The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Parallel translations
- KJV The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- BSB The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- ESV The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- NKJV The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- NASB The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
- NLT Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The naive inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. We are rewarded according to the path we pursue.
Overview
The simple, who refuse instruction, come into folly as their lot, while the prudent are honored, 'crowned,' with knowledge. The imagery presents knowledge as an adornment and reward of the discerning. It encourages the diligent pursuit of wisdom, which Scripture says is more precious than gold (Proverbs 3:14-15).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 1 Pet 1:18knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
- 1 Pet 5:4When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
- Prov 3:35The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.
- Matt 23:29–32“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous,
- Jer 44:17But we will certainly perform every word that has gone out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then had we plenty of food, and were well, and saw no evil.
- Dan 12:3Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.
- Prov 11:29–30He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
- Prov 4:7–9Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
- 2 Tim 4:8From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
- Jer 16:19Yahweh, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, “Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity and things in which there is no profit.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 14:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.