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22 [a]Listen to your father who begot you,
    do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy truth and do not sell:
    wisdom, instruction, understanding!
24 The father of a just person will exult greatly;
    whoever begets a wise son will rejoice in him.(A)
25 Let your father and mother rejoice;
    let her who bore you exult.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:22–23 Father and mother are associated with truth and wisdom. One should no more rid oneself of truth and wisdom than rid oneself of one’s parents, who are their source.

Saying 17

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.(A)
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.(B)
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.(C)
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!(D)

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