What does the Bible say about fools? There are nearly 200 Bible verses about fools, indicating this is an important topic. Below are some of the Bible verses about fools and foolish people. Select a few favorites and memorize them so you will be wise.

Bible Verses About Fools

Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.” Numbers 22:29 NIV

Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? Deuteronomy 32:6 NIV

Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied.” Judges 16:10 NIV

Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.” 1 Chronicles 21:8 NIV

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2 NIV

He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges. Job 12:17 NIV

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile. There is no one who does good. Psalm 14:1 NIV

Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. Psalm 39:8 NIV

Remember how the enemy has mocked you, Lord, how foolish people have reviled your name. Psalm 74:18 NIV

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. Psalm 107:17 NIV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 NIV

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; Proverbs 1:31 NIV

The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame. Proverbs 3:35 NIV

More Bible Verses About Fools

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. Proverbs 10:1 NIV

The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. Proverbs 10:14 NIV

Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18 NIV

A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom Proverbs 10:23 NIV

Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. Proverbs 11:29 NIV

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16 NIV

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 NIV

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:1 NIV

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. Proverbs 14:3 NIV

Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. Proverbs 14:7 NIV

Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Proverbs 14:9 NIV

A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. Proverbs 14:17 NIV

The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. Proverbs 14:24 NIV

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. Proverbs 15:7 NIV

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. Proverbs 15:14 NIV

To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. Proverbs 17:21 NIV

A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24 NIV

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Proverbs 18:2 NIV

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. Proverbs 20:3 NIV

Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words. Proverbs 23:9 NIV

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Proverbs 26:4 NIV

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. Proverbs 28:26 NIV

If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. Proverbs 29:9 NIV

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11 NIV

Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. Proverbs 29:11 NLT

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. Eccelsiaties 5:4 NIV

Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. Eccelsiaties 7:7 NIV

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Eccelsiaties 7:9 NIV

You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street! Eccelsiaties 10:3 NLT

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! Ezekiel 13:3 NIV

New Testament Bible Verses About Fools

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Matthew 7:26 NIV

Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. Matthew 25:2-3 NIV

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 NLT

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21 NIV

or the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:23 NIV

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. James 1:26 NLT

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 1 John 1:8 NLT

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New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Christine Abraham writes for the Bible Cafe™ community. Learn about living by the Fruit of the Spirit as you enjoy her online Bible studies. Join Christine at the Bible Cafe™ University for weekly Bible teaching.