Proverbs 4
NASB Parallel NET [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT HEB]
New American Standard Bible 1995NET Bible
1Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,1Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and pay attention so that you may gain discernment.
2For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.2Because I give you good instruction, 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 to my father, a tender only child before 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 he said to me: "Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands so that you will live.
5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.5Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.
6"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you.
7"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.7Wisdom is supreme--so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding!
8"Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.8Esteem 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 a fair garland on your head; she will bestow a beautiful crown on you."
10Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.10Listen, my child, and accept my words, so that the years of your life will be many.
11I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.11I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble.
13Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; protect it, because it 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 or walk in the way of those who are 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 go 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 cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence.17For they eat bread gained from wickedness and drink wine obtained from 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 bright morning light, growing 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 gloomy darkness; they do not know what causes them to stumble.
20My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.20My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings.
21Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.21Do not let them depart from your sight, guard 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 one's entire body.
23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.23Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.
24Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.24Remove perverse speech from your mouth; keep devious talk far from your lips.
25Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.25Let your eyes look directly in front of you and let your gaze look straight before you.
26Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.26Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established.
27Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.27Do not turn to the right or to the left; turn yourself 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.orgNET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 3
Top of Page
Top of Page