Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

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.

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

Read full chapter

22 “How long will you who are simple(A) love your simple ways?
    How long will mockers delight in mockery
    and fools hate(B) knowledge?

Read full chapter

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

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

Read full chapter

You who are simple,(A) gain prudence;(B)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds

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]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

13 Folly is an unruly woman;(A)
    she is simple and knows nothing.(B)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,(C)
15 calling out(D) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
16     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(E) she says,
17     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!(F)
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(G)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(A)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(A)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(A)
    but the wise listen to advice.(B)

16 Fools(C) show their annoyance at once,(D)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(E)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(A)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(B)

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

16 All who are prudent act with[a] knowledge,
    but fools expose(A) their folly.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through