15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—

the Lord detests them both.

16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,

when they are not able to understand it?

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just,

Even they both are abomination to the Lord.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool

To get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—

both are detestable to the Lord.

16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,

since he has no heart for learning.

15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,

Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,

Since he has no heart for it?

15 The Lord hates both of these things:

freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent.

16 It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom,

because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,

Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

Seeing he hath no understanding?

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?

15 Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people 

is disgusting to the Lord. 

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom 

when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything? 

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just —

both are detestable to the Lord.

16 Why does a fool have money in his hand

with no intention of buying wisdom?

15 One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous

are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

16 Why should fools have a price in hand

to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn?

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,

the two of them are both abominations of Yahweh.

16 Why is this? A price in the hand of a fool,

in order to buy wisdom where there is no sense.

15 The Lord hates two things.

He hates it when the guilty are set free.

He also hates it when those who aren’t guilty are punished.

16 What good is money in the hands of a foolish person?

He doesn’t want to become wise.

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,

Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

When he has no sense?