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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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for giving prudence to the naïve,
    and knowledge and discretion to the young.

Let the wise listen and increase their[a] 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.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:5 The Heb. lacks their
  2. Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction

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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if, indeed, you call out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
    and search for it like hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and learn to know God.

For the Lord gives wisdom,
    and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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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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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,

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:11 Or Wise planning

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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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.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:11 Or rubies
  2. Proverbs 8:12 Lit. wisdom, live with

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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10 The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins,
    and knowing holiness[a] demonstrates understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones

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

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14 Those who are wise store up knowledge,
    but when the fool speaks,[a] destruction is near.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:14 Lit. but the mouth of the fool

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

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By what he says, the godless person can destroy his neighbor,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

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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

23 A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself,[a]
    but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:23 The Heb. lacks to himself

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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A mocker seeks wisdom and finds[a] none,
    but learning comes easily to someone who understands.

Stay away from a foolish man,
    for you will not find competent advice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:6 The Heb. lacks finds

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

18 The naïve inherit folly,
    but the careful are crowned with knowledge.

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

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The wise speak, presenting[a] knowledge appropriately,
    but fools spout foolishness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:2 Lit. The tongues of the wise present

14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

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14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.

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