Proverbs 4:1-19

¹Listen, sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and discover what makes sense,

²for what I am passing on to you is reliable. Don't reject my teachings.

³When I was a son with my father—a tender young boy, my mother's only child—

⁴he was the one who taught me. He told me, “Pay attention to the words I say and keep them in mind; do what I tell you and you will live.

⁵Get wisdom, find out what makes sense. Don't forget my words or reject them.

⁶Don't give up on wisdom for she will keep you safe. Love wisdom and she will protect you.

⁷The first thing in becoming wise is to get wisdom! Whatever else you gain, gain insight.

⁸Treasure wisdom, and she will praise you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

⁹She will place on your head a wreath of grace; she will present to you a crown of glory.”

¹⁰Listen, my son, if you accept what I tell you, then you will live a long life.

¹¹I have explained to you the way of wisdom; I have guided you along the right paths.

¹²Nothing will block your way when you walk, you won't stumble when you run.

¹³Hold on to these instructions—don't let them go. Protect them, for they are life's foundation.

¹⁴Don't go the way of the wicked or follow the example of those who do evil.

¹⁵Avoid that way completely. Don't go there! Turn away, and walk on.

¹⁶Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.

¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸The way of life of the good is like the light of the sunrise, glowing brighter and brighter until the full light of day shines out.

¹⁹But the way of life of the wicked is like complete darkness; they don't even know what they're tripping over.