Proverbs 4

Wisdom Is Supreme

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a boy in my father's house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,

4 he taught me and said,
“Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor.”

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep 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.