Prologue.

For learning about wisdom and instruction,

For understanding words of insight,

For gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity;

To teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young --

Let the wise also hear and gain in learning,

And the discerning acquire skill,

To understand a proverb and a figure,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

The Fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

- Proverbs 1:1-7