Proverbs 4:1-16

¹Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend, that ye may learn understanding!

²For I give you good instruction; Forsake ye not my commandments.

³For I was my father's son, A tender and only child in the sight of my mother.

⁴He taught me, and said to me, Let thy heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments, and live.

⁵Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, and depart not from, the words of my mouth.

⁶Forsake her not, and she will guard thee: Love her, and she will preserve thee.

⁷Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore gain wisdom, And with all thy gain, gain understanding.

⁸Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her;

⁹She will give to thy head a graceful wreath, A beautiful crown will she bestow upon thee.

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

¹¹I have taught thee the way of wisdom, I have guided thee in the right path.

¹²When thou goest, thy steps shall not be confined; And, when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

¹³Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; Keep her, for she is thy life.

¹⁴Enter not into the path of the wicked, And go not in the way of evil men;

¹⁵Avoid it, pass not upon it, Turn from it, and go away.

¹⁶For they sleep not, unless they have done mischief; Yea, their sleep is taken away, unless they have caused some to fall.