for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](A)
    knowledge and discretion(B) to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,(C)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,(D)
    the sayings and riddles(E) of the wise.[b](F)

The fear of the Lord(G) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[c] despise wisdom(H) and instruction.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
  2. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  3. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

to teach shrewdness to the simple,
    knowledge and prudence to the young—(A)
let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
    and the discerning acquire skill,(B)
to understand a proverb and a figure,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

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

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indeed, if you call out for insight(A)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(C)
For the Lord gives wisdom;(D)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(E)

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if you indeed cry out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures—(A)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(B)
For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;(C)

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10 For wisdom will enter your heart,(A)
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.(B)

12 Wisdom will save(C) you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,

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10 for wisdom will come into your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 prudence will watch over you,
    and understanding will guard you.
12 It will save you from the way of evil,
    from those who speak perversely,

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To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,(A)
11 for wisdom is more precious(B) than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.(D)

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They are all straight to one who understands
    and right to those who find knowledge.(A)
10 Take my instruction instead of silver
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,(B)
11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.(C)
12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
    and I attain knowledge and discretion.(D)

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10 The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One(B) is understanding.(C)

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10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.(A)

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14 The wise store up knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(B)

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14 The wise lay up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

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With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(A)

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With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

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23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(A)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(B)

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23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
    but the mind of a fool[a] broadcasts folly.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.23 Heb the heart of fools

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(A)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

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A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
    but knowledge is easy for one who understands.
Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not find words of knowledge.

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18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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18 The simple are adorned with[a] folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.18 Or inherit

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(B)

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The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(A)

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

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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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