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that prudence may be given to the simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the youth—

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The True Security

21 My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion;
    let them not escape from your sight,[a]
22 and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely
    and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you sit down,[b] you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic,
    or of the ruin[c] of the wicked, when it comes;
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
    and will keep your foot from being caught.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:21 Reversing the order of the clauses
  2. Proverbs 3:24 Gk: Heb lie down
  3. Proverbs 3:25 Heb storm

Fatherly Advice

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain[a] insight;
for I give you good precepts:
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
    tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me, and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments, and live;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
    Get wisdom; get insight.[b]
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get insight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:1 Heb know
  2. Proverbs 4:5 Reversing the order of the lines

Warning against Impurity and Infidelity

My son, be attentive to my wisdom,
incline your ear to my understanding;
that you may keep discretion,
    and your lips may guard knowledge.

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Wisdom’s Feast

Wisdom has built her house,
she has set up[a] her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine,
    she has also set her table.
She has sent out her maids to call
    from the highest places in the town,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    To him who is without sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Leave simpleness,[b] and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:1 Gk Syr Tg: Heb hewn
  2. Proverbs 9:6 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb simple ones

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

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The wisdom of a prudent man is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.

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15 The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent looks where he is going.

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The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
    but every one who is hasty comes only to want.

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A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
    but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

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23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

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12 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
    but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

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