Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 Or prerequisite for or most important part of

Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

Read full chapter

Second Address to a Son: Wisdom Provides Protection

My son, if you accept my words,
if you store up my commands within you,
    by paying attention[a] to wisdom with your ear,
    by reaching out for understanding with your heart,
if indeed you call out for intelligence,
if you raise your voice for understanding,
if you search for it like silver,
if you hunt for it like hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
then you will find the knowledge of God,

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:2 Or so you can pay attention

The Benefits of Wisdom

My child, if you will receive[a] my sayings,
    and hide my commands with you,
in order to incline your ear toward wisdom,
    then you shall apply your heart to understanding.
For if you cry out for understanding,[b]
    if you lift[c] your voice for insight,
if you seek her like silver
    and search her out like treasure,[d]
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and the knowledge of God you will find.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:1 Or “take, seize”
  2. Proverbs 2:3 Or “call to understanding”
  3. Proverbs 2:3 Or “carry, give”
  4. Proverbs 2:4 Literally “like the treasures”

Do not consider yourself wise.
Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
Then your body[a] will be healed,
and your bones will be refreshed.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Literally navel

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
There shall be healing for your flesh,[a]
    and refreshment for your body.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Literally “navel”

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
I hate haughtiness, arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth.

Read full chapter

13 The fear of Yahweh is hatred of evil,
    pride, and arrogance and an evil way.
    And I hate a mouth of perversity.

Read full chapter

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning[a] of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or prerequisite or most important part

Foolishness’ Banquet

10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh,
    and knowledge of the Holy One,[a] insight.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or “holy ones”

27 The fear of the Lord will add days to a person’s life,
but the years of wicked people will be cut short.

Read full chapter

27 The fear of Yahweh adds life,
    but the years of the wicked are shortened.

Read full chapter

Whoever walks in the right way fears the Lord,
but a person who is devious in his ways despises him.

Read full chapter

He who walks in uprightness fears Yahweh,
    but he who is devious in his ways displeases him.

Read full chapter

26 In the fear of the Lord a person gains strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.
It turns a person away from the snares of death.

Read full chapter

26 In the fear of Yahweh, there is confidence of strength,
    and for his children, there will be refuge.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
    in order to turn from the snares of death.

Read full chapter

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.

Read full chapter

16 Better is little with the fear of Yahweh
    than great treasure and trouble with it.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:16 Or “him”

33 The fear of the Lord gives discipline and wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.

Read full chapter

33 Fear of Yahweh is the instruction of the wise,
    and before honor comes humility.

Read full chapter

Through mercy and truth, guilt is atoned for,
and through the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.

Read full chapter

By loyalty and faithfulness, iniquity will be covered over,[a]
    and by fear of Yahweh one turns[b] from evil.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 Or “atoned for”
  2. Proverbs 16:6 Literally “turning”

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life.
One who has it rests content.
He will not be disturbed by trouble.

Read full chapter

23 Fear of Yahweh leads to life;
    he who is filled with it will rest—he will not suffer harm.

Read full chapter