The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;(A)
fools despise wisdom and discipline.(B)

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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.(A)

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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.

Wisdom’s Worth

My son, if you accept my words(A)
and store up my commands within you,
listening closely[a] to wisdom
and directing your heart to understanding;
furthermore, if you call out to insight
and lift your voice to understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and discover the knowledge of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:2 Lit you, stretching out your ear

The Value of Wisdom

My child, if you accept my words
    and treasure up my commandments within you,(A)
making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding,
if you indeed cry out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures—(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(C)

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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)

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Don’t be wise in your own eyes;(A)
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(B)
This will be healing for your body[a](C)
and strengthening for your bones.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:8 Lit navel

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(A)
It will be a healing for your flesh
    and a refreshment for your body.(B)

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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 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(A)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.

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13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate.(A)

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

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

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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 fear of the Lord prolongs life,[a](A)
but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days

27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    but the years of the wicked will be short.(A)

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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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Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,(A)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.(B)

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Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
    but one who is devious in conduct despises him.(A)

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

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26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(A)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.(B)

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26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and one’s children will have a refuge.(A)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    so that one may avoid the snares of death.(B)

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26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(A)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(B)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(C)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(D)

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

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16 Better is a little with the 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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