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

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

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

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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]

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Footnotes

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

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

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

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

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

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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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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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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.

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

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

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

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