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let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
    and the discerning acquire skill,(A)
to understand a proverb and a figure,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

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

Warnings against Evil Companions

Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,
    and do not reject your mother’s teaching,(C)
for they are a fair garland for your head
    and pendants for your neck.(D)

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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.

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Footnotes

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

23 Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
    I will make my words known to you.(A)

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

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The Value of Wisdom

My child, if you accept my words
    and treasure up my commandments within you,(A)
making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding,
if you indeed cry out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures—(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(C)
For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;(D)

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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.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:1 Lit. instructions within you

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but wisdom is with the humble.(A)

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

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15 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to advice.(A)

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

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13 A wise child loves discipline,[a]
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 13.1 Cn: Heb A wise child the discipline of his father

Who is a Wise Son?

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:1 The Heb. lacks heeds

10 By insolence the empty-headed person makes strife,
    but wisdom is with those who take advice.(A)

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

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20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools suffers harm.(A)

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

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A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
    but knowledge is easy for one who understands.
Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not find words of knowledge.
It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.(A)

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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.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:6 The Heb. lacks finds

18 The simple are adorned with[a] folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.18 Or inherit

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

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29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.(A)

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

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33 Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
    but it is not[a] known in the heart of fools.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.33 Gk Syr: Heb lacks not

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

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Footnotes

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