Ephraim has been like a dove, easily deceived and lacking discernment. They called to Egypt for help; they turned to Assyria for protection.

Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving.

But reject those myths ¹  fit only for the godless and gullible, ²  and train yourself for godliness.

For ¹  wrath kills the foolish person, ²  and anger ³  slays the silly one.

For some of these insinuate themselves ¹  into households and captivate weak women ²  who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.

I hate those who serve worthless idols, ¹  but I trust in the Lord.

I said of partying, ¹  “It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure, ²  “It accomplishes nothing!” ³ 

Blind guides! You strain out a gnat yet swallow a camel! ¹ 

Five ¹  of the virgins ²  were foolish, and five were wise.

When ¹  the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra ²  olive oil ³  with them.

Later, ¹  the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ ² 

Terrify them, Lord! ¹  Let the nations know they are mere mortals! ²  (Selah)

The ¹  foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without clearly indicating ¹  the charges against him.”

Are you so foolish? Although you began ¹  with ²  the Spirit, are you now trying to finish ³  by human effort? ⁴ 

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, ¹  and your princes feast at the proper time ²  – with self-control and not in drunkenness. ³ 

who frustrates the omens of the empty talkers ¹  and humiliates ²  the omen readers, who overturns the counsel of the wise men ³  and makes their advice ⁴  seem foolish,

Has a nation ever changed its gods (even though they are not really gods at all)? But my people have exchanged me, their glorious God, ¹  for a god that cannot help them at all! ² 

The Lord says, ¹  “I saw the prophets of Samaria ²  doing something that was disgusting. ³  They prophesied in the name of the god Baal and led my people Israel astray. ⁴ 

When ¹  he said this all his adversaries were humiliated, ²  but ³  the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things ⁴  he was doing. ⁵