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Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 3:13-20, Proverbs 4:5-13, Proverbs 5:1-2, Proverbs 8:1-9:6, Proverbs 9:10-12, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 14:33, Proverbs 15:33, Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 17:24
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Proverbs 1:7
New International Version

7 The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[a] despise wisdom(B) and instruction.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.
Listen to Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 3:13-20, Proverbs 4:5-13, Proverbs 5:1-2, Proverbs 8:1-9:6, Proverbs 9:10-12, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 14:33, Proverbs 15:33, Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 17:24
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Proverbs 1:7
Holman Christian Standard Bible

7 The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;(A)
fools despise wisdom and discipline.(B)

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Psalm 150
Proverbs 2
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Proverbs 2:6
New International Version

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;(A)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(B)

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Proverbs 2:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.(A)

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Proverbs 1
Proverbs 3
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Proverbs 3:13-20
New International Version

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(F)
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(H)

19 By wisdom(I) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,(J)
    by understanding he set the heavens(K) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

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Proverbs 3:13-20
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(A)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(C)
nothing you desire compares with her.(D)
16 Long life[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom(H)
and established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,(I)
and the clouds dripped with dew.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days
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Proverbs 2
Proverbs 4
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Proverbs 4:5-13
New International Version

5 Get wisdom,(A) get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;(B)
    love her, and she will watch over you.(C)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all(D) you have,[b] get understanding.(E)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.(F)
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.(G)”

10 Listen, my son,(H) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(I)
11 I instruct(J) you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.(K)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.(L)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.(M)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
  2. Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
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Proverbs 4:5-13
Holman Christian Standard Bible

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;(A)
don’t forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her,(B) and she will guard you.
7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.(C)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.(D)
9 She will place a garland of grace on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty.”(E)

Two Ways of Life

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(F)
and you will live many years.(G)
11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.(H)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;(I)
when you run, you will not stumble.(J)
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.(K)
Guard it, for it is your life.

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Proverbs 3
Proverbs 5
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Proverbs 5:1-2
New International Version

Warning Against Adultery

5 My son,(A) pay attention to my wisdom,
    turn your ear to my words(B) of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion
    and your lips may preserve knowledge.

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Proverbs 5:1-2
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Avoid Seduction

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen closely[a] to my understanding(A)
2 so that you may maintain discretion
and your lips safeguard knowledge.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 5:1 Lit wisdom; stretch out your ear
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Proverbs 4
Proverbs 6
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Proverbs 8:1-9:6
New International Version

Wisdom’s Call

8 Does not wisdom call out?(A)
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
    at the entrance, she cries aloud:(B)
4 “To you, O people, I call out;(C)
    I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple,(D) gain prudence;(E)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,(F)
    for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
    none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,(G)
11 for wisdom is more precious(H) than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.(I)

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.(J)
13 To fear the Lord(K) is to hate evil;(L)
    I hate(M) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.(N)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(O) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(P)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(Q)
    and those who seek me find me.(R)
18 With me are riches and honor,(S)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.(T)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(U)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.(V)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(W)
    along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.(X)

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
    before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
    when there were no springs overflowing with water;(Y)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(Z)
    before the hills, I was given birth,(AA)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.(AB)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(AC)
    when he marked out the horizon(AD) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(AE)
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(AF)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(AG)
    so the waters would not overstep his command,(AH)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(AI)
30     Then I was constantly[e] at his side.(AJ)
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.(AK)

32 “Now then, my children, listen(AL) to me;
    blessed are(AM) those who keep my ways.(AN)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(AO) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(AP) find life(AQ)
    and receive favor from the Lord.(AR)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(AS)
    all who hate me love death.”(AT)

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

9 Wisdom has built(AU) her house;
    she has set up[f] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(AV)
    she has also set her table.(AW)
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls(AX)
    from the highest point of the city,(AY)
4     “Let all who are simple(AZ) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(BA) she says,
5     “Come,(BB) eat my food
    and drink the wine I have mixed.(BC)
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;(BD)
    walk in the way of insight.”(BE)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
  2. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
  3. Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
  4. Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
  5. Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child
  6. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
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Proverbs 8:1-9:6
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Wisdom’s Appeal

8 Doesn’t Wisdom(A) call out?
Doesn’t Understanding make her voice heard?
2 At the heights overlooking the road,
at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
3 Beside the gates(B) at the entry to[a] the city,
at the main entrance, she cries out:
4 “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to mankind.
5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
6 Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
7 For my mouth tells the truth,(C)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.(D)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,(E)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
10 Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.(F)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,(G)
and nothing desirable can compare with it.(H)
12 I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(I)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(J)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and competence;[b]
I have understanding and strength.(K)
15 It is by me that kings reign(L)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[c]
17 I love those who love me,(M)
and those who search for me find me.(N)
18 With me are riches and honor,(O)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(P)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.(Q)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.

22 “The Lord made[d] me
at the beginning of His creation,[e]
before His works of long ago.(R)
23 I was formed before ancient times,
from the beginning, before the earth began.(S)
24 I was born
when there were no watery depths(T)
and no springs filled with water.
25 I was delivered
before the mountains and hills were established,(U)
26 before He made the land, the fields,
or the first soil on earth.
27 I was there when He established the heavens,(V)
when He laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,(W)
28 when He placed the skies above,
when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,
29 when He set a limit for the sea
so that the waters would not violate His command,(X)
when He laid out the foundations of the earth.(Y)
30 I was a skilled craftsman[f] beside Him.(Z)
I was His[g] delight every day,
always rejoicing before Him.
31 I was rejoicing in His inhabited world,(AA)
delighting in the human race.(AB)

32 “And now, my sons, listen to me;
those who keep my ways are happy.(AC)
33 Listen to instruction and be wise;(AD)
don’t ignore it.
34 Anyone who listens to me is happy,(AE)
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35 For the one who finds me finds life(AF)
and obtains favor from the Lord,(AG)
36 but the one who misses me[h] harms himself;(AH)
all who hate me love death.”(AI)

Wisdom versus Foolishness

9 Wisdom has built her house;(AJ)
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat;(AK) she has mixed her wine;(AL)
she has also set her table.(AM)
3 She has sent out her female servants;(AN)
she calls out from the highest points of the city:(AO)
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense,(AP) she says,
5 “Come, eat my bread,(AQ)
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:3 Lit the mouth of
  2. Proverbs 8:14 Or resourcefulness
  3. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hb mss, LXX read nobles who judge the earth
  4. Proverbs 8:22 Or possessed, or begot
  5. Proverbs 8:22 Lit way
  6. Proverbs 8:30 Or a confidant, or a child, or was constantly
  7. Proverbs 8:30 LXX; MT omits His
  8. Proverbs 8:36 Or who sins against me
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Proverbs 7
Proverbs 10
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Proverbs 9:10-12
New International Version

10 The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One(B) is understanding.(C)
11 For through wisdom[a] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.(D)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

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  1. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me
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Proverbs 9:10-12
Holman Christian Standard Bible

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,(A)
and the knowledge of the Holy One(B) is understanding.
11 For by Wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;(C)
if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”

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Proverbs 8
Proverbs 10
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Proverbs 11:2
New International Version

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(A)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(B)

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Proverbs 11:2
Holman Christian Standard Bible

2 When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(A)

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Proverbs 10
Proverbs 12
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Proverbs 14:33
New International Version

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(A)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[a]

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  1. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
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Proverbs 14:33
Holman Christian Standard Bible

33 Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;(A)
she is known[a] even among fools.

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  1. Proverbs 14:33 LXX reads unknown
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Proverbs 13
Proverbs 15
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Proverbs 15:33
New International Version

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(A)
    and humility comes before honor.(B)

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Proverbs 15:33
Holman Christian Standard Bible

33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(A)

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Proverbs 14
Proverbs 16
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Proverbs 16:16
New International Version

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(A) rather than silver!(B)

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Proverbs 16:16
Holman Christian Standard Bible

16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(A)

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Proverbs 15
Proverbs 17
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Proverbs 17:24
New International Version

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

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Proverbs 17:24
Holman Christian Standard Bible

24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(A) roam to the ends of the earth.

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Proverbs 16
Proverbs 18
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