Add parallel Print Page Options

Wise people can also listen and ·learn [add/increase teaching];
    even ·they [L those with understanding] can find good ·advice in these words [guidance].
Then ·anyone [L they] can understand ·wise words [proverbs] and ·stories [or difficult sayings],
    the words of the wise and their ·riddles [difficulties].

Knowledge begins with ·respect [fear; awe] for the Lord,
but fools ·hate [despise] wisdom and ·discipline [self-control; instruction].

Warnings Against Evil

My ·child [L son], listen to your father’s ·teaching [instruction; discipline]
    and do not ·forget [neglect] your mother’s ·advice [instruction].
[L For] ·Their teaching [L It] will be like ·flowers in your hair [L a gracious garland on your head]
    or ·a necklace [L beads] around your neck.

Read full chapter


The wise will hear and increase their learning,
And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],(A)

To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation,
And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].


The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];
But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.(B)

The Enticement of Sinners


My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not reject the teaching of your mother.

For they are a garland of grace on your head,
And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 In Proverbs various kinds of fools are discussed including those who are closed-minded, over-confident, and reject instruction and correction—the unteachable; those who lack spiritual insight—the spiritually blind; and those who are flippant, hardened, and who deliberately choose to reject God and wisdom—the arrogant.

let the wise listen and add to their learning,(A)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,(B)
    the sayings and riddles(C) of the wise.[a](D)

The fear of the Lord(E) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[b] despise wisdom(F) and instruction.(G)

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(H) to your father’s(I) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(J)
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(K)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  2. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

23 If only you had ·listened [responded] when I corrected you,
    I would have ·told you what’s in my heart [L poured forth my spirit to you];
    I would have ·told you what I am thinking [L revealed my words to you].

Read full chapter

23 
“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,
Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.(A)

Read full chapter

23 Repent at my rebuke!
    Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
    I will make known to you my teachings.

Read full chapter

Rewards of Wisdom

My ·child [or son], ·listen to [grasp] what I say
    and ·remember [L store up] what I command you.
·Listen carefully [L Bend your ear] to wisdom;
    ·set your mind on [L stretch your heart to] understanding.
Cry out for wisdom,
    and ·beg [shout out loud] for understanding.
·Search [Seek] for it like silver,
    and ·hunt [search] for it like hidden treasure.
Then you will understand ·respect [fear; awe; 1:7] for the Lord,
    and you will find ·that you know God [the knowledge of God].
Only the Lord gives wisdom;
    ·he gives [L from his mouth comes] knowledge and understanding.

Read full chapter

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,

So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];

Yes, if you cry out for insight,
And lift up your voice for understanding;

If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver
And search for her as you would hidden treasures;

Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]
And discover the knowledge of God.(A)

For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Read full chapter

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son,(A) if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding(B)
indeed, if you call out for insight(C)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(D)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(E)
For the Lord gives wisdom;(F)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(G)

Read full chapter

·Pride [Insolence] leads only to shame;
it is wise to be humble.

Read full chapter


When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Read full chapter

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(A)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(B)

Read full chapter

15 ·Fools think they are doing right [L The path of fools is virtuous/right in their own eyes],
but the wise listen to advice.

Read full chapter

15 
The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.(A)

Read full chapter

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(A)
    but the wise listen to advice.(B)

Read full chapter

13 Wise ·children take their parents’ advice [L sons listen to their father’s discipline/instruction],
but ·whoever makes fun of wisdom [mockers] won’t listen to ·correction [a rebuke].

Read full chapter

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

13 A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.

Read full chapter

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

Read full chapter

10 Pride only leads to arguments [or The empty-headed cause arguments out of pride],
but those who take advice are wise.

Read full chapter

10 
Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,
But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.

Read full chapter

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(A)

Read full chapter

20 ·Spend time [L Walk; Go] with the wise and you will become wise,
but the friends of fools will ·suffer [or get into trouble].

Read full chapter

20 
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.(A)

Read full chapter

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(A)

Read full chapter

·Those who make fun of wisdom look for it [Mockers seek wisdom] and do not find it,
but knowledge comes ·easily [or quickly] to those with understanding.

Stay away from fools,
because they ·can’t teach you anything [L don’t have knowledgeable lips].

The wisdom of a ·wise [prudent] person will understand ·what to do [L his path],
but the folly of a foolish person is ·dishonest [deceptive].

Read full chapter


A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom],
But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].

Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool,
For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips.

The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.

Read full chapter

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(A)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(B)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(C)

Read full chapter