Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(A) to your father’s(B) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(C)
They are a garland to grace your head
    and a chain to adorn your neck.(D)

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Warnings against Evil Companions

Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,
    and do not reject your mother’s teaching,(A)
for they are a fair garland for your head
    and pendants for your neck.(B)

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Warning Against Adultery

20 My son,(A) keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(B)
21 Bind them always on your heart;
    fasten them around your neck.(C)
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
    when you sleep, they will watch over you;
    when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
    this teaching is a light,(D)
and correction and instruction
    are the way to life,(E)

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20 My child, keep your father’s commandment,
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(A)
21 Bind them upon your heart always;
    tie them around your neck.(B)
22 When you walk, they[a] will lead you;
    when you lie down, they[b] will watch over you;
    and when you awake, they[c] will talk with you.(C)
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 6.22 Heb it
  2. 6.22 Heb it
  3. 6.22 Heb it

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)

A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

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Wise Sayings of Solomon

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise child makes a glad father,
    but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.(A)

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29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.(A)

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29 Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

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13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(A)

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13 A wise child loves discipline,[a]
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 13.1 Cn: Heb A wise child the discipline of his father

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(A)

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A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
    but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.(A)

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20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(A)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

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20 A wise child makes a glad father,
    but the foolish despise their mothers.(A)

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Children’s children(A) are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children.

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Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their parents.(A)

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17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(A)

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17 A friend loves at all times,
    and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.(A)

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21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(A)

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21 The one who fathers a fool gets trouble;
    the parent of a fool has no joy.(A)

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25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(A)

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25 Foolish children are a grief to their father
    and bitterness to her who bore them.(A)

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19 A brother wronged(A) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

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19 An ally offended is stronger than a city;[a]
    such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

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Footnotes

  1. 18.19 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain