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Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

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Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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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.

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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”

Benefits of wisdom

My son, accept my words
    and store up my commands.
Turn your ear toward wisdom,
    and stretch your mind toward understanding.
Call out for insight,
    and cry aloud for understanding.
Seek it like silver;
    search for it like hidden treasure.
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
    and discover the knowledge of God.

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Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
There shall be healing for your flesh,[a]
    and refreshment for your body.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Literally “navel”

Don’t consider yourself wise.
    Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then your body[a] will be healthy
    and your bones strengthened.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Heb navel

13 The fear of Yahweh is hatred of evil,
    pride, and arrogance and an evil way.
    And I hate a mouth of perversity.

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13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.
    I hate pride and arrogance,
        the path of evil and corrupt speech.

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Foolishness’ Banquet

10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh,
    and knowledge of the Holy One,[a] insight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:10 Or “holy ones”

10 The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord;
    the knowledge of the holy one is understanding.

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27 The fear of Yahweh adds life,
    but the years of the wicked are shortened.

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27 The fear of the Lord increases one’s life,
    but the years of the wicked will be cut short.

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He who walks in uprightness fears Yahweh,
    but he who is devious in his ways displeases him.

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Those who walk with integrity fear the Lord,
    but those who take a crooked path despise him.

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26 In the fear of Yahweh, there is confidence of strength,
    and for his children, there will be refuge.
27 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
    in order to turn from the snares of death.

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26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence
    and refuge for one’s children.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    turning people away from deathtraps.

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16 Better is little with the fear of Yahweh
    than great treasure and trouble with it.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:16 Or “him”

16 Better a little with fear of the Lord
    than a great treasure with turmoil.

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33 Fear of Yahweh is the instruction of the wise,
    and before honor comes humility.

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33 The fear of the Lord is wise instruction,
    and humility comes before respect.

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By loyalty and faithfulness, iniquity will be covered over,[a]
    and by fear of Yahweh one turns[b] from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 Or “atoned for”
  2. Proverbs 16:6 Literally “turning”

Love and faithfulness reconcile guilt;
    the fear of the Lord turns away evil.

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23 Fear of Yahweh leads to life;
    he who is filled with it will rest—he will not suffer harm.

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23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by harm.

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