Proverbs 4:19-27

19 But the way of those who do what is wrong is like deep darkness. They don't know what makes them trip and fall.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words.
21 Don't let them out of your sight. Keep them in your heart.
22 They are life to those who find them. They are health to your whole body.
23 Above everything else, guard your heart. It is where your life comes from.
24 Don't speak with twisted words. Keep evil talk away from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Keep looking right in front of you.
26 Make level paths for your feet to walk on. Only go on ways that are firm.
27 Don't turn to the right or left. Keep your feet from the path of evil.

Proverbs 4:19-27 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.

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