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.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:16 Lit their sleep is robbed
  2. Proverbs 4:19 Or may stumble
  3. Proverbs 4:22 Lit his
  4. Proverbs 4:24 Or lips
  5. Proverbs 4:25 Or eyelids
  6. Proverbs 4:26 I.e., prob. stay on the path

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.(A)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(B)
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.(C)

18 The path of the righteous(D) is like the morning sun,(E)
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(F)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(G)
    they do not know what makes them stumble.(H)

20 My son,(I) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(J)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(K)
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.(L)
23 Above all else, guard(M) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.(N)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(O) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet(P)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(Q)
    keep your foot from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level