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4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
4:8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
4:12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
4:13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
4:14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
4:15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
4:24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.


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Everything King James Bible:Proverbs
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Proverbs
Book: Proverbs
Chapter: 4

Overview:
Exhortation to the study of Wisdom. (1-13) Cautions against
bad company. Exhortation to Faith and Holiness. (14-27)

1-13 We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though
instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome.
Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and
godly men, in every Age of the world, and rank in society, agree
that true Wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to
happiness. Get Wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy
corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this
world. An interest in Christ's Salvation is necessary. This
Wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true Wisdom and
Grace is a dead soul. How Poor, contemptible, and wretched are
those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting
understanding, without Christ, without Hope, and without God!
Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of
eternal Life. Thus our path will be Plain before us: By taking,
and keeping Fast Hold of instruction, we shall avoid being
straitened or stumbling.

14-27 The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest
way to compass some End; but it is an evil way, and will End
ill; if thou Love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not
said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never
think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous
is Light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints
will not be perfect till they reach Heaven, but there they shall
shine as the Sun in his strength. The way of Sin is as Darkness.
The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall
into Sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble,
but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor
what will be in the End of it. This is the way we are bid to
shun. Attentive hearing the Word of God, is a good sign of a
work of Grace begun in the Heart, and a good means of carrying
it On. There is in the Word of God a proper remedy for all
diseases of the soul. Keep thy Heart with all diligence. We must
set a strict Guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doing
hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of
it are the issues of Life. Above all, we should seek from the
Lord Jesus that living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing
forth unto Everlasting Life. Thus we shall be enabled to Put
away a froward mouth and perverse lips; our eyes will be turned
from beholding vanity, looking straight forward, and walking By
the rule of God's Word, treading in the steps of our Lord and
Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follow thee
more closely for the time to come.

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