Proverbs 4:14-27
English Standard Version
14 (A)Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they (B)cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
(C)and drink the wine of violence.
18 But (D)the path of the righteous is like (E)the light of dawn,
which shines (F)brighter and brighter until (G)full day.
19 (H)The way of the wicked is like deep (I)darkness;
they do not know over what they (J)stumble.
20 (K)My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 (L)Let them not escape from your sight;
(M)keep them within your heart.
22 For they are (N)life to those who find them,
and healing to all their[a] flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for (O)from it flow (P)the springs of life.
24 Put away from you (Q)crooked speech,
and put (R)devious talk far from you.
25 (S)Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 (T)Ponder[b] the path of your feet;
(U)then all your ways will be sure.
27 (V)Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:22 Hebrew his
- Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level
Proverbs 4:14-27
International Standard Version
Avoiding the Ways of the Wicked
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
or go along the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it! Don’t travel on it!
Turn away from it, and pass on by.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they are doing evil,
and they are robbed of their sleep unless they cause someone to stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness,
and they drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn
that grows brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness,
and they do not know what they are stumbling over.
Remembering the Counsel of a Wise Father
20 My son, pay attention to my words,
and listen closely[a] to what I say.
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 healing to their whole body.[b]
23 Above everything else[c] guard your heart,
because from it flow the springs of life.
24 Never talk deceptively
and don’t keep company with people whose speech is corrupt.[d]
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead;
fix your gaze straight in front of you.
26 Carefully measure[e] the paths for your feet,
and all your ways will be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:20 Lit. turn your ear
- Proverbs 4:22 Lit. flesh
- Proverbs 4:23 Lit. Above all watching
- Proverbs 4:24 Lit. keep corrupt lips far from you
- Proverbs 4:26 Lit. Weigh
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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