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Proverbs 4:14-27
New International Version
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
Proverbs 4:14-27
International Standard Version
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
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.