4
A Father’s Instruction
And BProv 1:2; 2:2give attention that you may 1Lit knowgain understanding,
BPs 89:30; 119:87; Prov 3:1Do not abandon my 2Or lawinstruction.
3 When I was a son to my father,
A1 Chr 22:5; 29:1Tender and BZech 12:10the only son in the sight of my mother,
4 Then he AEph 6:4taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart BPs 119:168hold fast my words;
CProv 7:2Keep my commandments and live;
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
A2 Thess 2:10Love her, and she will watch over you.
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8 “A1 Sam 2:30Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 “She will place AProv 1:9on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.”
10 Hear, my son, and AProv 2:1accept my sayings
And the BProv 3:2years of your life will be many.
11 I have A1 Sam 12:23directed you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.
12 When you walk, your AJob 18:7; Ps 18:36steps will not be impeded;
And if you run, you BPs 91:11; Prov 3:23will not stumble.
13 AProv 3:18Take hold of instruction; do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your BProv 3:22; John 6:63life.
14 APs 1:1; Prov 1:15Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they APs 36:4; Mic 2:1cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And 1Lit their sleep is robbedthey are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17 For they AProv 13:2eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the AIs 26:7; Matt 5:14; Phil 2:15path of the righteous is like the B2 Sam 23:4light of dawn,
That CDan 12:3shines brighter and brighter until the DJob 11:17full day.
19 The AJob 18:5, 6; Prov 2:13; Is 59:9, 10; Jer 23:12; John 12:35way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they 1Or may stumbleBJohn 11:10stumble.
20 My son, AProv 5:1give attention to my words;
BProv 2:2Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 AProv 3:21Do not let them depart from your sight;
BProv 7:1, 2Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are AProv 3:22life to those who find them
And BProv 3:8; 12:18health to all 1Lit histheir body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For AMatt 12:34; 15:18, 19; Mark 7:21; Luke 6:45from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you a AProv 6:12; 10:32deceitful mouth
And BProv 19:1put devious 1Or lipsspeech far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your 1Or eyelidsgaze be fixed straight in front of you.
26 AProv 5:21; Heb 12:13Watch the path of your feet
And all your BPs 119:5ways will be established.
27 ADeut 5:32; 28:14Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
BProv 1:15; Is 1:16Turn your foot from evil.
14:1 Lit know
14:2 Lit good
B4:2 Ps 89:30; 119:87; Prov 3:1
24:2 Or law
14:7 Or the primary thing is wisdom
14:16 Lit their sleep is robbed
A4:18 Is 26:7; Matt 5:14; Phil 2:15
A4:19 Job 18:5, 6; Prov 2:13; Is 59:9, 10; Jer 23:12; John 12:35
14:19 Or may stumble
14:22 Lit his
A4:23 Matt 12:34; 15:18, 19; Mark 7:21; Luke 6:45
14:24 Or lips
14:25 Or eyelids