Proverbs Chapter 4 Back Next{4:1} Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
{4:2} for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my
law.
{4:3} For I was a son to my
father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
{4:4} He taught me, and said to me: "Let your
heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
{4:5} Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
{4:6} Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
{4:7} Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
{4:8} Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
{4:9} She will give to your head a garland of
grace. She will deliver a
crown of splendor to you."
{4:10} Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
{4:11} I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
{4:12} When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
{4:13} Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
{4:14} Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men.
{4:15} Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
{4:16} For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
{4:17} For they eat the
bread of wickedness, and
drink the wine of violence.
{4:18} But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.
{4:19} The way of the wicked is like
darkness. They don't know what they stumble over.
{4:20} My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
{4:21} Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
{4:22} For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.
{4:23} Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
{4:24} Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
{4:25} Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
{4:26} Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
{4:27} Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
Proverbs Chapter 4 Back Next