Proverbs 4

1Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2Don’t forsake my law. for I give you sound learning. 3tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. For I was a son to my father, 4“Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. He taught me, and said to me: 5Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. Get wisdom. 6Love her, and she will keep you. Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. 7Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. Wisdom is supreme. 8She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. Esteem her, and she will exalt you. 9She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.” She will give to your head a garland of grace. 10The years of your life will be many. Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. 11I have led you in straight paths. I have taught you in the way of wisdom. 12When you run, you will not stumble. When you go, your steps will not be hampered. 13Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. Take firm hold of instruction. 14Don’t walk in the way of evil men. Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. 15Turn from it, and pass on. Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. 16Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. 17and drink the wine of violence. For they eat the bread of wickedness, 18that shines more and more until the perfect day. But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, 19They don’t know what they stumble over. The way of the wicked is like darkness. 20Turn your ear to my sayings. My son, attend to my words. 21Keep them in the center of your heart. Let them not depart from your eyes. 22and health to their whole body. For they are life to those who find them, 23for out of it is the wellspring of life. Keep your heart with all diligence, 24Put corrupt lips far from you. Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. 25Fix your gaze directly before you. Let your eyes look straight ahead. 26Let all of your ways be established. Make the path of your feet level. 27Remove your foot from evil. Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left.