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The Minor Theme

My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
They will be a graceful wreath for your head
    and a chain for your neck.

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Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(A) to your father’s(B) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(C)
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(D)

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The Blessings of Trusting God

My son, don’t forget my instruction,
and keep my commandments carefully in mind.[a]
For they will add length to your days, years to your life,
    and abundant peace to you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:1 Lit. Let your heart keep my commandments

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son,(A) do not forget my teaching,(B)
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years(C)
    and bring you peace and prosperity.(D)

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Diligently Pursue Wisdom

Listen, children,[a] to your father’s instruction,
and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
I give you sound teaching,
so do not abandon my instruction.[b]
When I was a son to my father,
    not yet strong[c] and an only son to my mother,
he taught me and told me,
    “Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say;[d]
        keep my commandments and live!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:1 Lit. sons
  2. Proverbs 4:2 Or law
  3. Proverbs 4:3 Lit. delicate
  4. Proverbs 4:4 Lit. embrace my words

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons,(A) to a father’s instruction;(B)
    pay attention and gain understanding.(C)
I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold(D) of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.(E)

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Solomon’s Sayings

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son brings joy to his father,
    but a foolish son grieves his mother.

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Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)

A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

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22 A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren,
    but the wealth of the wicked is reserved for the righteous.

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22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(A)

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20 A wise son makes a father glad,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

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20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(A)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

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Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the pride of children is their parents.

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Children’s children(A) are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children.

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21 The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow—
    the father of a fool has no joy.

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21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(A)

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25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to his mother.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:25 Lit. to the one who bore him

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(A)

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13 A father’s ruin is a foolish son,
    and a wife’s quarreling is like[a] dripping water that never stops.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:13 The Heb. lacks like

13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(A)
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(B)

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18 Discipline your son while there is still hope—
    but don’t set your heart on his destruction.

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18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death.(A)

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26 Whoever mistreats his father
    and alienates his mother
        is a son who brings both shame and disrespect.

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26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother(A)
    is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

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The righteous person lives a life of integrity;
    happy are his children who follow him!

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The righteous lead blameless lives;(A)
    blessed are their children after them.(B)

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