Proverbs
Summary
This chapter emphasizes the father's instruction and the importance of acquiring wisdom. It teaches that wisdom is the principal thing and encourages the listener to keep their heart with all diligence, as the issues of life flow from it.
Hear, you children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
For I give you good doctrine, do not forsake my law.
For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
He taught me also, and said to me, "Let your heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live."
Get wisdom, get understanding: do not forget it; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she shall preserve you: love her, and she shall keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding.
Exalt her, and she shall promote you: she shall bring you to honour, when you do embrace her.
She shall give to your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to you.
Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of your life shall be many.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.
When you go, your steps shall not be straitened; and when you run, you shall not stumble.
Take fast hold of instruction; do not let her go: keep her; for she is your life.
Do not enter into the path of the wicked, and do not go in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not pass by it, turn from it, and pass away.
For they do not sleep, unless they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they do not know at what they stumble.
My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Put away from you a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from you.
Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left: remove your foot from evil.