VerseAI

NIV

Proverbs 4

  1. 1<pb/><t>Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;</t> <t>pay attention and gain understanding.</t>
  2. 2<t>I give you sound learning,</t> <t>so do not forsake my teaching.</t>
  3. 3<t>For I too was a son to my father,</t> <t>still tender, and cherished by my mother.</t>
  4. 4<t>Then he taught me, and he said to me,</t> <t>“Take hold of my words with all your heart;</t> <t>keep my commands, and you will live.</t>
  5. 5<t>Get wisdom, get understanding;</t> <t>do not forget my words or turn away from them.</t>
  6. 6<t>Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;</t> <t>love her, and she will watch over you.</t>
  7. 7<t>The beginning of wisdom is this: Get<f>[8]</f> wisdom.</t> <t>Though it cost all you have,<f>[9]</f> get understanding.</t>
  8. 8<t>Cherish her, and she will exalt you;</t> <t>embrace her, and she will honor you.</t>
  9. 9<t>She will give you a garland to grace your head</t> <t>and present you with a glorious crown.” <pb/></t>
  10. 10<t>Listen, my son, accept what I say,</t> <t>and the years of your life will be many.</t>
  11. 11<t>I instruct you in the way of wisdom</t> <t>and lead you along straight paths.</t>
  12. 12<t>When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;</t> <t>when you run, you will not stumble.</t>
  13. 13<t>Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;</t> <t>guard it well, for it is your life.</t>
  14. 14<t>Do not set foot on the path of the wicked</t> <t>or walk in the way of evildoers.</t>
  15. 15<t>Avoid it, do not travel on it;</t> <t>turn from it and go on your way.</t>
  16. 16<t>For they cannot rest until they do evil;</t> <t>they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.</t>
  17. 17<t>They eat the bread of wickedness</t> <t>and drink the wine of violence. <pb/></t>
  18. 18<t>The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,</t> <t>shining ever brighter till the full light of day.</t>
  19. 19<t>But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;</t> <t>they do not know what makes them stumble. <pb/></t>
  20. 20<t>My son, pay attention to what I say;</t> <t>turn your ear to my words.</t>
  21. 21<t>Do not let them out of your sight,</t> <t>keep them within your heart;</t>
  22. 22<t>for they are life to those who find them</t> <t>and health to one’s whole body.</t>
  23. 23<t>Above all else, guard your heart,</t> <t>for everything you do flows from it.</t>
  24. 24<t>Keep your mouth free of perversity;</t> <t>keep corrupt talk far from your lips.</t>
  25. 25<t>Let your eyes look straight ahead;</t> <t>fix your gaze directly before you.</t>
  26. 26<t>Give careful thought to the<f>[10]</f> paths for your feet</t> <t>and be steadfast in all your ways.</t>
  27. 27<t>Do not turn to the right or the left;</t> <t>keep your foot from evil.</t>