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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Proverbs 4 Christian Standard Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="../menu.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../proverbs/3.htm" title="Proverbs 3">◄</a> Proverbs 4 <a href="../proverbs/5.htm" title="Proverbs 5">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">Christian Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/csb/esv/proverbs/4.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Verses"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><section epub:type="chapter" id="csb-Proverbs.4" /><h3 class="head1">A Father’s Example</h3><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.1" /><A name="2"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.1.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.2" /> <A name="3"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>for I am giving you good instruction.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.2.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">Don’t abandon my teaching.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.3" /> <A name="4"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>When I was a son with my father,</p><p class="poem">tender and precious to my mother,</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.4" /> <A name="5"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>he taught me and said,</p><p class="poem">“Your heart must hold on to my words.</p><p class="poem">Keep my commands and live.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.4.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.5" /> <A name="6"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Get wisdom, get understanding;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.5.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;</p><p class="poem">love her,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.6.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> and she will guard you.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Wisdom is supreme — so get wisdom.</p><p class="poem">And whatever else you get, get understanding.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.7.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Cherish her, and she will exalt you;</p><p class="poem">if you embrace her, she will honor you.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.8.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>She will place a garland of favor on your head;</p><p class="poem">she will give you a crown of beauty.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.9.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p></blockquote><h3 class="head1">Two Ways of Life</h3><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Listen, my son. Accept my words,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.10.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and you will live many years.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.10.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>I am teaching you the way of wisdom;</p><p class="poem">I am guiding you on straight paths.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.11.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.12.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">when you run, you will not stumble.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.12.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.13.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">Guard it, for it is your life.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Keep off the path of the wicked;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.14.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Avoid it; don’t travel on it.</p><p class="poem">Turn away from it, and pass it by.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>For they can’t sleep</p><p class="poem">unless they have done what is evil;</p><p class="poem">they are robbed of sleep</p><p class="poem">unless they make someone stumble.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.16.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>They eat the bread of wickedness</p><p class="poem">and drink the wine of violence.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.18.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">shining brighter and brighter until midday.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.19" /> <A name="20"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.19.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">they don’t know what makes them stumble.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.19.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p></blockquote><h3 class="head1">The Straight Path</h3><blockquote class="poetryblock"><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.20" /> <A name="21"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>My son, pay attention to my words;</p><p class="poem">listen closely to my sayings.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.20.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.21" /> <A name="22"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Don’t lose sight of them;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.21.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">keep them within your heart.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.22" /> <A name="23"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>For they are life to those who find them,</p><p class="poem">and health to one’s whole body.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.23" /> <A name="24"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Guard your heart above all else,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Proverbs.4.23.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a></p><p class="poem">for it is the source of life.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.23.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.24" /> <A name="25"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.24.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and don’t let your lips talk deviously.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.25" /> <A name="26"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Let your eyes look forward;</p><p class="poem">fix your gaze<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Proverbs.4.25.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> straight ahead.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.25.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.26" /> <A name="27"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Carefully consider the path<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Proverbs.4.26.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> for your feet,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.26.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">and all your ways will be established.</p><p class="poem"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Proverbs.4.27" /> <span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/4-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Don’t turn to the right or to the left;<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Proverbs.4.27.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="poem">keep your feet away from evil.</p></blockquote><br /><section id="footnotes-Proverbs.4" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.Proverbs.4.23.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.23">4:23</a></span> Or <span class="italic">heart with all diligence</span></aside><aside id="fn.Proverbs.4.25.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.25">4:25</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">eyelids</span></aside><aside id="fn.Proverbs.4.26.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.26">4:26</a></span> Or <span class="italic">Clear a path</span></aside><br /><section id="cross-references-Proverbs.4" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.1.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.1">4:1</a></span> Ps 34:11; Pr 1:8</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.2.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.2">4:2</a></span> Jb 11:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.4.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.4">4:4</a></span> Pr 3:1–2; 6:20–23; 7:1–2</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.5.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.5">4:5</a></span> Pr 16:16</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.6.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.6">4:6</a></span> 2Th 2:10</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.7.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.7">4:7</a></span> Pr 16:16</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.8.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.8">4:8</a></span> 1Sm 2:30</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.9.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.9">4:9</a></span> Pr 1:9; 16:31</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.10.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.10">4:10</a></span> Pr 2:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.10.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.10">4:10</a></span> Pr 3:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.11.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.11">4:11</a></span> 1Sm 12:23</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.12.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.12">4:12</a></span> Jb 18:7; Ps 18:36</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.12.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.12">4:12</a></span> Pr 3:23</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.13.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.13">4:13</a></span> Pr 3:18</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.14.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.14">4:14</a></span> Ps 1:1; Pr 1:15</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.16.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.16">4:16</a></span> Ps 36:4; Mc 2:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.18.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.18">4:18</a></span> 2Sm 23:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.19.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.19">4:19</a></span> Is 59:9–10; Jr 23:12; Jn 12:35</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.19.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.19">4:19</a></span> Pr 24:16; Jn 11:10</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.20.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.20">4:20</a></span> Pr 5:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.21.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.21">4:21</a></span> Pr 3:21</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.23.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.23">4:23</a></span> Mt 15:19; Mk 7:18–23</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.24.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.24">4:24</a></span> Pr 6:12</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.25.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.25">4:25</a></span> Heb 12:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.26.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.26">4:26</a></span> Pr 5:6,21; Heb 12:13</aside><aside id="xrf.Proverbs.4.27.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Proverbs.4.27">4:27</a></span> Dt 5:32–33; 28:13–14; Jos 1:7; 23:6; 1Kg 15:5</aside><br /><section id="study-notes-Proverbs.4" class="snSection"><br /></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Christian Standard Bible. 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