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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 to these proverbs and become even wiser.
    Let those with understanding receive guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
What you learn from them will crown you with grace
    and be a chain of honor around your neck.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:8 Hebrew My son; also in 1:10, 15.

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 Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
    and make you wise.

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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 Wisdom

My child,[a] listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
    and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Hebrew My son.

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

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Pride leads to disgrace,
    but with humility comes 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 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to others.

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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

13 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a]
    a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

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Footnotes

  1. 13:1 Hebrew A wise son accepts his father’s discipline.

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

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10 Pride leads to conflict;
    those who take 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 Walk with the wise and become wise;
    associate with fools and get in trouble.

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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 never finds it,
    but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

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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 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,[a]
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:18 Or inherit foolishness.

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

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29 People with understanding control their anger;
    a hot temper shows great foolishness.

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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 enshrined in an understanding heart;
    wisdom is not[a] found among fools.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:33 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew lacks not.