Proverbs 4:1

Modern

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Traditional

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

Literal

Hear, my sons, the discipline of a father, and pay attention to know understanding.

Latin

Audite, filii, disciplinam patris, et attendite ut sciatis prudentiam.

Hebrew

English

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Discourses in Proverbs 1–9 often start with a call to listen (compare 1:8, 23; 2:1; 4:20–21; 5:1–2; 6:20–23; 7:1–3).
Listen...to a father’s instruction: Children should listen because they have made mistakes.

Theme notes and profiles

Hebrews 2:1
We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Psalm 34:11
Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.
Proverbs 2:1–5
My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
Proverbs 5:1
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,
1 Thessalonians 2:11–12
For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
Proverbs 22:17
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
Proverbs 7:4
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
Proverbs 8:32–36
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Proverbs 6:20–23
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.