1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; NHEB — Proverbs 4:1
2 for I give you sound learning. Do not forsake my law. NHEB — Proverbs 4:2
3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. NHEB — Proverbs 4:3
4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. NHEB — Proverbs 4:4
5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. NHEB — Proverbs 4:5
6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. NHEB — Proverbs 4:6
7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. NHEB — Proverbs 4:7
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. NHEB — Proverbs 4:8
9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." NHEB — Proverbs 4:9
10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. NHEB — Proverbs 4:10
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. NHEB — Proverbs 4:11
12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. NHEB — Proverbs 4:12
13 Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. NHEB — Proverbs 4:13
14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked. Do not walk in the way of evil men. NHEB — Proverbs 4:14
15 Avoid it, and do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. NHEB — Proverbs 4:15
16 For they do not sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. NHEB — Proverbs 4:16
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. NHEB — Proverbs 4:17
18 But the path of the righteous is like a shining light, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. NHEB — Proverbs 4:18
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what they stumble over. NHEB — Proverbs 4:19
20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. NHEB — Proverbs 4:20
21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. NHEB — Proverbs 4:21
22 For they are life to him who finds them, and health to all of his body. NHEB — Proverbs 4:22
23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. NHEB — Proverbs 4:23
24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. NHEB — Proverbs 4:24
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. NHEB — Proverbs 4:25
26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. NHEB — Proverbs 4:26
27 Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil. NHEB — Proverbs 4:27