Proverbs 4
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1Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment. 1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2Because I give you good instruction, do not forsake my teaching. 2for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.
3When I was a son to my father, a tender only child before my mother, 3For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
4he taught me, and he said to me: "Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that you will live. 4My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow 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; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you. 6Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.
7Wisdom is supreme--so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding! 7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
8Esteem her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. 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 place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
10Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many. 10My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
11I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. 11I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble. 12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; protect it, because it is your life. 13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
14Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil. 14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15Avoid it, do not go on it; turn away from it, and go on. 15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
16For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble. 16For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17For they eat bread gained from wickedness and drink wine obtained from violence. 17They eat the food 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 way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until 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 total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
20My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings. 20My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
21Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; 21Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22for they are life to those who find them and healing to one's entire body. 22for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
23Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life. 23Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
24Remove perverse speech from your mouth; keep devious talk far from your lips. 24Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
25Let your eyes look directly in front of you and let your gaze look straight before you. 25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established. 26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
27Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn yourself away from evil. 27Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
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Proverbs 3
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