TWO WAYS

Passage: Proverbs 4:10-27

Key verse: 11

NIV

10 Listen, my son,(A) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(B)
11 I instruct(C) you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.(D)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.(E)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.(F)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.(G)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(H)
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.(I)

18 The path of the righteous(J) is like the morning sun,(K)
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(L)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(M)
    they do not know what makes them stumble.(N)

20 My son,(O) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(P)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(Q)
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.(R)
23 Above all else, guard(S) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.(T)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(U) look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet(V)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(W)
    keep your foot from evil.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

10 (A)Hear, (B)my son, and accept my words,
    that (C)the years of your life may be many.
11 I have (D)taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12 When you walk, (E)your step will not be hampered,
    and (F)if you run, you will not stumble.
13 (G)Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your (H)life.
14 (I)Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they (J)cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
    (K)and drink the wine of violence.
18 But (L)the path of the righteous is like (M)the light of dawn,
    which shines (N)brighter and brighter until (O)full day.
19 (P)The way of the wicked is like deep (Q)darkness;
    they do not know over what they (R)stumble.

20 (S)My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
21 (T)Let them not escape from your sight;
    (U)keep them within your heart.
22 For they are (V)life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their[a] flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for (W)from it flow (X)the springs of life.
24 Put away from you (Y)crooked speech,
    and put (Z)devious talk far from you.
25 (AA)Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
26 (AB)Ponder[b] the path of your feet;
    (AC)then all your ways will be sure.
27 (AD)Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Proverbs 4:22 Hebrew his
  2. Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

This passage compares and contrasts two ways. The first way is to accept wise instruction and to follow it. When we humbly accept instruction, we will be upright in heart. We will have spirit and strength to run our race by faith. By diligently following the right way, we can guard ourselves from the consequences of sin and wickedness.

We must decide not to follow the way of evil and wickedness. When we are tempted, we must avoid it, turn away from it, and do not go near it. Wickedness controls us so that we cannot sleep unless we satisfy its wicked desires. We become evil and violent. We are no longer ourselves.

To overcome this, we must listen to what is right and keep God’s commands in our hearts. They will bring us life and healing. We must be alert and guard our path to go the right way with a fear of God, holiness, and the courage to do what is right. We must ponder our ways (26) and honestly ask ourselves, what way am I following? Am I seeking God’s way or my own evil desires?

Prayer: Father, thank you for showing me the way of life in Jesus. Please help me to follow his teachings and live by faith in him.

One Word: Follow the right way