The Proverbs (WEB)

4:1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction.
      Pay attention and know understanding;

 ^4:2For I give you sound learning.
      Don't forsake my law.

 ^4:3For I was a son to my father,
      Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

 ^4:4He taught me, and said to me:
      "Let your heart retain my words.
      Keep my commandments, and live.

 ^4:5Get wisdom. Get understanding.
      Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

 ^4:6Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you.
      Love her, and she will keep you.

 ^4:7Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom.
      Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

 ^4:8Esteem her, and she will exalt you.
      She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

 ^4:9She will give to your head a garland of grace.
      A crown of splendor will she deliver to you."

  ^4:10Listen, my son, and receive my sayings.
      The years of your life will be many.

 ^4:11I have taught you in the way of wisdom.
      I have led you in paths of uprightness.

 ^4:12When you go, your steps will not be hampered.
      When you run, you will not stumble.

 ^4:13Take firm hold of instruction.
      Don't let her go.
      Keep her, for she is your life.

 ^4:14Don't enter into the path of the wicked.
      Don't walk in the way of evil men.

 ^4:15Avoid it, and don't pass by it.
      Turn from it, and pass on.

 ^4:16For they don't sleep, unless they do evil.
      Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

 ^4:17For they eat the bread of wickedness,
      And drink the wine of violence.

 ^4:18But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light,
      That shines more and more until the perfect day.

 ^4:19The way of the wicked is like darkness.
      They don't know what they stumble over.

  ^4:20My son, attend to my words.
      Turn your ear to my sayings.

 ^4:21Let them not depart from your eyes.
      Keep them in the midst of your heart.

 ^4:22For they are life to those who find them,
      And health to their whole body.

 ^4:23Keep your heart with all diligence,
      For out of it is the wellspring of life.

 ^4:24Put away from yourself a perverse mouth.
      Put corrupt lips far from you.

 ^4:25Let your eyes look straight ahead.
      Fix your gaze directly before you.

 ^4:26Make the path of your feet level.
      Let all of your ways be established.

 ^4:27Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left.
      Remove your foot from evil.

World English Bible