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The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

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Footnotes

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

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

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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]

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Footnotes

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

Wisdom’s Worth

My son, if you accept my words(A)
and store up my commands within you,
listening closely[a] to wisdom
and directing your heart to understanding;
furthermore, if you call out to insight
and lift your voice to understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,(B)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and discover the knowledge of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:2 Lit you, stretching out your ear

Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
    Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
It will be health to your body,
    and nourishment to your bones.

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Don’t be wise in your own eyes;(A)
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(B)
This will be healing for your body[a](C)
and strengthening for your bones.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:8 Lit navel

13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
    I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

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13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(A)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.

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10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
    The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

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

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27 The fear of Yahweh prolongs days,
    but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

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27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,[a](A)
but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days

He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
    but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

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Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,(A)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.(B)

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26 In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress,
    and he will be a refuge for his children.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
    turning people from the snares of death.

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26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(A)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.(B)

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16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
    than great treasure with trouble.

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

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33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
    Before honor is humility.

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33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(A)

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By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
    By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

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Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(A)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(B)

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23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment;
    he rests and will not be touched by trouble.

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23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
one will sleep at night[a] without danger.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 19:23 Lit will spend the night satisfied