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14 (A)Do not enter the path of wicked men
And do not step into the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
(B)Stray from it and pass on.
16 For they (C)do not sleep unless they do evil;
And [a]they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17 For they (D)eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the (E)path of the righteous is like the (F)light of dawn,
That (G)shines brighter and brighter until the (H)fullness of day.
19 The (I)way of the wicked is like thick darkness;
They do not know over what they [b](J)stumble.

20 My son, (K)pay attention to my words;
(L)Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 (M)Do not let them deviate from your eyes;
(N)Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are (O)life to those who find them
And (P)healing to all his flesh.
23 Guard your heart with all diligence,
For (Q)from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you a (R)perverse mouth
And (S)put devious lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
And even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you.
26 (T)Watch the track of your feet
And all your (U)ways will be established.
27 (V)Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
(W)Turn your foot from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:16 Lit their sleep is robbed
  2. Proverbs 4:19 Or may stumble

14 Don’t do as the wicked do,
    and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
    Turn away and keep moving.
16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.
    They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17 They eat the food of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence!

18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
    which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
    They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
    Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
    Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole body.

23 Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

24 Avoid all perverse talk;
    stay away from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.
27 Don’t get sidetracked;
    keep your feet from following evil.

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