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The Two Ways[a]

10 Hear, my son, and receive my words,
    and the years of your life shall be many.(A)
11 On the way of wisdom I direct you,
    I lead you on straight paths.
12 When you walk, your step will not be impeded,
    and should you run, you will not stumble.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:10–19 A central metaphor of the poem is “the way.” The way of wisdom leads directly to life (vv. 10–13); it is a light that grows brighter (v. 18). The wise are bound to shun (vv. 14–17) the dark and violent path of the wicked (v. 19). Singleness of purpose and right conduct proceed from the heart of the wise as from the source of life (vv. 23–26), saving them from destruction on evil paths (4:27; 5:21–23). As in 1:8–19 and 2:12–15, the obstacles to the quest are men and their way. Elsewhere in chaps. 1–9, the obstacle is the foreign woman (2:16–19; chap. 5; 6:20–35; chap. 7; 9:13–18).

10 Listen, my son,(A) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(B)
11 I instruct(C) you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.(D)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.(E)

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10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

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10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings,
(A)And the years of your life will be many.
11 I have (B)taught you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in right paths.
12 When you walk, (C)your steps will not be hindered,
(D)And when you run, you will not stumble.

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10 (A)Hear, (B)my son, and accept my words,
    that (C)the years of your life may be many.
11 I have (D)taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12 When you walk, (E)your step will not be hampered,
    and (F)if you run, you will not stumble.

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