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14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed 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 The ear that listens to reproof lives,
    and will be at home among the wise.
32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
    but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
    Before honor is humility.

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

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
    Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

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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 shall be called prudent.
    Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips

24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding,
    but the eyes of a fool 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 gets knowledge.
    The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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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 counsel and receive instruction,
    that you may be wise in your latter end.

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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. 19:20 Lit in your end

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
    but a man of understanding will draw it out.

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

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18 Plans are established by advice;
    by wise guidance you wage war!

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

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11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
    When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

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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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17 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.
    Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 I teach you today, even you,
    So that your trust may be in Yahweh.
20 Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things
    of counsel and knowledge,
21 To teach you truth, reliable words,
    to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

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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 they are[b] 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. 22:17 Lit Stretch out your ear
  2. 22:18 Or you; let them be, or you, so that they are
  3. 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. 22:21 Lit give dependable words

19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
    and keep 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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