| 4:1 | Listen, children,* to a father’s instruction,* and pay attention so that* you may gain* discernment. |
| 4:2 | Because I give* you good instruction,* do not forsake my teaching. |
| 4:3 | When I was a son to my father,* a tender only child* before my mother, |
| 4:4 | he taught me, and he said to me: “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that* you will live. |
| 4:5 | Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.* |
| 4:6 | Do not forsake wisdom,* and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you. |
| 4:7 | Wisdom is supreme* – so* acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire,* acquire understanding!* |
| 4:8 | Esteem her highly* and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. |
| 4:9 | She will place a fair* garland on your head; she will bestow* a beautiful crown* on you.” |
| 4:10 | Listen, my child,* and accept my words, so that* the years of your life will be many.* |
| 4:11 | I will guide you* in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths.* |
| 4:12 | When you walk, your steps* will not be hampered,* and when you run,* you will not stumble. |
| 4:13 | Hold on to instruction,* do not let it go; protect it,* because it is your life. |
| 4:14 | Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk* in the way of those who are evil. |
| 4:15 | Avoid it, do not go on it; turn away from it, and go on.* |
| 4:16 | For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm;* they are robbed of sleep* until they make someone stumble.* |
| 4:17 | For they eat bread* gained from wickedness* and drink wine obtained from violence.* |
| 4:18 | But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light,* growing brighter and brighter* until full day.* |
| 4:19 | The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness;* they do not know what causes them to stumble.* |
| 4:20 | My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively* to my sayings. |
| 4:21 | Do not let them depart* from your sight, guard* them within your heart;* |
| 4:22 | for they are life to those who find them and healing to one’s entire body.* |
| 4:23 | Guard your heart with all vigilance,* for from it are the sources* of life. |
| 4:24 | Remove perverse speech* from your mouth;* keep devious talk far from your lips.* |
| 4:25 | Let your eyes look directly* in front of you and let your gaze* look straight before you. |
| 4:26 | Make the path for your feet* level,* so that* all your ways may be established.* |
| 4:27 | Do not turn* to the right or to the left; turn yourself* away from evil.* |
Proverbs 4 - NET Bible [draft]
