Proverbs 4:14-27

English Standard Version

¹⁴^(A)Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
¹⁵Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on.
¹⁶For they ^(B)cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness
    ^(C)and drink the wine of violence.
¹⁸But ^(D)the path of the righteous is like ^(E)the light of dawn,
    which shines ^(F)brighter and brighter until ^(G)full day.
¹⁹^(H)The way of the wicked is like deep ^(I)darkness;
    they do not know over what they ^(J)stumble.

²⁰^(K)My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹^(L)Let them not escape from your sight;
    ^(M)keep them within your heart.
²²For they are ^(N)life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their^[a] flesh.
²³Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for ^(O)from it flow ^(P)the springs of life.
²⁴Put away from you ^(Q)crooked speech,
    and put ^(R)devious talk far from you.
²⁵^(S)Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
²⁶^(T)Ponder^[b] the path of your feet;
    ^(U)then all your ways will be sure.
²⁷^(V)Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.