Proverbs 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou may be wise in thy latter end. 

This section of Proverbs (19:20-24:34) is framed as a father speaking directly to his son. The personal address is clear through repeated use of “my son” (e.g., 19:20; 27; 23:15, 19, 26; 24:13, 21) and through second-person language such as: “thou” [you] (19:20; 22:24-27; 23:1, 5-6, 13-14, 19, 31, 34; 24:1, 10-12); “thee” (22:19-21, 27; 23:7); “thy” [your] (22:18; 23:16, 22, 25; 24:10, 27, 34); “thine” (23:12, 15, 17-19, 33); and “thyself” (24:27). This style emphasises a personal, mentoring relationship: wisdom is handed down from father to son, teacher to student, elder to youth.

The verse gives two complementary paths to wisdom: Hear counsel – Listen to advice from others and let it shape you, and choose righteousness over folly. Receive instruction (discipline) – Accept correction, training, and reproof, then live by it. Together, they stress not just acquiring knowledge, but being teachable and living out what is learned.

This whole section reads like a father carefully shaping his son’s life: Listen to counsel, accept discipline, avoid destructive companions, and live diligently before God.