41 Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding. 2 For good learning I have given to you, My law forsake not. 3 For, a son I have been to my father—tender, And an only one before my mother. 4 And he directeth me, and he saith to me: 'Let thy heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee. 7 The first thing 'is' wisdom—get wisdom, And with all thy getting get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her. 9 She giveth to thy head a wreath of grace, A crown of beauty she doth give thee freely. 10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life 'are' multiplied to thee. 11 In a way of wisdom I have directed thee, I have caused thee to tread in paths of uprightness. 12 In thy walking thy step is not straitened, And if thou runnest, thou stumblest not. 13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she 'is' thy life.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13
Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13
(Read Proverbs 4:1-13)
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.