Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise,

The labor pains of a woman will overtake him, but the baby will lack wisdom; when the time arrives, he will not come out of the womb!

Is this how you repay ¹  the Lord, you foolish, unwise people? Is he not your father, your creator? He has made you and established you.

For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise ¹  by understanding ²  what the Lord’s will is.

I am a debtor ¹  both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Does not the ear test words, as ¹  the tongue ²  tastes food? ³ 

for they aroused ¹  his temper, ²  and he spoke rashly. ³ 

The crown of the wise is their riches, ¹  but the folly ²  of fools is folly.

The wisdom of the shrewd person ¹  is to discern ²  his way, but the folly of fools is deception. ³ 

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. ¹ 

Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, ¹  but one who has understanding ²  follows an upright course. ³ 

Whoever brings a fool ¹  into the world ²  does so ³  to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy. ⁴ 

So because these facts ¹  are indisputable, ²  you must keep quiet ³  and not do anything reckless. ⁴ 

Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth! Therefore, let your words be few.

For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. ¹