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may the wise hear and increase learning,
    and the one who understands gain direction,[a]
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.

Lecture Against Gang Behavior

My child, may you keep[b] your father’s instruction,
    and do not reject your mother’s teachings,
for they are a garland of favor for your head,
    and pendants for your neck.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:5 Or “guidance”
  2. Proverbs 1:8 Or “obey,” or “hear”

that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
    that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
to understand a proverb and parables,
    the words and riddles of the wise.

The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, listen to your father’s instruction,
    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
for they will be a garland to grace your head,
    and chains around your neck.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:7 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.

23 May you turn to my argument![a]
    Behold, I shall pour out my spirit upon you;
    I will make my words known to you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:23 Or “turn at my reproach”

23 Turn at my reproof.
    Behold,[a] I will pour out my spirit on you.
    I will make known my words to you.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:23 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

The Benefits of Wisdom

My child, if you will receive[a] my sayings,
    and hide my commands with you,
in order to incline your ear toward wisdom,
    then you shall apply your heart to understanding.
For if you cry out for understanding,[b]
    if you lift[c] your voice for insight,
if you seek her like silver
    and search her out like treasure,[d]
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and the knowledge of God you will find.
For Yahweh will give wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:1 Or “take, seize”
  2. Proverbs 2:3 Or “call to understanding”
  3. Proverbs 2:3 Or “carry, give”
  4. Proverbs 2:4 Literally “like the treasures”

My son, if you will receive my words,
    and store up my commandments within you,
so as to turn your ear to wisdom,
    and apply your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for discernment,
    and lift up your voice for understanding;
if you seek her as silver,
    and search for her as for hidden treasures:
then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
    and find the knowledge of God.[a]
For Yahweh gives wisdom.
    Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:5 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

Pride comes, then disgrace comes,
    but wisdom is with the humble.

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When pride comes, then comes shame,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

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15 The way of a fool is upright in his own eyes,
    but he who listens to advice is wise.

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15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but he who is wise listens to counsel.

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13 A wise child hears the discipline of a father,
    but a scoffer does not listen to a rebuke.

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13 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
    but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

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10 Only by insolence is strife set up,
    and wisdom is with those who take advice.

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10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
    but wisdom is with people who take advice.

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20 Walk with the wise and be wise,
    but as for the companion of fools, he will suffer harm.

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20 One who walks with wise men grows wise,
    but a companion of fools suffers harm.

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A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none,
    but knowledge comes easily to him who understands.[a]
Leave the presence of a foolish man,[b]
    for you will not come to know words of knowledge.[c]
The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:6 Literally “to one who understands it comes easy”
  2. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “from the presence belonging to a man of foolishness”
  3. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “lips of knowledge”

A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
    but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
Stay away from a foolish man,
    for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

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18 The simple are adorned with folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

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18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but the hasty of spirit[a] exalts folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:29 Or “breath”

29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

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33 In the heart[a] of him who has understanding, wisdom rests,
    but even in the midst of fools it becomes known.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 Or “mind”

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
    and is even made known in the inward part of fools.

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