Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 1:32

ESV For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
NIV For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
NASB For the faithlessness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
CSB For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
NLT For simpletons turn away from me — to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
KJV For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
NKJV For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

What does Proverbs 1:32 mean?

There are only two ways to respond to wisdom: to listen or to "turn away." Either one is a choice. The image of wisdom as a woman publicly shouting in the marketplace applies to all of us. Nobody has an excuse: wisdom is made available, all we have to do is choose to listen. Sadly, most people will not, and the end of this road leads to destruction.

Solomon was greatly blessed by God with wisdom, but even wisdom is only the capacity to make the right choices. Solomon knew first-hand what happens when a person ignores wisdom and makes the wrong choices. The book of Ecclesiastes is his description of this painful discovery. Despite all of the wealth and pleasure, Solomon found going his way, instead of God's way, to be "vanity," or "meaningless," in the end. There is no eternal significance in sinful desires and foolish ways. Refusing to act wisely leads to consequences, something which even saved believers are subject to.
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: