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Proverbs
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English: New American Standard Bible |
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Proverbs 4 [Commentary] 
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| 1. |
Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
And give attention that you may gain understanding,
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| 2. |
For I give you sound teaching;
Do not abandon my instruction.
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| 3. |
When I was a son to my father,
Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
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| 4. |
Then he taught me and said to me,
"Let your heart hold fast my words;
Keep my commandments and live;
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| 5. |
Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
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| 6. |
"Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
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| 7. |
"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
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| 8. |
"Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
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| 9. |
"She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty."
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| 10. |
Hear, my son, and accept my sayings
And the years of your life will be many.
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| 11. |
I have directed you in the way of wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.
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| 12. |
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
And if you run, you will not stumble.
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| 13. |
Take hold of instruction; do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.
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| 14. |
Do not enter the path of the wicked
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
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| 15. |
Avoid it, do not pass by it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
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| 16. |
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
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| 17. |
For they eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
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| 18. |
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
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| 19. |
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.
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| 20. |
My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
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| 21. |
Do not let them depart from your sight;
Keep them in the midst of your heart.
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| 22. |
For they are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.
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| 23. |
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
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| 24. |
Put away from you a deceitful mouth
And put devious speech far from you.
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| 25. |
Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
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| 26. |
Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established.
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| 27. |
Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.
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NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE
Copyright (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by:
THE LOCKMAN FOUNDATION
LA HABRA, CA 90631
A Corporation Not for Profit
All Rights Reserved
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