Proverbs 4:14-27
Lexham English Bible
14 In the path of the wicked do not go;
do not walk in the way of those who do evil.
15 Avoid it; do not transgress it;
turn away from it and pass by.
16 For they will not sleep if they have not done wrong,
and they are robbed of their sleep if they do not cause stumbling.
17 For they ate the bread of wickedness,
and they drank the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous ones is like the light of dawn,
leading and shining until the day is full.[a]
19 The way of the wicked ones is like deep darkness;
they do not know what they stumble over.
Staying the Course
20 My child, be attentive to my words;
to my sayings incline your ear.
21 May they not escape from your sight;[b]
keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them
and healing to the entire body.[c]
23 With all vigilance, keep your heart,
for from it comes the source[d] of life.
24 Remove from yourself deceitful speech,[e]
and abolish devious talk[f] from yourself.
25 May your eyes look forward[g]
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 May the path of your foot be balanced
and all your ways be sure.
27 Do not swerve right or left;
remove your foot from evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:18 Literally “is correct”
- Proverbs 4:21 Literally “eyes”
- Proverbs 4:22 Literally “for all his flesh”
- Proverbs 4:23 Or “extremity”
- Proverbs 4:24 Literally “crookedness of mouth”
- Proverbs 4:24 Literally “deviousness of lips”
- Proverbs 4:25 Or “opposite”
Proverbs 4:14-27
Holman Christian Standard Bible
14 Don’t set foot on the path of the wicked;(A)
don’t proceed in 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.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:23 Or heart with all diligence
- Proverbs 4:25 Lit eyelids
- Proverbs 4:26 Or Clear a path
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