Proverbs 4

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

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

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

4And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, || Keep my commands, and live.

5Get wisdom, get understanding, || Do not forget, nor turn away || From the sayings of my mouth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16For 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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