NETtext - Proverbs - 4

4:1  Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.

4:2  Because I give you good instruction, do not forsake my teaching.

4:3  When I was a son to my father, a tender only child before my mother,

4:4  he taught me, and he said to me: "Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that you will live.

4:5  Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.

4:6  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you.

4:7  Wisdom is supreme - so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding!

4:8  Esteem her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

4:9  She will place a fair garland on your head; she will bestow a beautiful crown on you."

4:10  Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many.

4:11  I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths.

4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble.

4:13  Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; protect it, because it is your life.

4:14  Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil.

4:15  Avoid it, do not go on it; turn away from it, and go on.

4:16  For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble.

4:17  For they eat bread gained from wickedness and drink wine obtained from violence.

4:18  But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighter until full day.

4:19  The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; they do not know what causes them to stumble.

4:20  My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings.

4:21  Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart;

4:22  for they are life to those who find them and healing to one's entire body.

4:23  Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.

4:24  Remove perverse speech from your mouth; keep devious talk far from your lips.

4:25  Let your eyes look directly in front of you and let your gaze look straight before you.

4:26  Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established.

4:27  Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn yourself away from evil.