Proverbs 4
1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
Listen, sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and discover what makes sense,
2 for I give you sound learning. Do not forsake my law.
for what I am passing on to you is reliable. Don't reject my teachings.
3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
When I was a son with my father—a tender young boy, my mother's only child—
4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
he was the one who taught me. He told me, “Pay attention to the words I say and keep them in mind; do what I tell you and you will live.
5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
Get wisdom, find out what makes sense. Don't forget my words or reject them.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
Don't give up on wisdom for she will keep you safe. Love wisdom and she will protect you.
7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
The first thing in becoming wise is to get wisdom! Whatever else you gain, gain insight.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
Treasure wisdom, and she will praise you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."
She will place on your head a wreath of grace; she will present to you a crown of glory.”
10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
Listen, my son, if you accept what I tell you, then you will live a long life.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
I have explained to you the way of wisdom; I have guided you along the right paths.
12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
Nothing will block your way when you walk, you won't stumble when you run.
13 Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
Hold on to these instructions—don't let them go. Protect them, for they are life's foundation.
14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked. Do not walk in the way of evil men.
Don't go the way of the wicked or follow the example of those who do evil.
15 Avoid it, and do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
Avoid that way completely. Don't go there! Turn away, and walk on.
16 For they do not sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like a shining light, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
The way of life of the good is like the light of the sunrise, glowing brighter and brighter until the full light of day shines out.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what they stumble over.
But the way of life of the wicked is like complete darkness; they don't even know what they're tripping over.
20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
My son, pay attention to what I tell you; listen to the words I'm saying.
21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
Don't lose sight of them; think about them deeply,
22 For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all of his body.
for they are life to anyone who finds them, and make the whole body healthy.
23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
Most of all, protect your mind, for everything in life flows from it.
24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
Don't ever lie, and don't say anything dishonest.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
Focus on what's ahead of you; look at what's in front of you.
26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
Pay attention to the path you decide to follow, and you'll be safe wherever you go.
27 Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
Don't deviate to the right or the left, and turn away from evil.
