# Proverbs 4 (New King James Version)
Security in Wisdom

##### Chapter 4
###### 1 Hear, _my_ children, the instruction of a father,  
And give attention to know understanding;  

###### 2 For I give you good doctrine:  
Do not forsake my law.  

###### 3 When I was my father's son,  
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,  

###### 4 He also taught me, and said to me:  
"Let your heart retain my words;  
Keep my commands, and live.  

###### 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!  
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.  

###### 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;  
Love her, and she will keep you.  

###### 7 Wisdom _is_ the principal thing;  
_Therefore_ get wisdom.  
And in all your getting, get understanding.  

###### 8 Exalt her, and she will promote you;  
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.  

###### 9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace;  
A crown of glory she will deliver to you."

###### 10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,  
And the years of your life will be many.  

###### 11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom;  
I have led you in right paths.  

###### 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered,  
And when you run, you will not stumble.  

###### 13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;  
Keep her, for she _is_ your life.

###### 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,  
And do not walk in the way of evil.  

###### 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;  
Turn away from it and pass on.  

###### 16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;  
And their sleep is taken away unless they make _someone_ fall.  

###### 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,  
And drink the wine of violence.

###### 18 But the path of the just _is_ like the shining sun,  
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.  

###### 19 The way of the wicked _is_ like darkness;  
They do not know what makes them stumble.

###### 20 My son, give attention to my words;  
Incline your ear to my sayings.  

###### 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;  
Keep them in the midst of your heart;  

###### 22 For they _are_ life to those who find them,  
And health to all their flesh.  

###### 23 Keep your heart with all diligence,  
For out of it _spring_ the issues of life.  

###### 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,  
And put perverse lips far from you.  

###### 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,  
And your eyelids look right before you.  

###### 26 Ponder the path of your feet,  
And let all your ways be established.  

###### 27 Do not turn to the right or the left;  
Remove your foot from evil.