Proverbs 1:4
World English Bible
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young man:
Proverbs 1:4
International Standard Version
4 for giving prudence to the naïve,
and knowledge and discretion to the young.
Proverbs 3:21-26
World English Bible
21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 so they will be life to your soul,
and grace for your neck.
23 Then you shall walk in your way securely.
Your foot won’t stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;
26 for Yahweh will be your confidence,
and will keep your foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:21-26
International Standard Version
Benefits of Wisdom
21 My son, do not let wisdom[a] leave your sight.
Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,
22 and they will be life to you
and a graceful ornament[b] for your neck.
23 Then you will travel safely on your way,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you sit[c] down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.[d]
25 Do not be afraid of sudden disaster,[e]
or the devastation that comes to the wicked.
26 Indeed, the Lord will be your confidence,
and he will keep your foot from being caught.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:21 The Heb. lacks wisdom
- Proverbs 3:22 Lit. grace
- Proverbs 3:24 So LXX; MT reads lie
- Proverbs 3:24 Or sweet
- Proverbs 3:25 Lit. terror
Proverbs 4:1-7
World English Bible
4 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction.
Pay attention and know understanding;
2 for I give you sound learning.
Don’t forsake my law.
3 For I was a son to my father,
tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words.
Keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom.
Get understanding.
Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.
6 Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you.
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is supreme.
Get wisdom.
Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:1-7
International Standard Version
Diligently Pursue Wisdom
4 Listen, children,[a] to your father’s instruction,
and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
2 I give you sound teaching,
so do not abandon my instruction.[b]
3 When I was a son to my father,
not yet strong[c] and an only son to my mother,
4 he taught me and told me,
“Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say;[d]
keep my commandments and live!
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!
6 Do not abandon her, and she will protect you.
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom,
and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:1 Lit. sons
- Proverbs 4:2 Or law
- Proverbs 4:3 Lit. delicate
- Proverbs 4:4 Lit. embrace my words
Proverbs 5:1-2
World English Bible
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Turn your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may maintain discretion,
that your lips may preserve knowledge.
Proverbs 5:1-2
International Standard Version
Warning against Sexual Immorality
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
2 so you may carefully practice[a] discretion
and your lips preserve knowledge.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 5:2 Lit. guard
Proverbs 9:1-6
World English Bible
9 Wisdom has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens.
She cries from the highest places of the city:
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat some of my bread,
Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
6 Leave your simple ways, and live.
Walk in the way of understanding.”
Proverbs 9:1-6
International Standard Version
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom[a] has built her house;
she has hewn out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her food,[b]
she has spiced[c] her wine,
and she also has set her dining table.
3 She has sent out her young women,
while calling out from the heights of the city,
4 “Let whoever is naïve, turn in here.”
To anyone lacking sense, she says,
5 “Come! Eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
6 Leave your naïve ways, and live.
Walk in the path of understanding.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:1 I.e. wisdom personified as a woman
- Proverbs 9:2 Or meat
- Proverbs 9:2 Or mixed
Proverbs 9:10
World English Bible
10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
International Standard Version
10 The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins,
and knowing holiness[a] demonstrates understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones
Proverbs 14:8
World English Bible
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
but the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:8
International Standard Version
8 The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live,
but a fool’s stupidity deceives him.
Proverbs 14:15
World English Bible
15 A simple man believes everything,
but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
Proverbs 14:15
International Standard Version
15 An unthinking person believes everything,
but the prudent one thinks before acting.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:15 Lit. one considers his steps
Proverbs 21:5
World English Bible
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
International Standard Version
5 Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity,
but all who are hasty will surely become poor.
Proverbs 22:3
World English Bible
3 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
Proverbs 22:3
International Standard Version
3 The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides,
but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.
Proverbs 23:23
World English Bible
23 Buy the truth, and don’t sell it.
Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
Proverbs 23:23
International Standard Version
23 Purchase truth, but don’t sell it;
store up[a] wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:23 The Heb. lacks store up
Proverbs 27:12
World English Bible
12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge;
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
Proverbs 27:12
International Standard Version
12 Those who are prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.
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