Proverbs 4

Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness

1 Listen, children,t to a father’s instruction,t
and pay attention so thatt you may gaint discernment.

2 Because I givet you good instruction,t
do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a son to my father,t
a tender only childst before my mother,

4 he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so thatt you will live.

5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.ts

6 Do not forsake wisdom,t and she will protect you;
love her, and she will guard you.

7 Wisdom is supremet – sot acquire wisdom,
and whatever you acquire,t acquire understanding!s

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

9 She will place a fairs garland on your head;
she will bestowt a beautiful crowns on you.”

10 Listen, my child,t and accept my words,
so thatt the years of your life will be many.t

11 I will guide youts in the way of wisdom
and I will lead you in upright paths.t

12 When you walk, your stepsss will not be hampered,s
and when you run,s you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction,t do not let it go;
protect it,t because it is your life.

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked
or walkt in the way of those who are evil.

15 Avoid it, do not go on it;
turn away from it, and go on.s

16 For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm;s
they are robbed of sleeps until they make someone stumble.s

17 For they eat breadt gained from wickednesst
and drink wine obtained from violence.t

18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light,t
growing brighter and brightert until full day.t

19 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness;s
they do not know what causes them to stumble.t

20 My child, pay attention to my words;
listen attentivelyts to my sayings.

21 Do not let them departt from your sight,
guardt them within your heart;s

22 for they are life to those who find them
and healing to one’s entire body.t

23 Guard your heart with all vigilance,t
for from it are the sourcess of life.

24 Remove perverse speechts from your mouth;t
keep devious talk far from your lips.t

25 Let your eyes look directlyt in front of you
and let your gazet look straight before you.

26 Make the path for your feett level,s
so thatt all your ways may be established.t

27 Do not turns to the right or to the left;
turn yourselft away from evil.s

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.