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

2 To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand words of insight,

3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in *righteousness, justice, and equity;

4 to give prudence to *the simple,

knowledge and *discretion to the youth—

5 Let the wise hear and *increase in learning,

and the one who understands obtain guidance,

6 to understand a proverb and a saying,

*the words of the wise and their *riddles.

7 *The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.