let a wise person listen and increase learning,(A)
and let a discerning person obtain guidance—
for understanding a proverb or a parable,[a]
the words of the wise, and their riddles.(B)

The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;(C)
fools despise wisdom and discipline.(D)

Avoid the Path of the Violent

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,
and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,(E)
for they will be a garland(F) of favor on your head
and pendants[b] around your neck.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 1:6 Or an enigma
  2. 1:9 Lit chains

A wise person will hear and (A)increase in learning,
And a (B)person of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a saying,
The words of the wise and their (C)riddles.

(D)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Enticement of Sinners

(E)Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,
And (F)do not ignore your mother’s teaching;
For they are a (G)graceful wreath for your head
And (H)necklaces for your neck.

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23 If you respond to my warning,[a](A)
then I will pour out my spirit on you(B)
and teach you my words.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:23 Lit you turn back to my reprimand

23 Turn to my rebuke,
Behold, I will (A)pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.

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Wisdom’s Worth

My son, if you accept my words(A)
and store up my commands within you,
listening closely[a] to wisdom
and directing your heart to understanding;
furthermore, if you call out to insight
and lift your voice to understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and discover the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:2 Lit you, stretching out your ear

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

My son, if you will (A)receive my words
And (B)treasure my commandments within you,
(C)Make your ear attentive to wisdom;
Incline your heart to understanding.
For if you cry out for insight,
And [a]raise your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as (D)silver
And search for her as for (E)hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the (F)fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.
For (G)the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:3 Lit give

When arrogance comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(A)

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When (A)pride comes, then comes dishonor;
But with the humble there is wisdom.

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15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(A)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

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15 The (A)way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.

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13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.

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Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

13 A (A)wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
But a (B)scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

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10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,(A)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

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10 Through overconfidence [a]comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:10 Lit gives

20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

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20 (A)One who walks with wise people will be wise,
But a companion of fools will suffer harm.

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A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

Stay away from a foolish person;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.(A)

The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

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A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.
Leave the (A)presence of a fool,
Or you will not [a]discern [b]words of knowledge.
The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But (B)the foolishness of fools is deceit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:7 Lit know
  2. Proverbs 14:7 Lit lips

18 The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

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18 The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

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29 A patient person shows great understanding,(A)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

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29 One who is (A)slow to anger has great understanding;
But one who is [a]quick-tempered exalts foolishness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:29 Lit short of spirit

33 Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;(A)
she is known[a] even among fools.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:33 LXX reads unknown

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
But among fools it is made known.

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