Proverbs 4:14-27
Amplified Bible
14
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not go the way of evil men.
15
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16
For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall.
17
For they eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
18
But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.(A)
19
The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.(B)
20
My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn;
Open your ears to my sayings.
21
Do not let them escape from your sight;
Keep them in the center of your heart.
22
For they are life to those who find them,
And healing and health to all their flesh.
23
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
24
Put away from you a deceitful (lying, misleading) mouth,
And put devious lips far from you.
25
Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].
26
Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.
27
Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk];
Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.
Proverbs 4:14-27
New American Standard Bible
14 (A)Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil people.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they (B)cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And [a]they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
17 For they (C)eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the (D)path of the righteous is like the (E)light of dawn
That (F)shines brighter and brighter until the (G)full day.
19 The (H)way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they [b](I)stumble.
20 My son, (J)pay attention to my words;
(K)Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 (L)They are not to escape from your sight;
(M)Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are (N)life to those who find them,
And (O)healing to all [c]their body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For (P)from it flow the springs of life.
24 Rid yourself of a (Q)deceitful mouth
And (R)keep devious [d]speech far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your [e]gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
26 (S)[f]Watch the path of your feet,
And all your (T)ways will be established.
27 (U)Do not turn to the right or to the left;
(V)Turn your foot from evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:16 Lit their sleep is robbed
- Proverbs 4:19 Or may stumble
- Proverbs 4:22 Lit his
- Proverbs 4:24 Or lips
- Proverbs 4:25 Or eyelids
- Proverbs 4:26 I.e., prob. stay on the path
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New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.