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

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14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.

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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 If you listen to constructive criticism,
    you will be at home among the wise.

32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself;
    but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
    humility precedes honor.

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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 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    and good judgment 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 wise are known for their understanding,
    and pleasant words are persuasive.

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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 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends 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 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
    Their ears are open for 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 Get all the advice and instruction you can,
    so you will be wise the rest of your life.

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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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Though good advice lies deep within the heart,
    a person with understanding will 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 succeed through good counsel;
    don’t go to war without wise advice.

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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 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
    if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

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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

Sayings of the Wise

17 Listen to the words of the wise;
    apply your heart to my instruction.
18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
    and always ready on your lips.
19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
    so you will trust in the Lord.
20 I have written thirty sayings[a] for you,
    filled with advice and knowledge.
21 In this way, you may know the truth
    and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

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Footnotes

  1. 22:20 Or excellent sayings; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

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

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19 My child, listen and be wise:
    Keep your heart on the right course.

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