Provérbios 4

A Father’s Example

1 Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,  * 4:1 Ps 34:11; Pr 1:8

and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,

2 for I am giving you good instruction.  * 4:2 Jb 11:4

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.  * 4:4 Pr 3:1–2; 6:20–23; 7:1–2

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;  * 4:5 Pr 16:16

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,  * 4:6 2Th 2:10 and she will guard you.

7 Wisdom is supreme — so get wisdom.

And whatever else you get, get understanding.  * 4:7 Pr 16:16

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;

if you embrace her, she will honor you.  * 4:8 1Sm 2:30

9 She will place a garland of favor on your head;

she will give you a crown of beauty."  * 4:9 Pr 1:9; 16:31

Two Ways of Life

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,  * 4:10 Pr 2:1

and you will live many years.  * 4:10 Pr 3:2

11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;

I am guiding you on straight paths.  * 4:11 1Sm 12:23

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;  * 4:12 Jb 18:7; Ps 18:36

when you run, you will not stumble.  * 4:12 Pr 3:23

13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.  * 4:13 Pr 3:18

Guard it, for it is your life.

14 Keep off the path of the wicked;  * 4:14 Ps 1:1; Pr 1:15

don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.

15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it.

Turn away from it, and pass it by.

16 For they can’t sleep

unless they have done what is evil;

they are robbed of sleep

unless they make someone stumble.  * 4:16 Ps 36:4; Mc 2:1

17 They eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,  * 4:18 2Sm 23:4

shining brighter and brighter until midday.

19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;  * 4:19 Is 59:9–10; Jr 23:12; Jn 12:35

they don’t know what makes them stumble.  * 4:19 Pr 24:16; Jn 11:10

The Straight Path

20 My son, pay attention to my words;

listen closely to my sayings.  * 4:20 Pr 5:1

21 Don’t lose sight of them;  * 4:21 Pr 3:21

keep them within your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them,

and health to one’s whole body.

23 Guard your heart above all else,  * 4:23 Or heart with all diligence

for it is the source of life.  * 4:23 Mt 15:19; Mk 7:18–23

24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,  * 4:24 Pr 6:12

and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

25 Let your eyes look forward;

fix your gaze  * 4:25 Lit eyelids straight ahead.  * 4:25 Heb 12:2

26 Carefully consider the path  * 4:26 Or Clear a path for your feet,  * 4:26 Pr 5:6,21; Heb 12:13

and all your ways will be established.

27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left;  * 4:27 Dt 5:32–33; 28:13–14; Jos 1:7; 23:6; 1Kg 15:5

keep your feet away from evil.