He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm. |
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. |
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When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed. | When you make a vow to God, do not delay fulfilling it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow. |
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. | Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. |
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. | Words spoken by the wise bring them favor, but the lips of fools consume them. |
A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. | A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. |
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. | Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. |
A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back. | A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back. |
A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. | Fools show their anger at once, but the prudent ignore an insult. |
A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. | A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging. |
A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. | A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion. |
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. | Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. |
It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. | It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. |
The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. | The wise of heart will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. |