Proverbs 4

Chapter 4

A Father’s Wise Advice

1 My children,t listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment,2 for I am giving you good guidance.
Don’t turn away from my instructions.3 For I, too, was once my father’s son,
tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.4 My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
Follow my commands, and you will live.5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown.”10 My child,t listen to me and do as I say,
and you will have a long, good life.11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways
and lead you in straight paths.12 When you walk, you won’t be held back;
when you run, you won’t stumble.13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life.14 Don’t do as the wicked do,
and don’t follow the path of evildoers.15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
Turn away and keep moving.16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.
They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.17 They eat the food of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence!18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.21 Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,22 for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.24 Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.27 Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following 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.