These people are divisive, ¹  worldly, ²  devoid of the Spirit. ³ 

They are a nation devoid of wisdom, and there is no understanding among them.

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. ¹ 

They are worthless, mere objects to be mocked. ¹  When the time comes to punish them, they will be destroyed.

Is not their excess wealth ¹  taken away from them? ²  They die, ³  yet without attaining wisdom. ⁴ 

A horse disappoints those who trust in it for victory; ¹  despite its great strength, it cannot deliver.

and I saw among the naive – I discerned among the youths ¹  – a young man ²  who lacked wisdom. ³ 

Wisdom is found in the words ¹  of the discerning person, ²  but the one who lacks wisdom ³  will be disciplined. ⁴ 

The one who denounces ¹  his neighbor lacks wisdom, ²  but the one who has discernment ³  keeps silent. ⁴ 

The one who works ¹  his field will have plenty ²  of food, but whoever chases daydreams ³  lacks wisdom. ⁴ 

The one who lacks wisdom ¹  strikes hands in pledge, ²  and puts up financial security ³  for his neighbor. ⁴ 

Banish ¹  emotional stress ²  from your mind. ³  and put away pain ⁴  from your body; ⁵  for youth ⁶  and the prime of life ⁷  are fleeting. ⁸ 

All these idolaters ¹  will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the image he forges is merely a sham. ²  There is no breath in any of those idols. ³ 

All idolaters will prove to be stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith will be disgraced by the idol he made. For the image he forges is merely a sham. There is no breath in any of those idols.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty.

We are not trying to commend ¹  ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, ²  so that you may be able to answer those who take pride ³  in outward appearance ⁴  and not in what is in the heart.