Proverbs 4:12-21

¹²If you live wisely, when you decide to do something, you will succeed LIT.

¹³Hold fast to the things I have taught you to do, and do not let them go. Guard them, because they will be the source of a good life.

¹⁴Do not do the things that wicked people do; do not behave like they do; do not even walk on the roads that evil people walk on MET.

¹⁵Stay away from those roads; turn aside and walk on other roads;

¹⁶because evil people cannot sleep if they have not done some evil deed on that day. They cannot rest if they have not harmed someone.

¹⁷What they eat and what they drink are things that they have obtained by acting wickedly and violently.”

¹⁸The behavior of good/righteous people is like the light that begins to shine at dawn and then continues to shine brighter until the brightest time of day.

¹⁹But the behavior of wicked people is like deep/thick darkness. Because it is very dark, they cannot see the things that cause them to stumble.

²⁰My son, pay attention to what I am saying. Listen to my words carefully.

²¹Keep them close to you; let them penetrate your inner being,