Proverbs 1:4-7
International Standard Version
4 for giving prudence to the naïve,
and knowledge and discretion to the young.
5 Let the wise listen and increase their[a] learning;
let the person of understanding receive guidance
6 in understanding proverbs, clever sayings,
words of the wise, and their riddles.
The Major Theme
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:5 The Heb. lacks their
- Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction
Proverbs 1:4-7
Lexham English Bible
4 to give shrewdness[a] to the simple,
knowledge and purpose[b] to the young,
5 may the wise hear and increase learning,
and the one who understands gain direction,[c]
6 to understand a proverb and an expression,
words of wisdom and their riddles.
7 Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
wisdom and instruction, fools despise.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:4 Or “cleverness,” or “prudence”
- Proverbs 1:4 Or “plan”
- Proverbs 1:5 Or “guidance”
Proverbs 2:3-6
International Standard Version
3 if, indeed, you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and learn to know God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:3-6
Lexham English Bible
3 For if you cry out for understanding,[a]
if you lift[b] your voice for insight,
4 if you seek her like silver
and search her out like treasure,[c]
5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
and the knowledge of God you will find.
6 For Yahweh will give wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 2:3 Or “call to understanding”
- Proverbs 2:3 Or “carry, give”
- Proverbs 2:4 Literally “like the treasures”
Proverbs 2:10-12
International Standard Version
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion[a] will protect you;
understanding will watch over you,
12 delivering you from the way of evil,
from men who speak perverse things,
Footnotes
- Proverbs 2:11 Or Wise planning
Proverbs 2:10-12
Lexham English Bible
10 for wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasing to your soul.[a]
11 Discretion will watch over you;
understanding will protect you,
12 in order to deliver you from the way of evil,[b]
from a man who speaks devious things—
Footnotes
- Proverbs 2:10 Or “inner self”
- Proverbs 2:12 Or “evildoer”
Proverbs 8:9-12
International Standard Version
9 Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands,
and correct to those who have acquired knowledge.
10 Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money
and knowledge instead of the finest gold,
11 because wisdom is better than precious gems[a]
and nothing you desire can compare to it.”
The Way of Wisdom
12 “I, wisdom, am related to[b] prudence.
I know how to be discreet.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 8:11 Or rubies
- Proverbs 8:12 Lit. wisdom, live with
Proverbs 8:9-12
Lexham English Bible
9 All of them are straight to him who understands,
and upright to those who find knowledge.
10 Take my teaching and not silver;
may you choose knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,
and all desires shall not compare with her.
12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
Proverbs 9:10
International Standard Version
10 The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins,
and knowing holiness[a] demonstrates understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones
Proverbs 9:10
Lexham English Bible
Foolishness’ Banquet
10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh,
and knowledge of the Holy One,[a] insight.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:10 Or “holy ones”
Proverbs 10:14
International Standard Version
14 Those who are wise store up knowledge,
but when the fool speaks,[a] destruction is near.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:14 Lit. but the mouth of the fool
Proverbs 10:14
Lexham English Bible
14 Those who are wise lay up knowledge,
but to the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near.
Proverbs 11:9
International Standard Version
9 By what he says, the godless person can destroy his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.
Proverbs 11:9
Lexham English Bible
9 With a mouth, the godless shall destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Proverbs 12:23
International Standard Version
23 A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself,[a]
but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:23 The Heb. lacks to himself
Proverbs 12:23
Lexham English Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:23 Or “mind”
- Proverbs 12:23 Hebrew “fools”
Proverbs 14:6-7
International Standard Version
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds[a] none,
but learning comes easily to someone who understands.
7 Stay away from a foolish man,
for you will not find competent advice.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:6 The Heb. lacks finds
Proverbs 14:6-7
Lexham English Bible
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none,
but knowledge comes easily to him who understands.[a]
7 Leave the presence of a foolish man,[b]
for you will not come to know words of knowledge.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:6 Literally “to one who understands it comes easy”
- Proverbs 14:7 Literally “from the presence belonging to a man of foolishness”
- Proverbs 14:7 Literally “lips of knowledge”
Proverbs 14:18
International Standard Version
18 The naïve inherit folly,
but the careful are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:18
Lexham English Bible
18 The simple are adorned with folly,
but the clever are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 15:2
International Standard Version
2 The wise speak, presenting[a] knowledge appropriately,
but fools spout foolishness.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:2 Lit. The tongues of the wise present
Proverbs 15:2
Lexham English Bible
2 The tongue of the wise will dispense knowledge,
but the mouth of fools will pour out folly.
Proverbs 15:14
International Standard Version
14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.
Proverbs 15:14
Lexham English Bible
14 The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge,
but the faces of fools, they[a] will feed on folly.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:14 Hebrew “he/it”
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