Proverbs , Sarah Barry
TWO WAYS
Passage: Proverbs 4:10~27  
Key verse: 11
10 Listen, my son,(A) accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.(B)
11 I instruct(C) you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.(D)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.(E)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.(F)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.(G)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(H)
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.(I)
18 The path of the righteous(J) is like the morning sun,(K)
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(L)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(M)
they do not know what makes them stumble.(N)
20 My son,(O) pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.(P)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(Q)
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.(R)
23 Above all else, guard(S) your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.(T)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(U) look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet(V)
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(W)
keep your foot from evil.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level
Cross references
- Proverbs 4:10 : Ps 34:11-16; Pr 1:8-9
- Proverbs 4:10 : S Dt 11:21
- Proverbs 4:11 : S 1Sa 12:23
- Proverbs 4:11 : 2Sa 22:37; Ps 5:8
- Proverbs 4:12 : S Job 18:7; Pr 3:23
- Proverbs 4:13 : S Pr 3:22
- Proverbs 4:14 : Ps 1:1; S Pr 1:15
- Proverbs 4:16 : Ps 36:4; Mic 7:3
- Proverbs 4:17 : Ge 49:5; Ps 73:6; Pr 1:10-19; 14:22; Isa 59:6; Jer 22:3; Hab 1:2; Mal 2:16
- Proverbs 4:18 : Job 17:9
- Proverbs 4:18 : S Job 22:28
- Proverbs 4:18 : S 2Sa 23:4; Da 12:3; Mt 5:14; Jn 8:12; Php 2:15
- Proverbs 4:19 : S Pr 2:13
- Proverbs 4:19 : S Dt 32:35; S Job 3:23; Pr 13:9; S Isa 8:15
- Proverbs 4:20 : Ps 34:11-16; Pr 1:8-9
- Proverbs 4:20 : Pr 5:1
- Proverbs 4:21 : Pr 3:21
- Proverbs 4:22 : S Pr 3:8
- Proverbs 4:23 : S 2Ki 10:31
- Proverbs 4:23 : Pr 10:11; Lk 6:45
- Proverbs 4:25 : S Job 31:1
- Proverbs 4:26 : Heb 12:13*
- Proverbs 4:27 : S Lev 10:11; S Dt 5:32
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
We must decide not to follow the way of evil and wickedness. When we are tempted, we must avoid it, turn away from it, and do not go near it. Wickedness controls us so that we cannot sleep unless we satisfy its wicked desires. We become evil and violent. We are no longer ourselves.
To overcome this, we must listen to what is right and keep God’s commands in our hearts. They will bring us life and healing. We must be alert and guard our path to go the right way with a fear of God, holiness, and the courage to do what is right. We must ponder our ways (26) and honestly ask ourselves, what way am I following? Am I seeking God’s way or my own evil desires?
Prayer: Father, thank you for showing me the way of life in Jesus. Please help me to follow his teachings and live by faith in him.
One Word: Follow the right way