Proverbs4
New International Version
1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
10Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
23Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
27Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortation to the study of wisdom. (1–13). Cautions against bad company, Exhortation to faith and holiness. (14–27).
vv1-13
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.
vv14-27
The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness. The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all diseases of the soul. Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doing hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it are the issues of life. Above all, we should seek from the Lord Jesus that living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing forth unto everlasting life. Thus we shall be enabled to put away a froward mouth and perverse lips; our eyes will be turned from beholding vanity, looking straight forward, and walking by the rule of God's word, treading in the steps of our Lord and Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follow thee more closely for the time to come.
Key Words
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
מוּסָר: properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
קָשַׁב: to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
יָדַע: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
בִּינָה: understanding
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָתַן: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
טוֹב: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
Cross References
Proverbs 4Uses identical Hebrew imagery of steps not being straitened/stumbling, illustrating safe spiritual progress.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct parallel to turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, keeping on God's path.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illuminates 'only beloved' or 'as an only son' as an expression of special endearment, like Isaac.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Directly links Wisdom as the 'principal thing' with Job's declaration of wisdom's supreme value.
Supported by JFB
Reinforces the conceptual connection that Wisdom is a 'tree of life' to those laying hold of her.
Supported by JFB
Christ explains how the heart acts as the depository from which good or evil issues forth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Repeats the imagery of Wisdom bestowing a beautiful ornament/crown of grace on the recipient.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the warning against entering the path of the wicked or standing in the way of sinners.
Supported by JFB
Reinforces the command to thoroughly put away and keep far from the dwelling of evil.
Supported by Matthew Poole