Proverbs 4:7-18

Common English Bible

⁷ The beginning of wisdom:
Get wisdom!
    Get understanding before anything else.
⁸ Highly esteem her, and she will exalt you.
    She will honor you if you embrace her.
⁹ She will place a graceful wreath on your head;
    she will give you a glorious crown.”

¹⁰ Listen, my son, and take in my speech,
    then the years of your life will be many.
¹¹ I teach you the path of wisdom.
    I lead you in straight courses.
¹² When you walk, you won’t be hindered;
    when you run, you won’t stumble.
¹³ Hold on to instruction; don’t slack off;
    protect it, for it is your life.
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.