Proverbs 4:10–23

¹⁰Listen, my son, and receive my words,

and the years of your life will be many.

¹¹I will guide you in the way of wisdom;

I will lead you on straight paths.

¹²When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;

when you run, you will not stumble.

¹³Hold on to instruction; do not let go.

Guard it, for it is your life.

¹⁴Do not set foot on the path of the wicked

or walk in the way of evildoers.

¹⁵Avoid it; do not travel on it.

Turn from it and pass on by.

¹⁶For they cannot sleep

unless they do evil;

they are deprived of slumber

until they make someone fall.

¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,

shining brighter and brighter until midday.

¹⁹But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;

they do not know what makes them stumble.

²⁰My son, pay attention to my words;

incline your ear to my sayings.

²¹Do not lose sight of them;

keep them within your heart.

²²For they are life to those who find them,

and health to the whole body.

²³Guard your heart with all diligence,

for from it flow springs of life.