Veritable King James Version
1My child, do not forget My teaching,
2for it will add length of days and years of life and peace to you.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart,
4and you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and people.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce,
10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will burst out with new wine.
11My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of His reproof,
12for the Lord reproves the one He loves, as a father the child in whom he delights.
13Blessed is the person who finds wisdom, the person who gains understanding,
14for its profit is better than profit from silver, and its gain better than fine gold.
15It is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with it.
16Long life is in its right hand; in its left are riches and honor.
17Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.
18It is a tree of life to those who lay hold of it; those who hold it fast are called blessed.
19The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens;
20by His knowledge the deeps were split open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21My child, do not let them depart from your eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22and they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.
23Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes.
26For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.
30Do not contend with a person for no reason, when they have done you no harm.
31Do not envy a person of violence and do not choose any of their ways,
32for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but He is intimate with the upright.
33The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34Toward the scoffers He is scornful, but to the humble He gives favor.
35The wise will inherit honor, but fools exalt disgrace. Proverbs 4 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 4 – VKJV
Translation notes
The Hebrew “beni” (literally “my son”) is rendered as “my child” to promote inclusivity, as wisdom literature applies universally without gender restriction, while maintaining the intimate parental tone. “Torati” (My teaching or law) refers to divine instruction, emphasizing ethical and moral guidance; literal: “my torah.” The verb “tishkach” (forget) is imperative, urging active remembrance. Grammatically, the parallel structure pairs “teaching” with “commandments” (mitsvotai), highlighting obedience as key to blessing. Theologically, this echoes Deuteronomy 8:1, where keeping commandments leads to long life; cross-references include Psalm 119:93 for life’s sustenance through precepts. No additions from Dead Sea Scrolls variants noted in MT.
“Chesed ve’emet” (mercy/kindness and truth) are core attributes of God (Exodus 34:6), here personified as companions not to be abandoned; literal: “let not steadfast love and faithfulness leave you.” The imagery of “binding” (qashrem) and “writing” (katvem) suggests internalization, akin to Deuteronomy 6:8-9’s shema command. Gender-neutral “you” replaces archaic possessives, and “adam” (man) becomes “people” for inclusivity without altering singular-to-plural intent. Theologically, this promises relational harmony; cross-references: Proverbs 14:22 for mercy’s rewards, Luke 2:52 for favor with God and humans. MT consistent, no significant variants.
“Betach el-YHWH” (trust in YHWH) uses imperative form, with “kol-libbekha” (all your heart) emphasizing total reliance; literal: “trust toward the LORD.” “Al-tisha’en” (do not lean) implies avoiding self-reliance, grammatically a negative command parallel to positive trust. “Da’ehu” (acknowledge Him) carries knowledge/intimacy connotation. Theologically, this counters human pride, promising divine guidance (Isaiah 30:21); cross-references: James 1:5 for wisdom in trials, Psalm 37:5 for committing ways to God. Capitalization of “Him” and “He” denotes deity. No DSS variants affect meaning.
“Al-tehi chakam be’eynekha” warns against self-conceit, literal: “do not be wise in your eyes,” paralleling Romans 12:16. “Yera et-YHWH” (fear the LORD) is reverential awe, not terror. “Sur me-ra” (turn from evil) is active departure. “Rip’ut le-shorrekha” (healing to your navel/body) uses “shor” metaphorically for core vitality; modernized to “body” for clarity. Theologically, links obedience to holistic well-being (Exodus 15:26); cross-references: Proverbs 4:22 for health through words, 1 Peter 3:10-11 for shunning evil. MT stable.
“Kabbed et-YHWH me-honekha” (honor the LORD from your substance) implies tithing/generosity; “re’shit” (firstfruits) echoes Deuteronomy 26:2. Grammatically, conditional promise with future tense “yimale’u” (will be filled). Theologically, teaches stewardship and blessing’s reciprocity (Malachi 3:10); cross-references: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 for cheerful giving, Exodus 23:19 for firstfruits law. Modern “wealth” and “produce” clarify ancient terms without addition. No variants noted.
“Musar YHWH” (discipline of the LORD) is corrective training, not punishment; literal: “do not reject.” “Al-tiqots” (do not be weary) suggests endurance. “Yokhiach” (reproves) parallels parental love, with “yakir” (delights). Gender-neutral “child” for “ben” (son). Theologically, views suffering as loving refinement (Hebrews 12:5-11 quotes this); cross-references: Job 5:17 for blessed correction, Revelation 3:19 for divine chastening. MT consistent with LXX.
“Ashrei ha-adam” (blessed/happy the man) uses “person” for gender-neutral “adam.” “Chokmah” (wisdom) and “tevunah” (understanding) are feminine nouns, personified as “it/she.” Literal merchandise imagery: “sachrah” (profit). “Chafetz” (desire) emphasizes incomparability. “Etz chayyim” (tree of life) echoes Genesis 2:9, symbolizing eternal vitality. Grammatically, poetic parallelism throughout. Theologically, wisdom as divine gift surpassing material wealth (Proverbs 8:11); cross-references: Revelation 2:7 for tree of life, James 3:17 for peaceful wisdom. DSS fragments align with MT.
“YHWH be-chokmah yasad-aretz” attributes creation to divine attributes; literal: “the LORD in wisdom founded the earth.” “Tevunah” and “da’ato” (His knowledge) personify wisdom in cosmogony. “Tehomot” (deeps) recalls Genesis 1:2, 7:11. Theologically, integrates wisdom into creation order (Proverbs 8:22-31 expands); cross-references: Job 38:4-6 for foundations, Colossians 1:16-17 for Christ as wisdom. No significant variants.
“Al-yaluzu me’eynekha” (do not let depart from your eyes) urges vigilance. “Tushiyyah u-mezimmah” (sound wisdom and discretion) are practical virtues. Imagery of “walking securely” and “not stumbling” symbolizes stability. “Mishkavkha” (your sleep) promises peace amid threats. Theologically, divine protection through wisdom (Psalm 91:3-4); cross-references: Proverbs 10:9 for upright walking, 1 Samuel 2:9 for guarding feet. Gender-neutral throughout.
“Al-timna tov mi-be’alav” literal: “do not withhold good from its owners,” interpreted as rightful recipients. “Re’akha” (neighbor) emphasizes community ethics. Grammatically, prohibitions against delay, plotting, strife. Theologically, promotes justice and peace (Leviticus 19:18); cross-references: Romans 13:7 for rendering due, James 4:17 for sin of omission. “Person” for “ish” (man) inclusively.
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