Proverbs 4
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New King James VersionNew Living Translation
1Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;1My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.2for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.
3When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,3For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
4He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain 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! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.5Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.6Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.
7Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.7Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
8Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.8If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and 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 lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
10Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.10My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.
11I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.11I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.
13Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
14Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
16For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.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.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.17They eat the food 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 way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not 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, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.20My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
21Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of 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 all their flesh.22for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their 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 determines the course of your life.
24Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.24Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
25Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.26Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
27Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.27Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.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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