[[Proverbs 3|<< Proverbs 3]] | [[Proverbs|Proverbs]] | [[Proverbs 5|Proverbs 5 >>]] ### Proverbs 4 1 HEAR, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. ^1 2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. ^2 3 For I was my father's son, tender and only _beloved_ in the sight of my mother. ^3 4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. ^4 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget _it_ not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. ^5 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. ^6 7 Wisdom _is_ the principal thing; _therefore_ get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. ^7 8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. ^8 9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. ^9 10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. ^10 11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. ^11 12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. ^12 13 Take fast hold of instruction; let _her_ not go: keep her; for she _is_ thy life. ^13 14 ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil _men_. ^14 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. ^15 16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause _some_ to fall. ^16 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. ^17 18 But the path of the just _is_ as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. ^18 19 The way of the wicked _is_ as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. ^19 20 ¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. ^20 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. ^21 22 For they _are_ life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. ^22 23 ¶ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it _are_ the issues of life. ^23 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. ^24 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. ^25 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. ^26 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. ^27