17 But (A)the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, (B)without partiality (C)and without hypocrisy.

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17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].

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17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(A) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(B) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(C) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(D)

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(A)Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.

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“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].(A)

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The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all(A) you have,[b] get understanding.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
  2. Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get

16 (A)How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

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16 
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.(A)

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16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(A) rather than silver!(B)

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23 (A)Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

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23 
[a]Buy truth, and do not sell it;
Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:23 The ancient rabbis routinely assumed “truth” to refer to the Torah (Law), and they interpreted the first part of this command to mean that a student should pay a teacher to teach him the Torah if he can find no one to teach him for free. As for the second part, they said that if the student had to pay to learn, he should not view this as grounds to charge for teaching others, but should teach the Torah for free.

23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.(A)

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12 He who [a]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:12 Lit. lacks heart

12 
He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.

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12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(A)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(B)

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Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;

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Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built,
And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

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Saying 21

By wisdom a house is built,(A)
    and through understanding it is established;

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21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of [a]wisdom.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:21 Lit. heart

21 
The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,
But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.

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21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.(A)

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(A)Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

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“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

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Get wisdom,(A) get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.

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33 (A)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And (B)before honor is humility.

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33 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.

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33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(A)
    and humility comes before honor.(B)

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