Proverbs 23:9

Lexham English Bible

⁹In the ears of a fool do not speak,
for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 23:9

New English Translation

⁹Do not speak in the ears of a fool,^[a]
for he will despise the wisdom of your words.^[b]

Proverbs 23:9 sn The mention of “the ears” emphasizes the concerted effort to get the person’s undivided attention. However, a fool rejects instruction and discipline.
Proverbs 23:9 sn Saying number nine indicates that wisdom is wasted on a fool. The literature of Egypt has no specific parallel to this one.

¹²Apply your heart^[a] to instruction,
and your ear to sayings of knowledge.

¹²Apply^[a] your heart to instruction
and your ears to the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 23:12 tn Heb “bring.” The Hiphil imperative “come; enter” means “to apply the heart,” to use the heart or mind in the process. The same would be true in the second half: “to bring the ears” would mean to listen very carefully. Cf. TEV “Pay attention.”

²³Buy truth and do not sell it,
wisdom and instruction and understanding.

²³Acquire^[a] truth and do not sell it—
wisdom, and discipline, and understanding.

Proverbs 23:23 tn Heb “buy” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NLT); CEV “Invest in truth.”sn The sixteenth saying is an instruction to buy/acquire the kind of life that pleases God and brings joy to parents. “Getting truth” would mean getting training in the truth, and getting wisdom and understanding would mean developing the perception and practical knowledge of the truth.

Lexham English Bible (LEB)

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New English Translation (NET)