Proverbs 4:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.

NIV: Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

NASB: Listen, my son, and accept my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.

CSB: Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years.

NLT: My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.

KJV: Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

NKJV: Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.

As seen so often in the book of Proverbs, Solomon calls upon his son to pay attention to his words, and bend his ear to his precepts. He assures that his son will experience longevity if he heeds his counsel. In the context of "wisdom literature," like the book of Proverbs, this is understood as a general statement, not an infallible prophecy. Those who live according to godly wisdom are far less likely to experience the life-shortening consequences of sin. And yet, in an eternal sense, those who seek truth are guaranteed life. Heeding God's Word by believing what it teaches about salvation through Christ brings more abundant earthly life as well as eternal life.

The believer enjoys fulfilment throughout his days on earth and bliss in heaven, where life cannot be measured by years. The day after Jesus fed the five thousand, those who followed Him only because they benefited from His miracles left Him. Jesus turned to His twelve disciples and asked, "Do you want to go away as well?" (John 6:67). Peter responded quickly and wisely, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). In Philippians 2:16 we find the expression, "the word of life." True wisdom offers life to all who heed God's Word.

Proverbs 4:10–19 contains both positive and negative counsel: ''do'' and ''do not'' statements. Solomon urges his son to choose the positive path of wisdom and avoid the negative ways of wickedness. Those caught in evil are portrayed as overcome, addicted, and desperate. Solomon concludes this section by comparing the path of the righteous to bright light and the way of the wicked to deep darkness.

Common for the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his sons—possibly also other students—to listen to his words. He recalls his early years, when he heard some of these words from his father, David. Wisdom is upheld as the most beneficial thing a person can acquire in life. It brings honor and safety. In contrast, the wicked are perpetual wrongdoers whose goal is to lead others astray. They live for wickedness and violence, and they stumble in the darkness. Solomon urges his sons not to deviate from the path of godly wisdom, either ''to the right or to the left.''

The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs focus on extolling the value of godly wisdom. In this chapter King Solomon continues to pass along this message to his son. His advice to his sons—possibly also meaning his students—in chapter 4 is similar to what he says in Proverbs 1:8–9; 2:1–6; 3:1–2, 21–26; 5:1–2; 6:20–22; 7:1–3, 24; and 8:22–36. The words of this chapter are partly taken from advice Solomon recalls hearing from his own father, David.

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.