Proverbs 23:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.

NIV: Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:

NASB: Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way.

CSB: Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.

NLT: My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course.

KJV: Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

NKJV: Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way.

This is another reminder from Solomon for his son—possibly meaning a student—to make good use of his teachings. Life's choices are often described as walking a path (Proverbs 4:11, 18, 26), so those who follow God's will can avoid both danger and becoming lost. This is a major theme of the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 1:1–10). True wisdom begins with a reverent submission to God's will. While most of the wisdom in this book was written by Solomon, this passage is part of thirty wise teachings which Solomon endorsed, but likely did not write (Proverbs 22:17–21). Several times, in recounting those lessons, Solomon includes this reminder (Proverbs 23:12, 26).

Jesus used the analogy of paths when speaking about the basic choice facing all people. Each way has a gate; one is wide, the other is narrow. A person must choose which gate he will enter. The wide gate opens to an easy way—the kind that's easy to envy (Proverbs 23:17). The narrow gate opens to a hard way, which the world sees as unreasonable. Christ noted that many choose to enter the wide gate and follow the easy way, but that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Few choose the narrow gate, but the "hard way" leads to life (Matthew 7:14). He commanded: "Enter by the narrow gate" (Matthew 7:13).

In his farewell speech, Joshua commanded the people of Israel to "Choose this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15). The gospel offers a similar pair of options: to believe on Jesus and follow Him or reject Him and follow a path leading to destruction.

Proverbs 23:12–21 lays out more of the thirty wise sayings which Solomon recorded for others to hear (Proverbs 22:17–21). Verses 12 and 19 repeat the call to heed wisdom. The following helpful statements touch on child discipline, personal integrity, caution about one's companions, and the benefits of listening to godly parental advice.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.