Proverbs 4
1Sh'ma ·Hear obey·, sons, to a father’s instruction. 2 Pay attention and know understanding; 1
2for I give you sound learning. 2 Don’t forsake my Torah ·Teaching·. 1
3For I was a son to my father, 2 tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 1
4He taught me, and said to me: 2 “Let your heart retain my words. 2 Keep my mitzvot ·instructions·, and live. 1
5Get wisdom. 2 Get understanding. 2 Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. 1
6Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. 2 'Ahav ·Affectionately love· her, and she will keep you. 1
7Wisdom is supreme. 2 Get wisdom. 2 Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 1
8Esteem her, and she will exalt you. 2 She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. 1
9She will give to your head a garland of chen ·grace·. 2 She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.” 1
10Sh'ma ·Hear obey·, my son, and receive my sayings. 2 The years of your life will be many. 1
11I have taught you in the way of wisdom. 2 I have led you in straight paths. 1
12When you go, your steps will not be hampered. 2 When you run, you will not stumble. 1
13Take firm hold of instruction. 2 Don’t let her go. 2 Keep her, for she is your life. 1
14Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. 2 Don’t walk in the way of evil men. 1
15Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. 2 Turn from it, and pass on. 1
16For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. 2 Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. 1
17For they eat the bread of ethical wickedness, 2 and drink the wine of violence. 1
18But the path of the upright is like the dawning light, 2 that shines more and more until the perfect day. 1
19The way of the wicked is like darkness. 2 They don’t know what they stumble over. 1
20My son, attend to my words. 2 Turn your ear to my sayings. 1
21Let them not depart from your eyes. 2 Keep them in the center of your heart. 1
22For they are life to those who find them, 2 and health to their whole body. 1
23Keep your heart with all diligence, 2 for out of it is the wellspring of life. 1
24Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. 2 Put corrupt lips far from you. 1
25Let your eyes look straight ahead. 2 Fix your gaze directly before you. 1
26Make the path of your feet level. + 4:26. Quoted in Heb 12:13 2 Let all of your ways be established. 1
27Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. 2 Remove your foot from evil.