14 The (A)mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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14 An understanding heart seeks knowledge;
    but fools feed on folly.

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31 One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke
Will stay among the wise.
32 One who (A)neglects discipline (B)rejects himself,
But one who (C)listens to a rebuke acquires [a]understanding.
33 [b]The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:32 Lit heart
  2. Proverbs 15:33 Or Reverence for

31 The ear that listens to life-giving correction
    dwells among the wise.
32 Those who refuse discipline despise themselves,
    but those who listen to correction gain understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is wise instruction,
    and humility comes before respect.

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16 How much (A)better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

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16 Acquiring wisdom is much better than gold,
    and acquiring understanding is better than silver.

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21 The (A)wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of [a]speech (B)increases [b]persuasiveness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Lit lips
  2. Proverbs 16:21 Or learning

21 The skilled mind is called discerning,
    and pleasant speech enhances teaching.

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24 Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding,
But the (A)eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

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24 Wisdom is right in front of those with understanding,
    but the eyes of fools are off to the edges of the earth.

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15 The [a](A)mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
And the (B)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:15 Lit heart

15 An understanding mind gains knowledge;
    the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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20 (A)Listen to advice and accept discipline,
So that you may be wise [a]the rest of your days.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 Lit in your latter end

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    so you might grow wise in the future.

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A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water,
But a person of understanding draws it out.

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Advice comes from the deep waters of the heart;
    those with understanding can draw it out.

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18 Prepare (A)plans by consultation,
And (B)make war by wise guidance.

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18 Plans are firmed up by advice;
    wage wars with good guidance.

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11 When the (A)scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

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11 When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom;
    when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases.

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17 (A)Extend your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;
18 For it will be (B)pleasant if you keep them within you,
[a]So that they may be ready on your lips.
19 So that your (C)trust may be in the Lord,
I have [b]taught you today, you indeed.
20 Have I not written to you [c](D)excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
21 To make you (E)know the [d]certainty of the words of truth,
So that you may [e](F)correctly answer him who sent you?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:18 Lit They together
  2. Proverbs 22:19 Lit made you know
  3. Proverbs 22:20 Or previous
  4. Proverbs 22:21 Lit truth
  5. Proverbs 22:21 Lit return words of truth

Thirty sayings of the wise

17 Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise;
    focus your mind on my knowledge.
18     It will be pleasant if you keep the words in you,
    if you have them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust will be in the Lord,
    I’m teaching you today—yes, you.
20 Haven’t I written for you thirty[a] sayings
    full of advice and knowledge?
21 Their purpose is to teach you true, reliable words,
    so you can report back reliably to those who sent you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:20 Heb uncertain

19 Listen, my son, and (A)be wise,
And (B)direct your heart in the way.

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19 Listen, my child, and be wise!
    Keep your mind straight on the path.

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