1 Listen, children, a4:1 Lit. sons to your father’s instruction, and pay attention in order to gain understanding. ISV — Proverbs 4:1
2 I give you sound teaching, so do not abandon my instruction. b4:2 Or law ISV — Proverbs 4:2
3 When I was a son to my father, not yet strong c4:3 Lit. delicate and an only son to my mother, ISV — Proverbs 4:3
4 he taught me and told me, “Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say; d4:4 Lit. embrace my words keep my commandments and live! ISV — Proverbs 4:4
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth! ISV — Proverbs 4:5
6 Do not abandon her, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will watch over you. ISV — Proverbs 4:6
7 Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding. ISV — Proverbs 4:7
8 Prize her and she will exalt you. Indeed, if you embrace her, she will honor you. ISV — Proverbs 4:8
9 She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will present to you a crown of beauty.” ISV — Proverbs 4:9
10 Listen, my son: accept my words, and you’ll live a long, long time. e4:10 Lit. and the years of your life will be many ISV — Proverbs 4:10
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom, and I have led you along straight f4:11 Or upright paths. ISV — Proverbs 4:11
12 When you walk, your step will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. ISV — Proverbs 4:12
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go! Guard wisdom, g4:13 Lit. her because she is your life! ISV — Proverbs 4:13
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, or go along the way of evil men. ISV — Proverbs 4:14
15 Avoid it! Don’t travel on it! Turn away from it, and pass on by. ISV — Proverbs 4:15
16 For they cannot sleep unless they are doing evil, and they are robbed of their sleep unless they cause someone to stumble. ISV — Proverbs 4:16
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and they drink the wine of violence. ISV — Proverbs 4:17
18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter until the full light of day. ISV — Proverbs 4:18
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness, and they do not know what they are stumbling over. ISV — Proverbs 4:19
20 My son, pay attention to my words, and listen closely h4:20 Lit. turn your ear to what I say. ISV — Proverbs 4:20
21 Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart. ISV — Proverbs 4:21
22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. i4:22 Lit. flesh ISV — Proverbs 4:22
23 Above everything else j4:23 Lit. Above all watching guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life. ISV — Proverbs 4:23
24 Never talk deceptively and don’t keep company with people whose speech is corrupt. k4:24 Lit. keep corrupt lips far from you ISV — Proverbs 4:24
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead; fix your gaze straight in front of you. ISV — Proverbs 4:25
26 Carefully measure l4:26 Lit. Weigh the paths for your feet, and all your ways will be established. ISV — Proverbs 4:26
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. ISV — Proverbs 4:27