Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:7 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.

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

Read full chapter

32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
    The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

35 The wise will inherit glory,
    but shame will be the promotion of fools.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
    but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

Read full chapter

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(A)

Read full chapter

21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

23 It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness,
    but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.
    The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back,
    but the lips of the wise protect them.

Read full chapter

The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[a]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(A)

Read full chapter

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 think about his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.

Read full chapter

The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

Read full chapter

Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
    but among the upright there is good will.

Read full chapter

Fools mock at making reparation,[a]
but there is goodwill among the upright.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 14:9 Or at guilt offerings

16 A wise man fears and shuns evil,
    but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 14:16 Or and falls

24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
    but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter