Chapter 4

¹Hear, O children, a father’s counsel, and heed it to gain understanding,

²for I offer sound wisdom; do not forsake my teaching.

³Once I was my father’s child, tender, cherished by my mother.

⁴He taught me, saying to my heart, “Cling to my words, keep my commands, and live.

⁵Seek wisdom, pursue insight; forget not, nor stray from my words.

⁶Do not abandon her; she will shield you; love her, she will guard you.

⁷Wisdom is chief—seek wisdom! With all you gain, gain understanding.

⁸Exalt her, and she will raise you high; embrace her, and she will bring you honor.

⁹She will crown you with grace, and adorn you with a wreath of splendor.

¹⁰Listen, my child, and take my words; your years of life will multiply.

¹¹I teach you the way of wisdom, and guide you on upright paths.

¹²Your steps will not be hindered; your running will not falter.

¹³Hold fast to instruction, never release it; guard it, for it is your life.

¹⁴Do not tread the path of the wicked, nor walk the way of evil ones.

¹⁵Avoid it, do not cross it; turn aside, and pass it by.

¹⁶They cannot sleep without evil; their rest flees unless they cause a fall.

¹⁷They feed on the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸The righteous path shines like dawn, growing brighter to full day.

¹⁹The wicked’s way is deep darkness; they know not what trips them.

²⁰My child, attend to my words; bend your ear to my sayings.

²¹Keep them ever in your sight; store them deep in your heart.

²²They are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

²³Above all, guard your heart; from it flow the springs of life.

²⁴Banish crooked speech; cast far all devious talk.

²⁵Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your gaze fixed firmly forward.

²⁶Make level your foot’s path; let all your ways be sure.

²⁷Veer not right nor left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 5 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 5 – VKJV