Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain[a] insight,

2 for I give you good precepts;

do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a son with my father,

tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,

4 he taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

keep my commandments, and live.

—Proverbs 4: 1-4