Proverbs, 4

4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

4:2 For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.

4:3 When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,

4:4 he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.

4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.

4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.

4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

4:8 Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.

4:9 She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

4:10 Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many.

4:11 I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.

4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.

4:13 Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

4:14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

4:15 Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.

4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.

4:19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

4:20 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

4:21 Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.

4:22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.

4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

4:24 Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.

4:25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.

4:26 Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.

4:27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.