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
New International Version
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.(A)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(B)
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.(C)
18 The path of the righteous(D) is like the morning sun,(E)
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(F)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(G)
they do not know what makes them stumble.(H)
20 My son,(I) pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.(J)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(K)
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.(L)
23 Above all else, guard(M) your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.(N)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(O) look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet(P)
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(Q)
keep your foot from evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level
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