Add parallel Print Page Options

My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
for they will be a garland to grace your head,
    and chains around your neck.

Read full chapter

The Minor Theme

My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
They will be a graceful wreath for your head
    and a chain for your neck.

Read full chapter

Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction.
    Pay attention and know understanding;
for I give you sound learning.
    Don’t forsake my law.
For I was a son to my father,
    tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
He taught me, and said to me:
    “Let your heart retain my words.
    Keep my commandments, and live.

Read full chapter

Diligently Pursue Wisdom

Listen, children,[a] to your father’s instruction,
and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
I give you sound teaching,
so do not abandon my instruction.[b]
When I was a son to my father,
    not yet strong[c] and an only son to my mother,
he taught me and told me,
    “Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say;[d]
        keep my commandments and live!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:1 Lit. sons
  2. Proverbs 4:2 Or law
  3. Proverbs 4:3 Lit. delicate
  4. Proverbs 4:4 Lit. embrace my words

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father;
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Read full chapter

Solomon’s Sayings

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son brings joy to his father,
    but a foolish son grieves his mother.

Read full chapter

20 A wise son makes a father glad,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

Read full chapter

20 A wise son makes a father glad,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

Read full chapter

21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves.
    The father of a fool has no joy.

Read full chapter

21 The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow—
    the father of a fool has no joy.

Read full chapter

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father,
    and bitterness to her who bore him.

Read full chapter

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to his mother.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:25 Lit. to the one who bore him

26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother
    is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

Read full chapter

26 Whoever mistreats his father
    and alienates his mother
        is a son who brings both shame and disrespect.

Read full chapter

20 Whoever curses his father or his mother,
    his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

Read full chapter

20 Whoever curses his father or mother,
    his lamp will be extinguished in the deepest darkness.

Read full chapter

11 There is a generation that curses their father,
    and doesn’t bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes,
    yet are not washed from their filthiness.

Read full chapter

11 Some people[a] curse their fathers
    and won’t bless their mothers.
12 Some people[b] view themselves as pure,
    but haven’t been cleansed from their own filth.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 30:11 Lit. A generation
  2. Proverbs 30:12 Lit. A generation

17 “The eye that mocks at his father,
    and scorns obedience to his mother:
    the ravens of the valley shall pick it out,
    the young eagles shall eat it.

Read full chapter

17 The eye that mocks a father
    and looks with a disobedient attitude at[a] a mother—
the valley ravens will pluck it out;
    and vultures will eat it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 30:17 Lit. and despises obedience to