Get Wisdom at Any Cost Ch. 4

A Proverbs 4 Scripture Weaving

This is a Proverbs Chapter 4 rewrite. I have inserted parts of scripture where they seemed to relate to the original NIV Proverbs 4 text. In order to maintain cohesion between the many passages, I’ve had to change some words. Pronoun and verb tense changes are not noted, but additions and subtractions are indicated with brackets or ellipses. The original NIV Proverb’s chapters are italicized. All scripture is footnoted.

I hope this tapestry of scripture arrests you as it did me. I plan to release these one chapter every Sunday: Chapters 1-9, 30-31. Click the links below to return to a previous chapter. The next chapter links are available at the end after their release.

Note: Wisdom, God, and Christ are described very similarly in scripture, but in order for these passages to seem like they’re talking about the same person, I either had to change Wisdom’s pronouns to “he” or change Jesus’ pronouns to “she.” Because I am using Proverbs as my primary text, I changed Jesus’ pronouns to “she.”

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Proverbs Chapter 4 

Listen, my [children], to [God, the] Father’s instruction. Pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake his teaching. For I too was a son to my [earthly] father, still tender, and cherished by my [earthly] mother.

Then [God] taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart¹ and with all your soul and with all your mind.² Keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake Wisdom, and she will protect you³ against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.⁴

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As she was with Moses, so she will be with you. She will never leave you nor forsake you.⁵ Love her, and she will watch over you.

The beginning of wisdom is this: [marry] wisdom. Though it cost all you have, [obtain her.] Cherish her,⁶[just like], each one of you also must love his wife,⁷ and she will exalt you. Embrace her,⁸ [as] two become one flesh⁹ and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown,¹⁰ the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award . . . on that day . . . to all who have longed for his appearing.¹¹

Listen, my [children], accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of Wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.¹² Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.¹³

Photo by Kea Mowat on Unsplash

Hold on to instruction. Do not let it go. Guard it well for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers,¹⁴ or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.¹⁵ Avoid it! Do not travel on it! Turn from it and go on your way! For they cannot rest until they do evil. They are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun.¹⁶ [This path] will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun,¹⁷ shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness¹⁸ because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.¹⁹ They do not know what makes them stumble.²⁰

Photo by Cherry Laithang on Unsplash

My [children], pay attention to what I say. Turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight. Keep them within your heart for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity. Keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.²¹ And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.²² Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left. Keep your foot from evil.²³

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1. Proverbs 4:1-4a

2. Matthew 22:37b

3. Proverbs 4:4b-6a

4. Ephesians 6:12b

5. Joshua 1:5

6. Proverbs 4:6b-8a

7. Ephesians 5:33a

8. Proverbs 4:8b

9. Ephesians 5:31c

10. Proverbs 4:8c-9

11. 1 Timothy 4:8b-c

12. Proverbs 4:10-12

13. Isaiah 40:30-31

14. Proverbs 4:13-14

15. Psalm 1:1b-c

16. Proverbs 4:15-18a

17. Psalm 37:6

18. Proverbs 4:18b-19a

19. John 3:19b-20

20. Proverbs 4:19b

21. Proverbs 4:20-25

22. Hebrews 12:1c-2a

23. Proverbs 4:26-27