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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 ISV</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" /></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/proverbs/4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/proverbs/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Proverbs 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" 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 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">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/proverbs/4.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Diligently Pursue Wisdom</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Listen, children,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:1 Lit. sons">a</a></span> to your father’s instruction,</p> <p class="poetry2">and pay attention in order to gain understanding.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>I give you sound teaching,</p> <p class="poetry2">so do not abandon my instruction.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:2 Or law">b</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>When I was a son to my father,</p> <p class="poetry2">not yet strong<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:3 Lit. delicate">c</a></span> and an only son to my mother,</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>he taught me and told me,</p> <p class="poetry2">“Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say;<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:4 Lit. embrace my words">d</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">keep my commandments and live!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Get wisdom! Get understanding!</p> <p class="poetry2">Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Do not abandon her, and she will protect you.</p> <p class="poetry2">Love her, and she will watch over you.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom,</p> <p class="poetry2">and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Prize her and she will exalt you.</p> <p class="poetry2">Indeed, if you embrace her, she will honor you.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>She will place on your head a graceful garland;</p> <p class="poetry2">she will present to you a crown of beauty.”</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Listen, my son: accept my words,</p> <p class="poetry2">and you’ll live a long, long time.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:10 Lit. and the years of your life will be many">e</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>I have directed you in the way of wisdom,</p> <p class="poetry2">and I have led you along straight<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:11 Or upright">f</a></span> paths.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>When you walk, your step will not be hindered,</p> <p class="poetry2">and when you run, you will not stumble.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Hold on to instruction, do not let it go!</p> <p class="poetry2">Guard wisdom,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:13 Lit. her">g</a></span> because she is your life!</p> <p class="heading">Avoiding the Ways of the Wicked</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Do not enter the path of the wicked,</p> <p class="poetry2">or go along the way of evil men.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Avoid it! Don’t travel on it!</p> <p class="poetry2">Turn away from it, and pass on by.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>For they cannot sleep unless they are doing evil,</p> <p class="poetry2">and they are robbed of their sleep unless they cause someone to stumble.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>For they eat the bread of wickedness,</p> <p class="poetry2">and they drink the wine of violence.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn</p> <p class="poetry2">that grows brighter until the full light of day.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness,</p> <p class="poetry2">and they do not know what they are stumbling over.</p> <p class="heading">Remembering the Counsel of a Wise Father</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>My son, pay attention to my words,</p> <p class="poetry2">and listen closely<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:20 Lit. turn your ear">h</a></span> to what I say.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Do not let them out of your sight;</p> <p class="poetry2">keep them within your heart.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>For they are life to those who find them,</p> <p class="poetry2">and healing to their whole body.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:22 Lit. flesh">i</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Above everything else<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:23 Lit. Above all watching">j</a></span> guard your heart,</p> <p class="poetry2">because from it flow the springs of life.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Never talk deceptively</p> <p class="poetry2">and don’t keep company with people whose speech is corrupt.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:24 Lit. keep corrupt lips far from you">k</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Let your eyes look directly ahead;</p> <p class="poetry2">fix your gaze straight in front of you.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Carefully measure<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="4:26 Lit. Weigh">l</a></span> the paths for your feet,</p> <p class="poetry2">and all your ways will be established.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Do not turn to the right or to the left;</p> <p class="poetry2">turn your foot away from evil.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 4:1 Lit. <i>sons</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 4:2 Or <i>law</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 4:3 Lit. <i>delicate</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 4:4 Lit. <i>embrace my words</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 4:10 Lit. <i>and the years of your life will be many</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 4:11 Or <i>upright</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 4:13 Lit. <i>her</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 4:20 Lit. <i>turn your ear</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 4:22 Lit. <i>flesh</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 4:23 Lit. <i>Above all watching</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 4:24 Lit. <i>keep corrupt lips far from you</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 4:26 Lit. <i>Weigh</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../proverbs/3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../proverbs/5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/proverbs/4-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></div></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></div></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>