2.4 KiB
A Father's Wise Advice
Chapter 4
- My children, listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment,
- for I am giving you good guidance.
Don't turn away from my instructions.
- For I, too, was once my father's son,
tenderly loved as my mother's only child.
- My father taught me, "Take my words to heart.
Follow my commands, and you will live.
- Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don't forget my words or turn away from them.
- Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
- Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
- If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
- She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown."
- My child, listen to me and do as I say,
and you will have a long, good life.
- I will teach you wisdom's ways
and lead you in straight paths.
- When you walk, you won't be held back;
when you run, you won't stumble.
- Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life.
- Don't do as the wicked do,
and don't follow the path of evildoers.
- Don't even think about it; don't go that way.
Turn away and keep moving.
- For evil people can't sleep until they've done their evil deed for the day.
They can't rest until they've caused someone to stumble.
- They eat the food of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence!
- The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
- But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
- My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
- Don't lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
- for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.
- Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
- Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.
- Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
- Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
- Don't get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.