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Prologue

Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand sayings of understanding,
to gain insightful instruction,[a]
    righteousness and justice and equity,
to give shrewdness[b] to the simple,
    knowledge and purpose[c] to the young,
may the wise hear and increase learning,
    and the one who understands gain direction,[d]
to understand a proverb and an expression,
    words of wisdom and their riddles.
Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:3 Literally “the instruction of insight”
  2. Proverbs 1:4 Or “cleverness,” or “prudence”
  3. Proverbs 1:4 Or “plan”
  4. Proverbs 1:5 Or “guidance”

The Purpose of Proverbs

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
    to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
    to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
    knowledge and discernment to the young.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
    Let those with understanding receive guidance
by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

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

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More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are also proverbs of Solomon which officials of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

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More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.

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