Proverbs 4
1 Children, listen to a father’s discipline; pay attention so you may gain understanding.
2 For I have given you good instruction; do not abandon my teaching.
3 I, too, was a son to my father, tender and cherished by my mother.
4 He taught me and said, “Let your heart hold fast to my words; keep my commands and live.
5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not abandon wisdom, and she will guard you; love her, and she will protect you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: acquire wisdom; with all you have, acquire understanding.
8 Prize her, and she will lift you up; she will honor you when you embrace her.
9 She will place a graceful wreath on your head; she will give you a beautiful crown.”
10 Listen, my son, and accept my words, and the years of your life will multiply.
11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold fast to discipline; do not let it go. Guard it, for it is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked; do not walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid that path; do not go along it. Turn away from it and move on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they lose sleep if they do not make someone fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, growing brighter until full daylight.
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to what I say.
21 Do not let them leave your sight; keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them and health to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else, for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put crooked speech away from you; keep deceitful words far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze on what lies before you.
26 Make the path for your feet level, and all your ways will be firm.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot away from evil.
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