Proverbs 4:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching.

NIV: I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.

NASB: For I give you good teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.

CSB: for I am giving you good instruction. Don’t abandon my teaching.

NLT: for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.

KJV: For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

NKJV: For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

In this verse Solomon tells his sons—possibly meaning students—that his precepts are good, therefore they should not forsake them. The book of Proverbs assumes a progression from learning to knowledge to wisdom and then to understanding. This last stage is where someone can teach the precepts of godly wisdom to others. Since Solomon has that experience, it is good advice to follow his instructions.

Today, as always, believers need to discern what is true and reject what is false. The apostle John wrote: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). In the letter that bears his name, Jude summoned his readers to contend for the truth because certain people were perverting God's grace and denying the Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:3–4). In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul commanded Timothy to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2) because the time was approaching when people would not "endure sound teaching" but would attach themselves to teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). Paul said those people would "turn away from listening to the truth" and "wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4: 4).

If we heed the apostles' admonitions, we will cherish God's Word. It is truth (John 17:17), and "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Proverbs 4:1–9 looks back on Solomon's childhood and the wise instruction he received from his father David. He rehearses that instruction and passes it along to his young students. Echoing David, Solomon credits wisdom with the power to protect, honor, and grace the life of whoever acquires it. ''Wisdom,'' used in these passages, means the ability to act according to godly knowledge.

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.