Day 4 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotion

Day 4  The wise person does the right thing in the right way at the right time.  Wisdom is not always so complicated.  Many times, we know what we should do, when we should do it, and how.  But the temptation, so often, is to try something different, to do it our way.  Maybe, we feel, we can get more or a better deal or just something different and more exciting.  The temptation is there.  The choice is ours to make.  Wisdom warns us to stay on the right path. Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase of Proverbs 4:10-14 Listen to me, child, and believe me and you’ll live a long time.  I’ve shown you how to be wise; I’ve started you down the right road.  You can walk confidently and run without tripping.  But stick to what I said and don’t give up on it.  Guard this wisdom, because she’s your lifeline. Don’t turn down the path of the wicked or follow the ways of evil people.  Stay off that road. Don’t go near it!  Just walk right on by. Wisdom and discipline go hand in hand.  When we know what to do, we have to choose to do the right thing at the right time in the right way.  We need God's grace to help us choose the right path. Prayer "Father, please, please, please, give us the grace we need to make the right choices in our life that we may live holy and good lives.  Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 4
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 4 A Father’s Instruction 1 Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may [a]gain understanding, 2 For I give you [b]sound teaching; Do not abandon my [c]instruction. 3 When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, 4 Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live; 5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. 7 “The [d]beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. 8 “Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.” 10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings And the years of your life will be many. 11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And [e]they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they [f]stumble. 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all [g]their body. 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious [h]speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your [i]gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil. Footnotes: 1.            Proverbs 4:1 Lit know 2.            Proverbs 4:2 Lit good 3.            Proverbs 4:2 Or law 4.            Proverbs 4:7 Or the primary thing is wisdom 5.            Proverbs 4:16 Lit their sleep is robbed 6.            Proverbs 4:19 Or may stumble 7.            Proverbs 4:22 Lit his 8.            Proverbs 4:24 Or lips 9.            Proverbs 4:25 Or eyelids	Proverbs 4 A Parent’s Advice 1-6 Listen to your father, children, I’m trying to teach you the right way.  Pay attention and you’ll understand.  My principles are very important and you don’t want to miss anything.  I learned it from my dad because my parents loved me.  He said, “Take my words to heart, follow my commands and you will live.  Get wisdom and understanding; never forget or abandon what I say.  Don’t turn away from wisdom and she will keep you safe; love her and she will guard you. 7-9 Here’s how wisdom all starts:  Chase it!  And whatever else you do, get wisdom and understanding.  Prize it above everything else and wisdom will exalt you; she will bring you honor if you hold her in your arms.  She’ll bless you and give you a beautiful crown.” Stay on the Right Path 10-13 Listen to me, child, and believe me and you’ll live a long time.  I’ve shown you how to be wise; I’ve started you down the right road.  You can walk confidently and run without tripping.  But stick to what I said and don’t give up on it.  Guard this wisdom, because she’s your lifeline. 14-19 Don’t turn down the path of the wicked or follow the ways of evil people.  Stay off that road. Don’t go near it!  Just walk right on by.  They can’t go a day without doing wrong.  They can’t sleep at night unless they’ve messed somebody up.  They chew on evil and gulp down violence.  But those vindicated by God walk into a beautiful sunrise--full of hope for the future, growing day by day until becomes reality.  Ungodly people stumble blindly down a dark, dark path and don’t even know what trips them up. 20-23 Listen to what I say, child, and pay close attention.  Let it sink deep into your heart and show you the way, because my advice brings healing and new life.  Your life pours out of your heart so protect it very carefully. 24-27 Don’t say filthy words and never distort the truth.  Look straight ahead and keep your eyes to yourself.  Watch your step and you won’t fall.  Don’t wander off the path this way or that; steer clear of trouble.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase of Proverbs (PCP) Copyright © 2018 by Chris Mullis