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.

New International Reader's Version NIRV

1 My children, listen to a father's teaching. Pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you good advice. So don't turn away from what I teach you.

3 I was once a young boy in my father's house. I was my mother's only child.

4 My father taught me. He said, "Hold on to my words with all your heart. Keep my commands. Then you will live.

5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget my words. Don't turn away from them.

6 Stay close to wisdom, and she will keep you safe. Love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is best. So get wisdom. No matter what it costs, get understanding.

8 Value wisdom, and she will lift you up. Hold her close, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a beautiful crown on your head. She will give you a glorious crown."

10 My son, listen. Accept what I say. Then you will live for many years.

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

12 When you walk, nothing will slow you down. When you run, you won't trip and fall.

13 Hold on to my teaching. Don't let it go. Guard it well. It is your life.

14 Don't take the path of evil people. Don't live the way sinners do.

15 Stay away from their path. Don't travel on it. Turn away from it. Go on your way.

16 Sinners can't sleep until they do what is evil. They can't rest until they make someone fall.

17 They do evil just as easily as they eat food. They hurt others as easily as they drink wine.

18 The path of those who do what is right is like the first gleam of dawn. It shines brighter and brighter until the full light of day.

19 But the way of those who do what is wrong is like deep darkness. They don't know what makes them trip and fall.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say. Listen closely to my words.

21 Don't let them out of your sight. Keep them in your heart.

22 They are life to those who find them. They are health to your whole body.

23 Above everything else, guard your heart. It is where your life comes from.

24 Don't speak with twisted words. Keep evil talk away from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Keep looking right in front of you.

26 Make level paths for your feet to walk on. Only go on ways that are firm.

27 Don't turn to the right or left. Keep your feet from the path of evil.