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

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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.

32 For waywardness kills the simple,
    and the complacency of fools destroys them;(A)

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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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35 The wise will inherit honor,
    but stubborn fools, disgrace.

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

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14 The wise lay up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

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

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21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.

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

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23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool,
    but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.(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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29 Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

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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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The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[a]
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(A)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(B)

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It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.(A)

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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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Fools mock at the guilt offering,[a]
    but the upright enjoy God’s favor.

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Footnotes

  1. 14.9 Meaning of Heb uncertain

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

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16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
    but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(A)

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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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24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but folly is the garland[a] of fools.

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Footnotes

  1. 14.24 Cn: Heb is the folly

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

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