Proverbs 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

A Father’s Lesson: Get Wisdom!

4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction.
Pay attention, to gain understanding.
2 For I give you sound learning—
do not forsake my instruction.
3 When I was a son to my father,
tender and special to my mother,
4 he taught me and said to me:
“Lay hold of my words in your heart,
keep my commands and you will live!
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will guard you.
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme—acquire wisdom!
With all your acquisitions, get understanding.
8 Prize her, and she will exalt you.
She will honor you when you embrace her.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head.
She will give you a crown of glory.”

Ways of Wisdom and Wickedness

10 Listen, my son, and accept my words,
so the years of your life will be many.
11 I instructed you in the way of wisdom.
I have guided you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hindered,
and when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on tightly to instruction, do not let it go—
guard it, for it is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil people.
15 Avoid it—do not travel on it—
turn away from it and pass by.
16 For they cannot sleep until they do evil.
They are robbed of sleep until they make someone fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
shining brighter and brighter until the full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness.
They do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to my words—
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them
and health to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart diligently,
for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth,
and keep devious lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead,
and fix your gaze straight in front of you.
26 Clear a level path for your feet,
so all your ways will be firm.
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left.
Divert your foot from evil.

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Proverbs 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding. 2 For good learning I have given to you, My law forsake not. 3 For, a son I have been to my father -- tender, And an only one before my mother. 4 And he directeth me, and he saith to me: `Let thy heart retain my ...
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Proverbs 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 Sons, hear ye the teaching of your father; and perceive ye (and understand ye), (so) that ye know prudence. 2 I shall give to you a good gift; forsake ye not my law. (I give you a good gift; do not ye abandon my instructions.) 3 For why and I was the son of my father, a tender son, and one begotte...
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Proverbs 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;2 for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.4 He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandmen...
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Proverbs 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

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Proverbs 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

A Father’s Lesson: Get Wisdom!4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction.Pay attention, to gain understanding.2 For I give you sound learning—do not forsake my instruction.3 When I was a son to my father,tender and special to my mother,4 he taught me and said to me: “Lay hold of my words in your h...
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Proverbs 4 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Fatherly Advice4 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,and be attentive, that you may gain[a] 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 m...
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Proverbs 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Fatherly Advice4 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,and be attentive, that you may gain[a] 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 m...
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Proverbs 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Parental Advice4 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain[a] insight;2 for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.3 When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother’s favourite,4 he taught me, and said to me,‘Let your heart hold fast my wor...
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Proverbs 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Parental Advice4 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain[a] insight,(A)2 for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.3 When I was a son with my father, tender and my mother’s favorite,(B)4 he taught me and said to me,“Let your heart hold fast my ...
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Proverbs 4 - New Living Translation (NLT)

A Father’s Wise Advice4 My children,[a] listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment,2 for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.3 For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. 4 My father taught me,“Take ...
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Proverbs 4 - New Life Version (NLV)

A Father’s Teaching4 O sons, hear the teaching of a father. Listen so you may get understanding. 2 For I give you good teaching. Do not turn away from it. 3 When I was a much loved and only son of my mother and father, 4 he taught me, saying, “Hold my words close to your heart. Keep my teachings ...
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Proverbs 4 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Security in Wisdom4 Hear, (A)my children, the instruction of a father,And give attention to know understanding;2 For I give you good doctrine:Do not forsake my law.3 When I was my father’s son,(B)Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,4 (C)He also taught me, and said to me:“Let your heart...
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Proverbs 4 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Get wisdom at any cost4 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, ‘Take hold of my wo...
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Proverbs 4 - New International Version (NIV)

Get Wisdom at Any Cost4 Listen, my sons,(A) to a father’s instruction;(B) pay attention and gain understanding.(C)2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold...
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Proverbs 4 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Get Wisdom at Any Cost4 My sons, listen to a father’s teaching. Pay attention and gain understanding.2 I give you good advice. So don’t turn away from what I teach you.3 I, too, was once a young boy in my father’s house. And my mother loved me deeply.4 Then my father taught me. He said to me, “Take ...
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Proverbs 4 - New English Translation (NET)

Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness[a]4 Listen, children,[b] to a father’s instruction,[c]and pay attention so that you may gain[d] discernment.2 Because I hereby give[e] you good instruction,do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a son to my father,[f]a tender, only child[g] ...
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