Proverbs 4:3-12

³For I was a son to my father, a gentle and an only one to my mother.

⁴And he gave me teaching, saying to me, Keep my words in your heart; keep my rules so that you may have life:

⁵Get wisdom, get true knowledge; keep it in memory, do not be turned away from the words of my mouth.

⁶Do not give her up, and she will keep you; give her your love, and she will make you safe.

⁷The first sign of wisdom is to get wisdom; go, give all you have to get true knowledge.

⁸Put her in a high place, and you will be lifted up by her; she will give you honour, when you give her your love.

⁹She will put a crown of grace on your head, giving you a head-dress of glory.

¹⁰Give ear, O my son, and let your heart be open to my sayings; and long life will be yours.

¹¹I have given you teaching in the way of wisdom, guiding your steps in the straight way.

¹²When you go, your way will not be narrow, and in running you will not have a fall.