Proverbs 4
- 1
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. Begin Abide·
- 2
For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. Begin Abide·
- 3
When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother, Begin Abide·
- 4
he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live. Begin Abide·
- 5
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. Begin Abide·
- 6
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. Begin Abide·
- 7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Begin Abide·
- 8
Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. Begin Abide·
- 9
She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty.” Begin Abide·
- 10
Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. Begin Abide·
- 11
I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. Begin Abide·
- 12
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble. Begin Abide·
- 13
Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life. Begin Abide·
- 14
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Begin Abide·
- 15
Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by. Begin Abide·
- 16
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall. Begin Abide·
- 17
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. Begin Abide·
- 18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. Begin Abide·
- 19
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. Begin Abide·
- 20
My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Begin Abide·
- 21
Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. Begin Abide·
- 22
For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. Begin Abide·
- 23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. Begin Abide·
- 24
Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech. Begin Abide·
- 25
Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Begin Abide·
- 26
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Begin Abide·
- 27
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil. Begin Abide·