Proverbs 4:1-17 ▼

1 Hear, my sons, the discipline of a father, and pay attention to know understanding.

2 For good teaching I have given to you?; do not forsake my instruction.

3 For I was a son to my father, tender and the only one before the face of my mother,

4 and he instructed me and said to me, “Let your heart take hold of my words; keep my commands, and live.

5 Acquire wisdom; acquire understanding! Do not forget and do not bend away from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.

7 The first thing is wisdom; acquire wisdom, and in all your acquiring, acquire understanding.

8 Lift her up, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honor when you embrace her.

9 She will give to your head a wreath of grace; a crown of beauty she will deliver to you.”

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of life will be multiplied for you.

11 In the way of wisdom I have instructed you; I have made you step in paths of uprightness.

12 In your walking, your steps will not be restricted; and when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction; do not let go; Guard her, for she is your life.

14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked ones, and do not walk in the way of evil ones.

15 Avoid it! Do not pass onto it; turn aside from it and pass by.

16 For they cannot sleep if they have not done evil; and their sleep is stolen if they do not they cause stumbling.

17 Indeed, they eat the bread of wickedness; they drink the wine of violence.