Proverbs 4:6-16

6 Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is to acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding with all that you have.
8 Cherish wisdom. It will raise you up. It will bring you honor when you embrace it.
9 It will give you a graceful garland for your head. It will hand you a beautiful crown."
10 My son, listen and accept my words, and they will multiply the years of your life.
11 I have taught you the way of wisdom. I have guided you along decent paths.
12 When you walk, your stride will not be hampered. Even if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Cling to discipline. Do not relax your grip on it. Keep it because it is your life.
14 Do not stray onto the path of wicked people. Do not walk in the way of evil people.
15 Avoid it. Do not walk near it. Turn away from it, and keep on walking.
16 Wicked people cannot sleep unless they do wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep unless they make someone stumble.

Proverbs 4:6-16 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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