Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:7 Or, chief part

22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?

Read full chapter

22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?
And scoffers delight them in scoffing,
And fools hate knowledge?

Read full chapter

32 For the simple are killed by their turning away,
    and the complacence of fools destroys them;

Read full chapter

32 For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them,
And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.

Read full chapter

O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O foolish men, pay attention.

Read full chapter

O ye simple, understand prudence;
And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.

Read full chapter

Folly’s Invitation and Promise

13 A foolish woman is noisy;
    she is wanton[a] and knows no shame.[b]
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    she takes a seat on the high places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who is without sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead[c] are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:13 Cn Compare Syr Vg: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  2. Proverbs 9:13 Gk Syr: The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  3. Proverbs 9:18 Heb shades

13 [a]The foolish woman is clamorous;
She is [b]simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 And she sitteth at the door of her house,
On a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call to them that pass by,
Who go right on their ways:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither;
And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that [c]the dead are there;
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:13 Or, Folly
  2. Proverbs 9:13 Hebrew simplicity.
  3. Proverbs 9:18 Or, the shades. Hebrew Rephaim.

The wise of heart will heed commandments,
    but a prating fool will come to ruin.

Read full chapter

The wise in heart will receive commandments;
But [a]a prating fool [b]shall fall.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:8 Hebrew the foolish of lips.
  2. Proverbs 10:8 Or, shall be overthrown (or, laid low)

18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
    and he who utters slander is a fool.

Read full chapter

18 He that hideth hatred is of lying lips;
And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

Read full chapter

23 It is like sport to a fool to do wrong,
    but wise conduct is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Read full chapter

23 It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness;
[a]And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:23 Or, But a man of understanding hath wisdom

29 He who troubles his household will inherit wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

Read full chapter

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind;
And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Read full chapter

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent man ignores an insult.

Read full chapter

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes;
But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 A fool’s vexation is [a]presently known;
But a prudent man concealeth shame.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:16 Or, openly. Hebrew in the day.

23 A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
    but fools[a] proclaim their folly.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:23 Heb the heart of fools

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge;
But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Read full chapter

16 In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge,
    but a fool flaunts his folly.

Read full chapter

16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge;
But a fool flaunteth his folly.

Read full chapter