The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[a] despise wisdom(B) and instruction.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

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

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Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son,(A) if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding(B)
indeed, if you call out for insight(C)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(D)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(E)

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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.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Hebrew My son.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;(A)
    fear the Lord(B) and shun evil.(C)
This will bring health to your body(D)
    and nourishment to your bones.(E)

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Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

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13 To fear the Lord(A) is to hate evil;(B)
    I hate(C) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.

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13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
    Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
    corruption and perverse speech.

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

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10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
    Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

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27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(A)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.

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Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

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Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;
    those who take the wrong path despise him.

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26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(A)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(B)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(C)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(D)

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26 Those who fear the Lord are secure;
    he will be a refuge for their children.

27 Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
    it offers escape from the snares of death.

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

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16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord,
    than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

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33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(A)
    and humility comes before honor.(B)

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33 Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom;
    humility precedes honor.

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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(A) evil is avoided.(B)

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Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
    By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

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23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(A)

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23 Fear of the Lord leads to life,
    bringing security and protection from harm.

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