Listen, My Children
A father passing on what his own father told him, and the chapter keeps that chain in view. Its images are about direction: a path brightening toward daylight against one so dark you cannot see what tripped you. Guard your heart, and look straight ahead.
4 1Listen, my children, to a father's instruction; pay attention, and gain understanding. 2I am giving you sound teaching, so do not abandon my instruction. 3For I too was a son to my father, tender and the only beloved of my mother. 4He taught me and said, "Let your heart hold on to my words; keep my commands and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom; and with all you acquire, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will lift you high; embrace her, and she will bring you honor. 9She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of glory."
10Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. 11I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you along straight paths. 12When you walk, your steps will not be held back; and when you run, you will not stumble. 13Hold on to instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers. 15Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on by. 16For they cannot sleep unless they do wrong; they are robbed of rest unless they make someone stumble. 17They feed on the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until the full light of day. 19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21Never lose sight of them; keep them deep within your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
23Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24Keep crooked speech from your mouth, and keep deceitful lips far from you. 25Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26Give careful thought to the path for your feet, and all your ways will be secure. 27Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot away from evil.
