Proverbs 1:8-9
New International Version
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Proverbs 3:1-2
New International Version
Wisdom Bestows 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
Christian Standard Bible
A Father’s Example
4 Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,(A)
and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2 for I am giving you good instruction.(B)
Don’t abandon my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender and precious to my mother,
4 he taught me and said,
“Your heart must hold on to my words.
Keep my commands and live.(C)
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;(D)
don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.
6 Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her,(E) and she will guard you.
7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.(F)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.(G)
9 She will place a garland of favor on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty.”(H)
Two Ways of Life
10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(I)
and you will live many years.(J)
11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.(K)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;(L)
when you run, you will not stumble.(M)
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.(N)
Guard it, for it is your life.
Proverbs 4:20-22
New International Version
Proverbs 4:20-22
Christian Standard Bible
The Straight Path
20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.(A)
21 Don’t lose sight of them;(B)
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.
Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Warning Against Adultery
Proverbs 5:1-2
Christian Standard Bible
Avoid Seduction
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen closely[a] to my understanding(A)
2 so that you may maintain discretion
and your lips safeguard knowledge.(B)
Footnotes
- 5:1 Lit wisdom; stretch out your ear
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
Christian Standard Bible
Warning against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s command,
and don’t reject your mother’s teaching.(A)
21 Always bind them to your heart;
tie them around your neck.(B)
22 When you walk here and there, they will guide you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
when you wake up, they will talk to you.
23 For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,(C)
and corrective discipline is the way to life.(D)
Proverbs 7:1-3
New International Version
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
Proverbs 7:1-3
Christian Standard Bible
7 My son, obey my words,
and treasure my commands.(A)
2 Keep my commands and live,(B)
and guard my instructions
as you would the pupil of your eye.(C)
3 Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(D)
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
Christian Standard Bible
17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,
but the one who rejects correction goes astray.(A)
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
Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- 19:16 Or despises, or treats lightly
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
Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- 23:22 Or because
Proverbs 28:4
New International Version
4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
Proverbs 28:4
Christian Standard Bible
4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked,(A)
but those who keep the law pit themselves against them.(B)
Proverbs 28:7
New International Version
7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(A)
Proverbs 28:7
Christian Standard Bible
7 A discerning son keeps the law,
but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.(A)
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)
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