14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.(A)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(B)
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.(C)

18 The path of the righteous(D) is like the morning sun,(E)
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(F)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(G)
    they do not know what makes them stumble.(H)

20 My son,(I) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(J)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(K)
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.(L)
23 Above all else, guard(M) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.(N)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(O) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet(P)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(Q)
    keep your foot from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level

14 Don’t go on the way of the wicked;
    don’t walk on the path of evil people.
15 Avoid it! Don’t turn onto it;
    stay off of it and keep going!
16 They don’t sleep unless they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of evil,
    and they drink the wine of violence.
18 The way of the righteous is like morning light
    that gets brighter and brighter till it is full day.
19 The path of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they don’t know where they will stumble.

Be careful about what you say

20 My son, pay attention to my words.
    Bend your ear to my speech.
21 Don’t let them slip from your sight.
    Guard them in your mind.
22 They are life to those who find them,
    and healing for their entire body.
23 More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.
24 Have nothing to do with a corrupt mouth;
    keep devious lips far from you.
25 Focus your eyes straight ahead;
    keep your gaze on what is in front of you.
26 Watch your feet on the way,
    and all your paths will be secure.
27 Don’t deviate a bit to the right or the left;
    turn your feet away from evil.

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