Proverbs 4:1

New International Version

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

4 Listen, my sons,^(A) to a father’s instruction;^(B)
pay attention and gain understanding.^(C)

Proverbs 4:1 in all English translations

Proverbs 4:5-9

New International Version

⁵Get wisdom,^(A) get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;^(B)
    love her, and she will watch over you.^(C)
⁷The beginning of wisdom is this: Get^[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all^(D) you have,^[b] get understanding.^(E)
⁸Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.^(F)
⁹She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.^(G)”

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Footnotes

Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get

Proverbs 4:20-27

New International Version

²⁰My son,^(A) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.^(B)
²¹Do not let them out of your sight,^(C)
    keep them within your heart;
²²for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.^(D)
²³Above all else, guard^(E) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.^(F)
²⁴Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
²⁵Let your eyes^(G) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
²⁶Give careful thought to the^[a] paths for your feet^(H)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷Do not turn to the right or the left;^(I)
    keep your foot from evil.