² A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.

²³ A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.

¹⁶ Why `is' this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?

¹⁶ Every prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.

⁷ Fear of Jehovah `is' a beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and instruction fools have despised!

¹ O the happiness of that one, who Hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked. And in the way of sinners hath not stood, And in the seat of scorners hath not sat;

² But -- in the law of Jehovah `is' his delight, And in His law he doth meditate by day and by night:

¹⁵ And he taketh up his simile, and saith: `An affirmation of Balaam son of Beor -- And an affirmation of the man whose eyes `are' shut --

¹⁶ An affirmation of him who is hearing sayings of God -- And knowing knowledge of the Most High; A vision of the Almighty he seeth, Falling -- and eyes uncovered:

¹⁵ having forsaken a right way, they did go astray, having followed in the way of Balaam the `son' of Bosor, who a reward of unrighteousness did love,

¹⁶ and had a rebuke of his own iniquity -- a dumb ass, in man's voice having spoken, did forbid the madness of the prophet.

¹⁷ These are wells without water, and clouds by a tempest driven, to whom the thick gloom of the darkness to the age hath been kept;

¹⁸ for overswellings of vanity speaking, they do entice in desires of the flesh -- lasciviousnesses, those who had truly escaped from those conducting themselves in error,

¹⁹ liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude,

¹² so also ye, since ye are earnestly desirous of spiritual gifts, for the building up of the assembly seek that ye may abound;

¹ And concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that we all have knowledge: knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up;

³⁴ And lo, all the city came forth to meet Jesus, and having seen him, they called on `him' that he might depart from their borders.

³ And also, when he that is a fool Is walking in the way, his heart is lacking, And he hath said to every one, `He `is' a fool.'

¹⁵ Certain, indeed, even through envy and contention, and certain also through good-will, do preach the Christ;

²² `Till when, ye simple, do ye love simplicity? And have scorners their scorning desired? And do fools hate knowledge?