Proverbs 4:4-27 ▼

4 And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, || Keep my commands, and live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding, || Do not forget, nor turn away || From the sayings of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, || Love her, and she keeps you.

7 The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, || And with all your getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her and she lifts you up, || She honors you when you embrace her.

9 She gives a wreath of grace to your head, || She gives you a crown of beauty freely.”

10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, || And years of life [are] multiplied to you.

11 I have directed you in a way of wisdom, || I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.

12 In your walking your step is not restricted, || And if you run, you do not stumble.

13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, || Keep her, for she [is] your life.

14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked, || And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers.

15 Avoid it, do not pass over into it, || Turn aside from it, and pass on.

16 For they do not sleep if they do no evil, || And their sleep has been taken away violently, || If they do not cause [some] to stumble.

17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, || And they drink wine of violence.

18 And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, || Going and brightening until the day is established,

19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, || They have not known at what they stumble.

20 My son, give attention to my words, || Incline your ear to my sayings,

21 Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, || Preserve them in the midst of your heart.

22 For they [are] life to those finding them, || And healing to all their flesh.

23 Above every charge keep your heart, || For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.

24 Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, || And put perverse lips far from you,

25 Your eyes look straightforward, || And your eyelids look straight before you.

26 Ponder the path of your feet, || And all your ways [are] established.

27 Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, || Turn aside your foot from evil!