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.

Read full chapter

may the wise hear and increase learning,
    and the one who understands gain direction,[a]
to understand a proverb and an expression,
    words of wisdom and their riddles.
Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

Lecture Against Gang Behavior

My child, may you keep[b] your father’s instruction,
    and do not reject your mother’s teachings,
for they are a garland of favor for your head,
    and pendants for your neck.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:5 Or “guidance”
  2. Proverbs 1:8 Or “obey,” or “hear”

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

Read full chapter

23 May you turn to my argument![a]
    Behold, I shall pour out my spirit upon you;
    I will make my words known to you.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:23 Or “turn at my reproach”

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:3 Lit give

The Benefits of Wisdom

My child, if you will receive[a] my sayings,
    and hide my commands with you,
in order to incline your ear toward wisdom,
    then you shall apply your heart to understanding.
For if you cry out for understanding,[b]
    if you lift[c] your voice for insight,
if you seek her like silver
    and search her out like treasure,[d]
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and the knowledge of God you will find.
For Yahweh will give wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:1 Or “take, seize”
  2. Proverbs 2:3 Or “call to understanding”
  3. Proverbs 2:3 Or “carry, give”
  4. Proverbs 2:4 Literally “like the treasures”

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

Read full chapter

Pride comes, then disgrace comes,
    but wisdom is with the humble.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

15 The way of a fool is upright in his own eyes,
    but he who listens to advice is wise.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

13 A wise child hears the discipline of a father,
    but a scoffer does not listen to a rebuke.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:10 Lit gives

10 Only by insolence is strife set up,
    and wisdom is with those who take advice.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

20 Walk with the wise and be wise,
    but as for the companion of fools, he will suffer harm.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none,
    but knowledge comes easily to him who understands.[a]
Leave the presence of a foolish man,[b]
    for you will not come to know words of knowledge.[c]
The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:6 Literally “to one who understands it comes easy”
  2. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “from the presence belonging to a man of foolishness”
  3. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “lips of knowledge”

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

Read full chapter

18 The simple are adorned with folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:29 Lit short of spirit

29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but the hasty of spirit[a] exalts folly.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:29 Or “breath”

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

Read full chapter

33 In the heart[a] of him who has understanding, wisdom rests,
    but even in the midst of fools it becomes known.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 Or “mind”