King James Version
Proverbs • Chapter 4
1
Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention to gain understanding.
2
For I have given you a good teaching; do not forsake my instruction.
3
For I was a son to my father, tender and an only one in the presence of my mother.
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And he said to me, "Let My words support your heart; keep My commandments and live."
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Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
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Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
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The beginning of wisdom is acquire wisdom, and with all your acquiring, acquire understanding.
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You will be exalted because they will embrace you.
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You will give to your head a crown of Grace, a diadem of glory will you set upon you.
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Hear, my son, and take my words, and they will multiply your years of life.
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In the way of wisdom I have taught you, I have guided you in paths of uprightness.
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When you walk, your steps will not be restricted, and if you run, you will not stumble.
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Hold fast to instruction; do not let it go; guard it, for it is your life.
14
Do not go on the path of the wicked and do not walk in the way of evil.
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"Do not pass over it and cause to pass away from upon it."
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For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; and their sleep is robbed unless they cause someone to fall.
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For they have eaten the bread of wickedness and they drink the wine of violence.
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And the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, going until the fullness of day.
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The way of the wicked is dark; they do not know in what they will stumble.
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Listen to my words; lend your ear to my sayings.
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Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.
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For they are life to those who find them and healing to all their flesh.
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Above all guarding, guard your heart, for from it are the issues of life.
24
Remove from you the stubbornness of speech and the deceit of lips distance from you.
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Your eyes will look straight ahead, and your eyelids will direct your gaze before you.
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Make smooth your path and all your ways will be established.
27
Do not lean to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.