13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
13 Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well - your life is at stake!
13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.
13 Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
2 that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
2 Then you'll acquire a taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble.
2 That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge.
2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you've learned.
(Read Proverbs 5:1-14)
Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 4:13
Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13
(Read Proverbs 4:1-13)
We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.