Proverbs 1:32 kjv

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Proverbs 1:32 nkjv

For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

Proverbs 1:32 niv

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

Proverbs 1:32 esv

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

Proverbs 1:32 nlt

For simpletons turn away from me ? to death.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

Proverbs 1 verses

Proverbs 1 32 Meaning

Proverbs 1:32 conveys a solemn warning regarding the dire consequences awaiting those who spurn wisdom and divine instruction. It declares that the decision of the "simple" to turn away from the path of understanding leads to their demise, and the deceptive sense of security and success experienced by "fools" ultimately precipitates their complete ruin. The verse underscores the principle that rejecting God's wisdom is not a passive omission but an active choice with destructive, self-inflicted outcomes.

Proverbs 1 32 Context

Proverbs 1:32 is found within the opening exhortations of the book of Proverbs, specifically following Lady Wisdom's passionate address to the city (1:20-33). After calling out to humanity in public places and warning them of the dire consequences of neglecting her words (1:20-27), Wisdom states the inevitability of their chosen path. The preceding verses establish that Wisdom’s call is open and generous (1:20-23), but when it is persistently scorned (1:24-25), the despisers will face a terrifying, self-inflicted ruin (1:26-27). Verse 32 directly explains the mechanisms of this ruin: it’s the active "turning away" of the pliable "simple" and the comfortable "prosperity" of the obstinate "fools" that lead to their undoing. This verse serves as a culmination of the warnings in this section, stressing that the path of folly inherently contains its own destruction, a foundational principle in wisdom literature.

Historically and culturally, Proverbs arises from the ancient Near Eastern tradition of wisdom instruction, where elders or sages imparted practical and ethical guidance to the young. These instructions were vital for success in life and society. The book of Proverbs is set against a backdrop where the fear of the Lord (1:7) is foundational to true knowledge. The "simple" and "fool" represent archetypes of individuals in society who either haven't embraced wisdom yet or actively reject it. There's an implicit polemic against a view that outward success necessarily equates to divine approval, or that one can ignore moral truth without consequence. Instead, the verse emphasizes that one's inner disposition and choices have inherent consequences in God's moral universe.

Proverbs 1 32 Word analysis

• For (kî, כִּי): A causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for this reason." It connects this verse to the preceding explanation, highlighting that the consequences described are the inevitable result of rejecting Wisdom’s call.
• the turning away (mĕšūḇāh, מְשׁוּבָה): Derived from the root shuv (to turn, return). It implies a deviation or backsliding, often referring to apostasy or rebellion. This is not mere ignorance but a deliberate, settled inclination to move away from wisdom and righteousness, indicating a wilful refusal of correction and instruction.
• of the simple (pěthî, פֶתִי): From the root pātah (to be open, inexperienced, or easily swayed). The "simple" person is one who is naive, lacking discernment, and easily influenced for good or ill. While not inherently bad, their "openness" leads to danger when they choose to "turn away" from the path of wisdom. They are impressionable and have the potential to learn, but their specific "turning away" (from correction or proper influence) leads them to harm.
• shall slay them (tahargēm, תַּהַרְגֵם): From harag (to kill, slay, murder). This strong verb indicates the severe, destructive outcome. While it can imply literal death, in this context it often refers to comprehensive ruin, devastation, or spiritual demise, signifying the loss of well-being, purpose, and the vital connection to a truly flourishing life.
• and the prosperity (shalwah, שַׁלְוָה): From shālāh (to be at ease, secure, prosperous). This word denotes a state of undisturbed quiet, peace, or material comfort and security. For the fool, this apparent well-being becomes a snare, creating a false sense of invincibility and justifying their wicked ways, blinding them to true spiritual danger.
• of fools (kĕsîlîm, כְּסִילִים): From kāsā (to be dull, stupid). A "fool" in Proverbs is not just intellectually slow but morally depraved. They are stubborn, resistant to instruction, despise wisdom (Prov 1:7), and find pleasure in mischief (Prov 10:23). They are confirmed in their foolishness, actively rejecting wise counsel and embracing error.
• shall destroy them (təʾabədēm, תְּאַבְּדֵם): From ʾāḇaḏ (to perish, be lost, destroy utterly). Similar to "slay," this emphasizes complete ruin and an ultimate, irrecoverable end regarding their spiritual, moral, and often practical well-being. It underscores the ultimate undoing that folly brings upon itself.

Words-group analysis:

• "The turning away of the simple shall slay them": This phrase highlights self-destruction. The "simple" person, who is malleable and could be taught, instead actively chooses to deviate from the right path. Their potential for growth and life is undone by their own wilful refusal to learn or accept guidance, directly leading to their own ruin.
• "And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them": This group of words conveys a profound irony. What the fool perceives as a blessing or a sign of their correctness (their comfort and ease) is, in fact, the very instrument of their downfall. Their unexamined, self-serving ease hardens their hearts against repentance and encourages further rebellion, thus bringing about their ultimate and complete ruin. This false security prevents them from seeking true wisdom or fearing the Lord.

Proverbs 1 32 Bonus section

The destruction spoken of in this verse is primarily self-inflicted. Wisdom doesn't actively hunt down the simple or the fool to punish them; rather, their own choices—the turning away and the reliance on false prosperity—are the mechanisms that bring about their ruin. This illustrates the inherent moral order of God's universe, where consequences are baked into actions.

The Hebrew words for "simple" (pěthî) and "fool" (kĕsîl) indicate different levels of culpability and spiritual state. The "simple" is teachable but uninitiated; the "fool" is resistant to learning and often defiant. This distinction suggests that the pethî might have hope of turning, but their meshuvah seals their fate. The kĕsîl, by finding comfort in their folly, has effectively insulated themselves from conviction, leading to a more confirmed destruction.

This verse stands as a powerful counterpoint to worldly perceptions of success. It challenges the notion that outward calm or wealth is a sign of ultimate well-being, especially if achieved apart from wisdom. It reinforces the wisdom paradigm that true life and security stem from the fear of the Lord and adherence to His righteous ways.

Proverbs 1 32 Commentary

Proverbs 1:32 succinctly encapsulates a central message of the book: character and conduct have inherent, inescapable consequences. The verse delineates two distinct yet related paths to self-destruction. The "simple" (pethî) represent those who are inexperienced, naive, and open-minded, susceptible to various influences. Their downfall arises from their active "turning away" (mĕšūḇāh) from wisdom—a conscious choice to deviate from or ignore sound counsel and divine instruction. This turning away does not simply lead to error but results in a form of "slaying," signifying the termination of their well-being, flourishing, and potential. Their malleability, which could lead to growth in wisdom, becomes the very vulnerability exploited by their choice to abandon truth.

In contrast, the "fools" (kĕsîlîm) are presented as hardened individuals, those who actively despise knowledge and reject the fear of the Lord. For them, it is not merely a turning away but their "prosperity" (shalwah), their sense of ease, security, or material success, that serves as their undoing. This comfortable state fosters complacency, arrogance, and a self-deceptive belief that their wicked ways are validated by their temporal success. This false security becomes their blind spot, removing any impetus for repentance or seeking genuine wisdom, ultimately leading to their complete "destruction" (təʾabədēm).

The verse is a profound warning that both deliberate spiritual apathy and arrogant self-reliance, ironically often enabled by outward success, are paths that inevitably lead to ruin. It's a reminder that true prosperity is found not in material ease or self-will, but in heeding the call of wisdom and living in the fear of the Lord.

For example, consider a young person (simple) who, despite numerous warnings from family and scripture about associating with those who lead astray, chooses to turn away from those warnings to follow popular trends. Their continued association leads them into practices that "slay" their future prospects and character. Similarly, consider a wealthy person (fool) who uses their resources to justify morally questionable actions, living in arrogant defiance of God's law. Their outward "prosperity" only reinforces their self-delusion, making them immune to truth, until their ethical blind spots "destroy" their reputation and leave them utterly destitute in spirit, even amidst their material wealth.