Wisdom: What is it?

¹The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

²to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;

³to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;

⁴to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man—

⁵that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;

⁶to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.

⁷The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

⁸My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching;

⁹for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

²²“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?

³²For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

³³But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”