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)

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

  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 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]

The Minor Theme

My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
They will be a graceful wreath for your head
    and a chain for your neck.

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 1:5 The Heb. lacks their
  2. Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction

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

Read full chapter

23 Return to my correction!
    Look, I will pour out my spirit on you,
        and I will make my words known to you.

Read full chapter

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)

Read full chapter

The Benefits of Embracing Wisdom

My son, if you accept my words,
and treasure my instructions[a]
making your ear attentive to wisdom,
    and turning your heart to understanding—
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.

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 2:1 Lit. instructions within you

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

Read full chapter

When pride appears, disgrace accompanies it,
    but humility is present with wisdom.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

15 The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion,
    but wise is the man who listens to advice.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Who is a Wise Son?

13 A wise son heeds[a] a father’s correction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 13:1 The Heb. lacks heeds

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

Read full chapter

10 Arrogance only brings quarreling,
    but those receiving advice are wise.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

20 Whoever keeps company with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools suffers harm.

Read full chapter

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)

Read full chapter

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.

The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live,
    but a fool’s stupidity deceives him.

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 14:6 The Heb. lacks finds

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

29 Being slow to get angry compares to great understanding
    as being quick-tempered compares to stupidity.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

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

33 Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning—
    even fools know this.[a]

Read full chapter

Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 14:33 So MT; LXX reads but in the heart of fools it is not discerned