Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.

King James Version

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Holman Bible

Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.

International Standard Version

Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding.

A Conservative Version

Wisdom [is] the principal thing. Get wisdom, yea, with all thy getting get understanding.

American Standard Version

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.

Amplified


“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].

Bible in Basic English

The first sign of wisdom is to get wisdom; go, give all you have to get true knowledge.

Darby Translation

The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence.

Julia Smith Translation

Wisdom the beginning; obtain wisdom, and with all thine acquisition, obtain understanding.

King James 2000

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding.

Lexham Expanded Bible

The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom! With all [that is in] your possession, gain insight.

Modern King James verseion

Wisdom is the main thing; get wisdom; and with all your getting get understanding.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

The chief point of wisdom is that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding.

NET Bible

Wisdom is supreme -- so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire, acquire understanding!

New Heart English Bible

Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

The Emphasized Bible

The principal thing, is wisdom, acquire thou wisdom, With all thine acquisition, acquire thou understanding.

Webster

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

World English Bible

Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

Youngs Literal Translation

The first thing is wisdom -- get wisdom, And with all thy getting get understanding.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
חכמה 
Chokmah 
Usage: 149

is the principal thing
ראשׁית 
Re'shiyth 
Usage: 51

חכמה 
Chokmah 
Usage: 149

and with all thy getting
קנין 
Qinyan 
substance, of...getting, goods, riches, with
Usage: 10

References

Hastings

Context Readings

The Father's Wisdom

6 Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you. Love her, and she will keep you safe. 7 The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8 Love wisdom and she will exalt you. Embrace wisdom and she will honor you.

Cross References

Matthew 13:44-46

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure and hid it again in the field. He is so filled with joy he sells everything he owns and buys the field.

Philippians 3:8

I count all things to be loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. I suffered the loss of all things. Yet I count them as refuse (garbage) (dung) that I may gain Christ.

Psalm 49:16-20

Do not be afraid when someone becomes rich, when the greatness of his house increases.

Psalm 119:104

I get understanding from your precepts. Therefore I hate every false way.

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding instead of silver!

Proverbs 21:6

Wealth acquired by lying is fleeting vapor and a deadly pursuit.

Proverbs 23:23

Buy the truth and do not sell it. Also buy wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Ecclesiastes 2:4-9

I made great works. I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards for myself.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

There is a man who is by himself, without a companion. He is without son or brother. There is no end to all his work. He never has enough wealth. Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. He never asks: For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure? This too is vanity and a terrible problem.

Ecclesiastes 7:12

Wisdom is a shelter just as money is a shelter. The advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives lift to those who have it.

Ecclesiastes 9:16-18

Then I said: Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

Mark 8:36-37

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

Luke 10:42

However one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the proper way and it shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 12:20

But God said to him: 'You fool this night you will give up your life. Then who will have all these things you accumulated?'

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain