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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.(A)

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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.

The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[a] despise wisdom(B) and instruction.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

29 
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord [that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect],(A)

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29 since they hated knowledge
    and did not choose to fear the Lord.(A)

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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)

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indeed, if you call out for insight(A)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(C)

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Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.(A)

It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]
And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.

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Do not be wise in your own eyes;(A)
    fear the Lord(B) and shun evil.(C)
This will bring health to your body(D)
    and nourishment to your bones.(E)

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13 
“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

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13 To fear the Lord(A) is to hate evil;(B)
    I hate(C) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.

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10 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

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10 The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One(B) is understanding.(C)

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27 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect] prolongs one’s life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

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27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(A)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect],
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

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Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

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16 
Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and trouble with it.(A)

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16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(A)

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33 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.

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33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(A)
    and humility comes before honor.(B)

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By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(A) evil is avoided.(B)

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23 
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.(A)

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23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(A)

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The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Is riches, honor, and life.(A)

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Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor(A) and life.(B)

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