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Introduction and Purpose

The proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel.

These proverbs are[a] for gaining[b] wisdom and discipline;[c]
    for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring the discipline[d] that produces wise behavior,
    righteousness, justice, and upright living;[e]
for giving prudence to the naïve,
    and knowledge and discretion to the young.

Let the wise listen and increase their[f] learning;
    let the person of understanding receive guidance
in understanding proverbs, clever sayings,
    words of the wise, and their riddles.

The Major Theme

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.[g]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:2 The Heb. lacks These proverbs are
  2. Proverbs 1:2 Or knowing
  3. Proverbs 1:2 Or instruction
  4. Proverbs 1:3 Or instruction
  5. Proverbs 1:3 Lit. and uprightness
  6. Proverbs 1:5 The Heb. lacks their
  7. Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction

Prologue

Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand sayings of understanding,
to gain insightful instruction,[a]
    righteousness and justice and equity,
to give shrewdness[b] to the simple,
    knowledge and purpose[c] to the young,
may the wise hear and increase learning,
    and the one who understands gain direction,[d]
to understand a proverb and an expression,
    words of wisdom and their riddles.
Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:3 Literally “the instruction of insight”
  2. Proverbs 1:4 Or “cleverness,” or “prudence”
  3. Proverbs 1:4 Or “plan”
  4. Proverbs 1:5 Or “guidance”