# Proverbs — Chapter 4

*Translation: King James Version*  
*Source: [Quillin](https://quillin.org)*

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> **1** Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

> **2** For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

> **3** For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

> **4** He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

> **5** Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

> **6** Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

> **7** Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

> **8** Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

> **9** She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

> **10** Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

> **11** I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

> **12** When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

> **13** Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

> **14** ¶ Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

> **15** Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

> **16** For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

> **17** For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

> **18** But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

> **19** The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

> **20** ¶ My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

> **21** Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

> **22** For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

> **23** ¶ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

> **24** Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

> **25** Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

> **26** Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

> **27** Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.