| Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. | Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. |
| The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. |
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| When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. | When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. |
| And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. | And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. |
| The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. | Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. |
| Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. | Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. |
| A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. | Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. |
| The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. | Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. |
| A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. | The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. |
| Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. | Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. |
| A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. | Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. |
| Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. | Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. |
| It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. | It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
| The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. | The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. |
