4. He taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. [I Chron. 28:9; Eph. 6:4.]
5. Get skillful and godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.
6. Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you.
7. The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation). [James 1:5.]
8. Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.
9. She shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to you.
10. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life shall be many.
11. I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness.
12. When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.
13. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15. Avoid it, do not go on it; turn from it and pass on.
16. For they cannot sleep unless they have caused trouble or vexation; their sleep is taken away unless they have caused someone to fall.