Proverbs 1:4
New Living Translation
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
Proverbs 1:4
Common English Bible
4 They make the naive mature,
the young knowledgeable and discreet.
Proverbs 3:21-26
New Living Translation
21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Proverbs 3:21-26
Common English Bible
Integrity of wisdom
21 My son, don’t let them slip from your eyes;
hold on to sound judgment and discretion.
22 They will be life for your whole being,
and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely on your path,
and your foot won’t stumble.
24 If you lie down, you won’t be terrified.
When you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden terror
or the ruin that comes to the wicked.
26 The Lord will be your confidence;
he will guard your feet from being snared.
Proverbs 4:1-7
New Living Translation
A Father’s Wise Advice
4 My children,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2 for I am giving you good guidance.
Don’t turn away from my instructions.
3 For I, too, was once my father’s son,
tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
4 My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
Follow my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
Footnotes
- 4:1 Hebrew My sons.
Proverbs 4:1-7
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.
Proverbs 5:1-2
New Living Translation
Avoid Immoral Women
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen carefully to my wise counsel.
2 Then you will show discernment,
and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
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 9:1-6
New Living Translation
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved its seven columns.
2 She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.
3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
5 “Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.”
Proverbs 9:1-6
Common English Bible
“Woman Wisdom’s” invitation
9 Wisdom built her house;
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She slaughtered her animals,
mixed her wine,
and set her table.
3 She sends out her female servants; she issues an invitation
from the top of the city heights:
4 “Whoever is naive turn aside here,”
she says to those who lack sense.
5 “Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Abandon your simplistic ways and live;
walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
New Living Translation
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Proverbs 9:10
Common English Bible
10 The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord;
the knowledge of the holy one is understanding.
Proverbs 14:8
New Living Translation
8 The prudent understand where they are going,
but fools deceive themselves.
Proverbs 14:8
Common English Bible
8 By their wisdom the prudent understand their way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
Proverbs 14:15
New Living Translation
15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
The prudent carefully consider their steps.
Proverbs 14:15
Common English Bible
15 The naive believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.
Proverbs 21:5
New Living Translation
5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
Common English Bible
5 The plans of the diligent end up in profit,
but those who hurry end up with loss.
Proverbs 22:3
New Living Translation
3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 22:3
Common English Bible
3 Prudent people see trouble and hide,
while the simpleminded go right to it and get punished.
Proverbs 23:23
New Living Translation
23 Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
Proverbs 23:23
Common English Bible
23 Buy truth and don’t sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Proverbs 27:12
New Living Translation
12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 27:12
Common English Bible
12 Prudent people see evil and hide;
the simpleminded go right to it and get punished.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible