Proverbs 4:17-27

17 They feast on wickedness and cruelty as if they were eating bread and drinking wine.
18 The way of the good person is like the light of dawn, growing brighter and brighter until full daylight.
19 But the wicked walk around in the dark; they can't even see what makes them stumble.
20 My child, pay attention to my words; listen closely to what I say.
21 Don't ever forget my words; keep them always in mind.
22 They are the key to life for those who find them; they bring health to the whole body.
23 Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
24 Don't use your mouth to tell lies; don't ever say things that are not true.
25 Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good.
26 Be careful what you do, and always do what is right.
27 Don't turn off the road of goodness; keep away from evil paths.

Proverbs 4:17-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 4

In this chapter Solomon advises to seek after wisdom, to avoid bad company, and to continue in the right paths of goodness and truth: he excites attention to what he had to say, from the relation he stood in to the persons addressed; from the nature of his instructions, which were good and profitable; and from his own example, in attending to those his parents gave him, Pr 4:1-4; He exhorts above all things to get wisdom, from the superior excellency of it, and from the preservation, promotion, and honour, to be had by it, Pr 4:5-9; and he further enforces big exhortations, from their being the means of a comfortable life, and of the prolongation of it, and of leading in a right way without straitness or stumbling, Pr 4:10-13. And then proceeds to caution against bad company, and going into a bad way of life; which is enforced from the mischief done by those that walk in it, and from the darkness of it, to which the path of the just is opposed, Pr 4:14-19. And the exhortation to attend to and observe his instructions, and keep them, is repeated, from the consideration of their being life and health to them, Pr 4:20-22; and that they might be preserved, and not departed from, direction's are given about ordering the heart, mouth, lips, eyes, and feet, Pr 4:23-27.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.