1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
1 Hear, H8085 ye children, H1121 the instruction H4148 of a father, H1 and attend H7181 to know H3045 understanding. H998
2 For I give H5414 you good H2896 doctrine, H3948 forsake H5800 ye not my law. H8451
3 For I was my father's H1 son, H1121 tender H7390 and only H3173 beloved in the sight H6440 of my mother. H517
4 He taught H3384 me also, and said H559 unto me, Let thine heart H3820 retain H8551 my words: H1697 keep H8104 my commandments, H4687 and live. H2421
5 Get H7069 wisdom, H2451 get H7069 understanding: H998 forget H7911 it not; neither decline H5186 from the words H561 of my mouth. H6310
6 Forsake H5800 her not, and she shall preserve H8104 thee: love H157 her, and she shall keep H5341 thee.
7 Wisdom H2451 is the principal thing; H7225 therefore get H7069 wisdom: H2451 and with all thy getting H7075 get understanding. H998
8 Exalt H5549 her, and she shall promote H7311 thee: she shall bring thee to honour, H3513 when thou dost embrace H2263 her.
9 She shall give H5414 to thine head H7218 an ornament H3880 of grace: H2580 a crown H5850 of glory H8597 shall she deliver H4042 to thee.
10 Hear, H8085 O my son, H1121 and receive H3947 my sayings; H561 and the years H8141 of thy life H2416 shall be many. H7235
11 I have taught H3384 thee in the way H1870 of wisdom; H2451 I have led H1869 thee in right H3476 paths. H4570
12 When thou goest, H3212 thy steps H6806 shall not be straitened; H3334 and when thou runnest, H7323 thou shalt not stumble. H3782
13 Take fast hold H2388 of instruction; H4148 let her not go: H7503 keep H5341 her; for she is thy life. H2416
14 Enter H935 not into the path H734 of the wicked, H7563 and go H833 not in the way H1870 of evil H7451 men.
15 Avoid H6544 it, pass H5674 not by it, turn H7847 from it, and pass away. H5674
16 For they sleep H3462 not, except they have done mischief; H7489 and their sleep H8142 is taken away, H1497 unless they cause some to fall. H3782 H3782
17 For they eat H3898 the bread H3899 of wickedness, H7562 and drink H8354 the wine H3196 of violence. H2555
18 But the path H734 of the just H6662 is as the shining H5051 light, H216 that shineth H215 more H1980 and more unto the perfect H3559 day. H3117
19 The way H1870 of the wicked H7563 is as darkness: H653 they know H3045 not at what they stumble. H3782
20 My son, H1121 attend H7181 to my words; H1697 incline H5186 thine ear H241 unto my sayings. H561
21 Let them not depart H3868 from thine eyes; H5869 keep H8104 them in the midst H8432 of thine heart. H3824
22 For they are life H2416 unto those that find H4672 them, and health H4832 to all their flesh. H1320
23 Keep H5341 thy heart H3820 with all diligence; H4929 for out of it are the issues H8444 of life. H2416
24 Put away H5493 from thee a froward H6143 mouth, H6310 and perverse H3891 lips H8193 put far H7368 from thee.
25 Let thine eyes H5869 look H5027 right on, H5227 and let thine eyelids H6079 look straight H3474 before thee.
26 Ponder H6424 the path H4570 of thy feet, H7272 and let all thy ways H1870 be established. H3559
27 Turn H5186 not to the right hand H3225 nor to the left: H8040 remove H5493 thy foot H7272 from evil. H7451
1 Hear, `my' sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:
2 For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 And he taught me, and said unto me: Let thy heart retain my words; Keep my commandments, and live;
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;
6 Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee.
7 Wisdom `is' the principal thing; `therefore' get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on.
16 For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil.
1 Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
2 For good learning I have given to you, My law forsake not.
3 For, a son I have been to my father -- tender, And an only one before my mother.
4 And he directeth me, and he saith to me: `Let thy heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee.
7 The first thing `is' wisdom -- get wisdom, And with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She giveth to thy head a wreath of grace, A crown of beauty she doth give thee freely.
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life `are' multiplied to thee.
11 In a way of wisdom I have directed thee, I have caused thee to tread in paths of uprightness.
12 In thy walking thy step is not straitened, And if thou runnest, thou stumblest not.
13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she `is' thy life.
14 Into the path of the wicked enter not, And be not happy in a way of evil doers.
15 Avoid it, pass not over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.
16 For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not `some' to stumble.
17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And wine of violence they drink.
18 And the path of the righteous `is' as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established,
19 The way of the wicked `is' as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
20 My son, to my words give attention, To my sayings incline thine ear,
21 Let them not turn aside from thine eyes, Preserve them in the midst of thy heart.
22 For life they `are' to those finding them, And to all their flesh healing.
23 Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it `are' the outgoings of life.
24 Turn aside from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee,
25 Thine eyes do look straightforward, And thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder thou the path of thy feet, And all thy ways `are' established.
27 Incline not `to' the right or to the left, Turn aside thy foot from evil!
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know intelligence;
2 for I give you good doctrine: forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.
4 And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thy heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live.
5 Get wisdom, get intelligence: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; love her, and she shall preserve thee.
7 The beginning of wisdom [is], Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thy head a garland of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow upon thee.
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be multiplied.
11 I will teach thee in the way of wisdom, I will lead thee in paths of uprightness.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction, let [her] not go: keep her, for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]:
15 avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they have caused [some] to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, going on and brightening until the day be fully come.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart more than anything that is guarded; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee perverseness of mouth, and corrupt lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be well-ordered.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.
1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
2 For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.
3 For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."
10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
14 Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
16 For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, That shines more and more until the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over.
20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to their whole body.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
27 Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
1 Give ear, my sons, to the teaching of a father; give attention so that you may have knowledge:
2 For I give you good teaching; do not give up the knowledge you are getting from me.
3 For I was a son to my father, a gentle and an only one to my mother.
4 And he gave me teaching, saying to me, Keep my words in your heart; keep my rules so that you may have life:
5 Get wisdom, get true knowledge; keep it in memory, do not be turned away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not give her up, and she will keep you; give her your love, and she will make you safe.
7 The first sign of wisdom is to get wisdom; go, give all you have to get true knowledge.
8 Put her in a high place, and you will be lifted up by her; she will give you honour, when you give her your love.
9 She will put a crown of grace on your head, giving you a head-dress of glory.
10 Give ear, O my son, and let your heart be open to my sayings; and long life will be yours.
11 I have given you teaching in the way of wisdom, guiding your steps in the straight way.
12 When you go, your way will not be narrow, and in running you will not have a fall.
13 Take learning in your hands, do not let her go: keep her, for she is your life.
14 Do not go in the road of sinners, or be walking in the way of evil men.
15 Keep far from it, do not go near; be turned from it, and go on your way.
16 For they take no rest till they have done evil; their sleep is taken away if they have not been the cause of someone's fall.
17 The bread of evil-doing is their food, the wine of violent acts their drink.
18 But the way of the upright is like the light of early morning, getting brighter and brighter till the full day.
19 The way of sinners is dark; they see not the cause of their fall.
20 My son, give attention to my words; let your ear be turned to my sayings.
21 Let them not go from your eyes; keep them deep in your heart.
22 For they are life to him who gets them, and strength to all his flesh.
23 And keep watch over your heart with all care; so you will have life.
24 Put away from you an evil tongue, and let false lips be far from you.
25 Keep your eyes on what is in front of you, looking straight before you.
26 Keep a watch on your behaviour; let all your ways be rightly ordered.
27 Let there be no turning to the right or to the left, keep your feet from evil.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 4
Commentary on Proverbs 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
Pr 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.
1, 2. (Compare Pr 1:8).
to know—in order to know.
doctrine—the matter of learning (Pr 1:5), such as he had received (La 3:1).
3. father's son—emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:7; 29:1); an idea further expressed by
only beloved—or, "as an only son" (Ge 22:2), though he had brothers (see on 1Ch 3:5).
4. He taught—or directed me.
retain—as well as receive.
keep … and live—observe, that you may live (Pr 7:2).
5. Get—as a possession not to be given up.
neither decline—that is, from obeying my word.
6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.
7. (Compare Job 28:28).
getting—or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.
8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor.
embrace her—with fond affection.
9. ornament—such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors.
deliver—(Compare Ge 14:20). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor (compare Pr 4:6).
10. (Compare Pr 2:1; 3:2).
11, 12. way of wisdom—which it prescribes.
led thee—literally, "caused thee to tread," as a path (Ps 107:7).
not be straitened—have ample room (Ps 18:36).
13. (Compare Pr 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.
14. (Compare Ps 1:1). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.
16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Pr 6:4; Ps 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Pr 1:13). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; 34:7).
18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.
20-22. (Compare Pr 4:10, 13; Pr 3:8, &c.).
22. health … flesh—by preserving from vices destructive of health.
23. with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Eze 38:7), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character (Mt 12:35; 15:19).
24. a froward mouth—that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used (Pr 2:15; 3:32).
perverse—or, "quarreling."
lips—or, "words."
25. Let … before thee—that is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.
26. Ponder—Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.
27. (Compare Pr 4:25). Avoid all by-paths of evil (De 2:27; 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.