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
Revised Standard Version
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evil men.
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 some one stumble.
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.
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.
20 My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to him who finds them,
and healing to all his flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance;
for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Take heed to[a] the path of your feet,
then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:26 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.