Podcast Ep. 7 - Proverbs 4

Sep 26, 2023

Proverbs 4


A Father’s Wise Instruction


[1] Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

[2] for I give you good precepts;

do not forsake my teaching.

[3] When I was a son with my father,

tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,

[4] he taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

keep my commandments, and live.

[5] Get wisdom; get insight;

do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

[6] Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;

love her, and she will guard you.

[7] The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,

and whatever you get, get insight.

[8] Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.

[9] She will place on your head a graceful garland;

she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

[10] Hear, my son, and accept my words,

that the years of your life may be many.

[11] I have taught you the way of wisdom;

I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

[12] When you walk, your step will not be hampered,

and if you run, you will not stumble.

[13] Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;

guard her, for she is your life.

[14] Do not enter the path of the wicked,

and do not walk in the way of the evil.

[15] Avoid it; do not go on it;

turn away from it and pass on.

[16] For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;

they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

[17] For they eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

[18] But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

[19] The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know over what they stumble.

[20] My son, be attentive to my words;

incline your ear to my sayings.

[21] Let them not escape from your sight;

keep them within your heart.

[22] For they are life to those who find them,

and healing to all their flesh.

[23] Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

[24] Put away from you crooked speech,

and put devious talk far from you.

[25] Let your eyes look directly forward,

and your gaze be straight before you.

[26] Ponder the path of your feet;

then all your ways will be sure.

[27] Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

turn your foot away from evil. (ESV)