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

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22 “How long, you simpletons,
    will you insist on being simpleminded?
How long will you mockers relish your mocking?
    How long will you fools hate knowledge?

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

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You simple people, use good judgment.
    You foolish people, show some understanding.

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Folly Calls for a Hearing

13 The woman named Folly is brash.
    She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.
14 She sits in her doorway
    on the heights overlooking the city.
15 She calls out to men going by
    who are minding their own business.
16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
    To those who lack good judgment, she says,
17 “Stolen water is refreshing;
    food eaten in secret tastes the best!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there.
    Her guests are in the depths of the grave.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 9:18 Hebrew in Sheol.

The wise are glad to be instructed,
    but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

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18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar;
    slandering others makes you a fool.

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

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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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15 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to others.

16 A fool is quick-tempered,
    but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

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23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
    but fools broadcast their foolishness.

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16 Wise people think before they act;
    fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

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