Proverbs 4

4 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

Children are to be taught the Word of God.

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

My word is good, do not walk away from it.

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

I was young and innocent.

He was David and Bathsheba's only child.

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

I was very young and I was taught the Word of the Lord.

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

Wisdom and understanding are the Word of God.  Study the Word and don't forget what you learned.  Keep the Word as your daily conversation.

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

Don't leave without spending time with the Word of God.  The Words from the mouth of God will keep you alive and it will keep you safe.  The Word of God will make you love God and when you love God, God will keep you.

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

Before you do anything start with God's instructions.  Since the Word is the first thing to do, seek how to do what you want to do in God's way.  Do not do anything without making sure you understand what you are supposed to do the way God will have you do what you want to do.

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

Advertise the Word and the Word will advertise you, and what you do.  The Word of God will bring you recognition of good works when you hold tight to it.

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

The Word of God will make you stand out.  The Word of God will reward you.

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

God gives long life to those who listen to His instructions.

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

King Solomon tells his son who will be king one day, I have done what a father is supposed to do, He taught his son the ways of God.

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

When we do what God instructs, He will support us.

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

When God speaks, follow His instructions quickly.  Find out how God wants you to do as He says, and do it right.

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.

Absolutely don't go near evildoers.

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.

Evil men think, eat, and drink thoughts of committing crimes.

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

Those who follow God's directions are like a light that gets brighter and brighter.

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

Wicked people live in a world of darkness.  They have no idea how to do things right.  If they make a mistake, they cannot correct it.

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

Stay close to the Words that come from my mouth.

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

Study God's ways every day.  Set aside time to be alone with God.

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

God's Word is healthy for us.

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

Be cautious in making choices.  Take your time to study the outcome before you make your move.

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

Do not make a habit of being hard to get along with.

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

Let your eyes stay focused don't look to the left or to the right.  Learn to be cooperative.

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

Know what you want to do before you do it.  

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

When the Word of God is our source, there is no need for anything else.