Proverbs 4:1-16 ▼

1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know intelligence;

2 for I give you good doctrine: forsake ye not my law.

3 For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.

4 And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thy heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live.

5 Get wisdom, get intelligence: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; love her, and she shall preserve thee.

7 The beginning of wisdom [is], Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her.

9 She shall give to thy head a garland of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow upon thee.

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be multiplied.

11 I will teach thee in the way of wisdom, I will lead thee in paths of uprightness.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction, let [her] not go: keep her, for she is thy life.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]:

15 avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass away.

16 For they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they have caused [some] to fall.