Proverbs 4 · Verse 13

Proverbs 4:13

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Proverbs 4:13, King James Version

Proverbs 4:13 in other translations

BSBHold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
WEBTake firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
ASVTake fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.
YLTLay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she is thy life.
DARBYTake fast hold of instruction, let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.
BBETake learning in your hands, do not let her go: keep her, for she is your life.
WebsterTake fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

What does Proverbs 4:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. (Compare Pr 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 Take fast hold - החזק hachazek, seize it strongly, and keep the hold; and do this as for life. Learn all thou canst, retain what thou hast learnt, and keep the reason continually in view - it is for thy life.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13

We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 4:1-13 →

Proverbs 4:13 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הַחֲזֵ֣קha.cha.Zektake holdH2388
בַּמּוּסָ֣רba.mu.Saron <the> disciplineH4148
אַל\־'al-may notH408
תֶּ֑רֶףTe.refyou let goH7503
נִ֝צְּרֶ֗הָni.tze.Re.hakeep herH5341
כִּי\־ki-forH3588
הִ֥יאhi'sheH1931
חַיֶּֽיךָ\׃chai.Yei.kha[is] life yourH2416

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 4:13

  • Proverbs 3:18

    She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

  • Hebrews 2:1

    Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

  • Proverbs 23:23

    Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

  • Deuteronomy 32:47

    For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

  • Acts 2:42

    And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21

    Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

  • Acts 11:23

    Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

  • John 6:68

    Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

  • Revelation 12:11

    And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

  • Song of Solomon 3:4

    It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

  • Revelation 2:13

    I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:12

    For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Take.
3:18; 23:23; Ac 2:42; 11:23; 1Th 5:21; Heb 2:1; Re 2:13; 12:11
let.
Ge 32:26; So 3:4; Lu 24:27-29; Joh 4:39-42
she.
3:22; De 32:47; Ec 7:12; Joh 6:68

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 4:12

    When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

  • Proverbs 4:13

    Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

  • Proverbs 4:14

    Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Read all of Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Ten el consejo, no lo dejes; guárdalo, porque eso es tu vida.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Tiens ferme l’instruction, ne la lâche pas; garde-la, car elle est ta vie.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Halte fest an der Unterweisung, laß sie nicht los; bewahre sie, denn sie ist dein Leben. -
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Tene disciplinam, ne dimittas eam; custodi illam, quia ipsa est vita tua.