Paragraph 1:32–33

1:32

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

32a For the waywardness of the simple will slay them,

32b and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

1:32a

For: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For often introduces a reason for the preceding statement. However, here it introduces a conclusion (1:32–33) to the whole section (1:20–33). This conclusion contrasts the disastrous fate of people who turn away from Wisdom with the peaceful life that is the reward of people who heed Wisdom.

Some English versions introduce this conclusion without an explicit word. For example:

Fools will die because they refuse to listen (New Century Version)

In other languages, it may be natural to introduce a conclusion with a word like “surely.” For example:

Surely/Indeed easily-deceived people will die…

Introduce this conclusion in a natural way in your language.

waywardness: In Hebrew, when this word is used elsewhere in the OT, it always means to turn away from God. However, in this context, it means to constantly turn away from Wisdom. For example:

reject wisdom (Good News Translation)

Here is another way to translate this:

turn away from me (New Living Translation (2004))

The word “me” refers here to Wisdom.

simple: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as simple refers to inexperienced, naive people who allow themselves to be easily persuaded or led astray into foolish behavior.

will slay them: The phrase will slay them indicates that the easily-deceived person’s persistence in rejecting Wisdom will result in his death. The way he will die is not specified. For example:

Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. (Good News Translation)

1:32b

and the complacency of fools: The word complacency describes an attitude of careless indifference to important truths and responsibilities. Other ways to translate this word are:

lack of concern (Good News Translation)
-or-
self-satisfaction (Contemporary English Version)

fools: In Hebrew, this word for “fool” refers to someone who does what is stupid and wrong because he is mentally lazy and self-satisfied.

will destroy them: In this context, the word destroy means the same as “slay” in 1:32a.

General Comment on 1:32a–b

In some languages, it may be necessary to combine and/or reorder the parallel lines to show that both “the simple” and “fools” describe the same kind of people. They will both experience destruction and death. For example:

Easily-deceived fools will die because they have rejected me, Wisdom, and are complacent about their foolishness.

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