Proverbs 23:23
New International Version
Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.

New Living Translation
Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

English Standard Version
Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Berean Standard Bible
Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.

King James Bible
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

New King James Version
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

New American Standard Bible
Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

NASB 1995
Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

NASB 1977
Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

Legacy Standard Bible
Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and discipline and understanding.

Amplified Bible
Buy truth, and do not sell it; Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

Christian Standard Bible
Buy—and do not sell—truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Buy—and do not sell—truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

American Standard Version
Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Contemporary English Version
Invest in truth and wisdom, discipline and good sense, and don't part with them.

English Revised Version
Buy the truth, and sell it not; yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Buy truth (and do not sell it), [that is,] buy wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

Good News Translation
Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense--these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell.

International Standard Version
Purchase truth, but don't sell it; store up wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

Majority Standard Bible
Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.

NET Bible
Acquire truth and do not sell it--wisdom, and discipline, and understanding.

New Heart English Bible
Buy the truth, and do not sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

Webster's Bible Translation
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

World English Bible
Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Buy truth, and do not sell, "" Wisdom, and instruction, and understanding,

Young's Literal Translation
Truth buy, and sell not, Wisdom, and instruction, and understanding,

Smith's Literal Translation
Buy the truth, and thou shalt not sell wisdom and instruction and understanding.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Buy truth, and do not sell wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Purchase truth, and do not sell wisdom, or doctrine, or understanding.

New American Bible
Buy truth and do not sell: wisdom, instruction, understanding!

New Revised Standard Version
Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Buy the truth, and do not sell wisdom; also buy understanding and instruction.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Buy truth and do not sell wisdom, instruction or understanding.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Buy the truth, and sell it not; Also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
True Riches
22Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 23Invest in truth and never sell it— in wisdom and instruction and understanding. 24The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.…

Cross References
James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

Psalm 119:72
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Timothy 3:15-17
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. / All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Philippians 3:8
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Psalm 19:9-10
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. / They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, / if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ...

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!


Treasury of Scripture

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

buy

Proverbs 2:2-4
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; …

Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth…

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

sell

Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Acts 20:23
Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Hebrews 11:26
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

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Buy Discipline Good Instruction Intelligence Money Sell Sense Teaching True. Truth Understanding Wisdom
Proverbs 23
1. Consider carefully what is before you














Buy
The Hebrew word used here is "qanah," which means to acquire or purchase. In the context of Proverbs, this term suggests a deliberate and intentional effort to obtain something of great value. The act of buying implies a transaction where something is given up in exchange for something else. Spiritually, this can be seen as a call to prioritize spiritual wealth over material possessions, emphasizing the importance of investing in one's spiritual growth and understanding.

the truth
The Hebrew word for truth is "emet," which conveys a sense of stability, reliability, and faithfulness. In the biblical context, truth is not just factual accuracy but encompasses moral integrity and faithfulness to God's word. The pursuit of truth is a pursuit of God's wisdom and understanding, which is foundational to a righteous life. Historically, truth was seen as a divine attribute, and seeking it was akin to seeking God Himself.

and do not sell it
The phrase "do not sell it" implies retaining and valuing what has been acquired. In the ancient world, selling something often meant relinquishing ownership or control. Spiritually, this is a warning against abandoning or compromising one's commitment to truth for temporary gains or worldly pressures. It underscores the permanence and non-negotiable nature of divine wisdom once it is acquired.

wisdom
The Hebrew word "chokmah" refers to skillful living, practical application of knowledge, and discernment. Wisdom in the biblical sense is not merely intellectual but deeply practical, guiding one's actions and decisions in alignment with God's will. It is a gift from God that enables individuals to navigate life's complexities with righteousness and integrity.

instruction
The Hebrew term "musar" can be translated as discipline or correction. It involves the process of learning through guidance, often involving correction or reproof. Instruction is essential for growth and maturity, and in the biblical context, it is closely associated with the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. It is through instruction that one learns to live a life pleasing to God.

and understanding
The Hebrew word "binah" refers to insight or discernment. Understanding goes beyond knowledge, involving the ability to perceive the deeper meaning or significance of things. It is the capacity to see beyond the surface and grasp the underlying principles at work. In the biblical context, understanding is a divine gift that enables believers to comprehend God's ways and apply His truths to their lives.

(23) Buy the truth, and sell it not.--The "truth" is here described under the three heads of wisdom, self-discipline, and understanding. (See above, on Proverbs 1:2.) All these are to be obtained from God (James 1:5), who gives to every man "liberally," "without money and without price" (Isaiah 55:1). (Comp. Revelation 3:18, and the "treasure" and "pearl of great price" of Matthew 13:44-46.)

Verse 23. - Buy the truth, and sell it not (comp. Proverbs 4:5, 7; Proverbs 16:16). Consider truth as a thing of the highest value, and spare no pains, cost, or sacrifice to obtain it, and, when gotten, keep it safe; do not barter it for earthly profit or the pleasures of sense; do not be reasoned out of it, or laughed out of it; "sell it not," do not part with it for any consideration. The second clause gives the sphere in which truth moves, or the three properties which appertain to it. These are: wisdom (chochmah), practical knowledge; instruction (musar), moral culture and discipline; and understanding (binah), the faculty of discernment (see notes on Proverbs 1:2). This verse is omitted in the chief manuscripts of the Septuagint.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Invest in
קְ֭נֵה (qə·nêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

truth
אֱמֶ֣ת (’ĕ·meṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

and never
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

sell it—
תִּמְכֹּ֑ר (tim·kōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4376: To sell

in wisdom
חָכְמָ֖ה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

and instruction
וּמוּסָ֣ר (ū·mū·sār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4148: Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint

and understanding.
וּבִינָֽה׃ (ū·ḇî·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 998: An understanding


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth and don't sell it (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 23:22
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