14 The (A)mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

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31 One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke
Will stay among the wise.
32 One who (A)neglects discipline (B)rejects himself,
But one who (C)listens to a rebuke acquires [a]understanding.
33 [b]The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:32 Lit heart
  2. Proverbs 15:33 Or Reverence for

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(A)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(B)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(C)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(D)
    and humility comes before honor.(E)

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16 How much (A)better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

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16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(A) rather than silver!(B)

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21 The (A)wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of [a]speech (B)increases [b]persuasiveness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Lit lips
  2. Proverbs 16:21 Or learning

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive

24 Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding,
But the (A)eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

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24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

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15 The [a](A)mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
And the (B)ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:15 Lit heart

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(A)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

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20 (A)Listen to advice and accept discipline,
So that you may be wise [a]the rest of your days.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 Lit in your latter end

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,(A)
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.(B)

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A plan in the heart of a person is like deep water,
But a person of understanding draws it out.

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The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(A)
    but one who has insight draws them out.

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18 Prepare (A)plans by consultation,
And (B)make war by wise guidance.

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18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
    so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(A)

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11 When the (A)scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

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11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(A)

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17 (A)Extend your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;
18 For it will be (B)pleasant if you keep them within you,
[a]So that they may be ready on your lips.
19 So that your (C)trust may be in the Lord,
I have [b]taught you today, you indeed.
20 Have I not written to you [c](D)excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
21 To make you (E)know the [d]certainty of the words of truth,
So that you may [e](F)correctly answer him who sent you?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:18 Lit They together
  2. Proverbs 22:19 Lit made you know
  3. Proverbs 22:20 Or previous
  4. Proverbs 22:21 Lit truth
  5. Proverbs 22:21 Lit return words of truth

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention(A) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(B)
    apply your heart to what I teach,(C)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(D)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

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19 Listen, my son, and (A)be wise,
And (B)direct your heart in the way.

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Saying 16

19 Listen, my son,(A) and be wise,
    and set your heart on the right path:

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