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You naive ones, gain prudence,
    you fools,[a] gain sense.
Listen! for noble things I speak;
    my lips proclaim honest words.
[b]Indeed, my mouth utters truth,
    and my lips abhor wickedness.

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Footnotes

  1. 8:5 Naive ones…fools: see note on 1:4.
  2. 8:7–8 The truth and sincerity of wisdom are absolute because they are of divine origin. They can neither deceive nor tolerate deception. The intelligent understand and accept this. “Straight” and “crooked” in Hebrew and English are metaphors for true, trustworthy and false, deceitful.

You who are simple,(A) gain prudence;(B)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
My mouth speaks what is true,(C)
    for my lips detest wickedness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds