Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

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.

32 For waywardness kills the simple,
    and the complacency of fools destroys them;(A)

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

35 The wise will inherit honor,
    but stubborn fools, disgrace.

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

14 The wise lay up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

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

21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.

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

23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool,
    but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.(A)

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

29 Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

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

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[a]
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride

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

It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.(A)

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