Proverbs 1:4
English Standard Version
Proverbs 1:4
International Standard Version
4 for giving prudence to the naïve,
and knowledge and discretion to the young.
Proverbs 3:21-26
English Standard Version
21 My son, (A)do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be (B)life for your soul
and (C)adornment for your neck.
23 (D)Then you will walk on your way securely,
(E)and your foot will not stumble.
24 (F)If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, (G)your sleep will be sweet.
25 (H)Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of (I)the ruin[a] of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will (J)keep your foot from being caught.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:25 Hebrew storm
Proverbs 3:21-26
International Standard Version
Benefits of Wisdom
21 My son, do not let wisdom[a] leave your sight.
Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,
22 and they will be life to you
and a graceful ornament[b] for your neck.
23 Then you will travel safely on your way,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you sit[c] down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.[d]
25 Do not be afraid of sudden disaster,[e]
or the devastation that comes to the wicked.
26 Indeed, the Lord will be your confidence,
and he will keep your foot from being caught.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:21 The Heb. lacks wisdom
- Proverbs 3:22 Lit. grace
- Proverbs 3:24 So LXX; MT reads lie
- Proverbs 3:24 Or sweet
- Proverbs 3:25 Lit. terror
Proverbs 4:1-7
English Standard Version
A Father's Wise Instruction
4 (A)Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may (B)gain[a] insight,
2 for I give you good (C)precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
(D)tender, (E)the only one in the sight of my mother,
4 he (F)taught me and said to me,
(G)“Let your heart hold fast my words;
(H)keep my commandments, and live.
5 (I)Get wisdom; get (J)insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
(K)love her, and she will guard you.
7 (L)The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get (M)insight.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:1 Hebrew know
Proverbs 4:1-7
International Standard Version
Diligently Pursue Wisdom
4 Listen, children,[a] to your father’s instruction,
and pay attention in order to gain understanding.
2 I give you sound teaching,
so do not abandon my instruction.[b]
3 When I was a son to my father,
not yet strong[c] and an only son to my mother,
4 he taught me and told me,
“Let your heart fully embrace what I have to say;[d]
keep my commandments and live!
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!
6 Do not abandon her, and she will protect you.
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom,
and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:1 Lit. sons
- Proverbs 4:2 Or law
- Proverbs 4:3 Lit. delicate
- Proverbs 4:4 Lit. embrace my words
Proverbs 5:1-2
English Standard Version
Warning Against Adultery
5 (A)My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
(B)incline your ear to my understanding,
2 that you may keep (C)discretion,
and your lips may (D)guard knowledge.
Proverbs 5:1-2
International Standard Version
Warning against Sexual Immorality
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
2 so you may carefully practice[a] discretion
and your lips preserve knowledge.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 5:2 Lit. guard
Proverbs 9:1-6
English Standard Version
The Way of Wisdom
9 (A)Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her (B)seven (C)pillars.
2 She has (D)slaughtered her beasts; she has (E)mixed her wine;
she has also (F)set her table.
3 She has (G)sent out her young women to (H)call
from (I)the highest places in the town,
4 (J)“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
(K)To him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, (L)eat of my bread
and (M)drink of (N)the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave (O)your simple ways,[a] and (P)live,
(Q)and walk in the way of insight.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple
Proverbs 9:1-6
International Standard Version
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom[a] has built her house;
she has hewn out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her food,[b]
she has spiced[c] her wine,
and she also has set her dining table.
3 She has sent out her young women,
while calling out from the heights of the city,
4 “Let whoever is naïve, turn in here.”
To anyone lacking sense, she says,
5 “Come! Eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
6 Leave your naïve ways, and live.
Walk in the path of understanding.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:1 I.e. wisdom personified as a woman
- Proverbs 9:2 Or meat
- Proverbs 9:2 Or mixed
Proverbs 9:10
English Standard Version
10 (A)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and (B)the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10
International Standard Version
10 The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins,
and knowing holiness[a] demonstrates understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones
Proverbs 14:8
English Standard Version
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
Proverbs 14:8
International Standard Version
8 The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live,
but a fool’s stupidity deceives him.
Proverbs 14:15
English Standard Version
15 (A)The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
Proverbs 14:15
International Standard Version
15 An unthinking person believes everything,
but the prudent one thinks before acting.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:15 Lit. one considers his steps
Proverbs 21:5
English Standard Version
5 The plans of (A)the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is (B)hasty comes (C)only to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
International Standard Version
5 Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity,
but all who are hasty will surely become poor.
Proverbs 22:3
English Standard Version
3 (A)The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Proverbs 22:3
International Standard Version
3 The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides,
but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.
Proverbs 23:23
English Standard Version
23 (A)Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Proverbs 23:23
International Standard Version
23 Purchase truth, but don’t sell it;
store up[a] wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 23:23 The Heb. lacks store up
Proverbs 27:12
English Standard Version
Proverbs 27:12
International Standard Version
12 Those who are prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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