Proverbs 1:8-9
New International Version
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Proverbs 1:8-9
Common English Bible
Avoid evil associations
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction;
don’t neglect your mother’s teaching;
9 for they are a graceful wreath on your head,
and beads for your neck.
Proverbs 3:1-2
New International Version
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
Proverbs 3:1-2
Common English Bible
Trust in the Lord
3 My son, don’t forget my instruction.
Let your heart guard my commands,
2 because they will help you live a long time
and provide you with well-being.
Proverbs 4:1-13
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)
5 Get wisdom,(F) get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;(G)
love her, and she will watch over you.(H)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
Though it cost all(I) you have,[b] get understanding.(J)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.(K)
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.(L)”
10 Listen, my son,(M) accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.(N)
11 I instruct(O) you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.(P)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.(Q)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.(R)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
- Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
Proverbs 4:1-13
Common English Bible
Love wisdom
4 Hear, children, fatherly instruction;
pay attention to gain understanding.
2 I’ll teach you well.
Don’t abandon my instruction.
3 When I was a son to my father,
tender and my mother’s favorite,
4 he taught me and said to me:
“Let your heart hold on to my words:
Keep my commands and live.
5 Get wisdom; get understanding.
Don’t forget and don’t turn away from my words.
6 Don’t abandon her, and she will guard you.
Love her, and she will protect you.
7 The beginning of wisdom:
Get wisdom!
Get understanding before anything else.
8 Highly esteem her, and she will exalt you.
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 She will place a graceful wreath on your head;
she will give you a glorious crown.”
Stay on the path of wisdom
10 Listen, my son, and take in my speech,
then the years of your life will be many.
11 I teach you the path of wisdom.
I lead you in straight courses.
12 When you walk, you won’t be hindered;
when you run, you won’t stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t slack off;
protect it, for it is your life.
Proverbs 4:20-22
New International Version
Proverbs 4:20-22
Common English Bible
Be careful about what you say
20 My son, pay attention to my words.
Bend your ear to my speech.
21 Don’t let them slip from your sight.
Guard them in your mind.
22 They are life to those who find them,
and healing for their entire body.
Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Warning Against Adultery
Proverbs 5:1-2
Common English Bible
Avoid the mysterious woman
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Bend your ear to what I know,
2 so you might remain discreet,
and your lips might guard knowledge.
Proverbs 6:20-23
New International Version
Warning Against Adultery
20 My son,(A) keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(B)
21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck.(C)
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,(D)
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,(E)
Proverbs 6:20-23
Common English Bible
Danger of adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s command;
don’t abandon your mother’s instruction.
21 Bind them on your heart for all time;
fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk around, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will protect you;
when you awake, they will occupy your attention.
23 The commandment is a lamp and instruction a light;
corrective teaching is the path of life.
Proverbs 7:1-3
New International Version
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
Proverbs 7:1-3
Common English Bible
Avoid loose women
7 My son, keep my words;
store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and live,
and my instruction like the pupil of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 10:17
New International Version
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,(A)
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Proverbs 10:17
Common English Bible
17 Those who heed instruction are on the way to life,
but those who ignore correction lose their way.
Proverbs 19:16
New International Version
16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.(A)
Proverbs 19:16
Common English Bible
16 Those who keep the commandment preserve their lives;
those who disregard their ways will die.
Proverbs 23:22
New International Version
Saying 17
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.(A)
Proverbs 23:22
Common English Bible
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life;
don’t despise your elderly mother.
Proverbs 28:4
New International Version
4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
Proverbs 28:4
Common English Bible
4 Those who abandon Instruction praise the wicked,
but those who follow Instruction battle them.
Proverbs 28:7
New International Version
7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(A)
Proverbs 28:7
Common English Bible
7 Intelligent children follow Instruction,
but those who befriend gluttons shame their parents.
Proverbs 29:18
New International Version
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(A)
Proverbs 29:18
Common English Bible
18 When there’s no vision, the people get out of control,
but whoever obeys instruction is happy.
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Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible