Font Size
Proverbs 1:8-9
New International Version
Proverbs 1:8-9
New International Version
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Proverbs 1:8-9
International Standard Version
Proverbs 1:8-9
International Standard Version
The Minor Theme
8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
9 They will be a graceful wreath for your head
and a chain for your neck.
Proverbs 3:1-2
New International Version
Proverbs 3:1-2
New International Version
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
Proverbs 3:1-2
International Standard Version
Proverbs 3:1-2
International Standard Version
The Blessings of Trusting God
3 My son, don’t forget my instruction,
and keep my commandments carefully in mind.[a]
2 For they will add length to your days, years to your life,
and abundant peace to you.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:1 Lit. Let your heart keep my commandments
Proverbs 4:1-13
New International Version
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
International Standard Version
Proverbs 4:1-13
International Standard Version
Diligently Pursue Wisdom
4 Listen, children,[a] to your father’s instruction,
and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
2 I give you sound teaching,
so do not abandon my instruction.[b]
3 When I was a son to my father,
not yet strong[c] and an only son to my mother,
4 he taught me and told me,
“Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say;[d]
keep my commandments and live!
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!
6 Do not abandon her, and she will protect you.
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom,
and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.
8 Prize her and she will exalt you.
Indeed, if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9 She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will present to you a crown of beauty.”
10 Listen, my son: accept my words,
and you’ll live a long, long time.[e]
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom,
and I have led you along straight[f] paths.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hindered,
and when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go!
Guard wisdom,[g] because she is your life!
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:1 Lit. sons
- Proverbs 4:2 Or law
- Proverbs 4:3 Lit. delicate
- Proverbs 4:4 Lit. embrace my words
- Proverbs 4:10 Lit. and the years of your life will be many
- Proverbs 4:11 Or upright
- Proverbs 4:13 Lit. her
Proverbs 4:20-22
New International Version
Proverbs 4:20-22
New International Version
Proverbs 4:20-22
International Standard Version
Proverbs 4:20-22
International Standard Version
Remembering the Counsel of a Wise Father
20 My son, pay attention to my words,
and listen closely[a] to what I say.
21 Do not let them out of your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:20 Lit. turn your ear
- Proverbs 4:22 Lit. flesh
Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Warning Against Adultery
Proverbs 5:1-2
International Standard Version
Proverbs 5:1-2
International Standard Version
Warning against Sexual Immorality
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
2 so you may carefully practice[a] discretion
and your lips preserve knowledge.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 5:2 Lit. guard
Proverbs 6:20-23
New International Version
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
International Standard Version
Proverbs 6:20-23
International Standard Version
Parental Counsel about Immorality
20 Keep your father’s commands, my son,
and never forsake your mother’s rules,[a]
21 by binding them to your heart continuously,
fastening them around your neck.
22 During your travels wisdom[b] will lead you;
she will watch over you while you rest;
and when you are startled from your sleep,
she will commune with you.
23 Because the command is a lamp
and the Law a light,
rebukes that discipline are a way of life—
Footnotes
- Proverbs 6:20 Or laws
- Proverbs 6:22 Lit. wisdom; i.e. wisdom personified as a woman
Proverbs 7:1-3
New International Version
Proverbs 7:1-3
New International Version
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
Proverbs 7:1-3
International Standard Version
Proverbs 7:1-3
International Standard Version
On Avoiding the Immoral Woman
7 My son, guard what I say
and treasure my commands.
2 Keep my commands and you’ll live.
Guard[a] my teaching as you do your eyesight.
3 Strap them to your fingers
and engrave them on the tablet of your heart.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:2 The Heb. lacks Guard
Proverbs 10:17
New International Version
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
International Standard Version
Proverbs 10:17
International Standard Version
17 Whoever heeds correction is on the pathway to life,
but someone who ignores exhortation goes astray.
Proverbs 19:16
New International Version
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
International Standard Version
Proverbs 19:16
International Standard Version
16 Whoever obeys a commandment keeps himself safe,[a]
but someone who is contemptuous in conduct[b] will die.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:16 Lit. keeps his soul
- Proverbs 19:16 Lit. in his way
Proverbs 23:22
New International Version
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
International Standard Version
Proverbs 23:22
International Standard Version
22 Listen to the one who fathered you,
and don’t despise your mother in her old age.
Proverbs 28:4
New International Version
Proverbs 28:4
New International Version
4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
Proverbs 28:4
International Standard Version
Proverbs 28:4
International Standard Version
4 Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked,
but whoever keeps it[a] fights them.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:4 Lit. keeps the Law
Proverbs 28:7
New International Version
Proverbs 28:7
New International Version
7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(A)
Proverbs 28:7
International Standard Version
Proverbs 28:7
International Standard Version
7 Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son,
but whoever keeps company with gluttons
brings shame to his father.
Proverbs 29:18
New International Version
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
International Standard Version
Proverbs 29:18
International Standard Version
18 Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint,
but those who obey the Law are happy.
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.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.