Proverbs, chapter 4

Advice to Young People

CMy child, listen closely to my teachings

and learn common sense.

²My advice is useful, so don't turn away.

³When I was still very young

and my mother's favorite child,

my father ⁴said to me: “If you follow my teachings

and keep them in mindI, you will live.

⁵Be wise and learn good sense;

remember my teachings and do what I say.

⁶“If you love WisdomI and don't reject her,

she will watch over you.

⁷The best thing about Wisdom is Wisdom herself;

good sense is more important than anything else.

⁸If you value Wisdom and hold tightly to her,

great honors will be yours.

⁹It will be like wearing a glorious crown

of beautiful flowersO.”

The Right Way and the Wrong Way

¹⁰My child, if you listen and obey my teachings,

you will live a long time.

¹¹I have shown you the way that makes sense;

I have guided you along the right pathO.

¹²Your road won't be blocked,

and you won't stumble when you run.

¹³Hold firmly to my teaching and never let go.

It will mean life for you.

¹⁴ CDon't follow the bad example of cruel and evil people.

¹⁵Turn aside and keep going. Stay away from them.

¹⁶They can't sleep or rest until they do wrong

or harm some innocent victim.

¹⁷Their food and drink are cruelty and wickednessI.

¹⁸The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn

that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight.

¹⁹The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darknessI,

and they will never know what makes them stumble.

²⁰My child, listen carefully to everything I say.

²¹Don't forget a single word, but think about it all.

²²Knowing these teachings

will mean true life and good health for you.

²³Carefully guard your thoughts

because they are the source of true life.

²⁴Never tell lies or be deceitful in what you say.

²⁵Keep looking straight aheadI, without turning aside.

²⁶ C Know where you are headed,

and you will stay on solid ground.

²⁷Don't make a mistake by turning

to the right or the left.