The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;(A)
fools despise wisdom and discipline.(B)

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The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[a] despise wisdom(B) and instruction.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

14 I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it.(A) God works so that people will be in awe of him.(B)

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14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.(A)

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For many dreams bring futility; so do many words.(A) Therefore, fear God.

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Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.(A)

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18 It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them.

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18 It is good to grasp the one
    and not let go of the other.
    Whoever fears God(A) will avoid all extremes.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:18 Or will follow them both

12 Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life,(A) I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people,(B) for they are reverent before him. 13 However, it will not go well with the wicked,(C) and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow,(D) for they are not reverent before God.

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12 Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better(A) with those who fear God,(B) who are reverent before him.(C) 13 Yet because the wicked do not fear God,(D) it will not go well with them, and their days(E) will not lengthen like a shadow.

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