Proverbs 4

1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention so that you may gain understanding,

2for I give you good learning; do not abandon my teaching.

3When I was a son to my father, tender, the only one in my mother’s sight,

4he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold on to my words; keep my commands and live.

5Get wisdom; get understanding; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

6Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; love her, and she will protect you.

7The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom, and with all you have, get understanding.

8Prize her highly, and she will lift you up; she will honor you when you embrace her.

9She will set a graceful wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”

10Listen, my son, and accept my words, and the years of your life will be many.

11I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you along straight paths.

12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble.

13Hold on to instruction; do not let it go; guard it, for it is your life.

14Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers.

15Avoid it; do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.

16For they cannot sleep unless they have done evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

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

18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until full day.

19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

20My son, pay attention to my words; turn your ear to my sayings.

21Do not let them slip out of your sight; keep them deep within your heart.

22For they are life to those who find them and healing to their whole body.

23More than anything else you guard, guard your heart, for from it flow the springs of life.

24Put crooked speech away from you; keep devious lips far from you.

25Let your eyes look straight ahead; let your gaze be fixed directly in front of you.

26Make the path for your feet level, and all your ways will be firm.

27Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.