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.

Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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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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32 The immature will die because they turn away;
    smugness will destroy fools.

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

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35 The wise gain respect,
    but fools receive shame.

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

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14 The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings on ruin.

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

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21 The lips of the righteous nourish many people,
    but fools who lack sense will die.

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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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23 Fools enjoy vile deeds,
    but those with understanding take pleasure in wisdom.

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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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29 Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind.
    The fool will be servant to the wise.

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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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Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool,[a]
    but the lips of the wise protect them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Heb uncertain

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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By their wisdom the prudent understand their way,
    but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

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Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

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Fools mock a compensation offering,
    but favor is with those who do right.

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16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(A)
    but a fool(B) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

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16 The wise are careful and avoid evil,
    but fools become excited and overconfident.

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24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(A)

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24 Wealth is the crown of the wise,
    and the folly of fools is folly.

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