your head;
she will bestow 10 a beautiful crown 11 on you.”
4:10 Listen, my child, 12 and accept my words,
so that 13 the years of your life will be many. 14
4:11 I will guide you 15 in the way of wisdom
and I will lead you in upright paths. 16
4:12 When you walk, your steps 17 will not be hampered, 18
and when you run, 19 you will not stumble.
4:13 Hold on to instruction, 20 do not let it go;
protect it, 21 because it is your life.