Fools, because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
Why should a living man complain, A man for the punishment of his sins?
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,” Says the Lord God of hosts.
And saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man devoid of understanding,
A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,