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The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];
But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 In Proverbs various kinds of fools are discussed including those who are closed-minded, over-confident, and reject instruction and correction—the unteachable; those who lack spiritual insight—the spiritually blind; and those who are flippant, hardened, and who deliberately choose to reject God and wisdom—the arrogant.

(A)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,

So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];

Yes, if you cry out for insight,
And lift up your voice for understanding;

If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver
And search for her as you would hidden treasures;

Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]
And discover the knowledge of God.(A)

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The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

My son, if you will (A)receive my words
And (B)treasure my commandments within you,
(C)Make your ear attentive to wisdom;
Incline your heart to understanding.
For if you cry out for insight,
And [a]raise your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as (D)silver
And search for her as for (E)hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the (F)fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 2:3 Lit give


Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.(A)

It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]
And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.

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(A)Do not be wise in your own eyes;
(B)Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be (C)healing to your [a]body
And (D)refreshment to your bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Lit navel

13 
“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

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13 The (A)fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
(B)Pride, arrogance, (C)the evil way,
And the (D)perverted mouth, I hate.

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10 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

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10 The (A)fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

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27 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect] prolongs one’s life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

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27 The (A)fear of the Lord prolongs [a]life,
But the (B)years of the wicked will be shortened.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:27 Lit days


He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect],
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

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One who (A)walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But one who is (B)devious in his ways despises Him.

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26 
In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will [always] have a place of refuge.
27 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.(A)

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26 In [a](A)the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And [b]his children will have refuge.
27 [c]The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
By which one may avoid the snares of death.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:26 Or reverence for
  2. Proverbs 14:26 Or His
  3. Proverbs 14:27 Or Reverence for

16 
Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and trouble with it.(A)

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16 (A)Better is a little with [a]the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure, and turmoil with [b]the treasure.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:16 Or reverence for
  2. Proverbs 15:16 Lit it

33 
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.

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33 [a]The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:33 Or Reverence for


By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

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By (A)mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by [a]the (B)fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 Or reverence for

23 
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.(A)

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23 [a]The (A)fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep (B)satisfied, [b](C)untouched by evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:23 Or Reverence for
  2. Proverbs 19:23 Lit not visited