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The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

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Footnotes

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

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

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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.

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]

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Footnotes

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

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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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.
    Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
It will be health to your body,
    and nourishment to your bones.

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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;(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 fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
    I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

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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 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 Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
    The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

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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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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 Yahweh prolongs days,
    but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

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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 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 Yahweh,
    but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

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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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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 Yahweh is a secure fortress,
    and he will be a refuge for his children.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
    turning people from the snares of death.

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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 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 is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
    than great treasure with trouble.

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

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