"Fools,eventhosewithouta name,They were scourgedfrom the land.
He walkedin the wayof the kingsof Israel,justas the houseof Ahabhad done,for the daughterof Ahabbecamehis wife;and he didevilin the sightof the LORD.
He walkedin the wayof the houseof Ahaband didevilin the sightof the LORD,like the houseof Ahab[had done], becausehe was a son-in-lawof the houseof Ahab.
He alsowalkedin the waysof the houseof Ahab,for his motherwas his counselorto dowickedly.
"Amongthe bushesthey cryout; Underthe nettlesthey are gatheredtogether.
"And nowI have becometheir taunt,I have even becomea bywordto them.
"Behold,I am insignificant;whatcan I replyto You? I laymy handon my mouth.
In whose eyesa reprobateis despised,But who honorsthose who fearthe LORD;He swearsto his own hurtand does not change;
But at my stumblingthey rejoicedand gatheredthemselves together; The smiterswhom I did not knowgatheredtogether againstme, They slanderedme withoutceasing.
"Howlong,O naiveones,will you lovebeing simple-minded?And scoffersdelightthemselves in scoffingAnd foolshateknowledge?
The fearof the LORDis the beginningof knowledge;Foolsdespisewisdomand instruction.
Understandingis a fountainof lifeto one whohasit, But the disciplineof foolsis folly.
For a foolspeaksnonsense,And his heartinclinestoward wickedness:To practiceungodlinessand to speakerroragainstthe LORD,To keepthe hungrypersonunsatisfiedAnd to withholddrinkfrom the thirsty.
"The childrengatherwood,and the fatherskindlethe fire,and the womenkneaddoughto makecakesfor the queenof heaven;and [they] pourout drinkofferingsto othergodsin orderto spiteMe.
"I will throwfilthon you And makeyou vile,And setyou up as a spectacle.
and will handHim over to the Gentilesto mockand scourgeand crucify[Him], and on the thirddayHe will be raisedup."
And she wentout and saidto her mother,"Whatshall I askfor?" And she said,"The headof Johnthe Baptist."
