For the commandment {is} a lamp; and the law {is} light; and reproofs of instruction {are} the way of life: {lamp: or, candle}

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, {and} set them on fire: for it {is} a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. {reproved: or, discovered}

But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or {that} thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers {did}, so {do} ye.

And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

That this {is} a rebellious people, lying children, children {that} will not hear the law of the LORD:

The fear of the LORD {is} the beginning of knowledge: {but} fools despise wisdom and instruction. {the beginning: or, the principal part}

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. {comprehended: or, did not admit, or, receive}

I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid {before me}.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. {reproved: or, discovered}

And even as they did not like to retain God in {their} knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; {to retain: or, to acknowledge} {a reprobate...: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind}

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, {that} I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. {of wisdom: Heb. of heart}

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. {out...: Heb. moved}

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? {them that are} weaned from the milk, {and} drawn from the breasts. {doctrine: Heb. the hearing?}

Thine habitation {is} in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

For God speaketh once, yea twice, {yet man} perceiveth it not.

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: {him: Heb. after him}

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, {even} to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three {things}: choose thee one of them, that I may do {it} unto thee. {offer: Heb. stretch out}

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.