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Proverbs 4

World English Bible

WEB

1Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law. 3For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 4He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. 5Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth. 6Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 7Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 8Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor when you embrace her. 9She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.” 10Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. 11I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. 12When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. 13Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. 14Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. 16For they don’t sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over. 20My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. 23Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. 24Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. 25Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. 26Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. 27Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Proverbs Chapter 4 emphasizes the importance of wisdom and the pursuit of understanding in the life of a believer. The chapter begins with a father’s instruction to his children, urging them to listen to his teachings and to embrace wisdom as a precious gift. The father recalls his own experience of receiving wisdom from his parents, highlighting the generational transmission of knowledge and the value of adhering to wise counsel. This sets the tone for the chapter, as it underscores the significance of seeking wisdom and understanding as foundational to a righteous life. #Wisdom #Understanding #FatherlyAdvice

The chapter continues with vivid imagery, portraying wisdom as a protective force that guards the path of the righteous. The father encourages his children to keep wisdom close, stating that it will lead them away from the paths of the wicked and towards life. He contrasts the way of the righteous, which is like the dawn that shines brighter until full day, with the way of the wicked, which is dark and leads to destruction. This stark contrast serves as a reminder of the choices we face daily and the importance of choosing the path of righteousness. Ultimately, Proverbs 4 calls believers to prioritize wisdom, as it is essential for living a life that honors God and leads to true fulfillment. #Righteousness #PathOfWisdom #Proverbs

Study

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Referenced by

  1. Deuteronomy 4:9v23Deuteronomy 4:9 emphasizes the importance of keeping one's soul diligently and remembering God's works, which aligns with Proverbs 4:23's exhortation to guard one's heart, as it is the wellspring of life.
  2. Job 17:9v18Job 17:9 speaks of the righteous holding to their way and growing stronger, which aligns with Proverbs 4:18, where the path of the righteous is described as shining brighter until full day.
  3. Psalms 17:5v26Psalm 17:5 speaks of holding to God's paths, which is similar to the exhortation in Proverbs 4:26-27 to ponder the path of one's feet and not turn to the right or left.
  4. Psalms 101:2v23Psalm 101:2 emphasizes walking with a perfect heart, which aligns with Proverbs 4:23's call to guard one's heart, as it is the wellspring of life.
  5. Proverbs 7:1v4Proverbs 7:1 emphasizes the importance of keeping and treasuring commandments, which is a recurring theme in Proverbs, as seen in Proverbs 4:4-5 where the father instructs the son to hold fast to wisdom and understanding.
  6. Proverbs 7:25v23Proverbs 7:25 advises guarding one's heart against the allure of the adulteress, echoing Proverbs 4:23, which emphasizes guarding the heart as the wellspring of life.
  7. Ecclesiastes 2:13v7Ecclesiastes 2:13 acknowledges the superiority of wisdom over folly, which aligns with Proverbs 4:7 that emphasizes the importance of acquiring wisdom.
  8. Ecclesiastes 10:2v23Ecclesiastes 10:2 contrasts the heart of the wise and the heart of the fool, paralleling Proverbs 4:23 which emphasizes guarding the heart as the wellspring of life, highlighting the importance of inner wisdom.

Topics in this chapter

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