let the wise listen and add to their learning,(A)
    and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,(B)
    the sayings and riddles(C) of the wise.[a](D)

The fear of the Lord(E) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[b] despise wisdom(F) and instruction.(G)

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(H) to your father’s(I) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(J)
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  2. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

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

23 Repent at my rebuke!
    Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
    I will make known to you my teachings.

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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

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son,(A) if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding(B)
indeed, if you call out for insight(C)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(D)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(E)
For the Lord gives wisdom;(F)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(G)

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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

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(A)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(B)

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

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15 The way of fools seems right to them,(A)
    but the wise listen to advice.(B)

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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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13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

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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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10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(A)

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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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20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(A)

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

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The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(A)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(B)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(C)

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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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18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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

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29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(A)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(B)

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

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33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(A)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

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