Parallel Bible results for "proverbs 4"

Proverbs 4

Hebrew Names Version HNV

1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;

2 For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.

3 For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my mitzvot, and live.

5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. A crown of splendor will she deliver to you."

10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in paths of uprightness.

12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.

13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

14 Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.

16 For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, That shines more and more until the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over.

20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to their whole body.

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.

27 Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

The Message Bible MSG

1 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.

2 I'm giving you good counsel; don't let it go in one ear and out the other.

3 When I was a boy at my father's knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

4 He would sit me down and drill me: "Take this to heart. Do what I tell you - live!

5 Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don't forget one word! Don't deviate an inch!

6 Never walk away from Wisdom - she guards your life; love her - she keeps her eye on you.

7 Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!

8 Throw your arms around her - believe me, you won't regret it; never let her go - she'll make your life glorious.

9 She'll garland your life with grace, she'll festoon your days with beauty."

10 Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life.

11 I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road.

12 I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns.

13 Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well - your life is at stake!

14 Don't take Wicked Bypass; don't so much as set foot on that road.

15 Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth. Make a detour and be on your way.

16 Evil people are restless unless they're making trouble; They can't get a good night's sleep unless they've made life miserable for somebody.

17 Perversity is their food and drink, violence their drug of choice.

18 The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine.

19 But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker - travelers can't see a thing; they fall flat on their faces. Learn It by Heart

20 Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice.

21 Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart!

22 Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health.

23 Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts.

24 Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.

25 Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.

26 Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.

27 Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.