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Proverbs

Offers wisdom and advice on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Chapter 4

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1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

*Listen, kids, to your dad's teaching, and pay attention to learn wisely.

2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

*Because I teach you what is good, don't forget my rules.

3 For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

*Because I was my dad's kid, gentle and the only one loved by my mom.

4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

*He taught me and said, "Keep my teachings in your heart and follow my rules. This will help you live a good life."

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

*Get wisdom and understanding; don't forget them. Also, don't stray from the words I say.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

*Don't leave her behind; she will protect you. Love her, and she will always take care of you.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

*Wisdom is the most important thing, so get wisdom. Also, when you're trying to learn, make sure to understand things too.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

*Praise her, and she will help you rise; she will bring you respect when you accept her.

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

*She will add a beautiful decoration to your head: she will bring you a crown of glory.

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

*Listen, my child, to what I'm saying; and you'll live a long life.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

*I've shown you how to be wise; I've guided you on the right path.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

*When you walk, you won't have limited movement; and when you run, you won't trip or fall.

13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

*Hold on tightly to the teachings; don't let them go; keep them close because they are your source of life.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

*Stay away from the bad people's choices and don't follow the wrong path.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

*Stay away from it, don't go near it, turn your back on it, and leave it behind.

16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

*They only rest if they cause trouble; and they can't sleep unless they make someone else stumble.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

*They consume evil food and drink violent alcohol.

18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

*But the way of the good person is like a bright light, that gets brighter and brighter until it reaches the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

*The path of bad people is like darkness; they don't know where they're going wrong.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

*"Son, listen to my advice. Lean your ear towards what I'm saying."

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

*Don't let them out of your sight; keep them close to your heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

*Because they bring life to those who discover them and wellness to every part of their body.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

*Protect your heart carefully; it's where our life choices come from.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

*Remove a deceitful tongue and twisted speech; keep them far away from you.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

*Look straight ahead with your eyes and don't let your eyelids wander.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

*Think about where your feet are going, and make sure your choices are clear.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

*Don't go to the right or left; stay away from wrongdoing.

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