#8 Dear friend...

Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live.?

I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.?

When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother, He would sit me down and drill me:?

“Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!?

Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Hunt for Understanding!?

Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!?

Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you.?

Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!?

Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!?

Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.?

She’ll garland your life with grace, she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”?

Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life.?

I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns.?

Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip. Guard it well—your life is at stake!?

Don’t take Wicked Bypass; don’t so much as set foot on that road. Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way.?

Evil people are restless unless they’re making trouble; They can’t get a good night’s sleep unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody. Perversity is their food and drink, and violence is their drug of choice.?

The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker— travellers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.?

Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart!?

Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health.?

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.?

Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.?

Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.?

Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.

(?Proverbs 4:1-27 THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language ? 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)