Proverbs 4 - Easy To Read Version

¹ Sons, listen to your father’s teachings. Pay attention so you will understand!

² Why? Because the things I teach you are important and good. So don’t ever forget my teachings.

³ I was young once too! I was my daddy’s little boy and my mother’s only son.

⁴ And my father taught me these things. He said to me, “Remember the things I say. Obey my commands and you will live.

⁵ Get wisdom and understanding! Don’t forget my words. Always follow my teachings.

⁶ Don’t turn away from wisdom. Then wisdom will protect you. Love wisdom, and wisdom will keep you safe.”

⁷ Wisdom begins when you decide to get wisdom. So use everything you own to get wisdom! \{Then you will become wise.\}

⁸ Love wisdom, and wisdom will make you great. Make wisdom most important, and wisdom will bring you honor.

⁹ She (Wisdom) is the greatest thing that can happen to you.

¹⁰ Son, listen to me. Do the things I say, and you will live long.

¹¹ I am teaching you about wisdom. I am leading you along the straight path.

¹² Follow this path, and your feet won’t be caught \{in any trap\}. You can run and not stumble. \{You will be safe in the things you try to do.\}

¹³ Always remember these lessons. Don’t forget these lessons. They are your life!

¹⁴ Don’t follow the path evil people walk on. \{Don’t live like that.\} Don’t try to be like them.

¹⁵ Stay away from evil. Don’t go near it. Walk straight past it.

¹⁶ Bad people can’t sleep until they do something wrong. Those people can’t sleep until they hurt some other person.

¹⁷ Those people can’t live without doing evil and hurting other people.

¹⁸ Good people are like the early morning light. The sun rises and the day becomes brighter and happier.

¹⁹ But bad people are like a dark night. They are lost in the darkness and they fall over things they can’t see.

²⁰ My son, pay attention to the things I say. Listen closely to my words.

²¹ Don’t let my words leave you. Remember the things I say.

²² My teaching will give life to people who listen. My words are like good health to the body.

²³ The most important thing is for you to be careful in the things you think. Your thoughts control your life.

²⁴ Don’t bend the truth and say things that are not right. Don’t tell lies.

²⁵ Don’t let yourself turn away from the good and wise goals that are before you.

²⁶ Be very careful what you do. Live a good life.

²⁷ Don’t leave the straight path—the way that is good and right. But always turn away from evil.