Proverbs 4

A Father’s Wise Advice

4My children

, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,H8085H1121H4148H1H7181H3045H9982for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.H5414H2896H3948H5800H84513For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.H1H1121H7390H3173H6440H5174My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.H3384H559H3820H8551H1697H8104H4687H24215Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.H7069H2451H7069H998H7911H5186H561H63106Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.H5800H8104H157H53417Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.H2451H7225H7069H2451H7075H9988If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.H5549H7311H3513H22639She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”H5414H7218H3880H2580H5850H8597H404210My child

, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.H8085H1121H3947H561H8141H2416H723511I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.H3384H1870H2451H1869H3476H457012When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.H3212H6806H3334H7323H378213Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.H2388H4148H7503H5341H241614Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.H935H734H7563H833H1870H745115Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.H6544H5674H7847H567416For 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.H3462H7489H8142H1497H3782H378217They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!H3898H3899H7562H8354H3196H255518The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.H734H6662H5051H216H215H1980H3559H311719But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.H1870H7563H653H3045H378220My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.H1121H7181H1697H5186H241H56121Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,H3868H5869H8104H8432H382422for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.H2416H4672H4832H132023Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.H5341H3820H4929H8444H241624Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.H5493H6143H6310H3891H8193H736825Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.H5869H5027H5227H6079H347426Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.H6424H4570H7272H1870H355927Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.H5186H3225H8040H5493H7272H7451