Proverbs 4

Get Wisdom At Any Cost

Listen, my sons,^a to a father’s instruction;^b

pay attention and gain understanding.^c

I give you sound learning,

so do not forsake my teaching.

For I too was a son to my father,

still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Then he taught me, and he said to me,

“Take hold^d of my words with all your heart;

keep my commands, and you will live.^e

Get wisdom,^f get understanding;

do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;^g

love her, and she will watch over you.^h

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

Though it cost allⁱ you have, get understanding.^j

Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

embrace her, and she will honor you.^k

She will give you a garland to grace your head

and present you with a glorious crown.^l”

Listen, my son,^m accept what I say,

and the years of your life will be many.ⁿ

I instruct^o you in the way of wisdom

and lead you along straight paths.^p

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;

when you run, you will not stumble.^q

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;

guard it well, for it is your life.^r

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked

or walk in the way of evildoers.^s

Avoid it, do not travel on it;

turn from it and go on your way.

For they cannot rest until they do evil;^t

they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

They eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.^u

The path of the righteous^v is like the morning sun,^w

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.^x

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;^y

they do not know what makes them stumble.^z

My son,^a pay attention to what I say;

turn your ear to my words.^b

Do not let them out of your sight,^c

keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them

and health to one’s whole body.^d

Above all else, guard^e your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.^f

Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes^g look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet^h

and be steadfast in all your ways.

Do not turn to the right or the left;ⁱ

keep your foot from evil.