Proverbs 4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A Father's Advice About Wisdom

4 <1> Children, listen to your father's teaching. Pay attention and you will learn how to learn. <2> The advice I give is good, so don't ever forget what I teach you.

<3> When I was my father's little boy and my mother's dear son,[7] <4> my father taught me this: "Pay attention to what I say. Obey my commands and you will have a good life. <5> Try to get wisdom and understanding. Don't forget my teaching or ignore what I say. <6> Don't turn away from wisdom, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will keep you safe.

<7> "The first step to becoming wise is to look for wisdom, so use everything you have to get understanding. <8> Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Hold on to wisdom, and she will bring you honor. <9> Wisdom will reward you with a crown of honor and glory."

<10> Son, listen to me. Do what I say, and you will live a long time. <11> I am teaching you about wisdom and guiding you on the right path. <12> As you walk on it, you will not step into a trap. Even if you run, you will not trip and fall. <13> Always remember this teaching. Don't forget it. It is the key to life, so guard it well.

<14> Don't take the path of the wicked; don't follow those who do evil. <15> Stay away from that path; don't even go near it. Turn around and go another way. <16> The wicked cannot sleep until they have done something evil. They will not rest until they bring someone down. <17> Evil and violence are their food and drink.

<18> The path of those who live right is like the early morning light. It gets brighter and brighter until the full light of day. <19> But the path of the wicked is like a dark night. They trip and fall over what they cannot see.

<20> My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. <21> Don't let them out of your sight. Never stop thinking about them. <22> These words are the secret of life and health to all who discover them. <23> Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life.

<24> Don't bend the truth or say things that you know are not right. <25> Keep your eyes on the path, and look straight ahead. <26> Make sure you are going the right way, and nothing will make you fall. <27> Don't go to the right or to the left, and you will stay away from evil.