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.
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.