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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 1:1–9

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
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.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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9 selected · 1 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

44 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. Proverbs 10:1Rank 1 from verse 1
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    1THE proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

  2. 1 Chronicles 22:9Rank 2 from verse 1
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    9Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.

  3. 1 Chronicles 28:5Rank 3 from verse 1
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    5And of all my sons, (for the Lord hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.

  4. Ecclesiastes 1:1Rank 4 from verse 1
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    1THE words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

  5. 1 Kings 2:12Rank 5 from verse 1
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    12¶ Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.

From verse 2

  1. Proverbs 7:4Rank 1 from verse 2
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    4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

  2. Deuteronomy 4:5–6Rank 2 from verse 2
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    5Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

    6Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

  3. 1 Kings 3:9–12Rank 3 from verse 2
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    9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

    10And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

    11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

    12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

  4. 2 Timothy 3:15–17Rank 4 from verse 2
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    15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

    16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

    17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

  5. Proverbs 17:16Rank 5 from verse 2
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    16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

From verse 3

  1. Proverbs 2:1–9Rank 1 from verse 3
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    1MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

    2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

    3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

    4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

    5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

    6For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

    7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

    8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

    9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

  2. Job 22:22Rank 2 from verse 3
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    22Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

  3. 1 Kings 3:28Rank 3 from verse 3
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    28And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.

  4. Proverbs 8:10–11Rank 4 from verse 3
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    10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

    11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

From verse 4

  1. Proverbs 8:5Rank 1 from verse 4
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    5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

  2. Proverbs 8:17Rank 2 from verse 4
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    17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

  3. Psalms 119:9Rank 3 from verse 4
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    9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

  4. Proverbs 8:12Rank 4 from verse 4
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    12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

  5. Proverbs 8:32Rank 5 from verse 4
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    32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

From verse 5

  1. Proverbs 12:1Rank 1 from verse 5
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    1WHOSO loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

  2. Proverbs 9:9Rank 2 from verse 5
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    9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

  3. 1 Corinthians 10:15Rank 3 from verse 5
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    15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

  4. Job 34:10Rank 4 from verse 5
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    10Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

  5. Job 34:16Rank 5 from verse 5
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    16If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

From verse 6

  1. Psalms 78:2Rank 1 from verse 6
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    2I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

  2. Mark 4:11Rank 2 from verse 6
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    11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

  3. Psalms 49:4Rank 3 from verse 6
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    4I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

  4. Acts 8:30–31Rank 4 from verse 6
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    30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

    31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

  5. Hebrews 5:14Rank 5 from verse 6
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    14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

From verse 7

  1. Job 28:28Rank 1 from verse 7
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    28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

  2. Psalms 111:10–1Rank 2 from verse 7
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    Verse text is unavailable.

  3. Ecclesiastes 12:13Rank 3 from verse 7
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    13¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

  4. Proverbs 9:10Rank 4 from verse 7
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    10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

  5. Proverbs 15:33Rank 5 from verse 7
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    33The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

From verse 8

  1. Proverbs 6:20Rank 1 from verse 8
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    20¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

  2. Proverbs 30:17Rank 2 from verse 8
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    17The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

  3. Proverbs 5:1–2Rank 3 from verse 8
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    1MY son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

    2That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

  4. 2 Timothy 1:5Rank 4 from verse 8
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    5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

  5. Proverbs 2:1Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    1MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

From verse 9

  1. Daniel 5:29Rank 1 from verse 9
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    29Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

  2. Proverbs 4:9Rank 2 from verse 9
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    9She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

  3. Genesis 41:42Rank 3 from verse 9
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    42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

  4. Proverbs 3:22Rank 4 from verse 9
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    22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

  5. Proverbs 6:20–21Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    20¶ My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

    21Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:1

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

king

↗

A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Israel

↗

The name given to Jacob and, by extension, his descendants, their nation, or the people so called.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:2

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

perceive

↗

To become aware of, recognize, discern, or understand a person, thing, fact, or meaning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:3

COMBINED MEANING

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

justice

↗

The virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due; practical conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men with each other; honesty; integrity in commerce or mutual intercourse.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

judgment

↗

The act, authority, process, cause, or result of judging; discernment, legal hearing, verdict, ordinance, justice, government, vindication, condemnation, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

equity

↗

Justice, uprightness, or fairness in judgment or dealing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:4

COMBINED MEANING

simple

↗

Without guile; sincere or harmless; in other contexts, lacking wisdom or understanding.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

young

↗

1. Early in life or growth. 2. Offspring or young persons or creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:5

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hear

↗

Sense 1: To perceive sound or spoken words. Sense 2: To receive or learn by report. Sense 3: To listen to, regard, or heed. Sense 4: To attend favourably to a request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

increase

↗

Sense 1: Growth, produce, yield, offspring, gain, or enlargement. Sense 2: To grow, multiply, add to, enlarge, or intensify.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

learning

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of learn, meaning to gain knowledge, receive instruction, or come to know.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

attain

↗

To reach, arrive at, or obtain by movement, effort, or progress.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:6

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dark

↗

Sense 1: Without light or having little light. Sense 2: Obscure, hidden, or not understood. Sense 3: Darkness or a place or time without light.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:7

COMBINED MEANING

fear

↗

1. Alarm, dread, terror, or apprehension. 2. Reverence, awe, or respectful regard. 3. A person, thing, or event feared or revered. 4. To fear, dread, or reverence.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:8

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hear

↗

Sense 1: To perceive sound or spoken words. Sense 2: To receive or learn by report. Sense 3: To listen to, regard, or heed. Sense 4: To attend favourably to a request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

forsake

↗

To leave, abandon, desert, reject, renounce, cease following, or withdraw from a person, place, way, command, duty, affection, or former course.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mother

↗

Sense 1: A female parent. Sense 2: Figuratively, a source, chief city, or maternal relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 1:9

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ornament

↗

Something that adorns, beautifies, or gives honour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616 · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

grace

↗

Sense 1: Favor, acceptance, goodwill, kindness, or mercy. Sense 2: A favor, gift, benefit, or help freely bestowed, especially God's favor and enabling help; in salvation, explicitly contrasted with works and debt. Sense 3: Pleasing quality, beauty, attractiveness, or elegance, including gracious speech. Sense 4: Thankfulness or gratitude.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

head

↗

The upper part of the body; a chief, source, summit, or leading position.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

chains

↗

Sense 1: Series of connected links used as ornaments, restraints, or bonds. Sense 2: Figuratively, confinement, affliction, or surrounding force.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Suggested context · Proverbs 1:1–9

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1:1THE proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

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1:2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

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1:3To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

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1:4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

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1:5A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

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1:6To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

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1:7¶ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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1:8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

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1:9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

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