Proverbs 4 — FBV
4Verse 1Listen, sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and discover what makes sense,Verse 2for what I am passing on to you is reliable. Don't reject my teachings.Verse 3When I was a son with my father—a tender young boy, my mother's only child—Verse 4he was the one who taught me. He told me, “Pay attention to the words I say and keep them in mind; do what I tell you and you will live.Verse 5Get wisdom, find out what makes sense. Don't forget my words or reject them.Verse 6Don't give up on wisdom for she will keep you safe. Love wisdom and she will protect you.Verse 7The first thing in becoming wise is to get wisdom! Whatever else you gain, gain insight.Verse 8Treasure wisdom, and she will praise you; embrace her, and she will honor you.Verse 9She will place on your head a wreath of grace; she will present to you a crown of glory.”Verse 10Listen, my son, if you accept what I tell you, then you will live a long life.Verse 11I have explained to you the way of wisdom; I have guided you along the right paths.Verse 12Nothing will block your way when you walk, you won't stumble when you run.Verse 13Hold on to these instructions—don't let them go. Protect them, for they are life's foundation.Verse 14Don't go the way of the wicked or follow the example of those who do evil.Verse 15Avoid that way completely. Don't go there! Turn away, and walk on.Verse 16Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.Verse 17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.Verse 18The way of life of the good is like the light of the sunrise, glowing brighter and brighter until the full light of day shines out.Verse 19But the way of life of the wicked is like complete darkness; they don't even know what they're tripping over.Verse 20My son, pay attention to what I tell you; listen to the words I'm saying.Verse 21Don't lose sight of them; think about them deeply,Verse 22for they are life to anyone who finds them, and make the whole body healthy.Verse 23Most of all, protect your mind, for everything in life flows from it.Verse 24Don't ever lie, and don't say anything dishonest.Verse 25Focus on what's ahead of you; look at what's in front of you.Verse 26Pay attention to the path you decide to follow, and you'll be safe wherever you go.Verse 27Don't deviate to the right or the left, and turn away from evil.