Proverbs 4
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New King James VersionHolman Christian Standard Bible
1Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;1Listen, my sons, to a father's discipline, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.2for I am giving you good instruction. Don't abandon my teaching.
3When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,3When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother,
4He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.4he taught me and said:" Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live.
5Get wisdom! Get 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 of my mouth.
6Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.6Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.
7Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.7Wisdom is supreme--so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.
8Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”9She will place a garland of grace on your head; she will give you a crown of beauty."
10Hear, my son, and receive 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 taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.11I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep 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 evil.14Don't set foot on the path of the wicked; don't proceed in the way of evil ones.
15Avoid it, do not travel 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 do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.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 just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect 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 what makes them 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 eyes; 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 flesh.22For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body.
23Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
24Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.24Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously.
25Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
26Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.26Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.
27Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.27Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 3
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