¹⁶ A sharp man does everything with knowledge, but a foolish man makes clear his foolish thoughts.

³ And when the foolish man is walking in the way, he has no sense and lets everyone see that he is foolish.

² Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words.

¹⁷ For this reason, then, do not be foolish, but be conscious of the Lord's pleasure.

²⁰ My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.

¹⁹ For all have knowledge of how you do what you are ordered. For this reason I have joy in you, but it is my desire that you may be wise in what is good, and without knowledge of evil.

¹⁶ See, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Be then as wise as snakes, and as gentle as doves.

¹³ See, my servant will do well in his undertakings, he will be honoured, and lifted up, and be very high.

²⁴ The man of pride, lifted up in soul, is named high-hearted; he is acting in an outburst of pride.

²² False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.

²³ A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.

⁵ All is well for the man who is kind and gives freely to others; he will make good his cause when he is judged.

²⁵ Let my lord give no attention to Nabal, that good-for-nothing: for as his name is, so is he, a man without sense: but I, your servant, did not see the young men whom my lord sent.

¹⁷ So now, give thought to what you are going to do; for evil is in store for our master and all his house: for he is such a good-for-nothing person that it is not possible to say anything to him.

¹⁰ And Nabal gave them his answer and said, Who is David? who is the son of Jesse? there are a number of servants in these days running away from their masters.

¹¹ Am I to take my bread and my wine and the meat I have got ready for my wool-cutters and give it to men coming from I have no idea where?