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

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The fear of the Lord(A) is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[a] despise wisdom(B) and instruction.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.

22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?

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22 “How long will you who are simple(A) love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate(B) knowledge?

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32 For the simple are killed by their turning away,
    and the complacence of fools destroys them;

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32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them;(A)

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O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O foolish men, pay attention.

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You who are simple,(A) gain prudence;(B)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds

Folly’s Invitation and Promise

13 A foolish woman is noisy;
    she is wanton[a] and knows no shame.[b]
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    she takes a seat on the high places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who is without sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead[c] are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:13 Cn Compare Syr Vg: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  2. Proverbs 9:13 Gk Syr: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  3. Proverbs 9:18 Heb shades

13 Folly is an unruly woman;(A)
    she is simple and knows nothing.(B)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,(C)
15 calling out(D) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(E) she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!(F)
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(G)

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The wise of heart will heed commandments,
    but a prating fool will come to ruin.

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The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(A)

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18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
    and he who utters slander is a fool.

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18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(A)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

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23 It is like sport to a fool to do wrong,
    but wise conduct is pleasure to a man of understanding.

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23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(A)
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

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29 He who troubles his household will inherit wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

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29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.(A)

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15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent man ignores an insult.

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15 The way of fools seems right to them,(A)
    but the wise listen to advice.(B)

16 Fools(C) show their annoyance at once,(D)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(E)

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23 A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
    but fools[a] proclaim their folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:23 Heb the heart of fools

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(A)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(B)

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16 In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly.

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16 All who are prudent act with[a] knowledge,
    but fools expose(A) their folly.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through

19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul;
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 He who walks with wise men becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

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19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(A)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(B)

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