Proverbs 4

Proverbs · Chapter 4

Proverbs 4:21

1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.2For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.3For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.4He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.9She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.10Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.13Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.16For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
do notאַל־'al-H0408
not

אַל (al) 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

let them departיַלִּ֥יזוּya-LI-zuH3868
be devious

לוּז (luz) 1) to depart, turn aside 1a) (Qal) to depart 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to go wrong, go crooked 1b2) devious, perverse (participle) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to be lost from view 1c2) to become devious

from eyes yourמֵעֵינֶ֑יךָme-'ei-NEI-khaH5869HNo entry
keep themשָׁ֝מְרֵ֗םSHAM-REMH8104G
to keep: obey

שָׁמַר (sha.mar) : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded …

in [the] midst ofבְּת֣וֹךְbe-TOKHH8432
midst

תָּ֫וֶךְ (ta.vekh) 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

heart yourלְבָבֶֽךָ׃le-va-VE-khaH3824
heart

לֵבָב (le.vav) 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.