Proverbs 4
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New King James VersionNew American Standard Bible 1995
1Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;1Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding,
2For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.2For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.
3When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,3When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
4He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.4Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;
5Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.6"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
7Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.7"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.8"Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
9She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”9"She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty."
10Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.10Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many.
11I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.11I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright 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 impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
13Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.13Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
14Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.14Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
15Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.15Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
16For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.17For they 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.18But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
20My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.20My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;21Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of 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 all their body.
23Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
24Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.24Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.
25Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.25Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
26Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.26Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.
27Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.27Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.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.org
Proverbs 3
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