Old Testament · Poetry and wisdom
Proverbs chapter 4
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Listen, children, to a father’s , and pay attention so you’ll gain .Because what I’m giving you is good — don’t abandon what I’ve .I was once my father’s son too — young and the only one in my mother’s eyes.And he taught me. He said, “Hold on to what I’m telling you with everything you’ve got. Keep my instructions and you’ll .”Get . Get . Don’t forget what I’ve said and don’t turn away from it.Don’t walk away from wisdom and ’ll watch over you. Love her and she’ll keep you safe.The of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. And whatever it costs you, get understanding.Value her highly and she’ll lift you up. She’ll bring you honor when you hold her close.She’ll place a beautiful on your head and hand you a crown of .Listen, my son, and take in what I say, and the years of your life will be many.I’ve pointed you toward the of wisdom. I’ve guided you along paths that are .When you walk, nothing will slow you down. When you run, you won’t stumble.Hold on tight to — don’t let go. Guard it, because it is your life.Don’t set foot on the path of the , and don’t walk in the way evil people go.Stay away from it. Don’t even go near it. Turn from it and keep moving.Because they can’t sleep unless they’ve done something wrong. They lie awake unless they’ve brought someone down. is the bread they eat and violence is the wine they drink.But the path of is like the — growing brighter and brighter until the full light of day.The way of the corrupt is like — they don’t even know what they’re tripping over.My son, pay close attention to what I’m saying. Lean in and listen to my words.Don’t let them out of your sight. Keep them deep inside your .Because they bring to everyone who finds them, and to their whole body.Above everything else, your , because everything you do flows from it.Put away . Keep far from your lips.Keep your eyes looking straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly in front of you. about the you’re on, and all your ways will be steady and sure.Don’t veer to the right or to the left. Keep your feet far from anything .