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

Prologue

For learning about wisdom and instruction,
    for understanding words of insight,
for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
    righteousness, justice, and equity;(B)
to teach shrewdness to the simple,
    knowledge and prudence to the young—(C)
let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
    and the discerning acquire skill,(D)
to understand a proverb and a figure,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

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

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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

Purpose and Theme

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

for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
    knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
    the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)

The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
  2. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  3. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

25 These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.(A)

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More Proverbs from Solomon

25 Here are some more proverbs by Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

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More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are more proverbs(A) of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(B)

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