1 Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- ye children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- the instruction H4148 (מוּסָר) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
- of a father H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
- and attend H7181 (קָשַׁב) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
- to know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- understanding H998 (בִּינָה) — understanding
2 For I give you good doctrine; Forsake ye not my law.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For I give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- you good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- doctrine H3948 (לֶקַח) — properly, something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the teacher or hearer); also (in an active and sinister sense) inveiglement
- forsake H5800 (עָזַב) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
- ye not my law H8451 (תּוֹרָה) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
3 For I was a son unto my father, Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For I was my father’s H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
- son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- tender H7390 (רַךְ) — tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak
- and only H3173 (יָחִיד) — properly, united, i.e. sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced)
- in the sight H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- of my mother H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
4 And he taught me, and said unto me: Let thy heart retain my words; Keep my commandments, and live;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He taught H3384 (יָרָה) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the f…
- me also, and said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto me, Let thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- retain H8551 (תָּמַךְ) — to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close
- my words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- my commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
- and live H2421 (חָיָה) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Get H7069 (קָנָה) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
- wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- understanding H998 (בִּינָה) — understanding
- forget H7911 (שָׁכַח) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
- not; neither decline H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- from the words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- of my mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
6 Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Forsake H5800 (עָזַב) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
- her not, and she shall preserve H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- thee: love H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- her, and she shall keep H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- the principal thing H7225 (רֵאשִׁית) — the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
- get H7069 (קָנָה) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
- and with all thy getting H7075 (קִנְיָן) — creation, i.e. (concretely) creatures; also acquisition, purchase, wealth
- get understanding H998 (בִּינָה) — understanding
8 Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Exalt H5549 (סָלַל) — to mound up (especially a turnpike); figurative, to exalt; reflexively, to oppose (as by a dam)
- her, and she shall promote H7311 (רוּם) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
- thee: she shall bring thee to honour H3513 (כָּבַד) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses…
- when thou dost embrace H2263 (חָבַק) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace)
9 She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace; A crown of beauty will she deliver to thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- She shall give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- to thine head H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
- an ornament H3880 (לִוְיָה) — something attached, i.e. a wreath
- of grace H2580 (חֵן) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
- a crown H5850 (עֲטָרָה) — a crown
- of glory H8597 (תִּפְאָרָה) — ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)
- shall she deliver H4042 (מָגַן) — properly, to shield; encompass with; figuratively, to rescue, to hand safely over (i.e. surrender)
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; And the years of thy life shall be many.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- O my son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- and receive H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- my sayings H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- and the years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- of thy life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- shall be many H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I have taught H3384 (יָרָה) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the f…
- thee in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- I have led H1869 (דָּרַךְ) — to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
- thee in right H3476 (יֹשֶׁר) — the right
- paths H4570 (מַעְגָּל) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- When thou goest H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- thy steps H6806 (צַעַד) — a pace or regular step
- shall not be straitened H3334 (יָצַר) — to press (intransitive), i.e. be narrow; figuratively, be in distress
- and when thou runnest H7323 (רוּץ) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)
- thou shalt not stumble H3782 (כָּשַׁל) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Take fast hold H2388 (חָזַק) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conque…
- of instruction H4148 (מוּסָר) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
- not go H7503 (רָפָה) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
- keep H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
- thy life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Enter H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- not into the path H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
- and go H833 (אָשַׁר) — to be straight (used in the widest sense, especially to be level, right, happy); figuratively, to go forward, be honest, prosper
- not in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
15 Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Avoid H6544 (פָּרַע) — to loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin
- it, pass H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
- not by it, turn H7847 (שָׂטָה) — to deviate from duty
- from it, and pass away H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
16 For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For they sleep H3462 (יָשֵׁן) — properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old, stale or inveterate
- not, except they have done mischief H7489 (רָעַע) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally)
- and their sleep H8142 (שֵׁנָה) — sleep
- is taken away H1497 (גָּזַל) — to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
- to fall H3782 (כָּשַׁל) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For they eat H3898 (לָחַם) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction)
- the bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- of wickedness H7562 (רֶשַׁע) — a wrong (especially moral)
- and drink H8354 (שָׁתָה) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
- the wine H3196 (יַיִן) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
- of violence H2555 (חָמָס) — violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
18 But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- But the path H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of the just H6662 (צַדִּיק) — just
- as the shining H5051 (נֹגַהּ) — brilliancy (literally or figuratively)
- light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
- that shineth H215 (אוֹר) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
- more H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- and more unto the perfect H3559 (כּוּן) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, a…
- day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
- as darkness H653 (אֲפֵלָה) — duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment
- they know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- not at what they stumble H3782 (כָּשַׁל) — to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
20 My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- attend H7181 (קָשַׁב) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
- to my words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- incline H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- thine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- unto my sayings H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let them not depart H3868 (לוּז) — to turn aside , i.e. (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse
- from thine eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- them in the midst H8432 (תָּוֶךְ) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
- of thine heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
22 For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- unto those that find H4672 (מָצָא) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
- them, and health H4832 (מַרְפֵּא) — properly, curative, i.e. literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity
- to all their flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Keep H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
- thy heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- with all diligence H4929 (מִשְׁמָר) — a guard (the man, the post or the prison); a deposit (figuratively); also (as observed) a usage (abstractly), or an example (concretely)
- the issues H8444 (תּוֹצָאָה) — (only in plural collective) exit, i.e. (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source
- of life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
24 Put away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Put away H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
- from thee a perverse H6143 (עִקְּשׁוּת) — perversity
- mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- and corrupt H3891 (לְזוּת) — perverseness
- lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- put far H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
25 Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let thine eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- look H5027 (נָבַט) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
- right on H5227 (נֹכַח) — properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
- and let thine eyelids H6079 (עַפְעַף) — an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray
- look straight H3474 (יָשַׁר) — to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous
26 Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Ponder H6424 (פָּלַס) — properly, to roll flat, i.e. prepare (a road); also to revolve, i.e. weigh (mentally)
- the path H4570 (מַעְגָּל) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
- of thy feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
- and let all thy ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- be established H3559 (כּוּן) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, a…
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Turn H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- not to the right hand H3225 (יָמִין) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
- nor to the left H8040 (שְׂמֹאול) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
- remove H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
- thy foot H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
- from evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)