What does Proverbs Chapter 4 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Proverbs 4 exhorts seeking wisdom. Children are called to hear a father’s instruction and know prudence; he will give a good gift and asks that his law not be forsaken. He recalls being his father’s tender son, as an only son in his mother’s sight. His father taught heart reception of words and commandment keeping unto life. The local account does not name that father or stage a royal classroom.

Get wisdom and prudence, forget not words, do not forsake her: she shall keep and preserve the lover. Purchase prudence with all possession, embrace her for exaltation, increased graces and a protecting noble crown. Hear words that years may multiply. He will show wisdom’s way and equity’s paths, with steps not straitened or stumbling when running. Hold instruction as life.

Do not delight in evil paths: flee, turn aside and forsake. The wicked cannot sleep without evil or causing a fall; they eat wickedness’s bread and iniquity’s wine. The just path shines increasingly unto perfect day; the wicked way is dark, without knowing where they fall. Clinical addiction and a specified noon scene are not added.

Hear sayings, retain before eyes and within heart: they are life to finders and health to flesh. Guard heart watchfully because life issues from it, remove froward mouth and detracting lips, look straight and straighten feet’s path. Decline neither right nor left and turn foot from evil. The Lord knows right-hand ways while left-hand ways are perverse; He will straighten courses and bring ways forward in peace. These teachings remain attributed, without an added bodily-health guarantee.