7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools[1] despise wisdom and instruction.

Wisdom's Warning

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

Other Translations of Proverbs 1:7-9

King James Version

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning the beginning: or, the principal part of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Wisdom's Warning

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains an...: Heb. an adding about thy neck.

English Standard Version

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Wisdom's Warning

8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

The Message

7 Start with God - the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

Wisdom's Warning

8 Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee. 9 Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers.

New King James Version

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Wisdom's Warning

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck.

New Living Translation

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Wisdom's Warning

8 My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don't neglect your mother's instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 1:7-9

Commentary on Proverbs 1:7-9

(Read Proverbs 1:7-9)

Fools are persons who have no true wisdom, who follow their own devices, without regard to reason, or reverence for God. Children are reasonable creatures, and when we tell them what they must do, we must tell them why. But they are corrupt and wilful, therefore with the instruction there is need of a law. Let Divine truths and commands be to us most honourable; let us value them, and then they shall be so to us.