Proverbs 4
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%204&version=31

This chapter is a little different than the preceding ones because Solomon speaks to us himself, as a father advises his children, to gain and hold steadfastly to wisdom (from verse 1). He relates to us that this was how his father taught him (from verses 3 and 4). That's an amazing insight into David; that, in the midst of all the responsibilities of kingship, David took the time to personally teach his sons. The more I learn about his life, the more I am amazed by this man of God.

Verses 4 through 13 are similar to the previous two chapters in that they stress the importance of wisdom and understanding, and outline their benefits:

- long life (from verses 4 and 10)
- protection (from verse 6)
- honor (from verse 8)
- grace and splendor (from verse 9)
- sure-footedness along straight paths (from verses 11 and 12)

Verses 14 through 19 are an admonition to keep from the ways of the wicked.

Verses 20 through 27 are ways to attain wisdom and live a life of righteousness. This life of integrity requires that you do the following:

i) guard your heart, for it is from your heart that everything else flows (from verse 23)
ii) remove perversity and corruption from your speech (from verse 24)
iii) take the way that is sure, that you know is able to support you (from verse 26)
iv) once you know where you must go and what you must do, look straight ahead towards your objective, unaffected by peripheral distractions or temptations lest you swerve from your course to the left or to the right (from verses 25 and 27)

KEY VERSE:
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.