Proverbs 4:1-27 GW

[1] Sons, listen to your father's discipline, and pay attention in order to gain understanding. [2] After all, I have taught you well. Do not abandon my teachings. [3] When I was a boy learning from my father, when I was a tender and only child of my mother, [4] they used to teach me and say to me, "Cling to my words wholeheartedly. Obey my commands so that you may live. [5] Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget. Do not turn away from the words that I have spoken. [6] Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you. [7] The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding with all that you have. [8] Cherish wisdom. It will raise you up. It will bring you honor when you embrace it. [9] It will give you a graceful garland for your head. It will hand you a beautiful crown." [10] My son, listen and accept my words, and they will multiply the years of your life. [11] I have taught you the way of wisdom. I have guided you along decent paths. [12] When you walk, your stride will not be hampered. Even if you run, you will not stumble. [13] Cling to discipline. Do not relax your grip on it. Keep it because it is your life. [14] Do not stray onto the path of wicked people. Do not walk in the way of evil people. [15] Avoid it. Do not walk near it. Turn away from it, and keep on walking. [16] Wicked people cannot sleep unless they do wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep unless they make someone stumble. [17] They eat food obtained through wrongdoing and drink wine obtained through violence. [18] But the path of righteous people is like the light of dawn that becomes brighter and brighter until it reaches midday. [19] The way of wicked people is like deep darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble. [20] My son, pay attention to my words. Open your ears to what I say. [21] Do not lose sight of these things. Keep them deep within your heart [22] because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body. [23] Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it. [24] Remove dishonesty from your mouth. Put deceptive speech far away from your lips. [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead and your sight be focused in front of you. [26] Carefully walk a straight path, and all your ways will be secure. [27] Do not lean to the right or to the left. Walk away from evil.