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

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

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

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

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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

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 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 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[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 makes knowledge appealing,
    but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

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

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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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