Proverbs 4:1-24

Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness

4:1 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,

and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.

4:2 Because I give you good instruction,

do not forsake my teaching.

4:3 When I was a son to my father,

a tender only child before my mother,

4:4 he taught me, and he said to me:

“Let your heart lay hold of my words;

keep my commands so that you will live.

4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;

do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.

4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;

love her, and she will guard you.

4:7 Wisdom is supreme – so acquire wisdom,

and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding!

4:8 Esteem her highly and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.

4:9 She will place a fair garland on your head;

she will bestow a beautiful crown on you.”

4:10 Listen, my child, and accept my words,

so that the years of your life will be many.

4:11 I will guide you in the way of wisdom

and I will lead you in upright paths.

4:12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered,

and when you run, you will not stumble.

4:13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;

protect it, because it is your life.

4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked

or walk in the way of those who are evil.

4:15 Avoid it, do not go on it;

turn away from it, and go on.

4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm;

they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble.

4:17 For they eat bread gained from wickedness

and drink wine obtained from violence.

4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light,

growing brighter and brighter until full day.

4:19 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness;

they do not know what causes them to stumble.

4:20 My child, pay attention to my words;

listen attentively to my sayings.

4:21 Do not let them depart from your sight,

guard them within your heart;

4:22 for they are life to those who find them

and healing to one’s entire body.

4:23 Guard your heart with all vigilance,

for from it are the sources of life.

4:24 Remove perverse speech from your mouth;

keep devious talk far from your lips.