Proverbs of Solomon 4 — The Holy Bible

Obedient Thinking

Hear, my children, the instruction of your father,

And pay attention, that you might know his thinking;

For I offer a good gift to you;

Do not forsake my law.

For I was a son, and I was obedient to my father,

And beloved in the presence of my mother,

Who taught me, saying,

“Let our word become firmly planted in your heart;

Guard our commandments; do not forget them;

Neither disregard the word of my mouth,

Nor forsake it, and it shall cleave to you;

Love it, and it will keep you.

Secure it, and it shall exalt you;

Honor it, that it may embrace you,

And give your head a crown of graces,

And cover you with a crown of delight.”

The Paths of Wisdom

Hear me, my son, and receive my words,

And the years of your life shall be increased,

That many ways of life may be yours;

For I teach you the ways of wisdom

And set you on upright paths.

For if you walk, your steps shall not be confined;

And if you run, you will not grow weary.

Lay hold of my instruction; do not let go,

But guard it for yourself as your life.

Do not go in the ways of the ungodly,

Neither be zealous for the ways of the lawless;

In whatever place they encamp, do not go there,

But turn aside from them and pass by.

For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;

Their sleep is taken away, and they do not rest;

For they feed on the bread of ungodliness,

And they are drunk with the wine of lawlessness.

But the ways of the righteous shine like a light;

They go before and give light until full daylight.

But the ways of the ungodly are dark;

They do not know how they stumble.

The Wise Heart

My son, give heed to my word

And incline your ear to my words,

That your fountains may not fail you;

Guard them in your heart;

For they are life to those who find them

And healing for all their flesh.

Keep your heart with all watchfulness,

For from these words are the issues of life.

Put away from yourself a crooked mouth

And remove unrighteous lips far from you.

Let your eyes look straight forward,

And let your eyelids assent to righteous things.

Make straight paths for your feet

And direct your ways aright.

Do not turn aside to the right or to the left,

But turn your foot from an evil way;

For God knows the ways on the right hand,

But those on the left are perverse;

And He shall make your paths straight

And guide your steps in peace.