The Beginning of Knowledge

(A)The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in (B)righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to (C)the simple,
    knowledge and (D)discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and (E)increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying,
    (F)the words of the wise and their (G)riddles.

(H)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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Introduction and Purpose

The proverbs of David’s son Solomon, king of Israel.

These proverbs are[a] for gaining[b] wisdom and discipline;[c]
    for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring the discipline[d] that produces wise behavior,
    righteousness, justice, and upright living;[e]
for giving prudence to the naïve,
    and knowledge and discretion to the young.

Let the wise listen and increase their[f] learning;
    let the person of understanding receive guidance
in understanding proverbs, clever sayings,
    words of the wise, and their riddles.

The Major Theme

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.[g]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:2 The Heb. lacks These proverbs are
  2. Proverbs 1:2 Or knowing
  3. Proverbs 1:2 Or instruction
  4. Proverbs 1:3 Or instruction
  5. Proverbs 1:3 Lit. and uprightness
  6. Proverbs 1:5 The Heb. lacks their
  7. Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These also are (A)proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

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More Proverbs from Solomon

25 Here are some more proverbs by Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

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