Keep to the right path
1Listen, my sons, to a father’s in struction and pay attention so that you may gain insight. 2For I have given you good principles; do not discard my teaching!
3For when I, too, was a young boy, and my mother fondly looked on me as special, 4my father taught me and said to me: Treasure my words in your heart; listen to my directions and you will live.
5Acquire wisdom and insight and do not forget or reject the words of my mouth. 6Do not abandon wisdom for she will protect you. Love her and she will be your salvation.
7The beginning of wisdom is to work to acquire it. At the cost of all you possess, strive to gain insight. 8Hold her close, for she will exalt you and bring you honor if you embrace her. 9She will crown you with grace and put a diadem of splendor on your head.
10Listen, my son, and take my words to heart; then the years of your life will be multiplied.
11Because I have taught you the way of wisdom and have guided you along honest ways, 12you will walk with ease and run with out falling. 13Hold firm to discipline; never let her go. Guard her well for she is your salvation.
14Do not follow the way of the wicked nor walk with evildoers. 15Avoid them, turn your back on them and pass on. 16For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; they cannot rest unless they have caused someone’s downfall. 17Wickedness is their bread and violence their wine.
18The way of the upright is like the dawn that becomes brighter until the fullness of day. 19The way of the wicked is total darkness and they do not notice that which will make them fall.
20My son, be attentive and listen carefully to my words. 21Never let them out of your sight but guard them in the bottom of your heart. 22For they are life to those who cling to them and healing for the inner spirit.
23 ① Above all else, guard your heart, for therein is the source of life. 24Keep your mouth from lies and let not deceit come from your lips.
25Keep your sight on what is ahead and your eyes directed straight in front of you. 26Test the ground under your feet and all your ways will be secure. 27Turn neither to left nor to right and keep your path from evil.
- Pro 4,23 Above all else, guard your heart, for therein is the source of life. Let us not forget that in the Bible heart signifies all that is interior in humans: their conscience, deepest desires, own criteria. It is a call not to allow oneself to be carried away by activism, nor to shut our eyes to a particular aspect of our conduct, to search among our motives where it is very easy for a good intention to be accompanied by others that are less noble. All are to be put under the light of faith.
