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These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
    knowledge and discernment to the young.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
    Let those with understanding receive guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

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to give shrewdness[a] to the simple,
    knowledge and purpose[b] to the young,
may the wise hear and increase learning,
    and the one who understands gain direction,[c]
to understand a proverb and an expression,
    words of wisdom and their riddles.
Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:4 Or “cleverness,” or “prudence”
  2. Proverbs 1:4 Or “plan”
  3. Proverbs 1:5 Or “guidance”

Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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For if you cry out for understanding,[a]
    if you lift[b] your voice for insight,
if you seek her like silver
    and search her out like treasure,[c]
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and the knowledge of God you will find.
For Yahweh will give wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:3 Or “call to understanding”
  2. Proverbs 2:3 Or “carry, give”
  3. Proverbs 2:4 Literally “like the treasures”

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
    Understanding will keep you safe.

12 Wisdom will save you from evil people,
    from those whose words are twisted.

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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—

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:10 Or “inner self”
  2. Proverbs 2:12 Or “evildoer”

My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
    clear to those with knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,
    and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
    Nothing you desire can compare with it.

12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
    I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

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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.

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10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

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Foolishness’ Banquet

10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh,
    and knowledge of the Holy One,[a] insight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or “holy ones”

14 Wise people treasure knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

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14 Those who are wise lay up knowledge,
    but to the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near.

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With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
    but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

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With a mouth, the godless shall destroy his neighbor,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

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23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
    but fools broadcast their foolishness.

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23 A clever person conceals knowledge,
    but the heart[a] of a fool[b] announces folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:23 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 12:23 Hebrew “fools”

A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
    but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

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A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none,
    but knowledge comes easily to him who understands.[a]
Leave the presence of a foolish man,[b]
    for you will not come to know words of knowledge.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:6 Literally “to one who understands it comes easy”
  2. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “from the presence belonging to a man of foolishness”
  3. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “lips of knowledge”

18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,[a]
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:18 Or inherit foolishness.

18 The simple are adorned with folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

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The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
    but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

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The tongue of the wise will dispense knowledge,
    but the mouth of fools will pour out folly.

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14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.

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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”