Proverbs 4

1 Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.

2 For I have given to you good learning, do not forsake my law.

3 For I have been a son to my father—tender, And an only one before my mother.

4 And he directs me, and he says 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 sayings of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, Love her, and she keeps you.

7 The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, And with all your getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her and she lifts you up, She honors you when you embrace her.

9 She gives a wreath of grace to your head, She gives you a crown of beauty freely.”

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life [are] multiplied to you.

11 I have directed you in a way of wisdom, I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.

12 In your walking your step is not restricted, And if you run, you do not stumble.

13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she [is] your life.

14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked, And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers.

15 Avoid it, do not pass over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.

16 For they do not sleep if they do no evil, And their sleep has been taken away violently, If they do not cause [some] to stumble.

17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And they drink wine of violence.

18 And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, Going and brightening until the day is established,

19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.

20 My son, give attention to my words, Incline your ear to my sayings,

21 Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, Preserve them in the midst of your heart.

22 For they [are] life to those finding them, And healing to all their flesh.

23 Above every charge keep your heart, For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.

24 Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, And put perverse lips far from you,

25 Your eyes look straightforward, And your eyelids look straight before you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet, And all your ways [are] established.

27 Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, Turn aside your foot from evil!