Proverbs 4:1-27 NIrV

[1] My sons, listen to a father’s teaching. Pay attention and gain understanding. [2] I give you good advice. So don’t turn away from what I teach you. [3] I, too, was once a young boy in my father’s house. And my mother loved me deeply. [4] Then my father taught me. He said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart. Keep my commands, and you will live. [5] Get wisdom, and get understanding. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. [6] Stay close to wisdom, and she will keep you safe. Love her, and she will watch over you. [7] To start being wise you must first get wisdom. No matter what it costs, get understanding. [8] Value wisdom highly, and she will lift you up. Hold her close, and she will honor you. [9] She will set a beautiful crown on your head. She will give you a glorious crown.” [10] My son, listen. Accept what I say. Then you will live for many years. [11] I instruct you in the way of wisdom. I lead you along straight paths. [12] When you walk, nothing will slow you down. When you run, you won’t trip and fall. [13] Hold on to my teaching and don’t let it go. Guard it well, because it is your life. [14] Don’t take the path of evil people. Don’t live the way sinners do. [15] Stay away from their path and don’t travel on it. Turn away from it and go on your way. [16] Sinners can’t rest until they do what is evil. They can’t sleep until they make someone sin. [17] They do evil just as easily as they eat food. They hurt others as easily as they drink wine. [18] The path of those who do right is like the sun in the morning. It shines brighter and brighter until the full light of day. [19] But the way of those who do what is wrong is like deep darkness. They don’t know what makes them trip and fall. [20] My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words. [21] Don’t let them out of your sight. Keep them in your heart. [22] They are life to those who find them. They are health to a person’s whole body. [23] Above everything else, guard your heart. Everything you do comes from it. [24] Don’t speak with twisted words. Keep evil talk away from your lips. [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead. Keep looking right in front of you. [26] Think carefully about the paths that your feet walk on. Always choose the right ways. [27] Don’t turn to the right or left. Keep your feet from the path of evil.