Proverbs 4
NASB Parallel CSB [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT HEB]
New American Standard Bible 1995Christian Standard Bible
1Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,1Listen, sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.2for I am giving you good instruction. Don't abandon my teaching.
3When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,3When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother,
4Then he 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.
5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.5Get wisdom, get understanding; don't forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.
6"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.6Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.
7"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.7Wisdom is supreme--so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.
8"Prize her, 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.
9"She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty."9She will place a garland of favor on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty."
10Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.10Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years.
11I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.11I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13Take 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 proceed in the way of evil men.14Keep off the path of the wicked; don't proceed on the way of evil ones.
15Avoid it, do not pass by 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 do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make 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, That shines brighter and brighter until the 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 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, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.
21Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.21Don't lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
22For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body.
23Watch over your heart with all diligence, 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 a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.24Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously.
25Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
26Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.26Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.
27Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.27Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.orgThe Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 3
Top of Page
Top of Page