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

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Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

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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.

The Value of Wisdom

My son, if you receive my words,
And (A)treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
(B)If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
(C)Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.

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The Benefits of Wisdom

My child, if you will receive[a] my sayings,
    and hide my commands with you,
in order to incline your ear toward wisdom,
    then you shall apply your heart to understanding.
For if you cry out for understanding,[b]
    if you lift[c] your voice for insight,
if you seek her like silver
    and search her out like treasure,[d]
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and the knowledge of God you will find.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:1 Or “take, seize”
  2. Proverbs 2:3 Or “call to understanding”
  3. Proverbs 2:3 Or “carry, give”
  4. Proverbs 2:4 Literally “like the treasures”

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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Do not be wise in your own (A)eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your [a]flesh,
And (B)strength[b] to your bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Body, lit. navel
  2. Proverbs 3:8 Lit. drink

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
There shall be healing for your flesh,[a]
    and refreshment for your body.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Literally “navel”

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 (A)The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
(B)Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And (C)the perverse mouth I hate.

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13 The fear of Yahweh is hatred of evil,
    pride, and arrogance and an evil way.
    And I hate a mouth of perversity.

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

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Foolishness’ Banquet

10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh,
    and knowledge of the Holy One,[a] insight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or “holy ones”

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 (A)The fear of the Lord prolongs days,
But (B)the years of the wicked will be shortened.

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27 The fear of Yahweh adds life,
    but the years of the wicked are 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 his uprightness fears the Lord,
(A)But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

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He who walks in uprightness fears Yahweh,
    but he who is devious in his ways displeases 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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26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 (A)The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.

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26 In the fear of Yahweh, there is confidence of strength,
    and for his children, there will be refuge.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
    in order to turn from the snares of death.

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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 (A)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.

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16 Better is little with the fear of Yahweh
    than great treasure and trouble with it.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:16 Or “him”

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

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