ProverbsChapter 4

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¹My sons, listen to what a father teaches.
Pay attention so you can gain understanding. ²For I am giving you good teaching.
Don't turn away from what I tell you. ³When I was a boy in my father's house,
young and my mother's only child, ⁴he taught me and said,
"Hold on to my words with all your heart.
Keep my commands, and you will live. ⁵Get wisdom. Get understanding.
Don't forget my words or turn away from them. ⁶Don't leave wisdom, and she will keep you safe.
Love her, and she will guard you. ⁷Wisdom is the most important thing. So get wisdom.
Whatever else you get, get understanding. ⁸Value her highly, and she will lift you up.
Hold her close, and she will honor you. ⁹She will put a lovely wreath on your head.
She will give you a beautiful crown." ¹⁰Listen, my son, and accept what I say.
Then you will live for many years. ¹¹I will guide you in the way of wisdom.
I will lead you on straight paths. ¹²When you walk, nothing will block your steps.
When you run, you won't trip. ¹³Hold on to what you've been taught. Don't let it go.
Guard it, because it is your life. ¹⁴Don't step onto the path of wicked people.
Don't walk the way of those who do evil. ¹⁵Stay away from it. Don't travel on it.
Turn away from it and keep going. ¹⁶For they can't sleep until they do evil.
They can't rest until they make someone fall. ¹⁷They eat the bread of wickedness.
They drink the wine of violence. ¹⁸The path of those who do right is like the first light of dawn.
It shines brighter and brighter until it is full day. ¹⁹But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness.
They don't know what makes them trip. ²⁰My son, pay attention to my words.
Turn your ear to what I say. ²¹Don't lose sight of them.
Keep them deep in your heart. ²²For they are life to those who find them.
They are health to the whole body. ²³Guard your heart with great care.
For springs of life flow from it. ²⁴Get rid of lies from your mouth.
Keep twisted words far from your lips. ²⁵Let your eyes look forward.
Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead. ²⁶Make a level path for your feet.
Then all your ways will be steady. ²⁷Don't turn to the right or the left.
Keep your feet away from evil.