New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, | 1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, |
2for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. | 2for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. |
3For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. | 3For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. |
4My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. | 4My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. |
5Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. | 5Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. |
6Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. | 6Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. |
7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. | 7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. |
8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. | 8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. |
9She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” | 9She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” |
10My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. | 10My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. |
11I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. | 11I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. |
12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. | 12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. |
13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. | 13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. |
14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. | 14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. |
15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. | 15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. |
16For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. | 16For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. |
17They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence! | 17They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence! |
18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. | 18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. |
19But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. | 19But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. |
20My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. | 20My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. |
21Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, | 21Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, |
22for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. | 22for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. |
23Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. | 23Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. |
24Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. | 24Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. |
25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. | 25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. |
26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. | 26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. |
27Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. | 27Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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