Bible
- 1
- HEAR, MY sons, the instruction of a father, and pay attention in order to gain and to know intelligent discernment, comprehension, and interpretation [of spiritual matters].
- 2
- For I give you good doctrine [what is to be received]; do not forsake my teaching.
- 3
- When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only son in the sight of my mother [Bathsheba],
- 4
- He taught me and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live. [I Chron. 28:9; Eph. 6:4.]
- 5
- Get skillful and godly Wisdom, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation); do not forget and do not turn back from the words of my mouth.
- 6
- Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you.
- 7
- The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation). [James 1:5.]
- 8
- Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.
- 9
- She shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to you.
- 10
- Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life shall be many.
- 11
- I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness.
- 12
- When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.
- 13
- Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
- 14
- Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
- 15
- Avoid it, do not go on it; turn from it and pass on.
- 16
- For they cannot sleep unless they have caused trouble or vexation; their sleep is taken away unless they have caused someone to fall.
- 17
- For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
- 18
- But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]. [II Sam. 23:4; Matt. 5:14; Phil. 2:15.]
- 19
- The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. [John 12:35.]
- 20
- My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.
- 21
- Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.
- 22
- For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.
- 23
- Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
- 24
- Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you.
- 25
- Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.
- 26
- Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.
- 27
- Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.
Copyright Information:
Amplified Bible Copyright (c) 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org