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A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:8 Hebrew My son; also in 1:10, 15.

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(A) to your father’s(B) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(C)

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20 My son, obey your father’s commands,
    and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

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Warning Against Adultery

20 My son,(A) keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(B)

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17 The eye that mocks a father
    and despises a mother’s instructions
will be plucked out by ravens of the valley
    and eaten by vultures.

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17 “The eye that mocks(A) a father,
    that scorns an aged mother,
will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,
    will be eaten by the vultures.(B)

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Avoid Immoral Women

My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
    listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Then you will show discernment,
    and your lips will express what you’ve learned.

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Warning Against Adultery

My son,(A) pay attention to my wisdom,
    turn your ear to my words(B) of insight,
that you may maintain discretion
    and your lips may preserve knowledge.

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The Benefits of Wisdom

My child,[a] listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Hebrew My son.

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son,(A) if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,

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A Father’s Wise Advice

My children,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Pay attention and learn good judgment,
for I am giving you good guidance.
    Don’t turn away from my instructions.
For I, too, was once my father’s son,
    tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
    Follow my commands, and you will live.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Hebrew My sons.

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons,(A) to a father’s instruction;(B)
    pay attention and gain understanding.(C)
I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold(D) of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.(E)

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10 My child, if sinners entice you,
    turn your back on them!

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10 My son, if sinful men entice(A) you,
    do not give in(B) to them.(C)

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“Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.

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“‘Each of you must respect your mother and father,(A) and you must observe my Sabbaths.(B) I am the Lord your God.(C)

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I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

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I am reminded of your sincere faith,(A) which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice(B) and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

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The Sayings of King Lemuel

31 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message,[a] which his mother taught him.

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Footnotes

  1. 31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa; or of King Lemuel, an oracle.

Sayings of King Lemuel

31 The sayings(A) of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

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Another Warning about Immoral Women

Follow my advice, my son;
    always treasure my commands.

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Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

My son,(A) keep my words
    and store up my commands within you.

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Trusting in the Lord

My child,[a] never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:1 Hebrew My son; also in 3:11, 21.

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son,(A) do not forget my teaching,(B)
    but keep my commands in your heart,

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15 My child, don’t go along with them!
    Stay far away from their paths.

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15 my son, do not go along with them,
    do not set foot(A) on their paths;(B)

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