Proverbs 4:14-27

New American Standard Bible

^14 (A)Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil people.
¹⁵ Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
¹⁶ For they ^(B)cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And ^[a]they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
¹⁷ For they ^(C)eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
¹⁸ But the ^(D)path of the righteous is like the ^(E)light of dawn
That ^(F)shines brighter and brighter until the ^(G)full day.
¹⁹ The ^(H)way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they ^[b](I)stumble.

²⁰ My son, ^(J)pay attention to my words;
^(K)Incline your ear to my sayings.
^21 (L)They are not to escape from your sight;
^(M)Keep them in the midst of your heart.
²² For they are ^(N)life to those who find them,
And ^(O)healing to all ^[c]their body.
²³ Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For ^(P)from it flow the springs of life.
²⁴ Rid yourself of a ^(Q)deceitful mouth
And ^(R)keep devious ^[d]speech far from you.
²⁵ Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your ^[e]gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
^26 (S)[f]Watch the path of your feet,
And all your ^(T)ways will be established.
^27 (U)Do not turn to the right or to the left;
^(V)Turn your foot from evil.