Parallel Bible results for "proverbs 4"

Proverbs 4

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.

New Living Translation NLT

1 My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,

2 for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.

3 For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

4 My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.

5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.

6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.

7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”

10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.

11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.

12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.

13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.

15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.

16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.

17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!

18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.

21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,

22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.

25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.

27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.