The Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 1

Solomon states that these sayings will give wisdom, instruction, and discernment, declaring that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. He warns his son against joining violent men who conspire to rob and kill, then presents wisdom as a woman crying out publicly in the streets and city gates, warning that those who ignored her call will one day seek her in vain.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHE Proverbs of David’s son Solomon, who reigned over Israel,

BrentonThe Proverbs of Solomon son of David, who reigned in Israel;

GreekΠΑΡΟΙΜΙΑΙ Σαλωμῶντος υἱοῦ Δαυὶδ, ὃς ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἰσραήλ·

KJVThe proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

JPSThe proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;

Thomson—

Brentonto know wisdom and instruction, and to perceive words of understanding;

Greekγνῶναι σοφίαν καὶ παιδείαν, νοῆσαί τε λόγους φρονήσεως,

KJVTo know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;

JPSTo know wisdom and instruction; To comprehend the words of understanding;

Thomson—

Brentonto receive also hard sayings, and to understand true justice, and how to direct judgment;

Greekδέξασθαί τε στροφὰς λόγων, νοῆσαί τε δικαιοσύνην ἀληθῆ, καὶ κρίμα κατευθύνειν·

KJVTo receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;

JPSTo receive the discipline of wisdom, Justice, and right, and equity;

Thomson—

Brentonthat he might give subtlety to the simple, and to the young man discernment and understanding.

GreekἽνα δῷ ἀκάκοις πανουργίαν, παιδὶ δὲ νέῳ αἴσθησίν τε καὶ ἔννοιαν.

KJVTo give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

JPSTo give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion;

ThomsonFor, by attending to them a wise man will become wiser; and a man of understanding will possess a rule of government

BrentonFor by the hearing of these a wise man will be wiser, and the man of understanding will gain direction;

GreekΤῶν δὲ γὰρ ἀκούσας σοφὸς σοφώτερος ἔσται, ὁ δὲ νοήμων κυβέρνησιν κτήσεται·

KJVA wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

JPSThat the wise man may hear, and increase in learning, And the man of understanding may attain unto wise counsels;

Thomsonand will comprehend a parable and dark speech, and the sayings of the wise, and enigmas.

Brentonand will understand a parable, and a dark speech; the sayings of the wise also, and riddles.

GreekΝοήσει τε παραβολὴν καὶ σκοτεινὸν λόγον, ῥήσεις τε σοφῶν καὶ αἰνίγματα.

KJVTo understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

JPSTo understand a proverb, and a figure; The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

ThomsonThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And all who practise this have good understanding. And piety towards God is the beginning of discernment: but the wicked despise wisdom and instruction.

BrentonThe fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and there is good understanding to all that practise it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction.

GreekἈρχὴ σοφίας φόβος Κυριου, σύνεσις δὲ ἀγαθὴ πᾶσι τοῖς ποιοῦσιν αὐτήν· εὐσέβεια δὲ εἰς Θεὸν ἀρχὴ αἰσθήσεως, σοφίαν δὲ καὶ παιδείαν ἀσεβεῖς ἐξουθενήσουσιν.

KJVThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

JPSThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.

ThomsonMy son, hear the instruction of thy father and reject not the maxims of thy mother:

BrentonHear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and reject not the rules of thy mother.

GreekἌκουε υἱὲ παιδείαν πατρός σου, καὶ μὴ ἀπώσῃ θεσμοὺς μητρός σου.

KJVMy son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

JPSHear, my son, the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the teaching of thy mother;

Thomsonfor thou wilt receive a graceful crown for thy head; and a chain of gold for thy neck.

BrentonFor thou shalt receive for thine head a crown of graces, and a chain of gold round thy neck.

GreekΣτέφανον γὰρ χαρίτων δέξῃ σῇ κορυφῇ, καὶ κλοιὸν χρύσεον περὶ σῷ τραχήλῳ.

KJVFor they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

JPSFor they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck.

ThomsonMy son, let not wicked men lead thee astray.

BrentonMy son, let not ungodly men lead thee astray, neither consent thou to them.

GreekΥἱὲ μή σε πλανήσωσιν ἄνδρες ἀσεβεῖς, μηδὲ βουληθῇς.

KJVMy son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

JPSMy son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not.

ThomsonConsent not when they advise thee, saying, Come with us; partake of blood; and let us hide in the earth an innocent man without cause,

BrentonIf they should exhort thee, saying, Come with us, partake in blood, and let us unjustly hide the just man in the earth:

GreekἘὰν παρακαλέσωσί σε, λέγοντες, ἐλθὲ μεθʼ ἡμῶν, κοινώνησον αἵματος, κρύψωμεν δὲ εἰς γῆν ἄνδρα δίκαιον ἀδίκως,

KJV—

JPSIf they say: ‘Come with us, Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us lurk for the innocent without cause;

Thomsonand swallow him up alive, as the grave, and take away from earth the remembrance of him.

Brentonand let us swallow him alive, as Hades would, and remove the memorial of him from the earth:

Greekκαταπίωμεν δὲ αὐτὸν ὥσπερ ᾅδης ζῶντα, καὶ ἄρωμεν αὐτοῦ τὴν μνήμην ἐκ γῆς,

KJVLet us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

JPSLet us swallow them up alive as the grave, and whole, as those that go down into the pit;

ThomsonLet us seize his precious substance and fill our houses with spoils.

Brentonlet us seize on his valuable property, and let us fill our houses with spoils:

Greekτὴν κτῆσιν αὐτοῦ τὴν πολυτελῆ καταλαβώμεθα, πλήσωμεν δὲ οἴκους ἡμετέρους σκύλων·

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonCast in thy lot among us, and let us all have a common purse. Let one scrip serve us.

Brentonbut do thou cast in thy lot with us, and let us all provide a common purse, and let us have one pouch:

GreekΤὸν δὲ σὸν κλῆρον βάλε ἐν ἡμῖν, κοινὸν δὲ βαλάντιον κτησώμεθα πάντες, καὶ μαρσίππιον ἓν γενηθήτω ἡμῖν·

KJVCast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

JPSCast in thy lot among us; Let us all have one purse’—

ThomsonGo not thou in the way with them; but turn thy foot from their paths.

Brentongo not in the way with them, but turn aside thy foot from their paths:

GreekΜὴ πορευθῇς ἐν ὁδῷ μετʼ αὐτῶν, ἔκκλινον δὲ τὸν πόδα σου ἐκ τῶν τρίβων αὐτῶν.

KJVMy son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

JPSMy son, walk not thou in the way with them, restrain thy foot from their path;

ThomsonFor nets are not spread for birds unjustly.

Brentonfor nets are not without cause spread for birds.

GreekΟὐ γὰρ ἀδίκως ἐκτείνεται δίκτυα πτερωτοῖς.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonFor they who are accomplices to murder, treasure up evils for themselves. And doleful is the destruction of wicked men.

BrentonFor they that are concerned in murder store up evils for themselves; and the overthrow of transgressors is evil.

GreekΑὐτοὶ γὰρ οἱ φόνου μετέχοντες, θησαυρίζουσιν ἑαυτοῖς κακά· ἡ δὲ καταστροφὴ ἀνδρῶν παρανόμων κακή.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonSuch are the ways of all who commit iniquitous deeds. For by wickedness they destroy their own soul.

BrentonThese are the ways of all that perform lawless deeds; for by ungodliness they destroy their own life.

GreekΑὗται αἱ ὁδοί εἰσι πάντων τῶν συντελούντων τὰ ἄνομα· τῇ γὰρ ἀσεβείᾳ τὴν ἑαυτῶν ψυχὴν ἀφαιροῦνται.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonWisdom sings aloud in passages, and in the broad places speaks boldly.

GreekΣοφία ἐν ἐξόδοις ὑμνεῖται, ἐν δὲ πλατείαις παῤῥησίαν ἄγει.

KJV—

JPSWisdom crieth aloud in the streets, she uttereth her voice in the broad places;

Thomsonspeaketh boldly; and on the tops of walls she maketh proclamation; and at the gates of mighty men taketh a seat, and at the gates of a city with confidence saith:

BrentonAnd she makes proclamation on the top of the walls, and sits by the gates of princes; and at the gates of the city boldly says,

GreekἘπʼ ἄκρων δὲ τειχέων κηρύσσεται, ἐπὶ δὲ πύλαις δυναστῶν παρεδρεύει, ἐπὶ δὲ πύλαις πόλεως θαῤῥοῦσα λέγει,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson“While the innocent adhere to justice they shall not be put to shame: but as for fools who delight in mischief, having become wicked, they hated knowledge and are become liable to censures.

BrentonSo long as the simple cleave to justice, they shall not be ashamed: but the foolish being lovers of haughtiness, having become ungodly have hated knowledge, and are become subject to reproofs.

Greekὅσον ἂν χρόνον ἄκακοι ἔχονται τῆς δικαιοσύνης, οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται· οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες τῆς ὕβρεως ὄντες ἐπιθυμηταί, ἀσεβεῖς γενόμενοι ἐμίσησαν αἴσθησιν,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonBehold, I will bring forth to you the utterance of my breath, and I will instruct you in my speech.

Greekκαὶ ὑπεύθυνοι ἐγένοντο ἐλέγχοις· ἰδοὺ προήσομαι ὑμῖν ἐμῆς πνοῆς ῥῆσιν· διδάξω δὲ ὑμᾶς τὸν ἐμὸν λόγον.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonSince I called, and ye did not hearken; and I spoke at length, and ye gave no heed;

GreekἘπειδὴ ἐκάλουνμ, καὶ οὐχ ὑπηκούσατε· καὶ ἐξέτεινον λόγους, καὶ οὐ προσείχετε·

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonbut set at naught my counsels and disregarded my reproofs;

Brentonbut ye set at nought my counsels, and disregarded my reproofs;

Greekἀλλὰ ἀκύρους ἐποιεῖτε ἐμὰς βουλὰς, τοῖς δὲ ἐμοῖς ἐλέγχοις ἠπειθήσατε·

KJVBut ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

JPSBut ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof;

Thomsontherefore I will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your destruction cometh.

Brentontherefore I also will laugh at your destruction; and I will rejoice against you when ruin comes upon you:

GreekΤοιγαροῦν κᾀγὼ τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ ἀπωλείᾳ ἐπιγελάσομαι, καταχαροῦμαι δὲ ἡνίκα ἔρχηται ὑμῖν ὄλεθρος·

KJVI also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

JPSI also, in your calamity, will laugh, I will mock when your dread cometh;

ThomsonYes, when tumult shall suddenly come upon you; and destruction like a whirlwind shall be at hand—even when tribulation and siege approach you; or when destruction is advancing upon you.

Brentonyea when dismay suddenly comes upon you, and your overthrow shall arrive like a tempest; and when tribulation and distress shall come upon you, or when ruin shall come upon you.

GreekΚαὶ ὡς ἂν ἀφίκηται ὑμῖν ἄφνω θόρυβος, ἡ δὲ καταστροφὴ ὁμοίως καταιγίδι παρῇ, καὶ ὅταν ἔρχηται ὑμῖν θλίψις καὶ πολιορκία, ἢ ὅταν ἔρχηται ὑμῖν ὄλεθρος.

KJVWhen your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

JPSWhen your dread cometh as a storm, and your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; When trouble and distress come upon you.

ThomsonFor when you call upon me I will not listen to you.

BrentonFor it shall be that when ye call upon me, I will not hearken to you: wicked men shall seek me, but shall not find me.

GreekἜσται γὰρ ὅταν ἐπικαλέσησθέ με, ἐγὼ δὲ οὐκ εἰσακούσομαι ὑμῶν· ζητήσουσί με κακοὶ, καὶ οὐχ εὑρήσουσιν.

KJVThen shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

JPSThen will they call me, but I will not answer, they will seek me earnestly, but they shall not find me.

ThomsonThe wicked may seek me, but they shall not find me. For they hated wisdom and did not choose the word of the Lord:

BrentonFor they hated wisdom, and did not choose the word of the Lord:

GreekἘμίσησαν γὰρ σοφίαν, τὸν δὲ λόγον τοῦ Κυρίου οὐ προείλαντο,

KJVFor that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

JPSFor that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD;

Thomsonnor would they attend to my counsels, but contemned my reproofs.

Brentonneither would they attend to my counsels, but derided my reproofs.

Greekοὐδὲ ἤθελον ἐμαῖς προσέχειν βουλαῖς, ἐμυκτήριζον δὲ ἐμοὺς ἐλέγχους·

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonLet them eat, therefore, the fruits of their own way, and be filled with their own iniquity.

BrentonTherefore shall they eat the fruits of their own way, and shall be filled with their own ungodliness.

GreekΤοιγαροῦν ἔδονται τῆς ἑαυτῶν ὁδοῦ τοὺς καρποὺς, καὶ τῆς ἐαυτῶν ἀσεβείας πλησθήσονται.

KJVTherefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

JPSTherefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

ThomsonFor, because they wronged infants they shall be slain: and a rigorous inquest shall destroy the wicked.

BrentonFor because they wronged the simple, they shall be slain; and an inquisition shall ruin the ungodly.

GreekἈνθʼ ὧν γὰρ ἠδίκουν νηπίους, φονευθήσονται, καὶ ἐξετασμὸς ἀσεβεῖς ὀλεῖ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonBut he who hearkeneth to me shall dwell with hope, and rest secure from all evil.”

BrentonBut he that hearkens to me shall dwell in confidence, and shall rest securely from all evil.

GreekὉ δὲ ἐμοῦ ἀκούων κατασκηνώσει ἐπʼ ἐλπίδι, καὶ ἡσυχάσει ἀφόβως ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ.

KJVBut whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

JPSBut whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, and shall be quiet without fear of evil.’