Proverbs 1:7
International Standard Version
The Major Theme
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:7 Or instruction
Proverbs 2:6
International Standard Version
6 For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 3:13-20
International Standard Version
Wisdom More Valuable than Riches
13 How joyful is the man who finds wisdom,
and the man who gains understanding,
14 because her profit is better than the profit of silver,
and her yield than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand,
and in her left are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life for those who embrace her,
and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
and by understanding he set the heavens in place.
20 By his knowledge the depths broke open,
and the clouds drip with dew.
Proverbs 4:5-13
International Standard Version
5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget or turn aside from the words of my mouth!
6 Do not abandon her, and she will protect you.
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom,
and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.
8 Prize her and she will exalt you.
Indeed, if you embrace her, she will honor you.
9 She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will present to you a crown of beauty.”
10 Listen, my son: accept my words,
and you’ll live a long, long time.[a]
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom,
and I have led you along straight[b] paths.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hindered,
and when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go!
Guard wisdom,[c] because she is your life!
Footnotes
- Proverbs 4:10 Lit. and the years of your life will be many
- Proverbs 4:11 Or upright
- Proverbs 4:13 Lit. her
Proverbs 5:1-2
International Standard Version
Warning against Sexual Immorality
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
and listen closely to my insight,
2 so you may carefully practice[a] discretion
and your lips preserve knowledge.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 5:2 Lit. guard
Proverbs 8:1-9:6
International Standard Version
Wisdom Calls for an Audience
8 Isn’t wisdom calling out;
isn’t understanding raising her voice?
2 On top of the highest places along the road
she stands where the roads meet.
3 Beside the gates, at the city entrance—
at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud:
4 “I’m calling to you, men!
What I have to say pertains[a] to all mankind!
5 Understand prudence, you naïve people;
and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones.
6 Listen, because I have noble things to say,
and what I have to say[b] will reveal what is right.
7 For my mouth speaks the truth—
wickedness is detestable to me.
8 Everything I have to say is just;
there isn’t anything corrupt or perverse in my speech.[c]
9 Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands,
and correct to those who have acquired knowledge.
10 Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money
and knowledge instead of the finest gold,
11 because wisdom is better than precious gems[d]
and nothing you desire can compare to it.”
The Way of Wisdom
12 “I, wisdom, am related to[e] prudence.
I know how to be discreet.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,
and perverted speech I despise.
14 Counsel belongs to me,
along with sound judgment.
I am understanding.
Power belongs to me.
15 Kings reign by me,
and rulers dispense justice through me.
16 By me leaders rule, as do noble officials
and all who govern justly.[f]
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me will find me.
18 Wealth and honor accompany me,
as do enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold,
better[g] than even refined gold,
and my benefit surpasses the purest silver.
20 I walk on the way of righteousness,
along paths that are just,
21 I bequeath wealth to those who love me,
and I will fill their treasuries.”
The Agelessness of Wisdom
22 “The Lord made me as he began his planning,[h]
before his ancient activity commenced.
23 From eternity I was appointed,
from the beginning,
from before there was land.
24 When there were no ocean depths,
I brought them[i] to birth
at a time when there were no springs.
25 Before the mountains were shaped,
before there were hills,
I was bringing them[j] to birth.
26 Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
nor the world’s first grains of dust,
27 when he crafted the heavens,
I was there—
when he marked out a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made the clouds from above,
when the springs of the depths were established,
29 when he set a boundary for the sea
so the waters would not exceed his limits,[k]
when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was with him, his master craftsman—
I was his delight[l] daily,
continuously rejoicing in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his inhabitable world
and taking delight in mankind.”
The Exhortation of Wisdom
32 “So listen to me, children!
Blessed are those who obey me.
33 Listen to instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
34 Blessed is the person who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting at my doorways—
35 because those who find me find life
and gain favor from the Lord.
36 But whoever sins against me destroys himself;
everyone who hates me loves death.”
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom[m] has built her house;
she has hewn out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her food,[n]
she has spiced[o] her wine,
and she also has set her dining table.
3 She has sent out her young women,
while calling out from the heights of the city,
4 “Let whoever is naïve, turn in here.”
To anyone lacking sense, she says,
5 “Come! Eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
6 Leave your naïve ways, and live.
Walk in the path of understanding.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 8:4 Lit. My voice is
- Proverbs 8:6 Lit. my open lips
- Proverbs 8:8 Lit. words
- Proverbs 8:11 Or rubies
- Proverbs 8:12 Lit. wisdom, live with
- Proverbs 8:16 So MT; LXX reads and tyrants rule the earth
- Proverbs 8:19 The Heb. lacks better
- Proverbs 8:22 Lit. ways
- Proverbs 8:24 The Heb. lacks them
- Proverbs 8:25 The Heb. lacks them
- Proverbs 8:29 Lit. command
- Proverbs 8:30 So LXX; MT reads was filled with delight
- Proverbs 9:1 I.e. wisdom personified as a woman
- Proverbs 9:2 Or meat
- Proverbs 9:2 Or mixed
Proverbs 9:10-12
International Standard Version
10 The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins,
and knowing holiness[a] demonstrates understanding.
11 For because of me you will live a long life,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise,
your wisdom will assist you.
If you mock,
you alone will be held responsible.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:10 Or knowing holy ones
Proverbs 11:2
International Standard Version
2 When pride appears, disgrace accompanies it,
but humility is present with wisdom.
Proverbs 14:33
International Standard Version
33 Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning—
even fools know this.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:33 So MT; LXX reads but in the heart of fools it is not discerned
Proverbs 15:33
International Standard Version
33 The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom,
and humility precedes honor.
Proverbs 16:16
International Standard Version
16 How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom,
the attainment of wisdom better than silver!
Proverbs 17:24
International Standard Version
24 A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective,
but a fool looks only[a] to earthly goals.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:24 The Heb. lacks only
Proverbs 18:4
International Standard Version
4 The words a man says are as deep waters—
a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
Proverbs 19:8
International Standard Version
8 Whoever obtains wisdom loves himself,
and whoever treasures understanding will prosper.
Proverbs 24:3
International Standard Version
3 By wisdom a house is built;
it is made secure through understanding.
Proverbs 24:7
International Standard Version
7 Wisdom lies beyond reach of the fool;
he has nothing to say in court.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:7 Lit. in the gate
Proverbs 24:14
International Standard Version
14 Keep in mind that wisdom is like that for your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future for you,
and what you hope for won’t be cut short.
Proverbs 28:26
International Standard Version
26 Whoever trusts in himself is foolish,
but whoever lives wisely will be kept safe.
Proverbs 30:24-28
International Standard Version
24 Four things on earth are small,
but they are very, very wise:
25 Ants aren’t a strong species,[a]
yet they prepare their food in the summer.
26 The rock badgers aren’t a strong species[b] either,
yet they build their dens in the rocks.
27 Locusts have no king,
but they all swarm in ranks.
28 Spiders can be caught by the hand,
yet they’re found in kings’ palaces.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 30:25 Lit. people
- Proverbs 30:26 Lit. people
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