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<!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 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_23_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 23:26 - True Riches" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways." /><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/23-26.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/23-26.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/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 26</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="/ad6.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/23-25.htm" title="Proverbs 23:25">◄</a> Proverbs 23:26 <a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm" title="Proverbs 23:27">►</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/23.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/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Give me your heart, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Give me your heart, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Give me your heart, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Give your heart to me, my son, And let your eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart And let your eyes delight in my ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />My son, give me thy heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My son, pay close attention, and gladly follow my example. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart. Let your eyes find happiness in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Give me your heart, my son, and keep your eyes fixed on my ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes observe my ways; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />My son, give me thy heart, and let thy eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Give, my son, your heart to me, "" And let your eyes watch my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Give, my son, thy heart to me, And let thine eyes watch my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />My son, thou shalt give thy heart to me, and thine eyes shall delight in my way.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me thy heart: and let thy eyes keep my ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />My son, offer me your heart, and let your eyes keep to my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes keep to my ways, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />My child, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />My son. give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Give me your heart, my son, and your eyes will keep my ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />My son, give me thy heart, And let thine eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>My</i> son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/23-26.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=4753" 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/23.htm">True Riches</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>May your father and mother be glad, and may she who gave you birth rejoice! <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇə·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">My son,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tə·nāh- (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">give me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bə·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/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: wə·‘ê·ne·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">and let your eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7521.htm" title="7521: tir·ṣɛ·nå̄h (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- To be pleased with, accept favorably. A primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt.">delight</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: də·rā·ḵay (N-cpc:: 1cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">in my ways.</a> </span><span class="reftext">27</span>For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well.…<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/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37</a></span><br />Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a></span><br />And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-10.htm">Psalm 119:10</a></span><br />With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Luke 10:27</a></span><br />He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-30.htm">Mark 12:30</a></span><br />Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/24-7.htm">Jeremiah 24:7</a></span><br />I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.<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="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / 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/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a></span><br />Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15</a></span><br />Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.<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="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a></span><br />What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”<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="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a></span><br />let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22</a></span><br />Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.</p><p class="hdg">my son</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-15.htm">Proverbs 23:15</a></b></br> My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.</p><p class="hdg">give</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a></b></br> Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it <i>are</i> the issues of life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a></b></br> And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-37.htm">Matthew 10:37,38</a></b></br> He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me… </p><p class="hdg">let</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/4-25.htm">Proverbs 4:25-27</a></b></br> Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/107-43.htm">Psalm 107:43</a></b></br> Whoso <i>is</i> wise, and will observe these <i>things</i>, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-2.htm">Psalm 119:2,9-11</a></b></br> Blessed <i>are</i> they that keep his testimonies, <i>and that</i> seek him with the whole heart… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-5.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-19.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-12.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-25.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/24-25.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-33.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-16.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-22.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">Consider carefully what is before you</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/23.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/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>My son, give me your heart</b><br>This phrase reflects the intimate and personal relationship between a father and son, often used in Proverbs to convey wisdom from a parental figure to a child. The heart in biblical terms is the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. The call to "give me your heart" suggests a complete and voluntary surrender of one's inner self to wisdom and, by extension, to God. This aligns with <a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. The heart's surrender is foundational in the biblical narrative, as seen in the call to love and obey God wholeheartedly.<p><b>and let your eyes delight in my ways</b><br>The eyes are often symbolic of one's focus and desires. To "delight in my ways" implies finding joy and satisfaction in the path of wisdom and righteousness. This phrase suggests an active engagement and pleasure in following the teachings and commandments laid out by the father figure, which can be seen as a metaphor for God's ways. <a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a> describes God's word as a lamp to one's feet and a light to one's path, emphasizing the guidance and clarity that comes from following divine wisdom. The delight in God's ways is a recurring theme in Scripture, encouraging believers to find joy in obedience and the pursuit of holiness.<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_father.htm">The Father</a></b><br>In this verse, the speaker is often understood as a father figure, possibly Solomon himself, who is imparting wisdom to his son. This can also be seen as God speaking to His children.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_son.htm">The Son</a></b><br>Represents the recipient of wisdom, often seen as a young person or a disciple who is learning and growing in understanding.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart.htm">The Heart</a></b><br>In Hebrew culture, the heart ("lev") is the center of one's inner life, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ways.htm">The Ways</a></b><br>Refers to the paths or lifestyle that align with wisdom and righteousness, which are pleasing to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/w/wholehearted_devotion.htm">Wholehearted Devotion</a></b><br>The call to "give me your heart" emphasizes the importance of complete and undivided devotion to God. It is a call to prioritize God above all else in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/delighting_in_god's_ways.htm">Delighting in God's Ways</a></b><br>To "let your eyes delight in my ways" suggests finding joy and satisfaction in living according to God's wisdom and commandments. It is about aligning our desires with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_as_the_center.htm">The Heart as the Center</a></b><br>Understanding that the heart is the center of our being, we must guard it and ensure it is aligned with God's purposes. This involves regular self-examination and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_discipline.htm">The Role of Discipline</a></b><br>Proverbs often speaks of discipline as a means to wisdom. Giving our heart to God involves submitting to His discipline and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intergenerational_wisdom.htm">Intergenerational Wisdom</a></b><br>The father-son dynamic in Proverbs highlights the importance of passing down wisdom and values from one generation to the next, emphasizing the role of mentorship and discipleship.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_hymenaeus_and_philetus.htm">How can one live for righteousness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_saul_chase_david_in_1_sam_26.htm">If Saul previously admitted David's righteousness in 1 Samuel 24, why is he chasing David again in 1 Samuel 26?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_gluttony_considered_sinful.htm">Is gluttony considered sinful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_26_on_fools.htm">Proverbs 26 (overall): How do we reconcile the repeated harshness toward 'fools' with biblical themes of mercy, forgiveness, and understanding?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) <span class= "bld">My son, give me thine heart.--</span>For that is the one gift alone worthy of acceptance which man can offer to God, and the only one which God will accept; an offering which man endeavours to keep for himself, substituting for it alms, unreal prayers, outward observances of religion, and obedience in matters of little moment. (Comp. <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm" title="Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.">Matthew 22:37</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 26-28.</span> - A hexastich, in which Wisdom herself is the speaker, and warns against unchastity. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Give me thine heart.</span> Do not waste thy powers and affections on evil objects, but set thy soul with all its best faculties on me, Wisdom, who alone can satisfy its desires and aspirations. There is an eloquent passage in a tract that has gone by St. Bernard's name, though not written by him ('Epist. de Reg. Vitae Spirit.,' 2:1604, Mab.), which is worth quoting: "Cor nostrum nihil dignius perficere potest, quam ut ei se restituat a quo factum est: et hoc a nobis Dominus expetit dicens, 'Fili, da mihi cor tuum.' Tunc siquidem cor hominum Deo datur, quando omnia cogitatio terminatur in eum, gyrat et circumflectitur super eum, et nihil vult possidere praeter eum. Sicque colligato sibi animo, eum diligit, ut sine ipso amarus sit omnis amor. Nec aliud dixerim cor Domino dare, quam ipsum captivare in omni obsequium ejus, et ita voluntati ejus ex toto supponere, ut nihil aliud velit, quam quod noverit eum velle." <span class="cmt_word">Let</span> <span class="cmt_word">thine eyes observe my ways</span>; keep closely to the paths of virtue which I teach thee, especially the path of purity, as the next verse shows. Vulgate, <span class="accented">Vias meas custodiant</span>; Septuagint, <span class="greek">Ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς</span> <span class="greek">πήρειτωσαν</span>. This is the reading of the Keri, <span class="hebrew">תִּלֺצרְנָה</span>; the Khetib, which Delitzsch and others prefer, reads <span class="hebrew">תִּרְצֶנָה</span>, "delight in" my ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/23-26.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">My son,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">give</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּנָֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(tə·nāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me your heart,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְּךָ֣</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bə·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">and let your eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝עֵינֶ֗יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">delight</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּצֹּֽרְנָה׃‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(tiṣ·ṣō·rə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7521.htm">Strong's 7521: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my ways.</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּרָכַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(də·rā·ḵay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/23-26.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:26 My son give me your heart (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/23-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 23:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 23:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 23:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 23:27" /></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>