Proverbs 4

1Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;Cross-references: Ps 34:11 · Prov 1:8 · Prov 2:1 · Prov 5:1 · Prov 6:20 · Prov 7:4 · +5 more

2for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.Cross-references: Deut 32:2 · 1Chr 28:9 · 2Chr 7:19 · Job 11:4 · Job 33:3 · Ps 49:1 · +6 more

3For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.Cross-references: 2Sam 12:24 · 1Ki 1:13 · 1Chr 3:5 · 1Chr 22:5 · 1Chr 29:1 · Jer 10:23 · +2 more

4He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.Cross-references: Gen 18:19 · Lev 18:3 · Deut 4:9 · Deut 6:6 · 1Chr 22:11 · 1Chr 28:9 · +10 more

5Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.Cross-references: 2Chr 34:2 · Job 23:11 · Ps 44:18 · Ps 119:51 · Ps 119:157 · Prov 1:22 · +9 more

6Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.Cross-references: Prov 2:10 · Prov 4:21 · Eph 3:17 · 2Thess 2:10

7Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.Cross-references: Ps 49:16 · Ps 119:104 · Prov 16:16 · Prov 21:6 · Prov 23:23 · Eccl 2:4 · +8 more

8Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor when you embrace her.Cross-references: 1Sam 2:30 · 1Ki 3:5 · Prov 3:35 · Prov 22:4 · Dan 12:3

9She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”Cross-references: Prov 1:9 · Prov 3:22 · Prov 16:31 · Isa 28:5 · 1Tim 2:9 · Heb 2:7 · +3 more

10Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.Cross-references: Deut 5:16 · Deut 6:2 · Job 22:22 · Prov 2:1 · Prov 3:2 · Prov 3:16 · +6 more

11I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.Cross-references: Deut 4:5 · 1Sam 12:23 · Ps 23:3 · Ps 25:4 · Prov 4:4 · Prov 8:6 · +4 more

12When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.Cross-references: 2Sam 22:37 · Job 18:7 · Ps 18:36 · Ps 91:11 · Ps 119:165 · Prov 3:23 · +7 more

13Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.Cross-references: Gen 32:26 · Deut 32:47 · Prov 3:18 · Prov 3:22 · Prov 23:23 · Eccl 7:12 · +10 more

14Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.Cross-references: Ps 1:1 · Ps 26:4 · Prov 1:10 · Prov 1:15 · Prov 2:11 · Prov 9:6 · +2 more

15Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.Cross-references: Ex 23:7 · Job 11:14 · Job 22:23 · Prov 5:8 · Prov 6:5 · Isa 33:15 · +2 more

16For they don’t sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.Cross-references: Ps 36:4 · Prov 1:16 · Isa 57:20 · Mic 2:1 · Luke 22:66 · John 18:28 · +1 more

17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.Cross-references: Job 24:5 · Ps 14:4 · Prov 9:17 · Prov 20:17 · Jer 5:26 · Ezek 22:25 · +6 more

18But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day.Cross-references: 2Sam 23:4 · Job 11:17 · Job 23:10 · Ps 84:7 · Isa 26:7 · Dan 12:3 · +12 more

19The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.Cross-references: 1Sam 2:9 · Job 5:14 · Job 12:25 · Job 18:5 · Job 18:18 · Prov 2:13 · +8 more

20My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.Cross-references: Ps 78:1 · Ps 90:12 · Prov 5:1 · Prov 6:20 · Prov 7:1 · Isa 55:3 · +1 more

21Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart.Cross-references: Ps 40:8 · Prov 2:1 · Prov 3:3 · Prov 3:21 · Prov 7:1

22For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.Cross-references: Prov 3:8 · Prov 4:4 · Prov 4:10 · Prov 12:18 · Jer 33:6

23Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.Cross-references: Deut 4:9 · Ps 139:23 · Prov 3:21 · Prov 4:7 · Prov 11:16 · Prov 13:3 · +12 more

24Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.Cross-references: Job 11:14 · Prov 6:12 · Prov 8:8 · Prov 8:13 · Prov 17:20 · Ezek 18:31 · +6 more

25Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.Cross-references: Job 31:1 · Ps 119:37 · Prov 23:5 · Prov 23:33 · Matt 6:22

26Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.Cross-references: Ps 37:23 · Ps 40:2 · Ps 119:5 · Ps 119:59 · Prov 5:6 · Prov 5:21 · +9 more

27Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.Cross-references: Deut 5:32 · Deut 12:32 · Deut 28:14 · Josh 1:7 · Prov 16:17 · Isa 1:16 · +1 more