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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”

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”