Pass on the Baton of Faith – Proverbs 4:1-27
4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention, so as to gain understanding. (2) I am giving you sound teaching, so do not forsake my instruction. (3) When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender and the only beloved in the sight of my mother, (4) he taught me and said, “Let your heart hold on to my words, keep my commandments, and you will live. (5) Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget the words I speak or turn away from them. (6) Do not forsake wisdom, and she will guard you; love her, and she will watch over you. (7) Wisdom is the primary thing; therefore, get wisdom. Indeed, give all that you have acquired in order to acquire understanding. (8) Hold her in high esteem, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you. (9) She will set a garland of grace upon your head, and present you with a crown of beauty. (10) Listen, my son, and accept what I say, then the years of your life will be many. (11) I have instructed you in the way of wisdom, I have led you in the paths of uprightness. (12) When you walk in these paths, your steps will not be impeded; indeed, if you run, you will not stumble. (13) Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go of her; keep her, for she is your life.
(14) Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil men. (15) Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it, and go on your way—(16) because they cannot sleep unless they have done evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they cause someone to fall. (17) They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. (18) But the path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until the full light of day. (19) The way of the wicked is like darkness; they cannot see the things over which they stumble.
(20) My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. (21) Do not let them out of your sight, keep them in the center of your heart; (22) for they are a source of life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. (23) Keep watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (24) Get rid of a perverse mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. (25) Let your eyes look straight ahead, and let your sight be focused directly in front of you. (26) Make level paths for your feet and only take the ways that are firm. (27) Do not turn to the right or to the left; remove your foot from evil.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
