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The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

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Footnotes

  1. 1:7 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.

22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
    How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery,
    and fools hate knowledge?

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32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
    The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

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You simple, understand prudence!
    You fools, be of an understanding heart!

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13 The foolish woman is loud,
    undisciplined, and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 to call to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their ways,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.”
    as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen water is sweet.
    Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 9:18 Sheol is the place of the dead.

The wise in heart accept commandments,
    but a chattering fool will fall.

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18 He who hides hatred has lying lips.
    He who utters a slander is a fool.

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23 It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness,
    but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.

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29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.
    The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

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15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day,
    but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

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23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge,
    but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

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16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge,
    but a fool exposes folly.

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