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Read Proverbs 4 in modern English — World English Bible (27 verses)

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1 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 commandments, and live.

5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

6 Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”

10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.

11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.

12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.

13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.

14 Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.

16 For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

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

18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.

20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.

27 Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

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Study tools for Proverbs 4

Cross-references, Hebrew word study, and what the Early Church wrote about Proverbs 4. Tap any section to expand — or right-click any verse for the full interactive study panel.

Proverbs 4 study resources: word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with Strong's numbers, 18 cross-references, 5 Early-Church citations.

Cross-references in Proverbs 4 (18)

See the full cross-reference index →

Hebrew interlinear — Proverbs 4:1–27 (200 words)
1
  1. שִׁמְע֣וּšimʿûshama`: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etcH8085
  2. בָ֭נִיםbānîmben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
  3. מ֣וּסַרmûsarmuwcar: (properly) chastisement; (figuratively) reproof, warning or instructionH4148
  4. אָ֑בʾābab: fatherH1
  5. וְ֝הַקְשִׁ֗יבוּwĕhaqšîbûqashab: to prick up the ears, i.e. hearkenH7181
  6. לָדַ֥עַתlādaʿatyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  7. בִּינָֽה׃bînâbiynah: understandingH998
2
  1. כִּ֤יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. לֶ֣קַחleqaḥleqach: (properly) something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the teacher or hearer)H3948
  3. ט֭וֹבṭôbtowb: good (as an adjective) in the widest senseH2896
  4. נָתַ֣תִּיnātattînathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
  5. לָכֶ֑םlākem
  6. תּֽ֝וֹרָתִ֗יtôrātîtowrah: a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or PentateuchH8451
  7. אַֽלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  8. תַּעֲזֹֽבוּ׃taʿăzōbû`azab: to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etcH5800
3
  1. כִּיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. בֵ֭ןbēnben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
  3. הָיִ֣יתִיhāyîtîhayah: to exist; to be or becomeH1961
  4. לְאָבִ֑יlĕʾābîab: fatherH1
  5. רַ֥ךְrakrak: (literally or figuratively) tender; (by implication) weakH7390
  6. וְ֝יָחִ֗ידwĕyāḥîdyachiyd: (properly) united, i.e. sole; (by implication) belovedH3173
  7. לִפְנֵ֥יlipnêpaniym: the face (as the part that turns); (with prepositional prefix, as a preposition) before, etc.H6440
  8. אִמִּֽי׃ʾimmîem: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like H0001H517
4
  1. וַיֹּרֵ֗נִיwayyōrēnîyarah: (properly) to flow as water; (hence) to rainH3384
  2. וַיֹּ֥אמֶרwayyōʾmeramar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
  3. לִ֗יlî
  4. יִֽתְמָךְyitĕmoktamak: to sustain; (by implication) to obtain, keep fastH8551
  5. דְּבָרַ֥יdĕbāraydabar: a word; (by implication) a matter (as spoken of) or thingH1697
  6. לִבֶּ֑ךָlibbekāleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  7. שְׁמֹ֖רšĕmōrshamar: (properly) to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guardH8104
  8. מִצְוֹתַ֣יmiṣwōtaymitsvah: a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)H4687
  9. וֶֽחְיֵֽה׃weḥĕyēchayah: to live, whether literally or figurativelyH2421
5
  1. קְנֵ֣הqĕnēqanah: to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell)H7069
  2. חָ֭כְמָהḥākĕmâchokmah: wisdom (in a good sense)H2451
  3. קְנֵ֣הqĕnēqanah: to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell)H7069
  4. בִינָ֑הbînâbiynah: understandingH998
  5. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  6. תִּשְׁכַּ֥חtiškaḥshakach: to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attentionH7911
  7. וְאַלwĕʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  8. תֵּ֝֗טtēṭnatah: to stretch or spread out; (by implication) to bend away (including moral deflection)H5186
  9. מֵֽאִמְרֵיmēʾimrêemer: something saidH561
  10. פִֽי׃pîpeh: the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech)H6310
6
  1. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  2. תַּעַזְבֶ֥הָtaʿazbehā`azab: to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etcH5800
  3. וְתִשְׁמְרֶ֑ךָּwĕtišmĕrekkāshamar: (properly) to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guardH8104
  4. אֱהָבֶ֥הָʾĕhābehāahab: to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)H157
  5. וְתִצְּרֶֽךָּ׃wĕtiṣṣĕrekkānatsar: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)H5341
7
  1. רֵאשִׁ֣יתrēʾšîtshiyth: the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)H7225
  2. חָ֭כְמָהḥākĕmâchokmah: wisdom (in a good sense)H2451
  3. קְנֵ֣הqĕnēqanah: to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell)H7069
  4. חָכְמָ֑הḥokmâchokmah: wisdom (in a good sense)H2451
  5. וּבְכָלûbĕkālkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  6. קִ֝נְיָנְךָ֗qinyonkāqinyan: creation; (concretely) creaturesH7075
  7. קְנֵ֣הqĕnēqanah: to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell)H7069
  8. בִינָֽה׃bînâbiynah: understandingH998
8
  1. סַלְסְלֶ֥הָsalsĕlehācalal: to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exaltH5549
  2. וּֽתְרוֹמְמֶ֑ךָּûtĕrômĕmekkāruwm: to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)H7311
  3. תְּ֝כַבֵּ֗דְךָtĕkabbēdĕkākabad: to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorableH3513
  4. כִּ֣יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  5. תְחַבְּקֶֽנָּה׃tĕḥabbĕqennâchabaq: to clasp (the hands or in embrace)H2263
9
  1. תִּתֵּ֣ןtittēnnathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
  2. לְ֭רֹאשְׁךָlĕrōʾšĕkāro'sh: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank...H7218
  3. לִוְיַתliwyatlivyah: something attached, i.e. a wreathH3880
  4. חֵ֑ןḥēnchen: graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)H2580
  5. עֲטֶ֖רֶתʿăṭeret`atarah: a crownH5850
  6. תִּפְאֶ֣רֶתtipʾerettiph'arah: ornamentH8597
  7. תְּמַגְּנֶֽךָּ׃tĕmaggĕnekkāmagan: (properly) to shield; encompass withH4042
10
  1. שְׁמַ֣עšĕmaʿshama`: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etcH8085
  2. בְּ֭נִיbĕnîben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
  3. וְקַ֣חwĕqaḥlaqach: to take (in the widest variety of applications)H3947
  4. אֲמָרָ֑יʾămārāyemer: something saidH561
  5. וְיִרְבּ֥וּwĕyirbûrabah: to increase (in whatever respect)H7235
  6. לְ֝ךָ֗lĕkā
  7. שְׁנ֣וֹתšĕnôtshaneh: a year (as a revolution of time)H8141
  8. חַיִּֽים׃ḥayyîmchay: alive; (hence) raw (flesh)H2416
11
  1. בְּדֶ֣רֶךְbĕderekderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  2. חָ֭כְמָהḥākĕmâchokmah: wisdom (in a good sense)H2451
  3. הֹרֵתִ֑יךָhōrētîkāyarah: (properly) to flow as water; (hence) to rainH3384
  4. הִ֝דְרַכְתִּ֗יךָhidraktîkādarak: to tread; (by implication) to walkH1869
  5. בְּמַעְגְּלֵיbĕmaʿgĕlêma`gal: a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)H4570
  6. יֹֽשֶׁר׃yōšeryosher: the rightH3476
12
  1. בְּֽ֭לֶכְתְּךָbĕlektĕkāhalak: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)H1980
  2. לֹאlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  3. יֵצַ֣רyēṣaryatsar: to press (intransitive), i.e. be narrow; (figuratively) be in distressH3334
  4. צַעֲדֶ֑ךָṣaʿădekātsa`ad: a pace or regular stepH6806
  5. וְאִםwĕʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  6. תָּ֝ר֗וּץtārûṣruwts: to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)H7323
  7. לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  8. תִכָּשֵֽׁל׃tikkāšēlkashal: to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle)H3782
13
  1. הַחֲזֵ֣קhaḥăzēqchazaq: to fasten uponH2388
  2. בַּמּוּסָ֣רbammûsārmuwcar: (properly) chastisement; (figuratively) reproof, warning or instructionH4148
  3. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  4. תֶּ֑רֶףterepraphah: to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)H7503
  5. נִ֝צְּרֶ֗הָniṣṣĕrehānatsar: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)H5341
  6. כִּיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  7. הִ֥יאhîʾhuw': (the third person pronoun singular) he, she, or it (only expressed when emphatic or without a verb)H1931
  8. חַיֶּֽיךָ׃ḥayyêkāchay: alive; (hence) raw (flesh)H2416
14
  1. בְּאֹ֣רַחbĕʾōraḥorach: (literally or figuratively) a well-trodden roadH734
  2. רְ֭שָׁעִיםrĕšāʿîmrasha`: morally wrong; (concretely) an (actively) bad personH7563
  3. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  4. תָּבֹ֑אtābōʾbow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
  5. וְאַלwĕʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  6. תְּ֝אַשֵּׁ֗רtĕʾaššērashar: to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy)H833
  7. בְּדֶ֣רֶךְbĕderekderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  8. רָעִֽים׃rāʿîmra`: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)H7451
15
  1. פְּרָעֵ֥הוּpĕrāʿēhûpara`: to loosen; (by implication) to expose, dismissH6544
  2. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  3. תַּעֲבָרtaʿăbār`abar: to cross overH5674
  4. בּ֑וֹbô
  5. שְׂטֵ֖הśĕṭēsatah: to deviate from dutyH7847
  6. מֵעָלָ֣יוmēʿālāyw`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  7. וַעֲבֹֽר׃waʿăbōr`abar: to cross overH5674
16
  1. כִּ֤יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  3. יִֽ֭שְׁנוּyišĕnûyashen: (properly) to be slack or languid; (by implication) to sleepH3462
  4. אִםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  5. לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  6. יָרֵ֑עוּyārēʿûra`a`: (properly) to spoil; (literally) to ruin by breaking to pieces)H7489
  7. וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥הwĕnigzĕlâgazal: to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or robH1497
  8. שְׁ֝נָתָ֗םšĕnātāmshehah: sleepH8142
  9. אִםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
  10. לֹ֥אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  11. יַכְשִֽׁולוּ׃yakšiwlûkashal: to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle)H3782
17
  1. כִּ֣יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. לָ֭חֲמוּlāḥămûlacham: to feed on; (figuratively) to consumeH3898
  3. לֶ֣חֶםleḥemlechem: food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)H3899
  4. רֶ֑שַׁעrešaʿresha`: a wrong (especially moral)H7562
  5. וְיֵ֖יןwĕyênyayin: wine (as fermented); (by implication) intoxicationH3196
  6. חֲמָסִ֣יםḥămāsîmchamac: violence; (by implication) wrongH2555
  7. יִשְׁתּֽוּ׃yištûshathah: to imbibe (literally or figuratively)H8354
18
  1. וְאֹ֣רַחwĕʾōraḥorach: (literally or figuratively) a well-trodden roadH734
  2. צַ֭דִּיקִיםṣaddîqîmtsaddiyq: justH6662
  3. כְּא֣וֹרkĕʾôrowr: illumination; (concretely) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)H216
  4. נֹ֑גַהּnōgahnogahh: brilliancy (literally or figuratively)H5051
  5. הוֹלֵ֥ךְhôlēkhalak: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)H1980
  6. וָ֝א֗וֹרwāʾôrowr: to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)H215
  7. עַדʿad`ad: (properly) a (peremptory) terminusH5704
  8. נְכ֥וֹןnĕkônkuwn: (properly) to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular)H3559
  9. הַיּֽוֹם׃hayyômyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
19
  1. דֶּ֣רֶךְderekderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  2. רְ֭שָׁעִיםrĕšāʿîmrasha`: morally wrong; (concretely) an (actively) bad personH7563
  3. כָּֽאֲפֵלָ֑הkāʾăpēlâaphelah: duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; (concretely) concealmentH653
  4. לֹ֥אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  5. יָ֝דְע֗וּyādĕʿûyada`: to know; (properly) to ascertain by seeingH3045
  6. בַּמֶּ֥הbammemah: (properly, interrogative) what? (including how? why? when?)H4100
  7. יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ׃yikkāšēlûkashal: to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle)H3782
20
  1. בְּ֭נִיbĕnîben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
  2. לִדְבָרַ֣יlidbāraydabar: a word; (by implication) a matter (as spoken of) or thingH1697
  3. הַקְשִׁ֑יבָהhaqšîbâqashab: to prick up the ears, i.e. hearkenH7181
  4. לַ֝אֲמָרַ֗יlaʾămārayemer: something saidH561
  5. הַטhaṭnatah: to stretch or spread out; (by implication) to bend away (including moral deflection)H5186
  6. אָזְנֶֽךָ׃ʾoznekāozen: broadness; (concretely) the ear (from its form in man)H241
21
  1. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  2. יַלִּ֥יזוּyallîzûluwz: to turn aside, i.e. (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverseH3868
  3. מֵעֵינֶ֑יךָmēʿênêkā`ayin: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)H5869
  4. שָׁ֝מְרֵ֗םšāmĕrēmshamar: (properly) to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guardH8104
  5. בְּת֣וֹךְbĕtôktavek: a bisection; (by implication) the centreH8432
  6. לְבָבֶֽךָ׃lĕbābekālebab: the heart (as the most interior organ); used also like H3820H3824
22
  1. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. חַיִּ֣יםḥayyîmchay: alive; (hence) raw (flesh)H2416
  3. הֵ֭םhēmhem: they (only used when emphatic)H1992
  4. לְמֹצְאֵיהֶ֑םlĕmōṣĕʾêhemmatsa': (properly) to come forth to, i.e. appear or existH4672
  5. וּֽלְכָלûlĕkolkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  6. בְּשָׂר֥וֹbĕśārôbasar: flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, personH1320
  7. מַרְפֵּֽא׃marpēʾmarpe': (properly) curative; (literally, concretely) a medicineH4832
23
  1. מִֽכָּלmikkolkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  2. מִ֭שְׁמָרmišmormishmar: a guard (the man, the post or the prison)H4929
  3. נְצֹ֣רnĕṣōrnatsar: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)H5341
  4. לִבֶּ֑ךָlibbekāleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  5. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  6. מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּmimmennûmin: (properly) a part of; (hence, prepositionally) from or out of (in many senses)H4480
  7. תּוֹצְא֥וֹתtôṣĕʾôttowtsa'ah: (only in plural collective) exit, i.e. (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively)...H8444
  8. חַיִּֽים׃ḥayyîmchay: alive; (hence) raw (flesh)H2416
24
  1. הָסֵ֣רhāsērcuwr: to turn off (literal or figurative)H5493
  2. מִ֭מְּךָmimmĕkāmin: (properly) a part of; (hence, prepositionally) from or out of (in many senses)H4480
  3. עִקְּשׁ֣וּתʿiqqĕšût`iqqshuwth: perversityH6143
  4. פֶּ֑הpepeh: the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech)H6310
  5. וּלְז֥וּתûlĕzûtlzuwth: perversenessH3891
  6. שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִםśĕpātayimsaphah: the lip (as a natural boundary); (by implication) languageH8193
  7. הַרְחֵ֥קharḥēqrachaq: to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively...H7368
  8. מִמֶּֽךָּ׃mimmekkāmin: (properly) a part of; (hence, prepositionally) from or out of (in many senses)H4480
25
  1. עֵ֭ינֶיךָʿênêkā`ayin: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)H5869
  2. לְנֹ֣כַחlĕnōkaḥnokach: (properly) the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in...H5227
  3. יַבִּ֑יטוּyabbîṭûnabat: to scan, i.e. look intently at; (by implication) to regard with pleasure, favor or careH5027
  4. וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָwĕʿapʿappêkā`aph`aph: an eyelash (as fluttering); (figuratively) morning rayH6079
  5. יַיְשִׁ֥רוּyayširûyashar: to be straight or even; (figuratively) to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperousH3474
  6. נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃negdekāneged: a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mateH5048
26
  1. פַּ֭לֵּסpallēspalac: (properly) to roll flat, i.e. prepare (a road)H6424
  2. מַעְגַּ֣לmaʿgalma`gal: a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)H4570
  3. רַגְלֶ֑ךָraglekāregel: a foot (as used in walking); (by implication) a stepH7272
  4. וְֽכָלwĕkolkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  5. דְּרָכֶ֥יךָdĕrākêkāderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  6. יִכֹּֽנוּ׃yikkōnûkuwn: (properly) to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular)H3559
27
  1. אַֽלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  2. תֵּטtēṭnatah: to stretch or spread out; (by implication) to bend away (including moral deflection)H5186
  3. יָמִ֥יןyāmînyamiyn: the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous)H3225
  4. וּשְׂמֹ֑אולûśĕmōwlsmo'wl: (properly) dark (as enveloped), i.e. the northH8040
  5. הָסֵ֖רhāsērcuwr: to turn off (literal or figurative)H5493
  6. רַגְלְךָ֣raglĕkāregel: a foot (as used in walking); (by implication) a stepH7272
  7. מֵרָֽע׃mērāʿra`: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)H7451

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Strong's words in Proverbs 4 (6)
Strong's H408 — אַֽל (ʾal)
al (al) adv. 1. (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative) 2. (as a noun) nothing (used once in Job 24 [a negative particle (akin to H3808)] KJV: nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. Root(s): H3808. Appears 10 times in Proverbs 4.
Strong's H1121 — בָ֭נִים (bānîm)
ben (bane) n-m. 1. 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 H0001 H0251, etc.)) [from H1129] KJV: + afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. Root(s): H1129 See also: H1, H251. Appears 4 times in Proverbs 4.
Strong's H1870 — בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ (bĕderek)
derek (deh'-rek) n-m. 1. a road (as trodden) 2. (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverb [from H1869] KJV: along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever). Root(s): H1869. Appears 4 times in Proverbs 4.
Strong's H2416 — חַיִּֽים׃ (ḥayyîm)
chay (khah'-ee) adj. 1. alive 2. (hence) raw (flesh) 3. fresh (plant, water, year), strong 4. (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively [from H2421] KJV: + age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. Root(s): H2421. Appears 4 times in Proverbs 4.
Strong's H2451 — חָ֭כְמָה (ḥākĕmâ)
chokmah (khok-maw') n-f. 1. wisdom (in a good sense) [from H2449] KJV: skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. Root(s): H2449. Appears 4 times in Proverbs 4.
Strong's H3605 — וּבְכָל (ûbĕkāl)
kol (kole) (or (Jer. 33) n-m. 1. (properly) the whole 2. (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) [from H3634] KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). Root(s): H3634. Appears 4 times in Proverbs 4.

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“the path of righteousness is straight, but that of unrighteousness is crooked. But walk in the straight and even way.”

What the Early Church wrote about Proverbs 4 (4)

  • “So these are really inspired words: “Hear, my son, and accept my words, to have many paths of life. I am teaching you the ways of wisdom, so that its springs may never fail you”—that is, those which spurt from the same soil. He is not merely affirming that there is more than o...”

  • “Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you: make straight paths for your feet.”

  • “It must be noted, that he names the law a good gift, on account of the man who takes gifts into his bosom unrighteously. And he forsakes the law who transgresses it; the law, namely, of which he speaks, or which he has kept.”

    — Hippolytus (3rd century) on Proverbs 4:2

  • “But if it is in our power to fortify her, and if there are virtues in our power which exalt the knowledge of God, these will be her bulwarks,-as, for example, practice, study, and the whole chain of other virtues; and the man who observes these, honours wisdom; and the reward...”

    — Hippolytus (3rd century) on Proverbs 4:6

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