New Living Translation
Proverbs 4:13
13Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
Proverbs 4:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
- New International Version (NIV)Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.
Context of Proverbs 4:13
11I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. 12When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. 14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. 15Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.
Read all of Proverbs 4Proverbs 4:13 word by word
הַחֲזֵ֣ק בַּמּוּסָ֣ר אַל־תֶּ֑רֶף נִ֝צְּרֶ֗הָ כִּי־הִ֥יא חַיֶּֽיךָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 4:13
- Proverbs 3:18Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
- Proverbs 23:23Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
- Acts 2:42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
- Acts 11:23When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
- Hebrews 2:1So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
- Revelation 2:13“I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.
- Revelation 12:11And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
- Genesis 32:26Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
- Luke 24:27Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
- John 4:34Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
- Proverbs 3:22for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.
- Deuteronomy 32:47These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:12Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.
- John 6:68Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
Commentaries on Proverbs 4:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Take fast hold - החזק hachazek, seize it strongly, and keep the hold; and do this as for life. Learn all thou canst, retain what thou hast learnt, and keep the reason continually in view - it is for thy life.Read the comment
- 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
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-19The father offers his children two choices: Avoid evil to escape its bad effects Choose good for its blessingsRead the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. (Compare Pr 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 4:13
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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