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.

The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge;(A)
fools despise wisdom and discipline.(B)

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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 For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them,(A)
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

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

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35 The wise will inherit honor,
but he holds up fools to dishonor.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 3:35 Or but haughty fools dishonor, or but fools exalt dishonor

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 the fool hastens destruction.(A)

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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 feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(A)

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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 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,(A)
so wisdom is for a person of understanding.

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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 The one who brings ruin on his household(A)
will inherit the wind,(B)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is 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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The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[a]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14:3 Some emend to In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his back

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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The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his 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 at making reparation,[a]
but there is goodwill among the upright.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:9 Or at guilt offerings

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 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,(A)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 14:16 Or and falls

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

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24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

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