The Fear of the LORD

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

~ Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)

Joy to the Heart

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

~ Psalm 19:7-9 (NIV)

Search for Hidden Treasure

2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.

~ Proverbs 2:2-5 (NASB)

Beginning of Knowledge

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

~ Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

What Happens When You Live in Fear of the Lord

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. ~ Acts 9:31 (NIV 1984)

Wisdom from Proverbs 2

1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Proverbs 2:1-8 (NIV 1984)

Beginning of Knowledge

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. ~ Proverbs 1:7 (NIV 1984)

Obey Instruction

31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. 33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (ESV)

31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. 32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. 33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.(NIV 1984)

~ Proverbs 15:31-33

Humility Before Honor

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. ~ Proverbs 15:33 (ESV)

To Train Our Children

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. (ESV)

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil. (NIV 1984)

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil. (NASB)

Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil. (NLT)

~ Proverbs 16:6

Refuge for Children

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. ~ Proverbs 14:26 (ESV)

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

~ Proverbs 2:1-6

Don't Envy

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

~ Proverbs 23:17

The Lord Teaches

The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

~ Proverbs 15:33