Proverbs 4
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Christian Standard BibleNew Living Translation
1Listen, sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2for I am giving you good instruction. Don't abandon my teaching.2for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.
3When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother,3For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
4he taught me and said: "Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live.4My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.
5Get wisdom, get understanding; don't forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.5Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.6Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.
7Wisdom is supreme--so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.
9She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty."9She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
10Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years.10My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
11I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths.11I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
13Hold on to instruction; don't let go. Guard it, for it is your life.13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
14Keep off the path of the wicked; don't proceed on the way of evil ones.14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15Avoid it; don't travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by.15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
16For they can't sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.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 bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.17They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!
18The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.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 the darkest gloom; they don't know what makes them stumble.19But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.20My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
21Don't lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.21Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body.22for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.23Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
24Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously.24Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
27Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.27Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 3
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