Proverbs 4
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1Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment. 1Listen, my sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2Because I give you good instruction, do not forsake my teaching. 2for I am giving you good instruction. Don't abandon my teaching.
3When I was a son to my father, a tender only child before my mother, 3When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother,
4he taught me, and he said to me: "Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that you will live. 4he taught me and said:" Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live.
5Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; don't forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you. 6Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.
7Wisdom is supreme--so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding! 7Wisdom is supreme--so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.
8Esteem her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9She will place a fair garland on your head; she will bestow a beautiful crown on you." 9She will place a garland of grace on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty."
10Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many. 10Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years.
11I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. 11I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble. 12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; protect it, because it is your life. 13Hold on to instruction; don't let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
14Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil. 14Don't set foot on the path of the wicked; don't proceed in the way of evil ones.
15Avoid it, do not go on it; turn away from it, and go on. 15Avoid it; don't travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by.
16For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble. 16For they can't sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17For they eat bread gained from wickedness and drink wine obtained from violence. 17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighter until full day. 18The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; they do not know what causes them to stumble. 19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don't know what makes them stumble.
20My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings. 20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.
21Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; 21Don't lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
22for they are life to those who find them and healing to one's entire body. 22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body.
23Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life. 23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
24Remove perverse speech from your mouth; keep devious talk far from your lips. 24Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously.
25Let your eyes look directly in front of you and let your gaze look straight before you. 25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
26Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established. 26Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.
27Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn yourself away from evil. 27Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
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Proverbs 3
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