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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, 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 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

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 where wisdom begins,
    and knowing holiness[a] demonstrates understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones

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

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

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

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

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15 The mind[a] of a discerning person gains knowledge,
    while the ears of wise people seek out knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:15 Lit. heart

Furthermore, it isn’t good to be ignorant,[a]
    and whoever rushes into things[b] misses the mark.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:2 Lit. good for an ignorant soul
  2. Proverbs 19:2 Lit. whoever hurries with his feet

27 My son, if you stop listening to instruction,
    you will stray from the principles of knowledge.

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12 The Lord watches over anyone with knowledge,
    but he ruins the plans[a] of the unfaithful.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:12 Lit. words

12 Learn diligently,
    and listen to words of knowledge.

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By wisdom a house is built;
    it is made secure through understanding.
By knowledge its rooms are furnished
    with all sorts of expensive and beautiful goods.

A wise man is strong,[a]
    and a knowledgeable man grows in strength.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:5 So MT; LXX reads Being wise is better than being strong

When a land transgresses,
    it gains a succession of leaders,
but with an understanding and knowledgeable man,
    its stability endures.

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