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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;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.(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]

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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)

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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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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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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 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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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,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.(A)

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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,
    but the years of the wicked will be short.(A)

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

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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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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 one’s children will have a refuge.(A)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    so that one may avoid 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 is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.(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 instruction in wisdom,
    and humility goes 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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By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.(A)

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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 is life indeed;
    filled with it one rests secure
    and suffers no harm.(A)

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