112 The chapter includes an exhortation to acquire wisdom (1–4a), a list of the benefits of wisdom (4b–9), a call to pursue a righteous lifestyle (10–13), a warning against a wicked lifestyle (14–19), and an exhortation to righteousness (20–27).
1 Heb “sons.”
2 Heb “discipline.”
3 The Qal infinitive construct with preposition ל (lamed) indicates the purpose/result of the preceding imperative.
4 Heb “know” (so , ).
5 The perfect tense has the nuance of instantaneous perfect; the sage is now calling the disciples to listen. It could also be a perfect of resolve, indicating what he is determined to do.
6 The word לֶקַח (leqakh, “instruction”) can be subjective (instruction acquired) or objective (the thing being taught). The latter fits best here.
7 Or “a boy with my father.”
8 The introduces the ideas of “obedient” and “beloved” for these two terms. This seems to be a free rendering, if not a translation of a different Hebrew textual tradition. The makes good sense and requires no emendation. Heb “tender and only one.” The phrase רַךְ וְיָחִיד (rakh véyakhid, “tender and only one”) is a hendiadys meaning “tender only child.” The adjective רַךְ (rakh) means “tender; delicate” ( 940 רַךְ), and describes a lad who is young and undeveloped in character (e.g., 2 Sam 3:39). The adjective יָחִיד (yakhid) means “only one” ( 402 יָחִיד) and refers to a beloved and prized only child (e.g., Gen 22:2).
9 The imperative with the vav expresses volitional sequence after the preceding imperative: “keep and then you will live,” meaning “keep so that you may live.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

for I give you good precepts;

do not forsake my teaching.

When I was a son with my father,

tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,

he taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

keep my commandments, and live.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;

pay attention and gain understanding.

I give you sound learning,

so do not forsake my teaching.

For I too was a son to my father,

still tender, and cherished by my mother.

Then he taught me, and he said to me,

“Take hold of my words with all your heart;

keep my commands, and you will live.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,

and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,

for I am giving you good instruction.

Don’t abandon my teaching.

When I was a son with my father,

tender and precious to my mother,

he taught me and said,

“Your heart must hold on to my words.

Keep my commands and live.

NLTNew Living Translation

My children, listen when your father corrects you.

Pay attention and learn good judgment,

for I am giving you good guidance.

Don’t turn away from my instructions.

For I, too, was once my father’s son,

tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

My father taught me,

“Take my words to heart.

Follow my commands, and you will live.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Children, listen to the instruction of a father,

and be attentive in order to know insight.

For I have given you good instruction;

do not forsake my teaching.

When I was a son to my father,

tender and alone before my mother,

he taught me and said to me,

“May your heart hold fast to my words;

guard my commandments and live.

KJV 1900King James Version

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father,

And attend to know understanding.

For I give you good doctrine,

Forsake ye not my law.

For I was my father’s son,

Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

He taught me also, and said unto me,

Let thine heart retain my words:

Keep my commandments, and live.

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Proverbs 4:1–4

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Admonition to Follow Righteousness and Avoid Wickedness112

Footnotes