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By listening to them the wise will add to their learning,
    and those gifted with discernment will increase their ability
to perceive the meaning of proverbs and obscure sayings,
    the words of the sages and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools are those who despise wisdom and instruction.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 This verse sets forth the foundation of all religion and the theme of the Book (see Prov 9:10; 31:30) as well as the motto of the Wisdom Books (Job 28:28; Ps 111:10; Eccl 12:13; Sir 1:18, 24; 19:17). Fear of the Lord: reverential respect for God that leads to submission to his lordship and obedience to his commands (Eccl 12:13). Fools: those who oppose knowledge (Prov 1:22), resent any kind of correction (Prov 12:1), get into quarrels (Prov 20:3), give in to anger (Prov 29:11), are complacent (Prov 1:32), and trust in themselves (Prov 28:26) rather than in God (Ps 14:1).