Proverbs 4:6
New International Version
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

New Living Translation
Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.

English Standard Version
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.

King James Bible
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

New King James Version
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you.

New American Standard Bible
“Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

NASB 1995
“Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

NASB 1977
“Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; Love her, and she will guard you.

Amplified Bible
“Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.

American Standard Version
Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee.

Contemporary English Version
"If you love Wisdom and don't reject her, she will watch over you.

English Revised Version
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love her, and she shall keep thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do not abandon wisdom, and it will watch over you. Love wisdom, and it will protect you.

Good News Translation
Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe.

International Standard Version
Do not abandon her, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will watch over you.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you.

NET Bible
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you.

New Heart English Bible
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.

Webster's Bible Translation
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

World English Bible
Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, "" Love her, and she keeps you.

Young's Literal Translation
Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not forsake her, and she will watch thee: love her, and she will guard thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her, and she shall preserve thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not send her away, and she will guard you. Love her, and she will preserve you.

New American Bible
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you;

New Revised Standard Version
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will save you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not forsake her that she may keep you; love her that she may deliver you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And forsake it not, and it shall cleave to thee: love it, and it shall keep thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Father's Instruction
5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. 7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.…

Cross References
James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 2:10-11
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. / Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,

Proverbs 3:13-18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...

Proverbs 8:35-36
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. / But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 9:10-11
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. / For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Colossians 2:2-3
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Proverbs 1:33
But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Proverbs 19:8
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

Proverbs 23:23
Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.

Isaiah 33:6
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.

Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”


Treasury of Scripture

Forsake her not, and she shall preserve you: love her, and she shall keep you.

love

Proverbs 4:21,22
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart…

Proverbs 2:10-12
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; …

Ephesians 3:17
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

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Proverbs 4
1. persuades to wisdom
14. and to show wickedness
20. He exhorts to sanctification














Do not forsake her
In this phrase, "her" refers to wisdom, personified as a woman throughout the book of Proverbs. The Hebrew root for "forsake" is "עזב" (azab), which means to leave, abandon, or neglect. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued and considered essential for a righteous and prosperous life. The exhortation not to forsake wisdom underscores its importance and the need for continual engagement and commitment to living wisely. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the pursuit of wisdom as a lifelong journey.

and she will preserve you
The promise that wisdom "will preserve you" suggests protection and sustenance. The Hebrew word for "preserve" is "שמר" (shamar), which means to guard, keep, or watch over. This implies that wisdom acts as a safeguard against the pitfalls and dangers of life. In a historical context, wisdom was seen as a divine gift that provided guidance and security, much like a shepherd watching over his flock. This assurance of preservation is a recurring theme in Scripture, where adherence to God's wisdom leads to safety and well-being.

love her
The call to "love her" emphasizes a deep, affectionate commitment to wisdom. The Hebrew word for "love" is "אהב" (ahav), which conveys a sense of devotion and desire. In biblical terms, love is not merely an emotion but an active choice and commitment. This phrase suggests that one should not only seek wisdom but also cherish and prioritize it in their life. The historical context of Proverbs, often attributed to Solomon, reflects a culture that revered wisdom as a divine attribute, worthy of love and dedication.

and she will guard you
The assurance that wisdom "will guard you" reinforces the protective role of wisdom. The Hebrew word for "guard" is "נצר" (natsar), which means to watch, protect, or maintain. This suggests that wisdom acts as a vigilant protector, keeping one safe from harm and guiding them through life's challenges. In the scriptural context, this guarding is not just physical but also moral and spiritual, helping individuals to maintain integrity and righteousness. The promise of protection is a testament to the power and efficacy of living a life grounded in divine wisdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

forsake [wisdom],
תַּעַזְבֶ֥הָ (ta·‘az·ḇe·hā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

and she will preserve you;
וְתִשְׁמְרֶ֑ךָּ (wə·ṯiš·mə·re·kā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

love her,
אֱהָבֶ֥הָ (’ĕ·hā·ḇe·hā)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

and she will guard you.
וְתִצְּרֶֽךָּ׃ (wə·ṯiṣ·ṣə·re·kā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:6 Don't forsake her and she will preserve (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 4:5
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