Proverbs Chapter 4
1 Listen to my instruction, children;
pay attention and learn.
2 I’ll give you helpful guidance;
don’t abandon it.
3 When I was my father’s son,
my mother’s tender only boy,
4 he taught me,
“Hold fast to what I say;
keep my commandments and live.
5Gain wisdom! Get insight!
don’t forget it or leave it.
6Keep it with you, and it’ll protect you;
love it, and it’ll watch over you.
7This is the main thing about wisdom: get it;
whatever else you get, get that.
8Value it highly, and it’ll elevate you;
it will bring you honor if you embrace it.
9It will put a beautiful wreath on your head
and present you with a splendid crown.”
Prov 4:1-9
10 Accept what I’m telling you, son,
and you’ll live a long time.
11 I’ve directed you in the way of wisdom,
and led you in godly paths.
12 When you walk, you won’t be hampered;
when you run, you won’t stumble.
13 Latch hold of instruction and don’t let it go;
guard it, and it will determine your destiny.
Prov 4:10-13
14 Don’t follow the road that sinners travel
or walk the path of perverse people.
15Avoid it; don’t pass by it;
turn and go the other way.
16They can’t sleep unless they mistreat someone;
they lose sleep unless they can trip somebody up.
17They eat the bread of wickedness,
and drink the wine of violence.
18But the path of goodness is like dawn’s early light;
it shines brighter and brighter till it’s fully day.
19The way of sinners is like darkness;
they don’t know what they’re stumbling over.
20 Pay attention to me, son;
listen to what I’m telling you;
21don’t let it out of your sight;
keep it inside you.
22It gives life to those who find it
and health to their whole body.
23Watch over your heart diligently,
because the springs of life flow out of it.
24Put away a deceitful mouth;
put devious lips far from you.
25Look straight ahead;
fix your gaze in front of you.
26Keep your eye on the path you’re walking,
and all your ways will be safe.
27Don’t stray from them;
go the other way from sin.
Prov 4:20-27