1 The parables of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel;

2 to know wisdom and knowing; to understand the words of prudence;

3 and to take the learning of teach-ing; to take rightfulness [or rightwise-ness], and doom, and equity;

4 that fellness, or wariness, be given to little children, and knowing and understanding to a young waxing man.

5 A wise man hearing shall be the wiser; and a man understanding shall hold governance.

6 He shall perceive a parable, and the expounding; the words of wise men, and the dark figurative speeches of them.

7 The dread of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; fools despise wisdom and teaching.