# Proverbs 4 [[Prov-03|← Proverbs 03]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-05|Proverbs 05 →]] *** ###### v1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; ###### v2 for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law. ###### v3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. ###### v4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. ###### v5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, and don't deviate from the words of my mouth. ###### v6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. ###### v7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. ###### v8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor when you embrace her. ###### v9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." ###### v10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. ###### v11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. ###### v12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. ###### v13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. ###### v14 Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men. ###### v15 Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. ###### v16 For they don't sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. ###### v17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. ###### v18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day. ###### v19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over. ###### v20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. ###### v21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. ###### v22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. ###### v23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. ###### v24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. ###### v25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. ###### v26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. ###### v27 Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. *** [[Prov-03|← Proverbs 03]] | [[Proverbs]] | [[Prov-05|Proverbs 05 →]]