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

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(A)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    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”

The Value of Wisdom

(A)My son, (B)if you receive my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
    and raise your voice (C)for understanding,
if you seek it like (D)silver
    and search for it as for (E)hidden treasures,
then (F)you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find 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”

(A)Be not wise in your own eyes;
    (B)fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be (C)healing to your flesh[a]
    and (D)refreshment[b] to your bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Hebrew navel
  2. Proverbs 3:8 Or medicine

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 (A)The fear of the Lord is (B)hatred of evil.
(C)Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and (D)perverted speech I hate.

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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 (A)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and (B)the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

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

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27 (A)The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    (B)but the years of the wicked will be 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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Whoever (A)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is (B)devious in his ways despises 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 one has (A)strong confidence,
    and (B)his children will have (C)a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is (D)a fountain of life,
    that one may (E)turn away from the snares of death.

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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 (A)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.

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

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33 (A)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and (B)humility comes before honor.

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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”

By (A)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by (B)the fear of the Lord one (C)turns away from 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 (A)leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests (B)satisfied;
    he will (C)not be visited by harm.

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