I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
Parallel translations
- KJV I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
- BSB I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.
- NKJV I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.
- NASB I have instructed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
- NLT I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The father has taught the way of wisdom and led in upright paths. Godly instruction sets us on the right road.
Overview
The teacher reminds his son that he has been guided into wisdom's way and straight paths. The image of being led along a path stresses that wisdom is a whole direction of life, not isolated decisions. Christ himself is the way (John 14:6), and his Spirit leads his people in paths of righteousness (Ps 23:3; Rom 8:14).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Ps 25:4–5Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.
- Eccl 12:9Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
- Prov 8:9They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
- Ps 23:3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
- Prov 8:6Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
- 1 Sam 12:23–24Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
- Deut 4:5Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it.
- Prov 4:4He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
- Acts 13:10and said, “Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- Prov 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 4:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.