Proverbs 4
1Listen, sons, to a father's instruction, 1 and pay attention so you will know what understanding is. 1
2I am giving you good instructions; 1 do not forsake my teaching. 1
3When I was a son of my father, 1 the tender and only child of my mother, 1
4he taught me and said to me, 1 “Let your heart hold fast to my words; 1 keep my commands and live. 1
5Acquire wisdom and understanding; 1 do not forget and do not reject the words of my mouth; 1
6do not abandon wisdom and she will watch over you; 1 love her and she will keep you safe. 1
7Wisdom is the most important thing, so acquire wisdom 1 and spend all you own so you can get understanding. 1
8Cherish wisdom and she will exalt you; 1 she will honor you when you embrace her. 1
9She will put a wreath of honor on your head; 1 she will give you a beautiful crown.” 1
10Listen, my son, and pay attention to my words, 1 and you will have many years in your life. 1
11I direct you in the way of wisdom; 1 I lead you down straight paths. 1
12When you walk, no one will stand in your way 1 and if you run, you will not stumble. 1
13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; 1 guard it, for it is your life. 1
14Do not follow the path of the wicked 1 and do not go along the way of those who do evil. 1
15Avoid it, do not go on it; 1 turn away from it and go another way. 1
16For they cannot sleep until they do evil 1 and they are robbed of sleep until they cause someone to stumble. 1
17For they eat the bread of wickedness 1 and drink the wine of violence. 1
18But the path of righteous people is like the first light that grows brighter; 1 it shines more and more until the fullness of the day comes. 1
19The way of the wicked is like darkness— 1 they do not know what it is they stumble over. 1
20My son, pay attention to my words; 1 incline your ear to my sayings. 1
21Do not let them turn away from your eyes; 1 keep them in your heart. 1
22For my words are life to those who find them 1 and health to their whole body. 1
23Keep your heart safe and guard it with all diligence, 1 for from it flow the springs of life. 1
24Put crooked speech away from you 1 and put corrupt talk far from you. 1
25Let your eyes look straight ahead 1 and fix your gaze straight before you. 1
26Make a level path for your foot; 1 then all your ways will be secure. 1
27Do not turn aside to the right or to the left; 1 turn your foot away from evil.