Proverbs 4

1 Listen, children, ^{a4:1 Lit. sons} to your father’s instruction, and pay attention in order to gain understanding.ISV — Proverbs 4:1

2 I give you sound teaching, so do not abandon my instruction. ^{b4:2 Or law}ISV — Proverbs 4:2

3 When I was a son to my father, not yet strong ^{c4:3 Lit. delicate} and an only son to my mother,ISV — Proverbs 4:3

4 he taught me and told me, “Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say; ^{d4:4 Lit. embrace my words} keep my commandments and live!ISV — Proverbs 4:4

5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!ISV — Proverbs 4:5

6 Do not abandon her, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will watch over you.ISV — Proverbs 4:6

7 Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.ISV — Proverbs 4:7

8 Prize her and she will exalt you. Indeed, if you embrace her, she will honor you.ISV — Proverbs 4:8

9 She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will present to you a crown of beauty.”ISV — Proverbs 4:9

10 Listen, my son: accept my words, and you’ll live a long, long time. ^{e4:10 Lit. and the years of your life will be many}ISV — Proverbs 4:10

11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom, and I have led you along straight ^{f4:11 Or upright} paths.ISV — Proverbs 4:11

12 When you walk, your step will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.ISV — Proverbs 4:12

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go! Guard wisdom, ^{g4:13 Lit. her} because she is your life!ISV — Proverbs 4:13

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, or go along the way of evil men.ISV — Proverbs 4:14

15 Avoid it! Don’t travel on it! Turn away from it, and pass on by.ISV — Proverbs 4:15

16 For they cannot sleep unless they are doing evil, and they are robbed of their sleep unless they cause someone to stumble.ISV — Proverbs 4:16

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and they drink the wine of violence.ISV — Proverbs 4:17

18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter until the full light of day.ISV — Proverbs 4:18

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness, and they do not know what they are stumbling over.ISV — Proverbs 4:19

20 My son, pay attention to my words, and listen closely ^{h4:20 Lit. turn your ear} to what I say.ISV — Proverbs 4:20

21 Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart.ISV — Proverbs 4:21

22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. ^{i4:22 Lit. flesh}ISV — Proverbs 4:22

23 Above everything else ^{j4:23 Lit. Above all watching} guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life.ISV — Proverbs 4:23

24 Never talk deceptively and don’t keep company with people whose speech is corrupt. ^{k4:24 Lit. keep corrupt lips far from you}ISV — Proverbs 4:24

25 Let your eyes look directly ahead; fix your gaze straight in front of you.ISV — Proverbs 4:25

26 Carefully measure ^{l4:26 Lit. Weigh} the paths for your feet, and all your ways will be established.ISV — Proverbs 4:26

27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.ISV — Proverbs 4:27