Proverbs 4

A Father’s Instruction

1Hear, O children, the instruction of a father,

And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment.

2For I give you good doctrine;

Do not #4:2 Lit forsake.turn away from my instruction.

3When I was a son with my father (David),

Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba),

4He taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

Keep my commandments and live. [1 Chr 28:9; Eph 6:4]

5“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6“Do not #4:6 Lit forsake.turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;

Love her, and she will watch over you.

7“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!

And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. [James 1:5]

8“Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you;

She will honor you if you embrace her.

9“She will place on your head a garland of grace;

She will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.”

10¶Hear, my son, and accept my sayings,

And the years of your life will be many.

11I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom;

I have led you in upright paths.

12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open];

And when you run, you will not stumble.

13Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life.

14Do not enter the path of the wicked,

And do not go the way of evil men.

15Avoid it, do not travel on it;

Turn away from it and pass on.

16For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil;

And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall.

17For they eat the bread of wickedness

And drink the wine of violence.

18But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,

That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day. [2 Sam 23:4; Matt 5:14; Phil 2:15]

19The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness;

They do not know over what they stumble. [John 12:35]

20¶My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn;

Open your ears to my sayings.

21Do not let them escape from your sight;

Keep them in the center of your heart.

22For they are life to those who find them,

And healing and health to all their flesh.

23Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life.

24Put away from you a deceitful (lying, misleading) mouth,

And put devious lips far from you.

25Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]

And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].

26Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet,

And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.

27Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk];

Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.

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Proverbs 4

A Father’s Wise Advice

1My children,#4:1 Hebrew My sons. listen when your father corrects you.

Pay attention and learn good judgment,

2for I am giving you good guidance.

Don’t turn away from my instructions.

3For I, too, was once my father’s son,

tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

4My father taught me,

“Take my words to heart.

Follow my commands, and you will live.

5Get wisdom; develop good judgment.

Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.

6Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.

Love her, and she will guard you.

7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!

And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.

Embrace her, and she will honor you.

9She will place a lovely wreath on your head;

she will present you with a beautiful crown.”

10My child,#4:10 Hebrew My son; also in 4:20. listen to me and do as I say,

and you will have a long, good life.

11I will teach you wisdom’s ways

and lead you in straight paths.

12When you walk, you won’t be held back;

when you run, you won’t stumble.

13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.

Guard them, for they are the key to life.

14Don’t do as the wicked do,

and don’t follow the path of evildoers.

15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.

Turn away and keep moving.

16For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.

They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.

17They eat the food of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence!

18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,

which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

19But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.

They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

20My child, pay attention to what I say.

Listen carefully to my words.

21Don’t lose sight of them.

Let them penetrate deep into your heart,

22for they bring life to those who find them,

and healing to their whole body.

23Guard your heart above all else,

for it determines the course of your life.

24Avoid all perverse talk;

stay away from corrupt speech.

25Look straight ahead,

and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

26Mark out a straight path for your feet;

stay on the safe path.

27Don’t get sidetracked;

keep your feet from following evil.

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