Proverbs 4 :: New International Version (NIV)

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Pro 4:1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Pro 4:2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

Pro 4:3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Pro 4:4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.

Pro 4:5

Pro 4:5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Pro 4:6

Pro 4:6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Pro 4:7

Pro 4:7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[fn] wisdom. Though it cost all you have,[fn] get understanding.

Pro 4:8

Pro 4:8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

Pro 4:9

Pro 4:9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

Pro 4:10

Pro 4:10Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

Pro 4:11

Pro 4:11I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

Pro 4:12

Pro 4:12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Pro 4:13

Pro 4:13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Pro 4:14

Pro 4:14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Pro 4:15

Pro 4:15Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Pro 4:16

Pro 4:16For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.

Pro 4:17

Pro 4:17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

Pro 4:18

Pro 4:18The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Pro 4:19

Pro 4:19But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Pro 4:20

Pro 4:20My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

Pro 4:21

Pro 4:21Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

Pro 4:22

Pro 4:22for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

Pro 4:23

Pro 4:23Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Pro 4:24

Pro 4:24Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Pro 4:25

Pro 4:25Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

Pro 4:26

Pro 4:26Give careful thought to the[fn] paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Pro 4:27

Pro 4:27Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(4:7)

Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get

(4:7)

Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get

(4:26)

Or Make level

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