Proverbs 3:27-4:19
New International Version
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.(A)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.(B)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy(C) the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse(D)
but takes the upright into his confidence.(E)
33 The Lord’s curse(F) is on the house of the wicked,(G)
but he blesses the home of the righteous.(H)
34 He mocks(I) proud mockers(J)
but shows favor to the humble(K) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
4 Listen, my sons,(L) to a father’s instruction;(M)
pay attention and gain understanding.(N)
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(O) of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.(P)
5 Get wisdom,(Q) get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;(R)
love her, and she will watch over you.(S)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
Though it cost all(T) you have,[b] get understanding.(U)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.(V)
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.(W)”
10 Listen, my son,(X) accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.(Y)
11 I instruct(Z) you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.(AA)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.(AB)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.(AC)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.(AD)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(AE)
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.(AF)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
- Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
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