Proverbs 4

1 Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph. 2 The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them. 3 Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand. 4 A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction. 5 I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor. 6 But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance. 8 I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice, when I cry to thee. 9 Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice. 10 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips. 11 Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins. With men that work iniquity: and I will not communicate with the choicest of them. 12 The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head. For my prayer shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased: 13 Their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed: 14 As when the thickness of the earth is broken up upon the ground: Our bones are scattered by the side of hell. 15 But to thee, O Lord, Lord, are my eyes: in thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul. 16 Keep me from the snare, which they have laid for me, and from the stumblingblocks of them that work iniquity. 17 The wicked shall fall in his net: I am alone until I pass. 19 Of understanding for David, A prayer when he was in the cave. 20 I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord. 21 In his sight I pour out my prayer, and before him I declare my trouble: 22 When my spirit failed me, then thou knewest my paths. In this way wherein I walked, they have hidden a snare for me. 23 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, and there was no one that would know me. Flight hath failed me: and there is no one that hath regard to my soul. 24 I cried to thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living. 25 Attend to my supplication: for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 26 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the just wait for me, until thou reward me.