Proverbs 4
4
Wisdom Is Important
1My children, listen to your father’s teaching.
Pay attention so you will understand.
2What I am telling you is good.
Do not forget what I teach you.
3I was once a young boy in my father’s house.
I was like an only child to my mother.
4And my father taught me and said,
“Hold on to my words with all your heart.
Keep my commands and you will live.
5Get wisdom and understanding.
Don’t forget or ignore my words.
6Use wisdom, and it will take care of you.
Love wisdom, and it will keep you safe.
7Wisdom is the most important thing. So get wisdom.
If it costs everything you have, get understanding.
8Believe in the value of wisdom, and it will make you great.
Use it, and it will bring honor to you.
9Like flowers in your hair, it will beautify your life.
Like a crown, it will make you look beautiful.”
10My child, listen and accept what I say.
Then you will have a long life.
11I am guiding you in wisdom.
And I am leading you to do what is right.
12Nothing will hold you back.
You will not be overwhelmed.
13Always remember what you have been taught.
Don’t let go of it.
Keep safe all that you have learned.
It is the most important thing in your life.
14Don’t follow the ways of the wicked.
Don’t do what evil people do.
15Avoid their ways. Don’t go near what they do.
Stay away from them and keep on going.
16They cannot sleep until they do evil.
They cannot rest until they hurt someone.
17They fill themselves with wickedness and cruelty
as if they were eating bread and drinking wine.
18The way of the good person is like the light of dawn.
It grows brighter and brighter until it is full daylight.
19But the wicked are like those who stumble in the dark.
They can’t even see what has hurt them.
20My child, pay attention to my words.
Listen closely to what I say.
21Don’t ever forget my words.
Keep them deep within your heart.
22These words are the secret to life for those who find them.
They bring health to the whole body.
23Be very careful about what you think.
Your thoughts run your life.
24Don’t use your mouth to tell lies.
Don’t ever say things that are not true.
25Keep your eyes focused on what is right.
Keep looking straight ahead to what is good.
26Be careful what you do.
Always do what is right.
27Do not do anything unless it is right.
Stay away from evil.
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Proverbs 4: ICB
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Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.