Proverbs 1:1–7

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand words of insight,

to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in righteousness, justice, and equity;

to give prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the youth—

Let the wise hear and increase in learning,

and the one who understands obtain guidance,

to understand a proverb and a saying,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young—

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance—

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

For learning wisdom and discipline;

for understanding insightful sayings;

for receiving prudent instruction

in righteousness, justice, and integrity;

for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,

knowledge and discretion to a young man—

let a wise person listen and increase learning,

and let a discerning person obtain guidance—

for understanding a proverb or a parable,

the words of the wise, and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord

is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and discipline.

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,

to help them understand the insights of the wise.

Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,

to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

These proverbs will give insight to the simple,

knowledge and discernment to the young.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.

Let those with understanding receive guidance

by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand sayings of understanding,

to gain insightful instruction,

righteousness and justice and equity,

to give shrewdness to the simple,

knowledge and purpose to the young,

may the wise hear and increase learning,

and the one who understands gain direction,

to understand a proverb and an expression,

words of wisdom and their riddles.

Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;

wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

To know wisdom and instruction;

To perceive the words of understanding;

To receive the instruction of wisdom,

Justice, and judgment, and equity;

To give subtilty to the simple,

To the young man knowledge and discretion.

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

To understand a proverb, and the interpretation;

The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.