Proverbs 4

1 Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,

2 Proverbs 4:2 For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.

3 Proverbs 4:3 When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

4 Proverbs 4:4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;

5 Proverbs 4:5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Proverbs 4:6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Proverbs 4:7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

8 Proverbs 4:8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.

9 Proverbs 4:9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

10 Proverbs 4:10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.

11 Proverbs 4:11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.

12 Proverbs 4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.

13 Proverbs 4:13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.

14 Proverbs 4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.

15 Proverbs 4:15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.

16 Proverbs 4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

17 Proverbs 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence.

18 Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

19 Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.

20 Proverbs 4:20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Proverbs 4:21 Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.

22 Proverbs 4:22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.

23 Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

24 Proverbs 4:24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.

25 Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

26 Proverbs 4:26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.

27 Proverbs 4:27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.