Proverbs 1:5-9
World English Bible
5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
6 to understand a proverb and parables,
the words and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
9 for they will be a garland to grace your head,
and chains around your neck.
Footnotes
- 1:7 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.
Proverbs 1:5-9
International Standard Version
5 Let the wise listen and increase their[a] learning;
let the person of understanding receive guidance
6 in understanding proverbs, clever sayings,
words of the wise, and their riddles.
The Major Theme
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.[b]
The Minor Theme
8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
and do not let go of your mother’s teaching.
9 They will be a graceful wreath for your head
and a chain for your neck.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:5 The Heb. lacks their
- Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction
Proverbs 1:23
World English Bible
23 Turn at my reproof.
Behold,[a] I will pour out my spirit on you.
I will make known my words to you.
Footnotes
- 1:23 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Proverbs 1:23
International Standard Version
23 Return to my correction!
Look, I will pour out my spirit on you,
and I will make my words known to you.
Proverbs 2:1-6
World English Bible
2 My son, if you will receive my words,
and store up my commandments within you,
2 so as to turn your ear to wisdom,
and apply your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for discernment,
and lift up your voice for understanding;
4 if you seek her as silver,
and search for her as for hidden treasures:
5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
and find the knowledge of God.[a]
6 For Yahweh gives wisdom.
Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Footnotes
- 2:5 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
Proverbs 2:1-6
International Standard Version
The Benefits of Embracing Wisdom
2 My son, if you accept my words,
and treasure my instructions[a]—
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom,
and turning your heart to understanding—
3 if, indeed, you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and learn to know God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 2:1 Lit. instructions within you
Proverbs 11:2
World English Bible
2 When pride comes, then comes shame,
but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
International Standard Version
2 When pride appears, disgrace accompanies it,
but humility is present with wisdom.
Proverbs 12:15
World English Bible
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but he who is wise listens to counsel.
Proverbs 12:15
International Standard Version
15 The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion,
but wise is the man who listens to advice.
Proverbs 13:1
World English Bible
13 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:1
International Standard Version
Who is a Wise Son?
13 A wise son heeds[a] a father’s correction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:1 The Heb. lacks heeds
Proverbs 13:10
World English Bible
10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is with people who take advice.
Proverbs 13:10
International Standard Version
10 Arrogance only brings quarreling,
but those receiving advice are wise.
Proverbs 13:20
World English Bible
20 One who walks with wise men grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20
International Standard Version
20 Whoever keeps company with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 14:6-8
World English Bible
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
7 Stay away from a foolish man,
for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
but the folly of fools is deceit.
Proverbs 14:6-8
International Standard Version
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds[a] none,
but learning comes easily to someone who understands.
7 Stay away from a foolish man,
for you will not find competent advice.
8 The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live,
but a fool’s stupidity deceives him.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:6 The Heb. lacks finds
Proverbs 14:18
World English Bible
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:18
International Standard Version
18 The naïve inherit folly,
but the careful are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:29
World English Bible
29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Proverbs 14:29
International Standard Version
29 Being slow to get angry compares to great understanding
as being quick-tempered compares to stupidity.
Proverbs 14:33
World English Bible
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
Proverbs 14:33
International Standard Version
33 Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning—
even fools know this.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:33 So MT; LXX reads but in the heart of fools it is not discerned
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