Proverbs 1:7
Evangelical Heritage Version
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of[a] knowledge,
but stubborn fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:7 Or prerequisite for or most important part of
Proverbs 2:6
Evangelical Heritage Version
6 because the Lord gives wisdom.
Knowledge and understanding come from his mouth.
Proverbs 3:13-20
Evangelical Heritage Version
13 How blessed is the person who finds wisdom,[a]
the person who acquires understanding,
14 because the profit it gives is better than the profit from silver,
and its yield is better than gold!
15 It is more valuable than gems,[b]
and nothing you desire can equal it.
16 In its right hand are the days of a long life.
In its left hand are riches and honor.
17 Its ways are pleasant ways,
and all its paths are peace.
18 It is a tree of life for those who hold on to it.
Those who cling to it are blessed.
19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom.
He established the heavens by understanding.
20 By his knowledge the deep waters were divided,
and the clouds drip dew.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:13 Or Wisdom. An issue throughout Proverbs 1-9 is when wisdom should be capitalized as the personal name of Lady Wisdom and when it is the common noun. Most translations do not capitalize wisdom in verses like verse 13 because of the parallelism with understanding. This decision also determines whether the English pronouns should be she or it. In Hebrew the noun for wisdom is feminine, so the pronouns in Hebrew are always feminine.
- Proverbs 3:15 The meaning of this word is uncertain. It may refer to a specific gemstone, such as rubies or red coral.
Proverbs 4:5-13
Evangelical Heritage Version
5 Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding.
Do not forget,
and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not abandon it, and it will watch over you.
Love it and it will guard you.”
7 The beginning of wisdom is to obtain Wisdom.
Give up everything you have, in order to gain Understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you.
She will honor you when you embrace her.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head.
She will present you with a beautiful crown.
Fifth Address to a Son:
The Difference Between the Wicked and the Righteous
10 Listen, my son, and accept my words,
so that the years of your life will be many.
11 I have instructed you in the way of wisdom.
I have led you along straight paths.[a]
12 When you walk, your stride will not be hindered.
Even if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to discipline. Do not let go.
Guard it, because it is your life.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:11 Or on the right track
Proverbs 5:1-2
Evangelical Heritage Version
Seventh Address to a Son:
Wisdom Teaches You to Avoid Adultery
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Open your ears to my understanding,
2 so that you may hold on to insight,
so your lips may guard knowledge,
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
Evangelical Heritage Version
Wisdom’s Invitation
8 Do you hear Wisdom calling out?
Do you hear Understanding raising her voice?
2 On the hills above the roads,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 Beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrance to the doorways, she cries out:
4 I call to you men,
and I raise my voice to the people.
5 You gullible people, get good judgment.[a]
You fools, take this to heart.
6 Listen, because I am speaking noble thoughts.
I open my lips to speak upright things,
7 for my mouth declares truth,
but wickedness is disgusting[b] to my lips.
8 All the words from my mouth are righteous.
There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 All of them are clear to those who have understanding,
and they are upright to those who find knowledge.
10 Accept my discipline instead of silver.
Accept knowledge rather than fine gold,
11 because Wisdom is better than gems,[c]
and anything you may desire cannot equal her.
Wisdom’s Benefit
12 I, Wisdom, dwell with good judgment.[d]
I discover knowledge and foresight.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
I hate haughtiness, arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth.
14 Good advice and sound judgment are mine.
I, Understanding, have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
and rulers administer justice.
16 By me officials govern,
as well as nobles and all just judges.
17 I certainly love those who love me,
and those who eagerly look for me find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
as well as enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, better than pure gold,
and what I produce is better than fine silver.
20 I walk on the path of righteousness,
down the middle of the pathways of justice,
21 so I can provide a rich inheritance to those who love me,
and I can fill their treasuries.
Wisdom Is the Craftsman of Creation
22 The Lord possessed[e] me at the beginning of his way,
before his works of long ago.
23 From eternity I was appointed,
from the beginning, from before the origin of the earth.
24 When there were no deep waters, I was brought forth,[f]
when there were no springs filled with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 when he had not yet made land or fields
or the first dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there.
When he drew the horizon around the surface of the deep,
28 when he placed the clouds in the sky above,
when the fountains of the deep gushed out,
29 when he established his decree for the sea,
so that the waters could not go beyond the limit set by his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 I was beside him as a master craftsman.
I was his joy day after day.
I rejoiced in his presence at all times.
31 I rejoiced in his inhabited world.
I was delighted with the children of Adam.[g]
Wisdom Is the Giver of Life
32 So now, you children, listen to me,
because those who keep my ways are blessed.
33 Listen to discipline and become wise.
Do not neglect it.
34 How blessed is the person who listens to me,
so that he can watch at my doors day after day,
so that he can stand guard beside my front door,
35 because whoever finds me finds life,
and he obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but whoever sins against me harms himself.
All who hate me love death.
Lady Wisdom’s Banquet
9 Wisdom has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has already set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls.
She calls from the highest point in the city,
4 “Whoever is naïve,[h] let him turn in here.”
To someone who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
6 Abandon your naïve ways and live.
Travel the road to understanding.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 8:5 Or prudence
- Proverbs 8:7 Or repulsive or an abomination
- Proverbs 8:11 Perhaps rubies or red coral
- Proverbs 8:12 Or prudence
- Proverbs 8:22 Or created
- Proverbs 8:24 Or was born. Also in verse 25.
- Proverbs 8:31 Or human race
- Proverbs 9:4 Or inexperienced or gullible
Proverbs 9:10-12
Evangelical Heritage Version
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning[a] of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,
11 because through me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage.
But if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:10 Or prerequisite or most important part
Proverbs 11:2
Evangelical Heritage Version
2 When arrogance comes, shame follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 14:33
Evangelical Heritage Version
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning.
It can be recognized even among fools.
Proverbs 15:33
Evangelical Heritage Version
33 The fear of the Lord gives discipline and wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 16:16
Evangelical Heritage Version
16 How much better to acquire wisdom rather than gold,
and to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
Proverbs 17:24
Evangelical Heritage Version
24 Wisdom is right in front of a discerning person,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the end of the earth.
Proverbs 18:4
Evangelical Heritage Version
4 The words from a man’s mouth are deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
Proverbs 19:8
Evangelical Heritage Version
8 A person who acquires intelligence[a] loves his life.[b]
A person who guards understanding finds a good thing.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:8 Literally heart
- Proverbs 19:8 Or his soul
Proverbs 24:3
Evangelical Heritage Version
3 With wisdom a house is built.
With understanding it is established.
Proverbs 24:7
Evangelical Heritage Version
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:7 The translation follows an altered spelling of the Hebrew. The main Hebrew reading seems to be corals.
- Proverbs 24:7 Literally the city gate
Proverbs 24:14
Evangelical Heritage Version
14 Know also that wisdom is sweet for your soul.
If you find it, then there is a future for you,
and your hope will never be cut off.
Proverbs 28:26
Evangelical Heritage Version
26 A person who trusts in his own ideas is a fool,
but a person who walks in wisdom will be kept safe.
Proverbs 30:24-28
Evangelical Heritage Version
24 Four things are small on the earth,
yet they are wiser than the wisest people:
25 Ants are a species without strength,
but they store their food in summer.
26 Rock badgers are a species without power,
but they make their home in a cliff.
27 Locusts have no king,
but they all march ahead in ranks.
28 Lizards can be caught in your hands,
but they live in kings’ palaces.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.