Proverbs 4
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Proverbs 4
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A Father's Instruction
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1. Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
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And give attention that you may gain understanding,
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2. For I give you sound teaching;
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Do not abandon my instruction.
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3. When I was a son to my father,
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Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
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4. Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words;
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Keep my commandments and live;
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5. Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
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Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
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6. "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
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Love her, and she will watch over you.
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<b> 7. "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;</b>
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<b> And with all your acquiring, get understanding.</b>
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8. "Prize her, and she will exalt you;
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She will honor you if you embrace her.
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9. "She will place on your head a garland of grace;
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She will present you with a crown of beauty."
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10. Hear, my son, and accept my sayings,
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And the years of your life will be many.
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11. I have directed you in the way of wisdom;
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I have led you in upright paths.
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12. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
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And if you run, you will not stumble.
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<b> 13. Take hold of instruction; do not let go.</b>
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<b> Guard her, for she is your life.</b>
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<b>14. Do not enter the path of the wicked,</b>
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<b> And do not proceed in the way of evil men.</b>
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<b> 15. Avoid it, do not pass by it;</b>
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<b> Turn away from it and pass on.</b>
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<b> 16. For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;</b>
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<b> And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.</b>
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<b> 17. For they eat the bread of wickedness,</b>
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<b> And drink the wine of violence.</b>
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18. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
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That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
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<b>19. The way of the wicked is like darkness;</b>
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<b> They do not know over what they stumble.</b>
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20. My son, give attention to my words;
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Incline your ear to my sayings.
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21. Do not let them depart from your sight;
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Keep them in the midst of your heart.
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22. For they are life to those who find them,
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And health to all their whole body.
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<b>23. Watch over your heart with all diligence,</b>
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<b> For from it flow the springs of life.</b>
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24. Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
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And put devious lips far from you.
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<b> 25. Let your eyes look directly ahead,</b>
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<b> And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.</b>
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<b> 26. Watch the path of your feet,</b>
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<b> And all your ways will be established.</b>
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<b> 27. Do not turn to the right nor to the left;</b>
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<b> Turn your foot from evil.</b>
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