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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”

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”

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”

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

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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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13 A wise child hears the discipline of a father,
    but a scoffer does not listen to a 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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20 Walk with the wise and be wise,
    but as for the companion of fools, he will suffer 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”

18 The simple are adorned with folly,
    but the clever 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”

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”

14 The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge,
    but the faces of fools, they[a] will feed on folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:14 Hebrew “he/it”

31 The ear of him who listens to admonitions of life,
    in the midst of the wise it will lodge.
32 He who ignores instruction despises himself,[a]
    but he who hears admonition gains heart.[b]
33 Fear of Yahweh is the instruction of the wise,
    and before honor comes humility.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:32 Or “soul,” or “inner self”
  2. Proverbs 15:32 Or “mind”

16 Getting wisdom: how much[a] better than gold!
    And getting understanding: it is chosen over[b] silver.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:16 Literally “what”
  2. Proverbs 16:16 Literally “from”

21 The wise of heart[a] is called perceptive,
    but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or “mind”

24 He who understands sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:24 Or “land”

15 An intelligent mind[a] will acquire knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:15 Literally “heart”

20 Listen to advice and accept instruction
    so that you will gain wisdom for your future.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 Literally “after things

Deep waters are like purpose in the heart[a] of a man,
    and a man of understanding will draw it[b] out.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:5 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 20:5 Or “her”; referring to “purpose”

18 A plan[a] will be established by advice,
    and with guidance make war.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:18 Hebrew “plans”

11 With the punishment of a scoffer, the simple will become wise,
    and with the instruction of the wise, he will obtain knowledge.

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Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise;
    you shall apply your heart[a] to my teaching.
18 For it is pleasant if you guard them within you;[b]
    together they will be ready upon your lips.
19 In order for your trust to be in Yahweh,
    I have made them known to you today[c]—even[d] you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings
    with admonitions and knowledge?
21 In order to show you what is right—sayings of truth—
    in order to return a true saying to him who sent you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:17 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 22:18 Literally “in your belly/womb”
  3. Proverbs 22:19 Literally “the day”
  4. Proverbs 22:19 Or “only”

19 You, my child, hear and be wise,
    and direct your heart[a] on the road.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:19 Or “mind”