A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and'suffer for it.

To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion:

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?

For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.

And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding,

O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.

The foolish woman is clamorous;'she is'simple, and knoweth nothing.

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; And as for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.