8 aExalt her, and she will promote you;
She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head
aan ornament of grace;
A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
aAnd the years of your life will be many.
11 I have
ataught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
12 When you walk,
ayour steps will not be hindered,
bAnd 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 aDo 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 aFor they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is
1 taken away unless they make
someone fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
18 aBut the path of the just
bis like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
19 aThe way of the wicked
is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.