Proverbs 4:8-17

⁸Extol her, and she will exalt thee; she will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

⁹She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow on thee.'

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

¹¹I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.

¹²When thou goest, thy step shall not be straitened; and if 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 walk not in the way of evil men.

¹⁵Avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass on.

¹⁶For they sleep not, except they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

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