Proverbs 4:20-23
English Standard Version
20 (A)My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 (B)Let them not escape from your sight;
(C)keep them within your heart.
22 For they are (D)life to those who find them,
and healing to all their[a] flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for (E)from it flow (F)the springs of life.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:22 Hebrew his
Proverbs 4:20-27
The Message
Learn It by Heart
20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they’re bursting with health.
23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson