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

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14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

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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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31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 (A)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And (B)before honor is humility.

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

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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

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

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

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

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15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

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20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise (A)in your latter days.

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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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Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.

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

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18 (A)Plans are established by counsel;
(B)By wise counsel wage war.

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

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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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Sayings of the Wise

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord;
I have instructed you today, even you.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
21 (A)That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
(B)That you may answer words of truth
To those who [a]send to you?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:21 Or send you

Saying 16

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

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19 Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.

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