The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and [there is] good understanding to all that practice it: and godliness toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will nullify wisdom and instruction.

So long as the simple cleave to justice, they shall not be ashamed: but the foolish being lovers of haughtiness, having become ungodly have hated knowledge, and have become subject to reproofs.

Why has the fool wealth? For a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. [ 17:16A] He that exalts his own house seeks ruin, and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.

Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of evil men.

But his pleasure is in the law of the Lord; and in His law will he meditate day and night.

And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And seeing Him, they implored Him that He might go away from their region.

Now concerning the things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

And he took up his parable and said, The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, the man whose eyes are truly open,

hearing the oracles of God, receiving knowledge from the Most High, and having seen a vision of God in sleep; his eyes were opened.

So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that you may abound to the edification of the church.

Some indeed are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will:

They have left behind the straight way and gone astray, having followed after the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

These are waterless wells, clouds being driven by a storm, for whom the darkness of the netherworld has been reserved forever.

promising to them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom anyone has been defeated, by this [one] also he has been enslaved.