Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:1-27 [1]HEAR, MY sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain and to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, and interpretation [of spiritual matters]. [2]For I give you good doctrine [what is to be received]; do not forsake my teaching. [3]When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only son in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba], [4]He taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. [I Chron. 28:9; Eph. 6:4.] [5]Get skillful and godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth. [6]Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you. [7]The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation). [James 1:5.] [8]Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her. [9]She shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to you. [10]Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life shall be many. [11]I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness. [12]When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble. [13]Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. [14]Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. [15]Avoid it, do not go on it; turn from it and pass on. [16]For they cannot sleep unless they have caused trouble or vexation; their sleep is taken away unless they have caused someone to fall. [17]For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. [18]But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]. [II Sam. 23:4; Matt. 5:14; Phil. 2:15.] [19]The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. [John 12:35.] [20]My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. [21]Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. [22]For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. [23]Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. [24]Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. [25]Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. [26]Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. [27]Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.