Proverbs 4

VIN(i) 1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2 for I give you sound learning. Do not forsake my law. 3 For I was a son unto my father, a tender and an only child before my mother. 4 Father taught me. He said: »Remember my words in your heart. Obey my commandments and live. 5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. 6 "Do not abandon her, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 8 "Love wisdom and she will exalt you. Embrace wisdom and she will honor you. 9 She will put a crown of grace on your head, giving you a head-dress of glory. 10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. 11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom, and I have led you along straight paths. 12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go! Guard wisdom, because she is your life! 14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked. Do not walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it; do not pass by it; turn from it, and pass on! 16 For they do not sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter until the full light of day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, pay attention to my words, and listen closely to what I say. 21 Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. 23 Above all else, guard thy heart; for out of it flows the issues of life. 24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Make straight paths for your feet, and order your ways rightly. 27 Do not turn to the right or to the left. Remove your foot from evil.