14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

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14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,(A)
but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.(B)

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31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(A)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(B)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(C)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(D)
    and humility comes before honor.(E)

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31 One who[a] listens to life-giving rebukes(A)
will be at home among the wise.

32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(B)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[b](C)

33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:31 Lit An ear that
  2. Proverbs 15:32 Lit acquires a heart

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(A) rather than silver!(B)

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16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(A)

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21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech[a] increases learning.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

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24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(A) roam to the ends of the earth.

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15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(A)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

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15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(A)

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20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,(A)
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.(B)

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20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction
so that you may be wise later in life.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 Lit in your end

The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(A)
    but one who has insight draws them out.

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Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water;(A)
but a man of understanding draws it out.

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18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
    so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(A)

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18 Finalize plans with counsel,(A)
and wage war with sound guidance.(B)

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11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(A)

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11 When a mocker is punished,
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge.(A)

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Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention(A) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(B)
    apply your heart to what I teach,(C)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(D)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

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Words of the Wise

17 Listen closely,[a] pay attention to the words of the wise,(A)
and apply your mind to my knowledge.
18 For it is pleasing if you keep them within you
and if[b] they are constantly on your lips.
19 I have instructed you today—even you—
so that your confidence may be in the Lord.
20 Haven’t I written for you thirty sayings[c]
about counsel and knowledge,
21 in order to teach you true and reliable words,
so that you may give a dependable report[d](B)
to those who sent you?(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:17 Lit Stretch out your ear
  2. Proverbs 22:18 Or you; let them be, or you, so that
  3. Proverbs 22:20 Text emended; one Hb tradition reads you previously; alt Hb tradition reads you excellent things; LXX, Syr, Vg read you three times
  4. Proverbs 22:21 Lit give dependable words

Saying 16

19 Listen, my son,(A) and be wise,
    and set your heart on the right path:

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19 Listen, my son, and be wise;
keep your mind on the right course.

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