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for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
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My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
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These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!
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“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
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Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
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“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,
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since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.
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but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
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then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
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For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
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For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
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Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
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by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
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Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.
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But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
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that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
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She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
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Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
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For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
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I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.
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Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
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So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
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till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
