New English Translation
Proverbs 4:20
20My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings.
Proverbs 4:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
- New International Version (NIV)My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
- English Standard Version (ESV)My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
- New King James Version (NKJV)My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
Context of Proverbs 4:20
18But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighter until full day. 19The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; they do not know what causes them to stumble. My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings. 21Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; 22for they are life to those who find them and healing to one’s entire body.
Read all of Proverbs 4Proverbs 4:20 word by word
בְּ֭נִי לִדְבָרַ֣י הַקְשִׁ֑יבָה לַ֝אֲמָרַ֗י הַט־אָזְנֶֽךָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 4:20
- Proverbs 5:1My child, be attentive to my wisdom, pay close attention to my understanding,
- Proverbs 6:20My child, guard the commands of your father and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.
- Proverbs 7:1My child, keep my words and treasure up my commands in your own keeping.
- Psalms 78:1Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak!
- Psalms 90:12So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.
- Isaiah 55:3Pay attention and come to me! Listen, so you can live! Then I will make an unconditional covenantal promise to you, just like the reliable covenantal promises I made to David.
- Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!”
Commentaries on Proverbs 4:20
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4-20Verses 4-20 The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-27Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-21pay attention: See also Proverbs 1:8, 23; 2:1; 5:1–2; 7:1–3; 8:1. The child should let these teachings change his personality, symbolized by his heart. Following wisdom for life needs a change of heart.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2220-22. (Compare Pr 4:10, 13; Pr 3:8, &c.).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 4:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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