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Proverbs 4:1-3 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 4:1-3 NIV (New International Version)

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Proverbs 4:1-3 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother

Proverbs 4:1-3 NLT (New Living Translation)

My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

Proverbs 4:1-3 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,  and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, for I am giving you good instruction.  Don’t abandon my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother

Proverbs 4:1-3 KJV (King James Version)

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

Proverbs 4:1-3 NKJV (New King James Version)

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law. When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother

Proverbs 4:1-9 MSG (The Message)

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! Forage 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.”

Proverbs 4:1-3 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father, And pay attention so that you may gain understanding, For I give you good teaching; Do not abandon my instruction. When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother

Proverbs 4:1-3 AMP (Amplified Bible)

Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment. For I give you good doctrine; Do not turn away from my instruction. When I was a son with my father (David), Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba)

Proverbs 4:1-3 NET (New English Translation)

Listen, children, to a father’s instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment. Because I give you good instruction, do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son to my father, a tender only child before my mother