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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.

A Father’s Exhortation: Acquire Wisdom

My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you.
    Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
What you learn from them will crown you with grace
    and be a chain of honor around your neck.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:8 Hebrew My son; also in 1:10, 15.

5-6 I want those already wise to become wiser and become leaders by exploring the depths of meaning in these nuggets of truth.”

7-9 How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord!

Only fools refuse to be taught. Listen to your father and mother. What you learn from them will stand you in good stead; it will gain you many honors.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 many honors, literally, “a fair garland and adornment.”

23 Come and listen to my counsel.
I’ll share my heart with you
    and make you wise.

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23 Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.

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The Benefits of Wisdom

My child,[a] listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
    and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom!
    From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Hebrew My son.

1-2 Every young man who listens to me and obeys my instructions will be given wisdom and good sense. 3-5 Yes, if you want better insight and discernment, and are searching for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure, then wisdom will be given you and knowledge of God himself; you will soon learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting him.

For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.

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Pride leads to disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

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Proud men end in shame, but the meek become wise.

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15 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to others.

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15 A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.

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13 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;[a]
    a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

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Footnotes

  1. 13:1 Hebrew A wise son accepts his father’s discipline.

13 A wise youth accepts his father’s rebuke; a young mocker doesn’t.

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10 Pride leads to conflict;
    those who take advice are wise.

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10 Pride leads to arguments; be humble, take advice, and become wise.

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20 Walk with the wise and become wise;
    associate with fools and get in trouble.

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20 Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil.

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A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
    but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

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A mocker never finds the wisdom he claims he is looking for, yet it comes easily to the man with common sense.

If you are looking for advice, stay away from fools.

The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.

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18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,[a]
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:18 Or inherit foolishness.

18 The simpleton is crowned with folly; the wise man is crowned with knowledge.

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29 People with understanding control their anger;
    a hot temper shows great foolishness.

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29 A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.

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33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
    wisdom is not[a] found among fools.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:33 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew lacks not.

33 Wisdom is enshrined in the hearts of men of common sense, but it must shout loudly before fools will hear it.

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