NRSV Proverbs 4 Chapter
4:1
Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight;
4:2
for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.
4:3
When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother's favorite,
4:4
he taught me, and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
4:5
Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
4:6
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
4:7
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight.
4:8
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
4:9
She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."
4:10
Hear, my child, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
4:11
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
4:12
When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble.
4:13
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
4:14
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers.
4:15
Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
4:16
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
4:17
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
4:19
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what they stumble over.
4:20
My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
4:21
Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
4:22
For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
4:23
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
4:24
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
4:25
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
4:26
Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
4:27
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.