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 instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2Because I give you good instruction, do not forsake my teaching. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3When I was a son to my father, a tender only child before my mother, 3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by 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. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, "Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
5Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
7Wisdom is supreme--so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding! 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, 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; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9She will place a fair garland on your head; she will bestow a beautiful crown on you." 9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown."
10Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many. 10Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. 11I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along 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 hampered; 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, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil. 14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15Avoid it, do not go on it; turn away from it, and go on. 15Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble. 16For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till 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 morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
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 deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings. 20My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; 21Do not let them out of your sight, 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. 23Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24Remove perverse speech from your mouth; keep devious talk far from your lips. 24Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25Let your eyes look directly in front of you and let your gaze look straight before you. 25Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established. 26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
27Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn yourself away from evil. 27Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
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Proverbs 3
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