Proverbs 4
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New International VersionChristian Standard Bible
1Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.1Listen, sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.2for I am giving you good instruction. Don't abandon my teaching.
3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.3When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother,
4Then he taught me, and he said to me, "Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.4he taught me and said: "Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live.
5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.5Get wisdom, get understanding; don't forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.6Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.
7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.7Wisdom is supreme--so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.
8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown."9She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty."
10Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.10Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years.
11I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.11I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.13Hold on to instruction; don't let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.14Keep off the path of the wicked; don't proceed on the way of evil ones.
15Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.15Avoid it; don't travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by.
16For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.16For they can't sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.18The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don't know what makes them stumble.
20My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.
21Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;21Don't lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
22for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body.
23Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
24Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.24Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously.
25Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.26Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.
27Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.27Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
New International Version (NIV)

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The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 3
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