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Proverbs 1:7
American Standard Version
Proverbs 1:7
American Standard Version
7 The fear of Jehovah is the [a]beginning of knowledge;
But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:7 Or, chief part
Proverbs 1:7
New International Version
Proverbs 1:7
New International Version
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.
Proverbs 2:6
American Standard Version
Proverbs 2:6
American Standard Version
6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom;
Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding:
Proverbs 2:6
New International Version
Proverbs 2:6
New International Version
Proverbs 3:13-20
American Standard Version
Proverbs 3:13-20
American Standard Version
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
And the man that [a]getteth understanding.
14 For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver,
And the profit thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies:
And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
And happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths were broken up,
And the skies drop down the dew.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:13 Hebrew draweth forth.
Proverbs 3:13-20
New International Version
Proverbs 3:13-20
New International Version
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(B)
nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(D)
in her left hand are riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.(F)
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.(H)
Proverbs 4:5-13
American Standard Version
Proverbs 4:5-13
American Standard Version
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth;
6 Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee;
Love her, and she will keep thee.
7 [a]Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom;
Yea, with all [b]thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she will promote thee;
She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She will give to thy head a chaplet of grace;
A crown of [c]beauty will she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;
And the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;
I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;
And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go:
Keep her; for she is thy life.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:7 Or, The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom
- Proverbs 4:7 Or, thou hast gotten
- Proverbs 4:9 Or, glory
Proverbs 4:5-13
New International Version
Proverbs 4:5-13
New International Version
5 Get wisdom,(A) get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;(B)
love her, and she will watch over you.(C)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
Though it cost all(D) you have,[b] get understanding.(E)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.(F)
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.(G)”
10 Listen, my son,(H) accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.(I)
11 I instruct(J) you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.(K)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.(L)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.(M)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
- Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
Proverbs 5:1-2
American Standard Version
Proverbs 5:1-2
American Standard Version
5 My son, attend unto my wisdom;
Incline thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest preserve discretion,
And that thy lips may keep knowledge.
Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Warning Against Adultery
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
American Standard Version
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
American Standard Version
8 Doth not wisdom cry,
And understanding put forth her voice?
2 On the top of high places by the way,
Where the paths meet, she standeth;
3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:
4 Unto you, O men, I call;
And my voice is to the sons of men.
5 O ye simple, understand prudence;
And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.
6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things;
And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth [a]are in righteousness;
There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth,
And right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver;
And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it.
12 I wisdom have made prudence my dwelling,
And find out [b]knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil:
Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way,
And the perverse mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and [c]sound knowledge:
I am understanding; I have might.
15 By me kings reign,
And princes decree justice.
16 By me [d]princes rule,
And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me;
And those that seek me [e]diligently shall find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me;
Yea, [f]durable wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
And my [g]revenue than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice;
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,
And that I may fill their treasuries.
22 Jehovah [h]possessed me in [i]the beginning of his way,
[j]Before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
Before the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills was I brought forth;
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
Nor the [k]beginning of the dust of the world.
27 When he [l]established the heavens, I was there:
When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,
28 When he made firm the skies above,
When the fountains of the deep became strong,
29 When he gave to the sea [m]its bound,
That the waters should not transgress his commandment,
When he [n]marked out the foundations of the earth;
30 Then I was by him, as a master workman;
And I [o]was daily his delight,
[p]Rejoicing always before him,
31 [q]Rejoicing in his habitable earth;
And my delight was with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me;
For blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise,
And refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life,
And shall [r]obtain favor of Jehovah.
36 But he that [s]sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul:
All they that hate me love death.
9 Wisdom hath builded her house;
She hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine;
She hath also furnished her table:
3 She hath sent forth her maidens;
She crieth upon the highest places of the city:
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither:
As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat ye of my bread,
And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 [t]Leave off, ye simple ones, and live;
And walk in the way of understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 8:8 Or, are righteousness
- Proverbs 8:12 Or, knowledge of witty inventions
- Proverbs 8:14 Or, effectual working
- Proverbs 8:16 Or, rulers
- Proverbs 8:17 Or, early
- Proverbs 8:18 Or, ancient
- Proverbs 8:19 Or, increase
- Proverbs 8:22 Or, formed
- Proverbs 8:22 Or, as
- Proverbs 8:22 Or, The first of
- Proverbs 8:26 Or, sum
- Proverbs 8:27 Or, prepared
- Proverbs 8:29 Or, his decree
- Proverbs 8:29 Or, appointed
- Proverbs 8:30 Or, had delight continually
- Proverbs 8:30 Or, Sporting
- Proverbs 8:31 Or, Sporting
- Proverbs 8:35 Hebrew draw forth.
- Proverbs 8:36 Or, misseth me
- Proverbs 9:6 Or, Forsake the simple
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
New International Version
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
New International Version
Wisdom’s Call
8 Does not wisdom call out?(A)
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:(B)
4 “To you, O people, I call out;(C)
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple,(D) gain prudence;(E)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,(F)
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,(G)
11 for wisdom is more precious(H) than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(I)
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.(J)
13 To fear the Lord(K) is to hate evil;(L)
I hate(M) pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.(N)
15 By me kings reign
and rulers(O) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(P)
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(Q)
and those who seek me find me.(R)
18 With me are riches and honor,(S)
enduring wealth and prosperity.(T)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(U)
what I yield surpasses choice silver.(V)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(W)
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.(X)
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;(Y)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(Z)
before the hills, I was given birth,(AA)
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.(AB)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(AC)
when he marked out the horizon(AD) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(AE)
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(AF)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(AG)
so the waters would not overstep his command,(AH)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(AI)
30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.(AJ)
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.(AK)
32 “Now then, my children, listen(AL) to me;
blessed are(AM) those who keep my ways.(AN)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(AO) to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(AP) find life(AQ)
and receive favor from the Lord.(AR)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(AS)
all who hate me love death.”(AT)
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
9 Wisdom has built(AU) her house;
she has set up[f] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(AV)
she has also set her table.(AW)
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls(AX)
from the highest point of the city,(AY)
4 “Let all who are simple(AZ) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(BA) she says,
5 “Come,(BB) eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.(BC)
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;(BD)
walk in the way of insight.”(BE)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
- Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
- Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
- Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
- Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child
- Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
Proverbs 9:10-12
American Standard Version
Proverbs 9:10-12
American Standard Version
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom;
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied,
And the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself;
And if thou scoffest, thou alone shalt bear it.
Proverbs 9:10-12
New International Version
Proverbs 9:10-12
New International Version
Proverbs 11:2
American Standard Version
Proverbs 11:2
American Standard Version
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame;
But with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
New International Version
Proverbs 11:2
New International Version
Proverbs 14:33
American Standard Version
Proverbs 14:33
American Standard Version
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding;
[a]But that which is in the inward part of fools is made known.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:33 Or, And in the midst of fools it maketh itself known
Proverbs 14:33
New International Version
Proverbs 14:33
New International Version
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
Proverbs 15:33
American Standard Version
Proverbs 15:33
American Standard Version
33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honor goeth humility.
Proverbs 15:33
New International Version
Proverbs 15:33
New International Version
Proverbs 16:16
American Standard Version
Proverbs 16:16
American Standard Version
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold!
Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
Proverbs 16:16
New International Version
Proverbs 16:16
New International Version
Proverbs 17:24
American Standard Version
Proverbs 17:24
American Standard Version
24 Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding;
But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:24
New International Version
Proverbs 17:24
New International Version
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 18:4
American Standard Version
Proverbs 18:4
American Standard Version
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
[a]The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:4 Or, A flowing brook, a wellspring of wisdom
Proverbs 18:4
New International Version
Proverbs 18:4
New International Version
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(A)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
American Standard Version (ASV)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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