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.

(A)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    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 For the simple are killed by (A)their turning away,
    and (B)the complacency of fools destroys 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 fools get[a] disgrace.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:35 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain

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

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

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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 (A)lack of sense.

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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 Doing wrong is (A)like a joke to a fool,
    but (B)wisdom is pleasure to a man 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 Whoever (A)troubles his own household will (B)inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

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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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By the mouth of a fool comes (A)a rod for his back,[a]
    (B)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride

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 wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.

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

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(A)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance

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)One who is wise is cautious[a] and (B)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]

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 folly of fools brings folly.

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