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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.

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

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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.

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

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32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death.
    Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

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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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35 The wise will inherit glory,
    but shame will be the promotion of fools.

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35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools are put to shame!

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

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14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
    but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

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14 Wise people treasure knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

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

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21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

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21 The words of the godly encourage many,
    but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

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

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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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23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool,
    but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

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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 own house shall inherit the wind.
    The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

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29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.
    The fool will be a 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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The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
    but the lips of the wise protect them.

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A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
    but the words of the wise keep them safe.

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

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The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

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The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

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

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