10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
(A)And the years of your life will be many.
11 I have (B)taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
12 When you walk, (C)your steps will not be hindered,
(D)And when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life.

14 (E)Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16 (F)For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is [a]taken away unless they make someone fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.

18 (G)But the path of the just (H)is like the shining [b]sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 (I)The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:16 Lit. robbed
  2. Proverbs 4:18 Lit. light

10 Listen, my son,(A) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(B)
11 I instruct(C) you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.(D)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.(E)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.(F)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.(G)
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;(H)
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.(I)

18 The path of the righteous(J) is like the morning sun,(K)
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(L)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(M)
    they do not know what makes them stumble.(N)

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