#proverbs 4

Advice to Young People

1 My child, listen closely to my teachings and learn common sense. 2 My advice is useful, so don't turn away. 3 When I was still very young and my mother's favorite child, my father 4 said to me: “If you follow my teachings and keep them in mind, you will live. 5 Be wise and learn good sense; remember my teachings and do what I say.

6 “If you love Wisdom and don't reject her, she will watch over you. 7 The best thing about Wisdom is Wisdom herself; good sense is more important than anything else. 8 If you value Wisdom and hold tightly to her, great honors will be yours. 9 It will be like wearing a glorious crown of beautiful flowers.”

The Right Way and the Wrong Way

10 My child, if you listen and obey my teachings, you will live a long time. 11 I have shown you the way that makes sense; I have guided you along the right path. 12 Your road won't be blocked, and you won't stumble when you run. 13 Hold firmly to my teaching and never let go. It will mean life for you. 14 Don't follow the bad example of cruel and evil people. 15 Turn aside and keep going. Stay away from them. 16 They can't sleep or rest until they do wrong or harm some innocent victim. 17 Their food and drink are cruelty and wickedness.

18 The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight. 19 The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darkness, and they will never know what makes them stumble.

20 My child, listen carefully to everything I say. 21 Don't forget a single word, but think about it all. 22 Knowing these teachings will mean true life and good health for you. 23 Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life. 24 Never tell lies or be deceitful in what you say. 25 Keep looking straight ahead, without turning aside. 26 Know where you are headed, and you will stay on solid ground. 27 Don't make a mistake by turning to the right or the left. — Proverbs 4 | Contemporary English Version (CEV) Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society. Cross References: Deuteronomy 5:32; Deuteronomy 11:21; Deuteronomy 32:2; 1 Samuel 2:30; 1 Samuel 12:23; 2 Samuel 22;37; 1 Chronicles 22:5; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 36:4; Proverbs 1:2; Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 2:2; Proverbs 2:11; Proverbs 3:1; Proverbs 3:8; Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 8:23; Proverbs 13:2; Proverbs 19:1; Matthew 5:14; Luke 6:45; John 6:63; John 11:10; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:13

A Father's Wise Instruction

1 Hear, ye children, 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 my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4 He taught me also, 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: and with all thy getting 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 an ornament of grace: a crown of glory 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 right paths.

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

15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

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.

18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

An Address to Sons: Your Parents Teach You Wisdom

1 Listen, you sons, to a father’s discipline. Pay attention so that you will gain discernment, 2 because I have given you good instruction. Do not abandon my teaching. 3 When I was a son living with my father, a tender and only child with my mother, 4 he used to instruct me and say to me, “Cling to my words with all your heart. Obey my commands so that you may live. 5 Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not abandon it, and it will watch over you. Love it and it will guard you.”

7 The beginning of wisdom is to obtain Wisdom. Give up everything you have, in order to gain Understanding. 8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you. She will honor you when you embrace her. 9 She will set a garland of grace on your head. She will present you with a beautiful crown.

The Difference Between the Wicked and the Righteous

10 Listen, my son, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many. 11 I have instructed you in the way of wisdom. I have led you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your stride will not be hindered. Even if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to discipline. Do not let go. Guard it, because it is your life. 14 Do not travel on the path of the wicked. Do not walk in the way of evil people. 15 Avoid it! Do not travel on it! Turn away from it. Pass it by. 16 For they cannot sleep    unless they have been doing wrong, and they are robbed of sleep    unless they are making someone stumble, 17 because wickedness is the food they eat, and violence is the wine they drink. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until it is day. 19 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness. They never know where they will stumble.

Advice for a Righteous Life