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that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
    that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
to understand a proverb and parables,
    the words and riddles of the wise.

The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
for they will be a garland to grace your head,
    and chains around your neck.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:7 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
    Let those with understanding receive guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
What you learn from them will crown you with grace
    and be a chain of honor around your neck.

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Footnotes

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

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)

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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 Turn at my reproof.
    Behold,[a] I will pour out my spirit on you.
    I will make known my words to you.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:23 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

23 Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
    and make you wise.

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

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My son, if you will receive my words,
    and store up my commandments within you,
so as to turn your ear to wisdom,
    and apply your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for discernment,
    and lift up your voice for understanding;
if you seek her as silver,
    and search for her as for hidden treasures:
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and find the knowledge of God.[a]
For Yahweh gives wisdom.
    Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:5 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

The Benefits of Wisdom

My child,[a] listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
    and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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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,
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)

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When pride comes, then comes shame,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

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Pride leads to disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

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

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15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but he who is wise listens to counsel.

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15 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to others.

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

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13 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
    but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

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13 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a]
    a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

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Footnotes

  1. 13:1 Hebrew A wise son accepts his father’s discipline.

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

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10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
    but wisdom is with people who take advice.

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10 Pride leads to conflict;
    those who take advice are wise.

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

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20 One who walks with wise men grows wise,
    but a companion of fools suffers harm.

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20 Walk with the wise and become wise;
    associate with fools and get in trouble.

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

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A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
    but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
Stay away from a foolish man,
    for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

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A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
    but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

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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)

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