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