Parallel Bible results for "proverbs 4"

Proverbs 4

New International Version NIV

1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

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

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep 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.