Proverbs 4 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Proverbs 4 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
ASV Hear, [my] sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:
WEB Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
YLT Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
DRB Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend, that you may know prudence.
DBY Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know intelligence;
GNV Heare, O ye children, the instruction of a father, and giue eare to learne vnderstanding.
LSB Hear, O sons, the discipline of a father, And pay attention that you may know understanding,
Verse 2
KJV For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
ASV For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my law.
WEB for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.
YLT For good learning I have given to you, My law forsake not.
DRB I will give you a good gift, forsake not my law.
DBY for I give you good doctrine: forsake ye not my law.
GNV For I doe giue you a good doctrine: therefore forsake yee not my lawe.
LSB For I give you sound learning; Do not forsake my instruction.
Verse 3
KJV For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
ASV For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
WEB For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
YLT For, a son I have been to my father--tender, And an only one before my mother.
DRB For I also was my father's son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my mother:
DBY For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.
GNV For I was my fathers sonne, tender and deare in the sight of my mother,
LSB When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son before my mother,
Verse 4
KJV He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
ASV And he taught me, and said unto me: Let thy heart retain my words; Keep my commandments, and live;
WEB He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
YLT And he directeth me, and he saith to me: `Let thy heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.
DRB And he taught me, and said: Let thy heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live.
DBY And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thy heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live.
GNV When he taught me, and sayde vnto me, Let thine heart holde fast my woordes: keepe my commandements, and thou shalt liue.
LSB Then he instructed me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;
Verse 5
KJV Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
ASV Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;
WEB Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.
YLT Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
DRB Get wisdom, get prudence: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.
DBY Get wisdom, get intelligence: forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
GNV Get wisedom: get vnderstading: forget not, neither decline from the woordes of my mouth.
LSB Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.
Verse 6
KJV Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
ASV Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee.
WEB Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
YLT Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee.
DRB Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her, and she shall preserve thee.
DBY Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; love her, and she shall preserve thee.
GNV Forsake her not, and shee shall keepe thee: loue her and shee shall preserue thee.
LSB Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; Love her, and she will guard you.
Verse 7
KJV Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
ASV Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.
WEB Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
YLT The first thing <FI>is<Fi> wisdom--get wisdom, And with all thy getting get understanding.
DRB The beginning of wisdom, get wisdom, and with all thy possession purchase prudence.
DBY The beginning of wisdom [is], Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence.
GNV Wisedome is the beginning: get wisedome therefore: and aboue all thy possession get vnderstanding.
LSB The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, acquire understanding.
Verse 8
KJV Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
ASV Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
WEB Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
YLT Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her.
DRB Take hold on her, and she shall exalt thee: thou shalt be glorified by her, when thou shalt embrace her.
DBY Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her.
GNV Exalt her, and she shall exalt thee: she shall bring thee to honour, if thou embrace her.
LSB Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.
Verse 9
KJV She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
ASV She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee.
WEB She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”
YLT She giveth to thy head a wreath of grace, A crown of beauty she doth give thee freely.
DRB She shall give to thy head increase of graces, and protect thee with a noble crown.
DBY She shall give to thy head a garland of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow upon thee.
GNV She shall giue a comely ornamet vnto thine head, yea, she shall giue thee a crowne of glorie.
LSB She will give for your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”
Verse 10
KJV Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
ASV Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many.
WEB Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
YLT Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life <FI>are<Fi> multiplied to thee.
DRB Hear, O my son, and receive my words, that years of life may be multiplied to thee.
DBY Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be multiplied.
GNV Heare, my sonne, and receiue my wordes, and the yeeres of thy life shalbe many.
LSB Hear, my son, and receive my sayings And the years of your life will be many.
Verse 11
KJV I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
ASV I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
WEB I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
YLT In a way of wisdom I have directed thee, I have caused thee to tread in paths of uprightness.
DRB I will shew thee the way of wisdom, I will lead thee by the paths of equity:
DBY I will teach thee in the way of wisdom, I will lead thee in paths of uprightness.
GNV I haue taught thee in ye way of wisedom, and led thee in the pathes of righteousnesse.
LSB I have instructed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright tracks.
Verse 12
KJV When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
ASV When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
WEB When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
YLT In thy walking thy step is not straitened, And if thou runnest, thou stumblest not.
DRB Which when thou shalt have entered, thy steps shall not be straitened, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not meet a stumblingblock.
DBY When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
GNV Whe thou goest, thy gate shall not be strait, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not fall.
LSB When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
Verse 13
KJV Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
ASV Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.
WEB Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
YLT Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she <FI>is<Fi> thy life.
DRB Take hold on instruction, leave it not: keep it, because it is thy life.
DBY Take fast hold of instruction, let [her] not go: keep her, for she is thy life.
GNV Take holde of instruction, and leaue not: keepe her, for shee is thy life.
LSB Seize discipline; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
Verse 14
KJV Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
ASV Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men.
WEB Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
YLT Into the path of the wicked enter not, And be not happy in a way of evil doers.
DRB Be not delighted in the paths of the wicked, neither let the way of evil men please thee.
DBY Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men]:
GNV Enter not into the way of the wicked, and walke not in the way of euill men.
LSB Do not enter the path of wicked men And do not step into the way of evil men.
Verse 15
KJV Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
ASV Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on.
WEB Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
YLT Avoid it, pass not over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.
DRB Flee from it, pass not by it: go aside, and forsake it.
DBY avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass away.
GNV Auoide it, and goe not by it: turne from it, and passe by.
LSB Avoid it, do not pass by it; Stray from it and pass on.
Verse 16
KJV For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
ASV For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
WEB For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
YLT For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not <FI>some<Fi> to stumble.
DRB For they sleep not, except they have done evil: and their sleep is taken away unless they have made some to fall.
DBY For they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they have caused [some] to fall.
GNV For they can not sleepe, except they haue done euill, and their sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall.
LSB For they do not sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.
Verse 17
KJV For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
ASV For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
WEB For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
YLT For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And wine of violence they drink.
DRB They eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of iniquity.
DBY For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
GNV For they eate the breade of wickednesse, and drinke the wine of violence.
LSB For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence.
Verse 18
KJV But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
ASV But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
WEB But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.
YLT And the path of the righteous <FI>is<Fi> as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established,
DRB But the path of the just, as a shining light, goeth forwards, and increaseth even to perfect day.
DBY But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, going on and brightening until the day be fully come.
GNV But the way of the righteous shineth as the light, that shineth more and more vnto the perfite day.
LSB But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the fullness of day.
Verse 19
KJV The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
ASV The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.
WEB The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
YLT The way of the wicked <FI>is<Fi> as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
DRB The way of the wicked is darksome: they know not where they fall.
DBY The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
GNV The way of the wicked is as the darkenes: they knowe not wherein they shall fall.
LSB The way of the wicked is like thick darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
Verse 20
KJV My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
ASV My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
WEB My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
YLT My son, to my words give attention, To my sayings incline thine ear,
DRB My son, hearken to my words, and incline thy ear to my sayings.
DBY My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
GNV My sonne, hearken vnto my wordes, incline thine eare vnto my sayings.
LSB My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
Verse 21
KJV Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
ASV Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.
WEB Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart.
YLT Let them not turn aside from thine eyes, Preserve them in the midst of thy heart.
DRB Let them not depart from thy eyes, keep them in the midst of thy heart:
DBY Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.
GNV Let them not depart from thine eyes, but keepe them in the middes of thine heart.
LSB Do not let them deviate from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart.
Verse 22
KJV For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
ASV For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.
WEB For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.
YLT For life they <FI>are<Fi> to those finding them, And to all their flesh healing.
DRB For they are life to those that find them, and health to all flesh.
DBY For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
GNV For they are life vnto those that find them, and health vnto all their flesh.
LSB For they are life to those who find them And healing to all his flesh.
Verse 23
KJV Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
ASV Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
WEB Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
YLT Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it <FI>are<Fi> the outgoings of life.
DRB With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it.
DBY Keep thy heart more than anything that is guarded; for out of it are the issues of life.
GNV Keepe thine heart with all diligence: for thereout commeth life.
LSB Guard your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
Verse 24
KJV Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
ASV Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee.
WEB Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
YLT Turn aside from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee,
DRB Remove from thee a froward mouth, and let detracting lips be far from thee.
DBY Put away from thee perverseness of mouth, and corrupt lips put far from thee.
GNV Put away from thee a froward mouth, and put wicked lippes farre from thee.
LSB Put away from you a perverse mouth And put devious lips far from you.
Verse 25
KJV Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
ASV Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
WEB Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
YLT Thine eyes do look straightforward, And thine eyelids look straight before thee.
DRB Let thy eyes look straight on, and let thy eyelids go before thy steps.
DBY Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
GNV Let thine eyes beholde the right, and let thine eyelids direct thy way before thee.
LSB Let your eyes look directly ahead And even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you.
Verse 26
KJV Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
ASV Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established.
WEB Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
YLT Ponder thou the path of thy feet, And all thy ways <FI>are<Fi> established.
DRB Make straight the path for thy feet, and all thy ways shall be established.
DBY Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be well-ordered.
GNV Ponder the path of thy feete, and let all thy waies be ordred aright.
LSB Watch the track of your feet And all your ways will be established.
Verse 27
KJV Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
ASV Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil.
WEB Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
YLT Incline not <FI>to<Fi> the right or to the left, Turn aside thy foot from evil!
DRB Decline not to the right hand, nor to the left: turn away thy foot from evil. For the Lord knoweth the ways that are on the right hand: but those are perverse which are on the left hand. But he will make thy courses straight, he will bring forward thy ways in peace.
DBY Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.
GNV Turne not to the right hande, nor to the left, but remooue thy foote from euill.
LSB Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.