Proverbs 1:4

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2 To¹ know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;

4 To give prudence to the ^asimple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—

5 ^aA wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will¹ attain wise counsel,

6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their ^ariddles.

7 ^aThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

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Proverbs 1:5 >>

Proverbs 1:4

This verse points out the two classes for which the book will be useful:

(1) the "simple," literally the "open," the open-hearted, the minds ready to receive impressions for good or evil Proverbs 1:22; and

(2) the "young," who need both knowledge and discipline.

To these the teacher offers the "subtilty," which may turn to evil Exodus 21:14 and become as the wisdom of the serpent Genesis 3:1, but which also takes its place, as that wisdom does, among the highest moral gifts Matthew 10:16; the "knowledge" of good and evil; and the "discretion," or discernment, which sets a man on his guard, and keeps him from being duped by false advisers. The Septuagint renderings, ́ panourgia for "subtilty," ̓́ aisthēsis for "knowledge," ̓́ ennoia for "discretion," are interesting as showing the endeavor to find exact parallels for the Hebrew in the terminology of Greek ethics.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Proverbs 1:4:**

Psalms 116:6
Proverbs 1:1
Revelation 13:18

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Proverbs 1:5 >>

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Proverbs 1:4

Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Proverbs 1:4:

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Proverbs 1:4:**

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning