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14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

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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 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
    will lodge among the wise.
32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
    but those who heed admonition gain understanding.(A)
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility goes before honor.(B)

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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 get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.(A)

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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 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

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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 The discerning person looks to wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.(A)

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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 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks 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 instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom for the future.(A)

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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 purposes in the human mind are like deep water,
    but the intelligent will draw them out.(A)

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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 established by taking advice;
    wage war by following wise guidance.(A)

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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, the simple become wiser;
    when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.(A)

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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     The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words[a]
    and apply your mind to my teaching,
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, yes, to you.(A)
20 Have I not written for you thirty[b] sayings
    of admonition and knowledge,(B)
21 to show you what is right and true,
    so that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 22.17 Cn Compare Gk: Heb Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise
  2. 22.20 Cn: Heb in the past or noble

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 Hear, my child, and be wise,
    and direct your mind in the 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”