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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 1:7
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 1:7
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 1:7
King James Version
Proverbs 1:7
King James Version
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Proverbs 2:6
New International Version
Proverbs 2:6
New International Version
Proverbs 2:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 2:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.(A)
Proverbs 2:6
King James Version
Proverbs 2:6
King James Version
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
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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 3:13-20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 3:13-20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Wisdom Brings Happiness
13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(A)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(C)
nothing you desire compares with her.(D)
16 Long life[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.
19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom(H)
and established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,(I)
and the clouds dripped with dew.(J)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days
Proverbs 3:13-20
King James Version
Proverbs 3:13-20
King James Version
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
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 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
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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 4:5-13
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 4:5-13
Holman Christian Standard Bible
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;(A)
don’t forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her,(B) and she will guard you.
7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.(C)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.(D)
9 She will place a garland of grace on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty.”(E)
Two Ways of Life
10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(F)
and you will live many years.(G)
11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.(H)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;(I)
when you run, you will not stumble.(J)
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.(K)
Guard it, for it is your life.
Proverbs 4:5-13
King James Version
Proverbs 4:5-13
King James Version
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall 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 right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
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Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version
Warning Against Adultery
Proverbs 5:1-2
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 5:1-2
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Avoid Seduction
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen closely[a] to my understanding(A)
2 so that you may maintain discretion
and your lips safeguard knowledge.(B)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 5:1 Lit wisdom; stretch out your ear
Proverbs 5:1-2
King James Version
Proverbs 5:1-2
King James Version
5 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
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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 8:1-9:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Wisdom’s Appeal
8 Doesn’t Wisdom(A) call out?
Doesn’t Understanding make her voice heard?
2 At the heights overlooking the road,
at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
3 Beside the gates(B) at the entry to[a] the city,
at the main entrance, she cries out:
4 “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to mankind.
5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
6 Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
7 For my mouth tells the truth,(C)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.(D)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,(E)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
10 Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.(F)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,(G)
and nothing desirable can compare with it.(H)
12 I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(I)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(J)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and competence;[b]
I have understanding and strength.(K)
15 It is by me that kings reign(L)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[c]
17 I love those who love me,(M)
and those who search for me find me.(N)
18 With me are riches and honor,(O)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(P)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.(Q)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 “The Lord made[d] me
at the beginning of His creation,[e]
before His works of long ago.(R)
23 I was formed before ancient times,
from the beginning, before the earth began.(S)
24 I was born
when there were no watery depths(T)
and no springs filled with water.
25 I was delivered
before the mountains and hills were established,(U)
26 before He made the land, the fields,
or the first soil on earth.
27 I was there when He established the heavens,(V)
when He laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,(W)
28 when He placed the skies above,
when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,
29 when He set a limit for the sea
so that the waters would not violate His command,(X)
when He laid out the foundations of the earth.(Y)
30 I was a skilled craftsman[f] beside Him.(Z)
I was His[g] delight every day,
always rejoicing before Him.
31 I was rejoicing in His inhabited world,(AA)
delighting in the human race.(AB)
32 “And now, my sons, listen to me;
those who keep my ways are happy.(AC)
33 Listen to instruction and be wise;(AD)
don’t ignore it.
34 Anyone who listens to me is happy,(AE)
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35 For the one who finds me finds life(AF)
and obtains favor from the Lord,(AG)
36 but the one who misses me[h] harms himself;(AH)
all who hate me love death.”(AI)
Wisdom versus Foolishness
9 Wisdom has built her house;(AJ)
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat;(AK) she has mixed her wine;(AL)
she has also set her table.(AM)
3 She has sent out her female servants;(AN)
she calls out from the highest points of the city:(AO)
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense,(AP) she says,
5 “Come, eat my bread,(AQ)
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 8:3 Lit the mouth of
- Proverbs 8:14 Or resourcefulness
- Proverbs 8:16 Some Hb mss, LXX read nobles who judge the earth
- Proverbs 8:22 Or possessed, or begot
- Proverbs 8:22 Lit way
- Proverbs 8:30 Or a confidant, or a child, or was constantly
- Proverbs 8:30 LXX; MT omits His
- Proverbs 8:36 Or who sins against me
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
King James Version
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
King James Version
8 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward 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 to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever 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 highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: 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 obtain favour of the Lord.
36 But he that 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 wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Proverbs 9:10-12
New International Version
Proverbs 9:10-12
New International Version
Proverbs 9:10-12
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 9:10-12
Holman Christian Standard Bible
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,(A)
and the knowledge of the Holy One(B) is understanding.
11 For by Wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;(C)
if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”
Proverbs 9:10-12
King James Version
Proverbs 9:10-12
King James Version
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
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Proverbs 11:2
New International Version
Proverbs 11:2
New International Version
Proverbs 11:2
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 11:2
Holman Christian Standard Bible
2 When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(A)
Proverbs 11:2
King James Version
Proverbs 11:2
King James Version
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
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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 14:33
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 14:33
Holman Christian Standard Bible
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:33 LXX reads unknown
Proverbs 14:33
King James Version
Proverbs 14:33
King James Version
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
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Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
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