Proverbs 4 · Verse 20

Proverbs 4:20

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Proverbs 4:20, King James Version

Proverbs 4:20 in other translations

BSBMy son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
WEBMy son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
ASVMy son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
YLTMy son, to my words give attention, To my sayings incline thine ear,
DARBYMy son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
BBEMy son, give attention to my words; let your ear be turned to my sayings.
WebsterMy son, attend to my words; incline thy ear to my sayings.

What does Proverbs 4:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:20-22
20-22. (Compare Pr 4:10, 13; Pr 3:8, &c.).

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

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 4:14-27

The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 4:14-27 →

Proverbs 4:20 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.

בְּ֭נִיBe.niO son myH1121
לִדְבָרַ֣יlid.va.Raito words myH1697
הַקְשִׁ֑יבָהhak.Shi.vahbe attentive !H7181
לַ֝אֲמָרַ֗יla.'a.ma.Raito utterances myH561
הַט\־hat-inclineH5186
אָזְנֶֽךָ\׃'a.ze.Ne.khaear yourH241

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

Cross references for Proverbs 4:20

  • Proverbs 5:1

    My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

  • Isaiah 55:3

    Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

  • Proverbs 6:20-21

    My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

  • Proverbs 7:1

    My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

  • Psalms 78:1

    Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

  • Psalms 90:12

    So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

  • Matthew 17:5

    While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5:1; 6:20,21; 7:1; Ps 78:1; 90:12; Isa 55:3; Mt 17:5

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

Context

  • Proverbs 4:19

    The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

  • Proverbs 4:20

    My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

  • Proverbs 4:21

    Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Read all of Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Hijo mío, está atento á mis palabras; inclina tu oído á mis razones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mon fils, sois attentif à mes paroles, incline ton oreille à mes discours.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Mein Sohn, merke auf meine Worte, neige dein Ohr zu meinen Reden.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Fili mi, ausculta sermones meos, et ad eloquia mea inclina aurem tuam.