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Proverbs 4:1-4
King James Version
Proverbs 4:1-4
King James Version
4 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
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Proverbs 4:1-4
New International Version
Proverbs 4:1-4
New International Version
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
4 Listen, my sons,(A) to a father’s instruction;(B)
pay attention and gain understanding.(C)
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold(D) of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.(E)
Proverbs 4:1-4
English Standard Version
Proverbs 4:1-4
English Standard Version
A Father's Wise Instruction
4 (A)Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may (B)gain[a] insight,
2 for I give you good (C)precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
(D)tender, (E)the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he (F)taught me and said to me,
(G)“Let your heart hold fast my words;
(H)keep my commandments, and live.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:1 Hebrew know
Proverbs 4:1-4
Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 4:1-4
Christian Standard Bible
A Father’s Example
4 Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,(A)
and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2 for I am giving you good instruction.(B)
Don’t abandon my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender and precious to my mother,
4 he taught me and said,
“Your heart must hold on to my words.
Keep my commands and live.(C)
Proverbs 4:1-4
New American Standard Bible 1995
Proverbs 4:1-4
New American Standard Bible 1995
A Father’s Instruction
4 Hear, O sons, the (A)instruction of a father,
And (B)give attention that you may [a]gain understanding,
2 For I give you [b]sound (C)teaching;
(D)Do not abandon my [c]instruction.
3 When I was a son to my father,
(E)Tender and (F)the only son in the sight of my mother,
4 Then he (G)taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart (H)hold fast my words;
(I)Keep my commandments and live;
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:1 Lit know
- Proverbs 4:2 Lit good
- Proverbs 4:2 Or law
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.