Add parallel Print Page Options

Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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.

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

Read full chapter

32 for the waywardness of the simple ones will kill them,
    and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Read full chapter

35 They will inherit the honor of the wise,
    but stubborn fools, disgrace.

Read full chapter

35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

Read full chapter

35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Read full chapter

14 Those who are wise lay up knowledge,
    but to the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near.

Read full chapter

14 The wise store up knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(B)

Read full chapter

14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Read full chapter

21 Lips of righteousness feed many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:21 Literally “in the lack of heart, they die”

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.(A)

Read full chapter

21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Read full chapter

23 It is like a sport for a fool to do wrong,
    wisdom for a person of understanding.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Read full chapter

29 He who brings trouble to his household, he will inherit wind,[a]
    and a fool will serve the wise of heart.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:29 Or “breath, spirit”

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

Read full chapter

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Read full chapter

In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride,
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.

Read full chapter

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(A)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(B)

Read full chapter

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Read full chapter

The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

Read full chapter

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(A)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(B)

Read full chapter

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Read full chapter