Proverbs 4:14-27
Christian Standard Bible
14 Keep off the path of the wicked;(A)
don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.
15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it.
Turn away from it, and pass it by.
16 For they can’t sleep
unless they have done what is evil;
they are robbed of sleep
unless they make someone stumble.(B)
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,(C)
shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;(D)
they don’t know what makes them stumble.(E)
The Straight Path
20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.(F)
21 Don’t lose sight of them;(G)
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else,[a]
for it is the source of life.(H)
24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,(I)
and don’t let your lips talk deviously.
25 Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze[b] straight ahead.(J)
26 Carefully consider the path[c] for your feet,(K)
and all your ways will be established.
27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left;(L)
keep your feet away from evil.
Proverbs 4:14-27
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evildoers.(A)
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.(B)
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.(C)
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what they stumble over.(D)
20 My child, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.(E)
22 For they are life to those who find them
and healing to all their flesh.(F)
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.(G)
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.(H)
25 Let your eyes look directly forward
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Keep straight the path of your feet,
and all your ways will be sure.(I)
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.(J)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.