Add parallel Print Page Options

11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
    and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

Read full chapter

11 Come, my children, listen(A) to me;
    I will teach you(B) the fear of the Lord.(C)

Read full chapter

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Read full chapter

The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[a] despise wisdom(B) and instruction.(C)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
    All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.

Praise him forever!

Read full chapter

10 The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of wisdom;(B)
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.(C)
    To him belongs eternal praise.(D)

Read full chapter

The Benefits of Wisdom

My child,[a] listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
    and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
    He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of the just
    and protects those who are faithful to him.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
    and you will find the right way to go.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Hebrew My son.

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son,(A) if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding(B)
indeed, if you call out for insight(C)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,(D)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(E)
For the Lord gives wisdom;(F)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(G)
He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield(H) to those whose walk is blameless,(I)
for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.(J)

Then you will understand(K) what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.

Read full chapter

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.

Read full chapter

I will instruct(A) you and teach you(B) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on(C) you.

Read full chapter

“Who does the Lord think we are?” they ask.
    “Why does he speak to us like this?
Are we little children,
    just recently weaned?

Read full chapter

“Who is it he is trying to teach?(A)
    To whom is he explaining his message?(B)
To children weaned(C) from their milk,(D)
    to those just taken from the breast?

Read full chapter

17 “I love all who love me.
    Those who search will surely find me.

Read full chapter

17 I love those who love me,(A)
    and those who seek me find me.(B)

Read full chapter

Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Read full chapter

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children,(A) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(B) Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.(C)

Read full chapter

24 So listen to me, my sons,
    and pay attention to my words.

Read full chapter

24 Now then, my sons, listen(A) to me;
    pay attention to what I say.

Read full chapter

A Father’s Wise Advice

My children,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Pay attention and learn good judgment,

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Hebrew My sons.

Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons,(A) to a father’s instruction;(B)
    pay attention and gain understanding.(C)

Read full chapter

16 Come and listen, all you who fear God,
    and I will tell you what he did for me.

Read full chapter

16 Come and hear,(A) all you who fear God;
    let me tell(B) you what he has done for me.

Read full chapter

Direct your children onto the right path,
    and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Read full chapter

Start(A) children off on the way they should go,(B)
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.(C)

Read full chapter

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Read full chapter

15 and how from infancy(A) you have known the Holy Scriptures,(B) which are able to make you wise(C) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Read full chapter