The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Proverbs 4

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Proverbs chapter 4 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.” — the complete text of all 27 verses is below, free to read online.

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

2For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my teaching.

3For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.

4And he taught me, and said unto me: 'Let thy heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments, and live;

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

6Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; love her, and she will keep thee.

7The beginning of wisdom is: Get wisdom; yea, with all thy getting get understanding.

8Extol her, and she will exalt thee; she will bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow on thee.'

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

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

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

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

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

15Avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23Above all that thou guardest keep thy heart; for out of it are the issues of life.

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

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

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

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

27 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

‹ Proverbs 3 Proverbs 5 ›

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