The excellence of wisdom

1 ¶ Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; ¶ pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning, ¶ so do not forsake my teaching.

3 For I too was a son to my father, ¶ still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, ¶ "Take hold of my words with all your heart; ¶ keep my commands, and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; ¶ do not forget my words or turn away from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; ¶ love her, and she will watch over you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get [^1] wisdom. ¶ Though it cost all you have, [^2] get understanding.

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; ¶ embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will give you a garland to grace your head ¶ and present you with a glorious crown."

10 ¶ Listen, my son, accept what I say, ¶ and the years of your life will be many.

11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom ¶ and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; ¶ when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; ¶ guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked ¶ or walk in the way of evildoers.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; ¶ turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; ¶ they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness ¶ and drink the wine of violence.

18 ¶ The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, ¶ shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; ¶ they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 ¶ My son, pay attention to what I say; ¶ turn your ear to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight, ¶ keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them ¶ and health to one's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, ¶ for everything you do flows from it.

24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; ¶ keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; ¶ fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the [^3] paths for your feet ¶ and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; ¶ keep your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:1/27