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

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The Major Theme

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction

29 Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

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29 “Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord;

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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—(A)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(B)

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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.

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Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(A)
It will be a healing for your flesh
    and a refreshment for your body.(B)

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Do not be wise in your own opinion.
    Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
This will bring healing to your body,
    and refreshment to your bones.

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13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate.(A)

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13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
    Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,
        and perverted speech I despise.

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10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.(A)

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10 The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins,
    and knowing holiness[a] demonstrates understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones

27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    but the years of the wicked will be short.(A)

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27 Fearing the Lord prolongs life,
    but the wicked will not live long.

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Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
    but one who is devious in conduct despises him.(A)

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Someone whose conduct is upright fears the Lord,
    but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.

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16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.(A)

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On Contentment and Other Good Things of Life

16 Better is a little accompanied by fear of the Lord
    than abundant wealth with turmoil.

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33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility goes before honor.(A)

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33 The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom,
    and humility precedes honor.

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By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.(A)

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Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth,
    and through fear of the Lord people[a] turn from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 The Heb. lacks people

23 The fear of the Lord is life indeed;
    filled with it one rests secure
    and suffers no harm.(A)

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23 The fear of the Lord leads[a] to life;
    whoever is satisfied with it will rest,
        untouched by evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:23 The Heb. lacks leads