Proverbs 4

Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention, so that you may gain understanding. For I give you good instruction;
do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son to my father, tender and the only one in my mother’s sight, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast to my words;
keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will watch over you;
love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and with all you acquire, acquire understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you when you embrace her. She will place a graceful garland on your head;
she will bestow on you a glorious crown.” Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you along upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;
when you run, you will not stumble. Hold fast to instruction;
do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil people. Avoid it; do not travel on it.
Turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done evil;
they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to my words;
incline your ear to what I say. Do not let them out of your sight;
keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh. Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flow the springs of life. Put crooked speech away from you, and keep devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead and your gaze be directed before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be firm. Do not turn to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

Rights and attribution