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They help one understand proverbs and difficult sayings,
    the words of the wise, and their puzzles.
Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Avoid evil associations

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction;
    don’t neglect your mother’s teaching;

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for understanding proverbs and parables,(A)
    the sayings and riddles(B) of the wise.[a](C)

The fear of the Lord(D) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[b] despise wisdom(E) and instruction.(F)

Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men

Listen, my son,(G) to your father’s(H) instruction
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
  2. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.