CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//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 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/4-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/20_Pro_04_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 4:23 - A Father's Instruction" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</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" src="/vmenus/proverbs/4-23.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="/bmc/proverbs/4-23.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="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 23</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><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm" title="Proverbs 4:22">◄</a> Proverbs 4:23 <a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm" title="Proverbs 4:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it <i>are</i> the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it <i>spring</i> the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it <i>flow</i> the springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it <i>flow</i> the springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Guard your heart with all diligence, For from it <i>flow</i> the springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it <i>flow</i> the springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Above everything else guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Above every charge keep your heart, "" For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it are the outgoings of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Guard thy heart with all watching, for from it the goings forth of life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Preserve your heart with all watchfulness, for life proceeds from this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Keep your heart with all caution because from it is the outgoing of life.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Above all that thou guardest keep thy heart; For out of it are the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Keep thine heart with the utmost care; for out of these are the issues of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/4-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=723" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/4.htm">A Father's Instruction</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5341.htm" title="5341: nə·ṣōr (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To watch, guard, keep. A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense Or a bad one.">Guard</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·be·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">your heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kāl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">with all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4929.htm" title="4929: miš·mār (N-ms) -- Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance. From shamar; a guard; a deposit; also a usage, or an example.">diligence,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nū (Prep:: 3ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from it</a> <a href="/hebrew/8444.htm" title="8444: tō·wṣ·’ō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- An outgoing, extremity, perhaps source, escape. Or totsaah; from yatsa'; exit, i.e. boundary, or deliverance, source.">flow</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yîm (N-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">springs of life.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-35</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a></span><br />The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9-10</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? / I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-7.htm">Philippians 4:7</a></span><br />And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a></span><br />Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a></span><br />I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Matthew 15:18-19</a></span><br />But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a></span><br />But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-5.htm">2 Corinthians 10:5</a></span><br />We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-11.htm">Psalm 119:11</a></span><br />I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-2.htm">Colossians 3:2</a></span><br />Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-13.htm">1 Peter 1:13</a></span><br />Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-6.htm">Romans 8:6</a></span><br />The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">Psalm 139:23-24</a></span><br />Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.</p><p class="hdg">keep</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Proverbs 22:5</a></b></br> Thorns <i>and</i> snares <i>are</i> in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-19.htm">Proverbs 23:19</a></b></br> Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/28-26.htm">Proverbs 28:26</a></b></br> He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.</p><p class="hdg">with all diligence</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a></b></br> Wisdom <i>is</i> the principal thing; <i>therefore</i> get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-21.htm">Proverbs 3:21</a></b></br> My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-16.htm">Proverbs 11:16</a></b></br> A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong <i>men</i> retain riches.</p><p class="hdg">for</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/12-35.htm">Matthew 12:35</a></b></br> A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a></b></br> For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a></b></br> For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/2-8.htm">Care</a> <a href="/psalms/109-8.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/ezra/7-26.htm">Diligence</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-23.htm">Flow</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-13.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/esther/6-2.htm">Guarded</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-21.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/68-20.htm">Issues</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm">Life</a> <a href="/psalms/68-20.htm">Outgoings</a> <a href="/psalms/114-8.htm">Springs</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-6.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-4.htm">Wellspring</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/7-15.htm">Care</a> <a href="/songs/2-7.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-27.htm">Diligence</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-7.htm">Flow</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-2.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-7.htm">Guarded</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-12.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/revelation/19-15.htm">Issues</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-6.htm">Life</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-30.htm">Outgoings</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-16.htm">Springs</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-26.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-22.htm">Wellspring</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">persuades to wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">and to show wickedness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/4-20.htm">He exhorts to sanctification</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Guard your heart with all diligence</b><br>The heart in biblical terms often refers to the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. In ancient Hebrew culture, the heart was seen as the seat of thought and moral decision-making. The call to "guard" suggests a proactive and vigilant effort, akin to a watchman protecting a city. This aligns with the biblical theme of spiritual warfare, where believers are urged to be on guard against sin and temptation (<a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11-18</a>). The phrase "with all diligence" emphasizes the importance and continuous nature of this task, suggesting that it requires constant attention and effort. This mirrors the biblical principle found in <a href="/philippians/4-7.htm">Philippians 4:7</a>, where the peace of God is said to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.<p><b>for from it flow springs of life</b><br>The imagery of "springs of life" evokes the idea of a wellspring or source from which life-giving water flows. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, water was a precious and life-sustaining resource, making this metaphor particularly powerful. This concept is echoed in <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>, where Jesus speaks of the living water that leads to eternal life. The heart, as the source of one's actions and attitudes, influences every aspect of life, much like a spring affects the land around it. This connection underscores the importance of maintaining a pure heart, as seen in <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a>, where David prays for a clean heart. The idea that life flows from the heart also ties into the broader biblical narrative of transformation and renewal, as seen in <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit to His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart.htm">The Heart</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, the heart ("lev") is the center of one's inner life, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. It is the source of thoughts, desires, and actions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/springs_of_life.htm">Springs of Life</a></b><br>This metaphor suggests that the heart is the source of life-giving actions and attitudes, much like a spring provides water that sustains life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>The heart is the wellspring of life, and its condition affects every aspect of our being. We must be vigilant in protecting it from harmful influences and sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/diligence_in_spiritual_disciplines.htm">Diligence in Spiritual Disciplines</a></b><br>Regular prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers are essential practices to maintain a guarded heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_and_wisdom.htm">Discernment and Wisdom</a></b><br>Seek God's wisdom to discern what influences to allow into your heart. Not everything that appears good is beneficial for spiritual health.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/emotional_and_mental_health.htm">Emotional and Mental Health</a></b><br>A guarded heart also involves managing emotions and thoughts. Seek God's help in aligning them with His truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overflow_of_the_heart.htm">Overflow of the Heart</a></b><br>Recognize that your words and actions are reflections of your heart's condition. Strive for a heart filled with God's love and truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_trust_psychology.htm">Can Christians trust psychology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_habits_shape_spirituality.htm">How do habits shape your spiritual journey?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_scriptures_guide_emotions.htm">How do scriptures guide us through our emotions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_guard_hearts_and_minds.htm">How can you guard your hearts and minds?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Keep thy heart with all diligence.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">above all things that are to be guarded.</span><p><span class= "bld">For out of it are the issues of life.--</span>That is, from it comes life (and also death). From it proceed "all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works," signs of the life with God within the soul; or, "evil thoughts, murders," &c. (<a href="/matthew/15-19.htm" title="For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:">Matthew 15:19</a>), "the end of which things is death" (<a href="/romans/6-21.htm" title="What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.">Romans 6:21</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Keep thy heart with all diligence;</span> properly, <span class="accented">above all things that have to be guarded, keep or guard thy heart.</span> So Mercerus, Gescnius, Delitzsch, Zockler. This seems to be the right meaning of the phrase, <span class="accented">mikkol-mish'mar</span>, rendered in the Authorized Version "with all diligence," <span class="accented">mish'mar</span>, from <span class="accented">shamar</span>, "to guard," being the object of guarding; that which is to be guarded. It is as if the teacher said, "Guard riches, property, health, body, everything, in short, in which you have a legitimate interest, or which is advantageous; but before and above everything else, keep a guard on your heart." The rabbins Jarehi, Ben Ezra, Rashi, however, give a different rendering, "From everything which is to be avoided (<span class="accented">ab omni re cavenda</span>) guard thy heart;" but the objection to this is that it ignores the radical meaning of the verb <span class="accented">shamar</span>, from which <span class="accented">mish'mar</span> is derived, as stated above, which is not that of <span class="accented">avoiding</span>, but of <span class="accented">guarding.</span> A third rendering is," Keep thy heart with all keeping;" so the Vulgate, <span class="accented">omni custodia serva cor tuum</span>; and the LXX., <span class="greek">πασὴ φυλακῇ τήρει σὴν καρδίαν</span>; on which the Authorized Version seems to be based. Another rendering, similar to the first, except that it gives <span class="accented">mish'mar</span> the active signification of guarding instead of the passive one of being kept or guarded, is, "Keep thy heart more than any other keeping (<span class="accented">prae omni custodia</span>)." Origen, 'Hex.;' Field. Again, Aquila and Theodotion render, "Keep thy heart by reason of every commandment (<span class="greek">ἀπὸ παντὸς φυλάγματος</span>)," thus bringing into prominence the occasion and the obligation of keeping the heart, which is that we are so commanded. <span class="accented">Heart</span> (<span class="accented">lev</span>); here the affections and the moral consciousness. <span class="cmt_word">For out of it are the issues of life.</span> The conjunction "for" introduces the reason. The fact here stated is that the moral conduct of life, its actions and proceedings, are determined by the condition of the heart. If the heart is pure, the life will be pure; if the heart is corrupt, the life will be corrupt. The heart is here compared with a fountain. The same idea which is affixed to it in its physical sense is also assigned to it in its ethical or moral sense. Physically, it is the central organ of the body; morally, it is the seat of the affections and the centre of the moral consciousness. From this moral centre flow forth "the issues of life;" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the currents of the moral life take their rise in and flow forth from it, just as from the heart, physically considered, the blood is propelled and flows forth into the arterial system, by which it is conveyed to the remotest extremities of the body. And as the bodily health depends on the healthy action of the heart, so the moral health depends on and is influenced by the state in which this spring of all action is preserved. <span class="accented">Issues</span>; <span class="accented">tots'aoth</span>, from <span class="accented">yatsar</span>, "to go forth," are the place from which anything goes forth, and hence a fountain. For "the issues of life," the LXX. reads, <span class="greek">ἔξοδοι ζωῆς</span>, the Vulgate., <span class="accented">exitus vitae.</span> With this passage compare our Lord's teaching (<a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a>; <a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a>; <a href="/luke/6-43.htm">Luke 6:43-45</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/4-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Guard</span><br /><span class="heb">נְצֹ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ṣōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5341.htm">Strong's 5341: </a> </span><span class="str2">To watch, guard, keep</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your heart</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבֶּ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(lib·be·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with all</span><br /><span class="heb">מִֽכָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(mik·kāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">diligence,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֭שְׁמָר</span> <span class="translit">(miš·mār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4929.htm">Strong's 4929: </a> </span><span class="str2">Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from it</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">flow</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוֹצְא֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(tō·wṣ·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8444.htm">Strong's 8444: </a> </span><span class="str2">An outgoing, extremity, perhaps source, escape</span><br /><br /><span class="word">springs of life.</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיִּֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 4:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 4:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 4:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 4:24" /></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><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>