Proverbs 4:20-27

A Father's Wise Instruction

²⁰ _k My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
²¹ _l Let them not escape from your sight;
_m keep them within your heart.
²² For they are _n life to those who find them,
and healing to all their ₁ flesh.
²³ Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for _o from it flow _p the springs of life.
²⁴ Put away from you _q crooked speech,
and put _r devious talk far from you.
²⁵ _s Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
²⁶ _t Ponder ₂ the path of your feet;
_u then all your ways will be sure.
²⁷ _v Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

1. Cross References
   Proverbs 4:10
   Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
   
2. Cross References
   Proverbs 3:21
   My son, do not lose sight of these - keep sound wisdom and discretion.
   
3. Cross References
   Proverbs 2:1
   My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you.
   
4. Cross References
   Proverbs 4:13
   Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
   Proverbs 8:35
   For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.
   Proverbs 21:21
   Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
   Deuteronomy 32:47
   For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.
   1 Timothy 4:8
   For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
   
5. Cross References
   Matthew 12:35
   The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
   
6. Cross References
   Psalms 16:11
   You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
   
7. Cross References
   Proverbs 6:12
   A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech.
   
8. Cross References
   Proverbs 2:15
   Men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
   
9. Cross References
   Hebrews 12:2
   Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
   
10. Cross References
    Proverbs 5:6
    She does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.
    Proverbs 5:21
    For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
    Hebrews 12:13
    And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
    
11. Cross References
    Psalms 119:5
    Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
    
12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 5:32
    You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
    Deuteronomy 28:14
    And if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
    Joshua 1:7
    Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
    1 Kings 15:5
    Because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.