Proverbs 4

1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

3For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.footnote a

10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

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

18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.footnote b

23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.footnote c

24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.footnote d

25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.footnote e

27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

A Father’s Instruction

1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;pay attention and gain understanding. 2For I give you sound teaching;do not abandon my directive. 3When I was a son to my father,tender and the only child of my mother, 4he taught me and said,“Let your heart lay hold of my words;keep my commands and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding;do not forget my words or turn from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you;love her, and she will guard you. 7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom.And whatever you may acquire,footnote again understanding. 8Prize her, and she will exalt you;if you embrace her, she will honor you. 9She will set a garland of grace on your head;she will present you with a crown of beauty.”

10Listen, my son, and receive my words,and the years of your life will be many. 11I will guide you in the way of wisdom;I will lead you on straight paths. 12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;when you run, you will not stumble. 13Hold on to instruction; do not let go.Guard it, for it is your life. 14Do not set foot on the path of the wickedor walk in the way of evildoers. 15Avoid it; do not travel on it.Turn from it and pass on by. 16For they cannot sleepunless they do evil;they are deprived of slumberuntil they make someone fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickednessand drink the wine of violence. 18The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,shining brighter and brighter until midday. 19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;they do not know what makes them stumble.

20My son, pay attention to my words;incline your ear to my sayings. 21Do not lose sight of them;keep them within your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them,and health to the whole body. 23Guard your heart with all diligence,for from it flow springs of life. 24Put away deception from your mouth;keep your lips from perverse speech. 25Let your eyes look forward;fix your gaze straight ahead. 26Make a level path for your feet,footnote band all your ways will be sure. 27Do not swerve to the right or to the left;turn your feet away from evil.