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that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
    that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
to understand a proverb and parables,
    the words and riddles of the wise.

The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
for they will be a garland to grace your head,
    and chains around your neck.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:7 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.

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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23 Turn at my reproof.
    Behold,[a] I will pour out my spirit on you.
    I will make known my words to you.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:23 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

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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My son, if you will receive my words,
    and store up my commandments within you,
so as to turn your ear to wisdom,
    and apply your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for discernment,
    and lift up your voice for understanding;
if you seek her as silver,
    and search for her as for hidden treasures:
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and find the knowledge of God.[a]
For Yahweh gives wisdom.
    Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:5 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

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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When pride comes, then comes shame,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

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

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15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but he who is wise listens to counsel.

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

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13 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
    but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

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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

10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
    but wisdom is with people who take advice.

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

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20 One who walks with wise men grows wise,
    but a companion of fools suffers harm.

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

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A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
    but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
Stay away from a foolish man,
    for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

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

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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

29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

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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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33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
    and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

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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