Proverbs 4:4-14

4 my father would teach me. He would say, "Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say.
6 Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe.
7 Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight.
8 Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honor.
9 She will be your crowning glory."
10 Listen to me, my child. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life.
11 I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live.
12 Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run.
13 Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life - guard it well.
14 Do not go where evil people go. Do not follow the example of the wicked.

Proverbs 4:4-14 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.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Embrace her; [or] Prize her highly.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.