Proverbs 4

Security in Wisdom

1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;2 For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.3 When I was my fathers son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,4 He also taught me, and said to me: Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

PROVERBS 4

Advice to Young People

1 My child, listen closely
to my teachings
and learn common sense.

2 My advice is useful,
so don't turn away.

3 When I was still very young
and my mother's favorite child,
my father

4 said to me:
“If you follow my teachings
and keep them in mind,
you will live.

5 Be wise and learn good sense;
remember my teachings
and do what I say.

6 If you love Wisdom
and don't reject her,
she will watch over you.

7 The best thing about Wisdom
is Wisdom herself;
good sense is more important
than anything else.

8 If you value Wisdom
and hold tightly to her,
great honors will be yours.

9 It will be like wearing
a glorious crown
of beautiful flowers.

The Right Way //and the Wrong Way

10 My child, if you listen
and obey my teachings,
you will live a long time.

11 I have shown you the way
that makes sense;
I have guided you
along the right path.

12 Your road won't be blocked,
and you won't stumble
when you run.

13 Hold firmly to my teaching
and never let go.
It will mean life for you.

14 Don't follow the bad example
of cruel and evil people.

15 Turn aside and keep going.
Stay away from them.

16 They can't sleep or rest
until they do wrong or harm
some innocent victim.

17 Their food and drink
are cruelty and wickedness.

18 The lifestyle of good people
is like sunlight at dawn
that keeps getting brighter
until broad daylight.

19 The lifestyle of the wicked
is like total darkness,
and they will never know
what makes them stumble.

20 My child, listen carefully
to everything I say.

21 Don't forget a single word,
but think about it all.

22 Knowing these teachings
will mean true life
and good health for you.

23 Carefully guard your thoughts
because they are the source
of true life.

24 Never tell lies or be deceitful
in what you say.

25 Keep looking straight ahead,
without turning aside.

26  t Know where you are headed,
and you will stay
on solid ground.

27 Don't make a mistake by turning
to the right or the left.