Proverbs 1:7
Amplified Bible
7
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)
Footnotes
- 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.
Proverbs 2:6
Amplified Bible
6
For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 3:13-20
Amplified Bible
13
Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],
14
For wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her gain is better than fine gold.
15
She is more precious than rubies;
And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].(A)
16
Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.(B)
17
Her ways are highways of pleasantness and favor,
And all her paths are peace.
18
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.
19
The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth;
By His understanding He has established the heavens.(C)
20
By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the clouds drip with dew.
Proverbs 4:5-13
Amplified Bible
5
“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6
“Do not [a]turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7
“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].(A)
8
“Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9
“She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.”
10
Hear, my son, and accept my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
11
I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.
12
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open];
And when you run, you will not stumble.
13
Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:6 Lit forsake.
Proverbs 5:1-2
Amplified Bible
Pitfalls of Immorality
5 My son, be attentive to my wisdom [godly wisdom learned by costly experience],
Incline your ear to my understanding;(A)
2
That you may exercise discrimination and discretion (good judgment),
And your lips may reserve knowledge and answer wisely [to temptation].
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
Amplified Bible
The Commendation of Wisdom
8 Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
2
On the top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;
3
Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
4
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is directed to the sons of men.
5
“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense;
And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].(A)
6
“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
7
“For my mouth will utter truth,
And wickedness is repulsive and loathsome to my lips.
8
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God);
There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.
9
“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],
And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
10
“Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver,
And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,
11
“For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.(B)
12
“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],
And I find knowledge and discretion.(C)
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.
14
“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power and strength are mine.
15
“By me kings reign
And rulers decide and decree justice.(D)
16
“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge and govern rightly.
17
“I love those who love me;
And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.(E)
18
“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God).(F)
19
“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield is better than choicest silver.
20
“I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21
That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches,
And that I may fill their treasuries.
22
“The Lord created and possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old [were accomplished].
23
“From everlasting I was established and ordained,
From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].(G)
24
“When there were no ocean depths I was born,
When there were no fountains and springs overflowing with water.
25
“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;(H)
26
While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Or the first of the dust of the earth.
27
“When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there;
When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,
28
When He made firm the skies above,
When the fountains and springs of the deep became fixed and strong,
29
When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth—(I)
30
Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight;
Rejoicing before Him always,(J)
31
Rejoicing in the world, His inhabited earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.(K)
32
“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] are they who keep my ways.(L)
33
“Heed (pay attention to) instruction and be wise,
And do not ignore or neglect it.
34
“Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
35
“For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life
And obtains favor and grace from the Lord.
36
“But he who fails to find me or sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love and court death.”
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house;
She has hewn out and set up her seven pillars.
2
She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table.(M)
3
She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the highest places of the city:
4
“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says,
5
“Come, eat my food
And drink the wine I have mixed [and accept my gifts].(N)
6
“Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live,
And walk in the way of insight and understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10-12
Amplified Bible
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.
11
For by me (wisdom from God) your days will be multiplied,
And years of life shall be increased.
12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit];
If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty.
Proverbs 11:2
Amplified Bible
2
When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.
Proverbs 14:33
Amplified Bible
33
Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.(A)
Proverbs 15:33
Amplified Bible
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.
Proverbs 16:16
Amplified Bible
16
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.(A)
Proverbs 17:24
Amplified Bible
24
[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],
But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 18:4
Amplified Bible
4
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].
Proverbs 19:8
Amplified Bible
8
He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.
Proverbs 24:3
Amplified Bible
3
Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built,
And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],
Proverbs 24:7
Amplified Bible
7
Wisdom is too exalted for a [hardened, arrogant] [a]fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate [where the city’s rulers sit in judgment].
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:7 See note 1:7.
Proverbs 24:14
Amplified Bible
14
Know that [skillful and godly] wisdom is [so very good] for your life and soul;
If you find wisdom, then there will be a future and a reward,
And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.
Proverbs 28:26
Amplified Bible
26
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.(A)
Proverbs 30:24-28
Amplified Bible
24
There are four things that are small on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
25
The ants are not a strong people,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;(A)
26
The [a]shephanim are not a mighty folk,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;(B)
27
The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in groups;
28
You may grasp the lizard with your hands,
Yet it is in kings’ palaces.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 30:26 Small, shy, furry animals, (Hyrax syriacus) found in the peninsula of the Sinai, northern Israel, and in the region around the Dead Sea; kjv coney, orig NASB badgers.
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