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The Right Path

10 Listen, my child, take my sayings,
    and the years of your life shall be great.
11 In the way of wisdom I have instructed you;
    I have led you in the path of uprightness.
12 When you walk,[a] your step will not be hampered,
    and if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Seize the instruction! Do not let go!
    Guard her, for she is your life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:12 Literally “In your walking”

10 Listen, my son,(A) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(B)
11 I instruct(C) you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.(D)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.(E)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.(F)

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Staying the Course

20 My child, be attentive to my words;
    to my sayings incline your ear.
21 May they not escape from your sight;[a]
    keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them
    and healing to the entire body.[b]
23 With all vigilance, keep your heart,
    for from it comes the source[c] of life.
24 Remove from yourself deceitful speech,[d]
    and abolish devious talk[e] from yourself.
25 May your eyes look forward[f]
    and your gaze be straight before you.
26 May the path of your foot be balanced
    and all your ways be sure.
27 Do not swerve right or left;
    remove your foot from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:21 Literally “eyes”
  2. Proverbs 4:22 Literally “for all his flesh”
  3. Proverbs 4:23 Or “extremity”
  4. Proverbs 4:24 Literally “crookedness of mouth”
  5. Proverbs 4:24 Literally “deviousness of lips”
  6. Proverbs 4:25 Or “opposite”

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level