---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Proverbs from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 4
verse_count: 27
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Proverbs, chap. 4, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Proverbs 4

*Solomon persuadeth to study wisdom.*

**1** Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
**2** For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
**3** For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
**4** He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words keep my commandments, and live.
**5** Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
**6** Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love her, and she shall keep thee.
**7** Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding.
**8** Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
**9** She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
**10** Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
**11** I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
**12** When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
**13** Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her; for she is thv life.
**14** Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
**15** Avoid it, pass it by it, turn from it, and pass away.
**16** For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
**17** For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
**18** But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
**19** The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.
**20** My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
**21** Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
**22** For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
**23** Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
**24** Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
**25** Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
**26** Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
**27** Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.