Proverbs 4

1Listen, my children, to a father's instruction. Pay attention, so that you may gain understanding.

2Because I am giving you good teaching. Do not turn away from my instruction.

3When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender and my mother's only child,

4my father taught me and said: Let your heart hold on to my words; keep my commands, and you will live.

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

6Do not turn away from wisdom, and wisdom will protect you. Love wisdom, and wisdom will watch over you.

7Wisdom is the most important thing, so get wisdom. Whatever else you get, get understanding.

8Treasure wisdom highly, and wisdom will lift you up. Wisdom will bring you honor when you embrace her.

9Wisdom will place a graceful garland on your head; wisdom will give you a beautiful crown.

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

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

12When you walk, your steps will not be held back, and when you run, you will not stumble.

13Hold on tightly to instruction. Do not let it go. Guard it well, because it is your life.

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

15Avoid it. Do not travel on it. Turn away from it and go on.

16Because wicked people cannot sleep until they do something wrong; they cannot rest until they make someone fall.

17They eat food that comes from wickedness, and they drink wine that comes from violence.

18But the path of honest people is like the light of dawn, growing brighter and brighter until it is full daylight.

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

20My son, pay attention to my words. Turn your ear to what I say.

21Do not let my words out of your sight. Keep them deep in your heart,

22because they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.

23Guard your heart more than anything else, because your life flows from it.

24Get rid of dishonest talk, and keep lying lips far away from you.

25Let your eyes look straight ahead, and fix your gaze on what is in front of you.

26Think carefully about where your feet are going, and all your ways will be secure.

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