Proverbs 4:1-17 ▼

1 Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding:

2 For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my law.

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

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

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth:

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

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: yea, with all thou hast gotten get understanding.

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

9 She shall give to thine head a chaplet of grace: a crown of beauty shall she deliver to thee.

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

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and if 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 walk not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass on.

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

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.