New King James Version
Proverbs 4:20
20My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear 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 Living Translation (NLT)My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
Context of Proverbs 4:20
18But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
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 son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding,
- Proverbs 6:20My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
- Proverbs 7:1My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.
- Psalms 78:1Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
- Psalms 90:12So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
- Isaiah 55:3Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David.
- Matthew 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries