Proverbs 4
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English Standard VersionChristian Standard Bible
1Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,1Listen, sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.2for I am giving you good instruction. Don't abandon my teaching.
3When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,3When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother,
4he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.4he taught me and said: "Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live.
5Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.5Get wisdom, get understanding; don't forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.
6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.6Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.
7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.7Wisdom is supreme--so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.
8Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”9She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty."
10Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.10Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years.
11I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.11I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths.
12When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.13Hold on to instruction; don't let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
14Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.14Keep off the path of the wicked; don't proceed on the way of evil ones.
15Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.15Avoid it; don't travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by.
16For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.16For they can't sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.18The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don't know what makes them stumble.
20My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.
21Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.21Don't lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
22For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body.
23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
24Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.24Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously.
25Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
26Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.26Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.
27Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.27Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 3
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