The lipsof the righteousfeedmany,But foolsdiefor lackof understanding.
"I have not departedfrom the commandof His lips;I have treasuredthe wordsof His mouthmorethanmy necessaryfood.
The mouthof the righteousutterswisdom,And his tonguespeaksjustice.
Becausethey hatedknowledgeAnd did not choosethe fearof the LORD.
"So they shall eatof the fruitof their own wayAnd be satiatedwith their own devices.
"For the waywardnessof the naivewill killthem, And the complacencyof foolswill destroythem.
The mouthof the righteousis a fountainof life,But the mouthof the wickedconcealsviolence.
Thereis one who speaksrashlylike the thrustsof a sword,But the tongueof the wisebringshealing.
A soothingtongueis a treeof life,But perversionin it crushesthe spirit.
The lipsof the wisespreadknowledge,But the heartsof foolsare not so.
Whyis there a pricein the handof a foolto buywisdom,When he hasnosense?
And you say,"HowI have hatedinstruction!And my heartspurnedreproof!
That you may observediscretionAnd your lipsmay reserveknowledge.
He will diefor lackof instruction,And in the greatnessof his follyhe will goastray.
The one who commitsadulterywith a womanis lackingsense;He who would destroyhimselfdoesit.
The wordsof wisemenare like goads,and mastersof [these] collectionsare like well-drivennails;they are givenby oneShepherd.
ThereforeMy peoplegointo exilefor their lackof knowledge;And their honorablemenare famished,And their multitudeis parchedwith thirst.
Your wordswere foundand I atethem, And Your wordsbecamefor me a joyand the delightof my heart;For I have been calledby Your name,O LORDGodof hosts.
"Then I will giveyou shepherdsafter My own heart,who will feedyou on knowledgeand understanding.
My peopleare destroyedfor lackof knowledge.Becauseyou have rejectedknowledge,I also will rejectyou from being My priest.Since you have forgottenthe lawof your God,I alsowill forgetyour children.
"The goodmanbringsout of [his] goodtreasurewhat is good;and the evilmanbringsout of [his] eviltreasurewhat is evil.
"When anyonehearsthe wordof the kingdomand does not understandit, the evil[one] comesand snatches awaywhathas been sownin his heart.Thisis the one on whom seed was sownbesidethe road.
And justas they did not see fitto acknowledgeGodany longer, Godgave them overto a depravedmind,to dothosethings which are not proper,
shepherdthe flockof Godamongyou, exercising oversightnot under compulsion,but voluntarily,accordingto [the will of] God;and not for sordid gain,but with eagerness;
