Two Ways of Life

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(A)
and you will live many years.(B)
11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.(C)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;(D)
when you run, you will not stumble.(E)
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.(F)
Guard it, for it is your life.

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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)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.(F)

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The Straight Path

20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.(A)
21 Don’t lose sight of them;(B)
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else,[a]
for it is the source of life.(C)
24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,(D)
and don’t let your lips talk deviously.
25 Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze[b] straight ahead.(E)
26 Carefully consider the path[c] for your feet,(F)
and all your ways will be established.
27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left;(G)
keep your feet away from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:23 Or heart with all diligence
  2. Proverbs 4:25 Lit eyelids
  3. Proverbs 4:26 Or Clear a path

20 My son,(A) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(B)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(C)
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.(D)
23 Above all else, guard(E) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.(F)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(G) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet(H)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(I)
    keep your foot from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level