Proverbs 4:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

NIV: My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.

NASB: My son, pay attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

CSB: My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings.

NLT: My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.

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

NKJV: My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.

Asking someone to "incline [their] ear" brings up the image of someone leaning forward, tipping their head to hear more clearly. The point is that these words are not to be passively taken in, but actively and carefully considered. Simply hearing wise counsel is inadequate unless the listener pays close attention to it. This corresponds to many other verses in Proverbs which encourage valuing godly wisdom.

Jesus cautioned, "Pay attention to what you hear" (Mark 4:24). He had concluded a discourse about the kinds of soil on which seed fell. The seed that fell along a path represents the Word that Satan quickly removes (Mark 4:15). The seed sown on rocky ground represents the Word that hearers receive joyfully but discard when persecution strikes them (Mark 4:16–17). The seed sown among thorns represents the Word that others receive until worldly concerns, the deceitfulness of riches, and materialistic desires choke it (Mark 4:18–19). The seed that fell on good soil represents the Word that hearers accept and show how well they accept it by bearing fruit in their lives. (Mark 4:20). It is important, therefore, to welcome God's Word with open ears and an open heart.

Proverbs 4:20–27 concludes the chapter with Solomon telling his son how to live. This follows earlier explanations of advice his own father, David, gave to him. Emphasis here is on the attitude of the heart, the focus of the eyes, and the direction of the feet. This begins with a pattern seen many other places in Proverbs: an encouragement to value godly wisdom.

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.