Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4 presents a father's earnest instruction to his children, urging them to acquire wisdom and understanding above all else. It emphasizes that wisdom leads to life, honor, and preservation, while sharply contrasting this with the destructive path of the wicked. The father exhorts his son to diligently guard his heart and walk in uprightness, avoiding evil.

A father imparts vital instruction to his children, drawing from his own upbringing where he received similar counsel. He stresses the paramount importance of obtaining wisdom and understanding, declaring it the "principal thing" and the source of life, honor, and protection. The father advises his son to embrace wisdom, for she will adorn him with grace and glory, ensuring a long and stable life. He then sharply contrasts the path of the righteous, which shines ever brighter, with the dark and stumbling way of the wicked, who are restless in their pursuit of mischief. The instruction concludes by urging the son to attend to wise words, keep them in his heart, and diligently guard his heart, as it is the wellspring of life's issues. He is also admonished to avoid perverse speech and to walk a straight and righteous path, turning neither to the right nor to the left from evil.

Proverbs chapter 4 opens with a father's fervent plea to his children to heed his instruction and seek understanding, presenting his teachings as "good doctrine." He recounts his own experience as a beloved son who received similar wisdom from his father, emphasizing the importance of retaining these words and commandments for life. The central theme is the acquisition of wisdom and understanding, which is declared the "principal thing" and is to be sought above all else. The father promises that wisdom, if embraced and exalted, will preserve, promote, and bring honor, adorning the recipient with grace and a crown of glory. He assures his son that by receiving these sayings, his life will be long and his steps unhindered, allowing him to run without stumbling. A strong warning follows, cautioning against entering the path of the wicked or following evil men. This way is to be actively avoided and turned from, as the wicked are depicted as restless and unable to sleep unless they have caused mischief and made others fall, consuming "bread of wickedness" and "wine of violence." In stark contrast, the path of the just is likened to the "shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day," while the way of the wicked is described as darkness where they stumble unknowingly. The chapter reiterates the call to attend to the father's words, keeping them ever before the eyes and in the heart, for they are "life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." A crucial admonition is to "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Further practical guidance includes putting away froward and perverse speech, maintaining a straightforward gaze, and carefully pondering one's path to ensure all ways are established. The chapter concludes with a directive to remain steadfast, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left, and removing one's foot from evil.