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14 The heart of a discerning person seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.

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14 The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge,
    but the faces of fools, they[a] will feed on folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:14 Hebrew “he/it”

31 An ear that listens to a life-giving warning
    will find a home among the wise.
32 A person who ignores discipline despises himself,
but a person who listens to a warning acquires good sense.
33 The fear of the Lord gives discipline and wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.

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31 The ear of him who listens to admonitions of life,
    in the midst of the wise it will lodge.
32 He who ignores instruction despises himself,[a]
    but he who hears admonition gains heart.[b]
33 Fear of Yahweh is the instruction of the wise,
    and before honor comes humility.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:32 Or “soul,” or “inner self”
  2. Proverbs 15:32 Or “mind”

16 How much better to acquire wisdom rather than gold,
and to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

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16 Getting wisdom: how much[a] better than gold!
    And getting understanding: it is chosen over[b] silver.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:16 Literally “what”
  2. Proverbs 16:16 Literally “from”

21 A wise heart will be called discerning,
and appealing speech increases learning.

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21 The wise of heart[a] is called perceptive,
    but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or “mind”

24 Wisdom is right in front of a discerning person,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the end of the earth.

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24 He who understands sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:24 Or “land”

15 A discerning heart acquires knowledge,
and the ears of the wise seek knowledge.

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15 An intelligent mind[a] will acquire knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:15 Literally “heart”

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
so that you will be wise in the future.

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20 Listen to advice and accept instruction
    so that you will gain wisdom for your future.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 Literally “after things

The intentions in a person’s heart are deep water,
but a person with understanding can draw them out.

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Deep waters are like purpose in the heart[a] of a man,
    and a man of understanding will draw it[b] out.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:5 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 20:5 Or “her”; referring to “purpose”

18 Plans are strengthened by obtaining advice,
so do not wage war without consultation.

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18 A plan[a] will be established by advice,
    and with guidance make war.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:18 Hebrew “plans”

11 When a scoffer is punished, an undisciplined person becomes wise,
and when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

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11 With the punishment of a scoffer, the simple will become wise,
    and with the instruction of the wise, he will obtain knowledge.

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Sayings of the Wise

17 Open your ears and listen to the words of the wise,
and set your heart on the knowledge that I offer,
18 for it is pleasant when you keep my words deep within you,[a]
and you have them ready on your lips.
19 Today I make my words known to you—yes, to you,
so that your trust will be in the Lord.

20 Have I not written to you already[b] with advice and knowledge,
21 in order to make accurate, true words known to you,
so that you may reply with true words to those who sent you?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:18 Literally in your belly
  2. Proverbs 22:20 The translation already follows the main Hebrew reading (literally the day before yesterday). An alternate Hebrew reading is Have I not written to you excellent sayings? Many recent English translations emend the text to read: Have I not written to you thirty wise sayings? This change is based on the belief that thirty sayings follow this heading. The supposed divisions between these thirty sayings are marked by spacer lines in the translation.

Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise;
    you shall apply your heart[a] to my teaching.
18 For it is pleasant if you guard them within you;[b]
    together they will be ready upon your lips.
19 In order for your trust to be in Yahweh,
    I have made them known to you today[c]—even[d] you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings
    with admonitions and knowledge?
21 In order to show you what is right—sayings of truth—
    in order to return a true saying to him who sent you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:17 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 22:18 Literally “in your belly/womb”
  3. Proverbs 22:19 Literally “the day”
  4. Proverbs 22:19 Or “only”

19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the straight way.

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19 You, my child, hear and be wise,
    and direct your heart[a] on the road.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:19 Or “mind”