Proverbs 4
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New American Standard Bible 1995English Standard Version
1Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,1Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
2For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.2for I give you good precepts; do not forsake 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, the only one in the sight of 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 to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.5Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
7"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
8"Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.8Prize her highly, 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."9She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”
10Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.10Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
11I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.11I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
13Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.13Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
14Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.14Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.15Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.16For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence.17For they 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.18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.19The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
20My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.20My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.21Let them not escape from your sight; 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 healing to all their flesh.
23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
24Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.24Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
25Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.25Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
26Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.26Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
27Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.27Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot 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.orgESV 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.
Proverbs 3
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