Proverbs 4

1Listen, sons, to the correction a father gives; pay attention, and you will gain understanding. 2What I am giving you is sound teaching; do not walk away from my instruction. 3When I was a boy in my father’s house, young and tender, my mother’s dearest child, 4he taught me and said to me, “Hold on to my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget what I have said, or turn away from it. 6Do not leave her, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will protect you. 7This is where wisdom starts: get wisdom. Spend all you have, if you must, to get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will lift you up; hold her close, and she will bring you honor. 9She will set a lovely wreath on your head and present you with a glorious crown.” 10Listen, my son, and take in what I say, and you will have many years of life. 11I have taught you the way of wisdom and guided you along straight paths. 12When you walk, nothing will hem in your steps; when you run, you will not trip. 13Grip discipline tightly and do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14Do not step onto the road the wicked take, or go marching along the way of evil people. 15Keep clear of it, and do not travel on it; turn away from it and keep going. 16For they cannot sleep until they have done some harm; they lie awake unless they have brought someone down. 17Wickedness is the bread they eat, and violence the wine they drink. 18But the road the righteous walk is like the light at daybreak, shining brighter and brighter until it is broad day. 19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not even know what makes them fall.

20My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21Do not let them out of your sight; keep them deep within your heart. 22To those who find them they are life, and health for their whole body. 23More than anything you protect, protect your heart, because the whole course of your life flows out of it. 24Rid yourself of a crooked mouth; keep lying lips far away from you. 25Keep your eyes on what is in front of you, and fix your gaze on the road ahead. 26Make the path for your feet level, and every road you take will be firm. 27Do not veer off to either side; keep your feet away from evil.