Proverbs 4:1–27

Introduction

Proverbs 4:1–27: A father instructs his children about the benefits of wisdom. Carefully following good advice is described as traveling along the right road.

Today’s Key Verse: Proverbs 4:13 GNT

Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life—guard it well.

Read

4 My children, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention, and you will have understanding. ² What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all. ³ When I was only a little boy, my parents’ only son, ⁴ my father would teach me. He would say, “Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live. ⁵ Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say. ⁶ Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe. ⁷ Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. ⁸ Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her,^[a] and she will bring you honor. ⁹ She will be your crowning glory.”

¹⁰ Listen to me, my child. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life. ¹¹ I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live. ¹² Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run. ¹³ Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life—guard it well. ¹⁴ Do not go where evil people go. Do not follow the example of the wicked. ¹⁵ Don’t do it! Keep away from evil! Refuse it and go on your way. ¹⁶ Wicked people cannot sleep unless they have done something wrong. They lie awake unless they have hurt someone. ¹⁷ Wickedness and violence are like food and drink to them.

¹⁸ The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come. ¹⁹ The road of the wicked, however, is dark as night. They fall, but cannot see what they have stumbled over.

²⁰ My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen to my words. ²¹ Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. ²² They will give life and health to anyone who understands them. ²³ Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. ²⁴ Never say anything that isn’t true. Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. ²⁵ Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don’t hang your head in shame. ²⁶ Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. ²⁷ Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way.

Reflect

What advice in today’s reading do you find most meaningful? Why? Who in your life has given you wise advice? How is the road traveled by the righteous compared with the road of the wicked (verses 18–19)? Where do these roads seem to lead? Read verse 23 again. Can you see in your experience the ways that “your life is shaped by your thoughts”? What things influence your thoughts?

Pray

Loving God, thank you for the people you have put in my life in my journey in faith. Thank you for your teachings that lead me along the right road. Amen.

And now, join us in praying for the people of Liberia. More than 250,000 people were killed during the Liberian civil war from 1990–2003. Many survivors still carry physical and emotional wounds from the trauma they experienced. But thanks to the generosity of Bible-A-Month Partners, many are now finding hope through the Bible Society’s trauma healing outreach. Lord God, these people in Liberia are drawing close to you and finding freedom through forgiveness and reconciliation. We thank and praise you, Lord God, that your Word is ministering to hurting people who can process their wounds, express their pain, and reconnect with you. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Proverbs 10:1–32: Good people will be blessed.