The Usefulness of Proverbs

The (A)proverbs of Solomon (B)the son of David, king of Israel:

To know (C)wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of (D)understanding,
To (E)receive instruction in wise behavior,
(F)Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
To give (G)prudence to the naive,
To the youth (H)knowledge and discretion,
A wise person will hear and (I)increase in learning,
And a (J)person of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a saying,
The words of the wise and their (K)riddles.

(L)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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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