Proverbs 4

¹ Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding!

² Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake.

³ When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother,

⁴ He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast my words: keep my commands, that you may live!

⁵ "Get wisdom, get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words I utter.

⁶ Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you;

⁷ The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding.

⁸ Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her;

⁹ She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you."

¹⁰ Hear, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life shall be many.

¹¹ On the way of wisdom I direct you, I lead you on straightforward paths.

¹² When you walk, your step will not be impeded, and should you run, you will not stumble.

¹³ Hold fast to instruction, never let her go; keep her, for she is your life.

¹⁴ The path of the wicked enter not, walk not on the way of evil men;

¹⁵ Shun it, cross it not, turn aside from it, and pass on.

¹⁶ For they cannot rest unless they have done evil; to have made no one stumble steals away their sleep.

¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸ But the path of the just is like shining light, that grows in brilliance till perfect day.

¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like darkness; they know not on what they stumble.

²⁰ My son, to my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear;

²¹ Let them not slip out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

²² For they are life to those who find them, to man's whole being they are health.

²³ With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.

²⁴ Put away from you dishonest talk, deceitful speech put far from you.

²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead and your glance be directly forward.

²⁶ Survey the path for your feet, and let all your ways be sure.

²⁷ Turn neither to right nor to left, keep your foot far from evil.