Proverbs
1
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, the king of Israel:
2 For knowing wisdom and instruction; / For discerning words of understanding;
3 For receiving instruction in wise conduct, / Righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 For giving prudence to the simple, / Knowledge and discretion to the young man;
5 That the wise man may hear and increase in learning, / And he who has understanding may acquire sound counsel;
6 For understanding proverb and figure, / The words of the wise and their difficult sayings.
7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; / Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Hear, my son, the instruction of your father, / And do not reject the teaching of your mother;
9 For they will be a wreath of grace for your head / And ornaments for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, / Do not consent.
11 If they say, Come with us; let us lie in wait for blood; / Let us ambush the innocent without cause;
12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, / And whole, like those who go down into the pit.
13 We will find all manner of precious goods; / We will fill our houses with booty;
14 Throw in your lot with us; / We will all have one purse —
15 My son, do not walk with them on this way; / Keep your foot from their path.
16 For their feet run toward evil, / And they hasten to shed blood.
17 For in vain is the net spread / In the eyes of any bird;
18 Yet they lie in wait for their own blood; / They ambush their own lives!
19 Such are the ways of everyone greedy for gain; / It takes away the life of its owners.
20 Wisdom cries out in the street; / She utters her voice in the open squares.
21 At the head of the tumultuous street she cries; / At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:
22 How long, O simple ones, will you love simpleness, / And will scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, / And will fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn yourselves at my reproof — / Immediately I will pour out my spirit on you; / I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I called and you refused; / I stretched out my hand and no one heeded,
25 And you neglected all my counsel / And would have none of my reproof;
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; / I will mock when what you dread comes,
27 When what you dread comes like a storm, / And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, / When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; / They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge / And did not choose the fear of Jehovah,
30 And would have none of my counsel / And despised all my reproof;
31 They shall eat of the fruit of their own way / And be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple will kill them, / And the prosperity of the foolish will cause them to perish;
33 But he who listens to me will dwell securely / And will live at ease, without the dread of evil.
2
1 My son, if you receive my words / And treasure up my commandments within you,
2 Making your ear attentive to wisdom / And inclining your heart to understanding;
3 Indeed, if you cry out for discernment / And lift up your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her like silver / And search for her like hidden treasures,
5 Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah / And find the knowledge of God.
6 For Jehovah gives wisdom; / From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; / He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice / And keeping the way of His faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice / And equity, indeed, every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart, / And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 Discretion will watch over you; / Understanding will keep you:
12 To deliver you from the way of evil, / From the man who speaks perverse things,
13 From those who forsake the paths of uprightness / To walk in the ways of darkness,
14 Who rejoice in doing evil / And delight in the perverseness of evil,
15 Whose paths are crooked, / And who are devious in their ways;
16 To deliver you from the strange woman, / From the adulteress who flatters with her words,
17 Who forsakes the companion of her youth / And forgets the covenant of her God;
18 For her house sinks down to death, / And her paths lead to the dead;
19 None who go to her ever return, / Nor do they attain to the paths of life;
20 That you may walk in the way of good men / And keep the paths of the righteous;
21 For the upright will dwell in the land, / And the perfect will remain in it;
22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land, / And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.
3
1 My son, do not forget my instruction, / But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life / And peace will they add to you.
3 Do not let lovingkindness and truth forsake you: / Bind them around your neck; / Write them upon the tablet of your heart.
4 Thus you will find favor and a reputation for fine understanding / In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, / And do not rely on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, / And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; / Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body / And refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor Jehovah with your substance / And with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, / And your vats will burst open with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of Jehovah, / Nor be weary of His discipline;
12 For whom Jehovah loves He disciplines, / Even as a father, the son in whom he delights.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, / And the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver, / And her income is better than gold.
15 She is more precious than corals, / And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; / In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, / And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her, / And happy are those who hold her fast.
19 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; / He established the heavens by understanding;
20 By His knowledge the depths were broken open / And the skies drop down the dew.
21 My son, do not let these depart from your sight: / Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
22 And they will be life for your soul / And a graceful ornament for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely, / And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; / But you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, / Nor of the destruction of the wicked when it comes;
26 For Jehovah will be your confidence, / And He will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, / When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come back; / And tomorrow I will give it — when you have it with you.
29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor, / While he lives securely beside you.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause, / If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence, / And do not choose any of his ways;
32 For the perverse man is an abomination to Jehovah, / But His intimate counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked man, / But He blesses the dwelling place of the righteous.
34 To scorners He is scornful, / But to the humble He gives grace.
35 The wise will inherit honor, / But fools increase their own disgrace.
4
1 Hear, my sons, the instruction of a father, / And be attentive, that you may gain understanding;
2 For I give you good teaching; / Do not forsake my instruction.
3 For I was a son to my father, / Tender and the only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 And he taught me and said to me, / Let your heart hold fast to my words; / Keep my commandments and live;
5 Get wisdom; get understanding; / Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; / Love her, and she will guard you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: / Get wisdom; and in all your getting, get understanding.
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; / She will honor you if you embrace her.
9 She will give a garland of grace for your head; / A crown of beauty will she bestow on you.
10 Hear, my son, and receive my words, / And the years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; / I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; / And when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go; / Guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, / And do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not pass by it; / Turn away from it and pass on by.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; / And they are robbed of their sleep unless they cause someone to stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness / And drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, / Which shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; / They do not know what they stumble over.
20 My son, be attentive to my words; / Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your sight; / Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, / And healing to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, / For from it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech, / And put perverse talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead, / And let your gaze be straight in front of you.
26 Make straight the path of your feet, / And all your ways will be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left; / Turn your foot away from evil.
5
1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom; / Incline your ear to my understanding,
2 That you may keep discretion, / And your lips may guard knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drip honey, / And her mouth is smoother than oil;
4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, / Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; / Her steps hold fast to Sheol.
6 She does not make straight the path of life: / Her ways wander, and she does not know it.
7 And now, my sons, listen to me, / And do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from her, / And do not go near the door of her house;
9 Lest you give your honor to others, / And your years to the cruel;
10 Lest strangers be filled with your wealth, / And your labors go to the house of a foreigner,
11 And you mourn at your end, / When your flesh and your body are consumed,
12 And you say, How I have hated instruction, / And my heart has despised reproof!
13 And I have not listened to the voice of my teachers / Nor inclined my ear to my instructors;
14 I was almost into every evil / In the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of your own cistern, / And running water out of your own well.
16 Should your springs be shed forth, / Like streams of water in the streets?
17 Let them be yours alone, / And not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed, / And rejoice in the wife of your youth,
19 A lovely hind and a graceful doe. / Let her breasts satisfy you at all times. / May you be ravished with her love always.
20 For why should you be ravished, my son, with a strange woman / And embrace the bosom of an adulteress?
21 For the ways of a man are before the eyes of Jehovah, / And He ponders all his paths.
22 The wicked man is taken by his own iniquities, / And he is held fast by the cords of his own sin.
23 He will die for lack of instruction, / And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
6
1 My son, if you have become a surety for your neighbor, / If you have given your hands as a pledge for a stranger,
2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; / You are caught by the words of your mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, / Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor: / Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.
4 Do not give sleep to your eyes, / Nor slumber to your eyelids.
5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand / And like a bird from the fowler’s hand.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; / Consider its ways, and be wise,
7 Which, having no chief, / Officer, or ruler,
8 Prepares its food in summer / And gathers its sustenance in the harvest.
9 How long, sluggard, will you lie there? / When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, / A little folding of the hands to rest,
11 And your poverty will come upon you like a robber, / And your want, like an armed man.
12 A worthless man, a wicked man, / Goes around with a perverse mouth,
13 Winking with his eyes, signaling with his feet, / Pointing with his fingers;
14 With perverseness in his heart, he is devising evil continually; / He injects discord.
15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; / In a moment he will be broken, and there will be no remedy.
16 There are six things that Jehovah hates; / Indeed, seven that are an abomination to His soul:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, / And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked schemes, / Feet that hurry to run to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies, / And one who injects discord among brothers.
20 My son, keep the commandment of your father, / And do not reject the teaching of your mother;
21 Bind them continually on your heart; / Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk about, it will guide you, / When you lie down, it will watch over you; / And when you awake, it will talk with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching a light, / And the reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 To keep you from the evil woman, / From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, / Nor let her catch you with her eyelids;
26 For the price of a harlot is a loaf of bread, / But the wife of another man hunts for the precious soul.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom / And his clothes not be burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals / And his feet not be scorched?
29 So it is with him who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; / No one who touches her will be unpunished.
30 The thief is not despised if he steals / To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
31 But if he is found out, he shall restore sevenfold; / He must give over all the substance of his house.
32 He who commits adultery with a woman lacks sense; / He who does it destroys his own soul.
33 He will find wounds and dishonor, / And his reproach will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man, / And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom, / Nor will he be content if you give him great gifts.
7
1 My son, keep my words, / And treasure up my commandments within you.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; / And my teaching, like the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers; / Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, You are my sister, / And call understanding your close friend,
5 That they may keep you from the strange woman, / From the adulteress who flatters with her words.
6 For at the window of my house / I looked out through my lattice,
7 And I saw among the simple ones, / I discerned among the youths, / A young man lacking sense,
8 Passing along the street near her corner; / And he takes the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening of the day, / In the deep of night and darkness.
10 And there comes a woman to meet him, / Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
11 She is rowdy and defiant; / Her feet do not stay at home —
12 Now in the street, now in the squares, / And at every corner she lies in wait.
13 And she grabs him and kisses him; / And with an impudent face she says to him,
14 I had to make offerings; / Today I have paid my vows.
15 Therefore I have come out to meet you, / To earnestly seek your presence; and I have found you.
16 I have decked my couch with coverings, / Colored spreads of the linen of Egypt;
17 I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, / Aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning; / Let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home; / He has gone on a long journey.
20 He has taken the money bag with him; / He will come home at the full moon.
21 With her great persuasiveness she beguiles him; / With her smooth talk she compels him.
22 He goes after her immediately, / As an ox goes to the slaughter, / Or as someone in fetters, to the correction of the fool,
23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver. / As a bird hastens to the snare, / So he does not know that this will cost him his life.
24 And now, my sons, listen to me, / And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; / Do not stray into her paths.
26 For many are those whom she has brought down wounded, / And numerous are all who have been slain by her.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol, / Going down to the chambers of death.
8
1 Does not wisdom call, / And understanding lift up her voice?
2 On the top of the heights, by the way, / Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, / At the entrance of the doors, she cries aloud:
4 To you, O men, I call; / And my voice is to the sons of men.
5 O simple ones, understand prudence; / And, O fools, be of an understanding heart.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things; / And the opening of my lips will yield right things.
7 For my mouth will utter truth, / And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; / There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to him who understands, / And right to those who find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; / And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than corals, / And nothing that you desire compares with her.
12 I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, / And I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; / Pride and arrogance and the evil way / And the perverse mouth, I hate.
14 Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; / I am understanding; I have might.
15 By me kings reign, / And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, / And nobles — all who judge righteously.
17 I love those who love me, / And those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me, / Enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold; / And my yield than choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, / In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit substance / And that I may fill their treasuries.
22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of His way, / Before His works of old.
23 I was set up from eternity, / From the beginning, before the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, / When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, / Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 When He had not yet made the earth and the fields, / Nor the first dust of the world.
27 When He established the heavens, I was there; / When He inscribed a circle upon the surface of the deep,
28 When He made firm the skies above, / When the fountains of the deep became strong,
29 When He set for the sea its boundary, / That the waters should not transgress His commandment, / When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
30 Then I was by Him, as a master workman; / And I was daily His delight, / Rejoicing always before Him,
31 Rejoicing in His habitable earth; / And my delight was in the sons of men.
32 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me; / For blessed are they who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise; / And do not neglect it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, / Watching daily at my doors, / Waiting at my doorposts.
35 For whoever finds me finds life, / And will obtain favor from Jehovah.
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; / All who hate me love death.
9
1 Wisdom has built her house; / She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; / She has mingled her wine; / She has also set her table;
3 She has sent forth her maidens; / She calls from the highest places of the city:
4 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here; / As for him who lacks sense, she says to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, / And drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake foolishness, and live, / And walk in the way of understanding.
7 He who corrects a scorner gets dishonor for himself, / And he who reproves a wicked man blemishes himself.
8 Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate you; / Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Impart something to a wise man, and he will become wiser still; / Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, / And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, / And the years of your life will be increased.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; / And if you are scornful, you alone will bear it.
13 The woman Foolishness is rowdy; / She is simple and knows nothing.
14 And she sits at the door of her house, / On a seat in the heights of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by, / Who go straight on their ways:
16 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here; / And as for him who lacks sense, she says to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, / And bread gotten in secret is pleasant.
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, / That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
10
1 The proverbs of Solomon.A wise son makes a father glad, / But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, / But righteousness delivers from death.
3 Jehovah will not allow the soul of the righteous man to go hungry, / But He thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
4 A slack hand causes poverty, / But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, / But he who sleeps at harvest time is a son who brings shame.
6 Blessings are upon the head of the righteous man, / But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The memory of the righteous man is blessed, / But the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments, / But the foolish in speech will be cast down.
9 He who walks in integrity walks securely, / But he who perverts his ways will be known.
10 He who winks with the eye causes grief, / And the foolish in speech will be cast down.
11 The mouth of the righteous man is a fountain of life, / But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, / But love covers all transgressions.
13 In the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found, / But a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 Wise men treasure up knowledge, / But the mouth of a fool is imminent destruction.
15 The rich man’s substance is his strong city; / The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
16 The wages of the righteous man lead to life; / The income of the wicked man, to sin.
17 He who heeds instruction is on the path of life, / But he who forsakes reproof goes astray.
18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, / And he who utters slander is a fool.
19 When there are many words transgression does not cease, / But he who restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous man is like choice silver; / The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The lips of the righteous man feed many, / But fools die for lack of sense.
22 It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes rich, / And He adds no sorrow with it.
23 Carrying out a wicked scheme is like sport to a fool, / But so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
24 The fear of the wicked man will come upon him, / And the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked man is no more; / But the righteous man is an everlasting foundation.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, / So is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of Jehovah prolongs days, / But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous is joy, / But the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright, / But it is ruin to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous man will never be moved, / But the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous man brings forth wisdom, / But the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous man know what is acceptable, / But the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
11
1 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah, / But a full weight is His delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor; / But wisdom is with the humble.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, / But the perverseness of the treacherous will destroy them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, / But righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect man will make his way straight, / But the wicked man will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, / But the treacherous will be taken in their own craving.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish; / And the hope of the strong perishes.
8 The righteous man is delivered out of trouble, / And the wicked man comes into it instead of him.
9 With his mouth the profane man destroys his neighbor, / But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city exults; / And when the wicked perish, there is a ringing shout.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, / But it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, / But a man of understanding keeps silent.
13 He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, / But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
14 Where no sound counsel is, the people fall; / But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
15 He who is surety for a stranger will surely be troubled, / But he who hates giving pledges is secure.
16 A gracious woman lays hold of honor, / And violent men lay hold of riches.
17 The merciful man rewards his own soul, / But the cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man earns deceitful wages, / But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
19 He who is steadfast in righteousness shall attain to life, / And he who pursues evil advances to his own death.
20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah, / But those who are perfect in their way are His delight.
21 Be assured: The evil man will not go unpunished; / But the seed of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like a nose-ring of gold in a pig’s snout, / So is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good, / But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters and increases yet more, / And there is one who withholds what is appropriate but ends up only in want.
25 The blessing soul will prosper, / And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 As for him who withholds grain, the people will curse him; / But blessing will be upon the head of him who sells it.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor; / But as for him who searches after evil, it will come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, / But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, / And a fool will be servant to the wise in heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous man is a tree of life, / And he who is wise wins souls.
31 If the righteous man will be recompensed on the earth, / How much more the wicked man and the sinner!
12
1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, / But he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man will obtain the favor of Jehovah, / But a man of wicked devices He will condemn.
3 A man will not be established by wickedness, / But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, / But she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just, / But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, / But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, / But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be praised according to his prudence, / But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, / Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his beast, / But the inward parts of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, / But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
12 The wicked man desires the catch of evil men, / But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 In the transgression of the lips there is a snare for the evil man, / But the righteous man will come out of trouble.
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, / And the result of man’s deeds will be rendered to him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, / But a wise man listens to counsel.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once, / But a prudent man conceals shame.
17 He who utters truth tells forth righteousness; / But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercings of a sword, / But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 The lip of truth shall be established forever, / But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, / But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No harm will happen to the righteous man, / But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah, / But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, / But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, / But the slothful will be under forced labor.
25 Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, / But a good word brings it joy.
26 The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, / But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The slothful man does not roast his game, / But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.
28 In the way of righteousness is life, / And in its pathway there is no death.
13
1 A wise son hears his father’s instruction, / But a scorner does not listen to rebuke.
2 A man will eat good from the fruit of his mouth, / But the desire of the treacherous is violence.
3 He who guards his mouth keeps his soul, / But he who opens wide his lips will have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing, / But the soul of the diligent will be made fat.
5 A righteous man hates what is false, / But a wicked man is odious and is confounded.
6 Righteousness guards him who is blameless in the way, / But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who pretends to be rich yet has nothing; / There is one who pretends to be poor yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, / But the poor hears no threatening.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, / But the lamp of the wicked goes out.
10 Through pride comes nothing but strife, / But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
11 Wealth obtained by vanity will be diminished, / But he who gathers by labor increases it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, / But when what is desired comes, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, / But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, / To turn one aside from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding gives favor, / But the way of the treacherous is hard.
16 Every prudent man works with knowledge, / But a fool displays his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, / But a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses correction, / But he who regards reproof will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, / But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, / But the companion of fools will be troubled.
21 Evil pursues sinners, / But good recompenses the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, / But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous man.
23 The fallow ground of the poor yields much food, / But it is destroyed through injustice.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son, / But he who loves him chastens him early.
25 The righteous man eats to the satisfying of his soul, / But the belly of the wicked will lack.
14
1 The wise woman builds her house, / But the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Jehovah, / But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his pride, / But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, / But much increase comes by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie, / But a false witness utters lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, / But knowledge comes easily to one who has understanding.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, / For you will not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent man is to understand his way, / But the folly of fools is deceit.
9 A trespass offering mocks fools, / But among the upright there is good will.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, / And a stranger does not share in its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, / But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way which seems right to a man, / But the end of it is the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, / And the end of joy is grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, / And a good man will be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple man believes every word, / But the prudent man considers his steps.
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, / But the fool is arrogant and is confident.
17 He who is quick to anger will deal foolishly, / And a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, / But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good, / And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous man.
20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, / But the rich man has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins, / But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
22 Do not they who devise evil go astray? / But lovingkindness and truth are with those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit, / But mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, / But the folly of fools is only folly.
25 A truthful witness delivers souls, / But he who utters lies causes deceit.
26 In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, / And his children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, / That one may turn aside from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is the king’s glory, / But in an absence of people is the ruin of the prince.
29 He who is slow to anger is of great understanding, / But he who has a hasty spirit exalts folly.
30 A tranquil heart is life to the flesh, / But envy is rottenness to the bones.
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, / But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
32 The wicked man is thrust down in his evildoing, / But the righteous man has a refuge when he dies.
33 Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of one who has understanding, / But in the inward part of fools it makes itself known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, / But sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a servant who acts prudently, / But his overflowing wrath will be toward him who causes shame.
15
1 A soft answer turns away anger, / But a grievous word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise utters knowledge well, / But the mouth of fools pours out folly.
3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, / Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, / But perverseness in it is a breaking of the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction, / But he who regards reproof gets prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous man there is much treasure, / But in the income of the wicked there is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, / But the heart of fools does not do so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, / But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked man is an abomination to Jehovah, / But He loves one who pursues righteousness.
10 There is grievous correction for one who forsakes the way, / And he who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Jehovah. / How much more the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scorner does not love him who reproves him; / He will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, / But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, / But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, / But he who is of a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah / Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is / Than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, / But he who is slow to anger quiets strife.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, / But the path of the upright is paved.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, / But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, / But a man of understanding makes straight his going.
22 Where there is no counsel, plans are frustrated; / But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
23 A man has joy in the apt answer of his mouth; / And a word in its season, how good it is!
24 To the wise man the way of life leads upward, / That he may depart from Sheol below.
25 Jehovah will tear down the house of the proud, / But He will establish the territory of the widow.
26 Evil plans are an abomination to Jehovah, / But pleasant words are pure.
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, / But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous man ponders how to answer, / But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 Jehovah is far from the wicked, / But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, / And good news makes the bones fat.
31 The ear that listens to the reproof of life / Will lodge among the wise.
32 He who ignores instruction despises his own soul, / But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom, / And humility goes before honor.
16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, / But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, / But Jehovah weighs the spirits.
3 Commit your works to Jehovah, / And your purposes will be established.
4 Jehovah has made everything for its own purpose, / Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah; / Be assured: He will not be unpunished.
6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is expiated, / And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please Jehovah, / He causes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, / Than great income with injustice.
9 A man’s heart devises his way, / But Jehovah directs his steps.
10 A divine decision is on the lips of the king; / His mouth will not transgress in judgment.
11 A just balance and just scales are Jehovah’s; / All the weights of the bag are His work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, / For the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, / And they love one who speaks right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, / But a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s countenance is life, / And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold, / And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; / He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, / And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, / Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who gives heed to the word will find good, / And blessed is he who trusts in Jehovah.
21 The wise in heart will be called discerning, / And the sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Insight is a fountain of life to him who has it, / But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth / And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, / Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, / But the end of it is the ways of death.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; / For his mouth urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, / And on his lips there is a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man spreads strife, / And a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor / And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who shuts his eyes does so to devise perverse things; / He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 The gray head is a crown of glory; / It will be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; / And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, / But everything it decides is from Jehovah.
17
1 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it / Than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, / And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, / But Jehovah tries the hearts.
4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips, / And a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; / He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, / And the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool; / Much less are lying lips for a noble man.
8 A bribe is like a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor: / Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, / But he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke strikes deeper into him who has understanding / Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; / Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man / Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, / Evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of contention is like letting out water; / Therefore abandon strife before it breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked man, and he who condemns the righteous man, / Both of them are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, / When he has no sense?
17 A friend loves at all times, / And a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking sense gives his hand as a pledge / And becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife; / He who raises high his entrance seeks destruction.
20 He who has a crooked heart finds no good, / And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21 He who begets a fool does so to his sorrow, / And the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, / But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom, / To pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, / But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, / And bitterness to her who bore him.
26 To also punish the righteous man is not good, / Nor to strike nobles for their uprightness.
27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, / And he who is cool in spirit is one who has understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise; / When he shuts his lips, he is counted prudent.
18
1 He who separates himself seeks his own desire / And rages against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, / But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked man comes, contempt also comes; / And with dishonor comes reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, / A gushing stream, a fountain of wisdom.
5 To respect the person of the wicked man is not good, / Nor to turn aside the righteous man in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips bring strife, / And his mouth invites blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, / And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, / And they go down into the innermost parts of one’s being.
9 He also who is slack in his work / Is brother to him who is a destroyer.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; / The righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 The rich man’s substance is his strong city / And like a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, / But humility goes before honor.
13 As for him who gives an answer before he hears, / It is folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man can sustain his sickness, / But a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of one who has understanding acquires knowledge, / And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him / And brings him before great men.
17 The first to plead his case seems just, / Until his neighbor comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease / And decides between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be gained than a strong city, / And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 With the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach will be satisfied; / With the produce of his lips he will be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, / And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, / And obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 The poor man utters supplications, / But the rich man answers roughly.
24 A man of many friends comes to destruction, / But there is a true friend that sticks closer than a brother.
19
1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity / Than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, / And he who makes haste with his feet sins.
3 The foolishness of a man subverts his way, / And his heart is indignant toward Jehovah.
4 Wealth adds many friends, / But the poor man is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished, / And he who utters lies will not escape.
6 Many will entreat the favor of the generous man, / And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
7 All the brothers of the poor man hate him; / How much more do his friends go far from him! / He pursues them with words, but they are not there.
8 He who acquires sense loves his own soul; / He who keeps understanding will find good.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished, / And he who utters lies will perish.
10 Delicate living is not fitting for a fool; / Much less for a servant to rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, / And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, / But his favor is like dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father, / And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, / But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, / And the idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul; / He who is careless of his ways will die.
17 He who has pity upon a poor man lends to Jehovah, / And He will repay him for his good deed.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; / But do not set your heart on destroying him.
19 A man of great wrath will bear the penalty; / For if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel, and receive instruction, / That you may be wise at the end of your days.
21 There are many devices in a man’s heart, / But it is the counsel of Jehovah that will stand.
22 What is desirable in a man is his kindness, / And a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of Jehovah leads to life, / And he who has it will lodge in contentment; / He will not be visited with evil.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, / And will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Strike a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence; / And reprove one who has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother / Is a son that causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease listening, my son, to instruction, / And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks justice, / And the mouth of the wicked swallows up iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, / And blows for the back of fools.
20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; / And whoever errs by it does not become wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; / He who provokes him to anger sins against his own life.
3 It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife, / But every fool rushes headlong into it.
4 The sluggard will not plow because of winter; / Therefore he will beg in harvest and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, / But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many a man will proclaim his own kindness, / But who can find a faithful man?
7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity, / Blessed are his children after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment / Scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean; / I am pure from my sin?
10 Differing weights and differing measures, / Both of them are an abomination to Jehovah.
11 Even a child makes himself known by his deeds, / Whether his work is pure and whether it is upright.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye — / Jehovah has made both of them.
13 Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty; / Open your eyes, and be satisfied with bread.
14 It is bad, it is bad, says the buyer; / But when he has gone away, then he boasts in his purchase.
15 There is gold and an abundance of corals, / But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger, / And hold the pledge when he becomes surety for foreigners.
17 The bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, / But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Every plan is established by counsel, / And by sound counsel make war.
19 He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; / Therefore do not associate with one who opens his lips wide.
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, / His lamp will go out in deep darkness.
21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning / Will not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, I will recompense evil; / Wait for Jehovah, and He will save you.
23 Differing weights are an abomination to Jehovah, / And false scales are not good.
24 A man’s steps are ordered by Jehovah; / How then can man understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to a man to rashly say, It is holy, / And after making the vows to begin to consider.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked / And drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, / Searching all the innermost parts of the inner being.
28 Lovingkindness and truth preserve the king, / And his throne is upheld by kindness.
29 The glory of young men is their strength, / And the honor of old men is gray hair.
30 Stripes that wound purge away evil, / And strokes reach the innermost parts of the inner being.
21
1 The king’s heart is like streams of water in the hand of Jehovah; / He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, / But Jehovah weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice / Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 A high look and a proud heart — / The lamp of the wicked — is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead only to plentifulness, / But everyone who is hasty comes only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue / Is a fleeting vapor, a snare of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away / Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked; / But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop / Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked man desires evil; / His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple man becomes wise; / And when the wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous One considers the house of the wicked man, / Overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor man / Also will cry and will not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; / And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous man to do justice, / But it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wanders from the way of understanding / Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; / He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked man is a ransom for the righteous man, / And the treacherous man is in the place of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land / Than with a contentious and vexing woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise man, / But a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness / Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty / And brings down the strength in which they trust.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue / Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Proud, Haughty, Scorner are the names / Of him who works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, / For his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long one covets greedily, / But the righteous man gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; / How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28 A false witness will perish, / But the man who hears will speak so as to endure.
29 A wicked man hardens his face; / But as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding / Nor counsel that can avail against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, / But victory belongs to Jehovah.
22
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, / And favor is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: / Jehovah is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, / But the simple pass on and suffer punishment for it.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah / Are riches and honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; / He who guards his soul will keep far from them.
6 Train up a child according to the way he should go; / Even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 The rich man rules over the poor, / And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows injustice will reap iniquity, / And the rod of his wrath will fail.
9 He who is generous will be blessed, / For he gives some of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; / Indeed, strife and dishonor will cease.
11 He who loves pureness of heart / And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.
12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge, / But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man.
13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! / I will be slain in the streets!
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; / He with whom Jehovah is indignant will fall in there.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; / But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16 He who oppresses the poor to multiply his gain, / And he who gives to the rich will only come to want.
17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, / And apply your heart to my knowledge;
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; / Let them be ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in Jehovah, / I have made them known to you today, even to you.
20 Have not I written to you excellent things / Of counsels and knowledge,
21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, / That you may answer back words of truth to those who send you?
22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor; / Nor oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23 For Jehovah will plead their cause, / And rob the life of those who rob them.
24 Make no friendship with a man who is given to anger, / And with a wrathful man do not go;
25 Lest you learn his ways / And get a snare for your soul.
26 Do not be one of those who give their hand as a pledge / Or one of those who are a surety for debts.
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, / Why should your bed be taken away from under you?
28 Do not remove the ancient boundary marker, / Which your fathers have set up.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? / He will stand before kings; / He will not stand before obscure men.
23
1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, / Consider carefully who is before you;
2 And put a knife to your throat / If you are a man of great appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies, / For they are deceitful food.
4 Do not weary yourself to become rich; / Cease from your consideration of it.
5 When you set your eyes upon it, it is gone; / For wealth certainly makes itself wings, / Like an eagle that flies toward heaven.
6 Do not eat the bread of one who is envious, / And do not desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is. / He says to you, Eat and drink; / But his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten, / And waste your pleasant words.
9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, / For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Do not remove the ancient boundary marker, / Or go into the fields of the fatherless;
11 For their Redeemer is strong; / He will plead their cause against you.
12 Apply your heart to instruction, / And your ears to words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold correction from a child; / If you beat him with the rod, he will not die.
14 If you beat him with the rod, / You will deliver his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if your heart is wise, / My own heart will also rejoice;
16 My inward parts will also exult, / When your lips speak right things.
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, / But live in the fear of Jehovah all day long;
18 For surely there is a latter end, / And your hope will not be cut off.
19 Listen, my son, and be wise, / And direct your heart in the way.
20 Do not be among those who get drunk with wine, / Among gluttonous eaters of flesh;
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, / And drowsiness will clothe them with rags.
22 Listen to your father who begot you, / And do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; / Buy wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous man will greatly exult, / And he who begets a wise child will rejoice in him.
25 Let your father and your mother rejoice, / And let her who bore you exult.
26 My son, give me your heart, / And let your eyes observe my ways.
27 For a harlot is a deep pit, / And an adulteress is a narrow well.
28 Indeed, she lies in wait as a robber, / And increases the number of the treacherous among men.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? / Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who linger late over wine, / Those who go to seek out mixed wines.
31 Do not look upon the wine when it is red, / When it sparkles in the cup, / When it goes down smoothly;
32 In the end it bites like a serpent, / And stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, / And your heart will utter perverse things;
34 And you will be like one who lies down while at sea, / Or like one who lies down at the top of a mast.
35 They struck me, you will say, but I was not hurt; / They beat me, but I did not feel it; / When will I awake? I will seek another drink.
24
1 Do not be envious of evil men, / Nor desire to be with them;
2 For their heart meditates violence, / And their lips talk of mischief.
3 Through wisdom a house is built, / And by understanding it is established,
4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled / With all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is strong, / And a man of knowledge increases power.
6 For by sound counsel you can wage your war, / And in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; / He does not open his mouth in the gate.
8 He who devises to do evil, / Men will call him a mischief-maker.
9 The devising of folly is sin, / And the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 If you faint in the day of adversity, / Your strength is limited.
11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death, / And those who are staggering to be slain, oh, hold back!
12 If you say, Look, we did not know this — / Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? / And He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? / And will He not render to every man according to his work?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, / And the drippings from the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
14 Know that wisdom is such for your soul; / If you find it, then there will be a latter end, / And your hope will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous man; / Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, / But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, / And do not let your heart exult when he is overthrown;
18 Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease Him, / And He turn away His anger from him.
19 Do not be incensed because of evildoers; / Do not be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no future for the evil man; / The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear Jehovah and the king, / And do not associate with those who are given to change;
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, / And who knows the misfortune of both of them?
23 These also are sayings of the wise: / It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He who says to the wicked man, You are righteous, / Peoples will curse him; nations will abhor him.
25 But those who rebuke the wicked man will have delight, / And a good blessing will come upon them.
26 He who gives an honest answer / Kisses the lips.
27 Prepare your work outside, / And make it ready for yourself in the field, / And afterward build your house.
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, / And do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, I will do to him as he has done to me; / I will render to the man according to his work.
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard, / And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense;
31 And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; / Its surface was covered with nettles, / And its stone wall was broken down.
32 When I looked, I considered it; / I saw it and received instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, / A little folding of the hands to rest,
34 And your poverty will come upon you like a robber, / And your want, like an armed man.
25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, / But the glory of kings is to search a matter out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, / So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, / And a vessel comes out for the smith;
5 Take away the wicked man from before the king, / And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not claim honor for yourself in the presence of the king, / And do not stand in the place of great men;
7 For it is better that it is said to you, Come up here, / Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the noble, / Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go out hastily to strive; / Otherwise what will you do in the end, / When your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, / And do not reveal the secret of another;
10 Lest he who hears it revile you, / And the evil report of you does not go away.
11 A word fitly spoken / Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold / Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest / Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, / For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain / Is one who boasts of his gifts falsely.
15 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, / And a soft tongue can break the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, / Lest you become filled up with it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, / Otherwise he will become weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor / Is like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in a treacherous man in time of trouble / Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20 He who sings songs to a troubled heart / Is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, / Or like vinegar on soda.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; / And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap coals of fire upon his head, / And Jehovah will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain; / And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop / Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, / So is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring / Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked man.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, / Nor is it glory for men to search out their own glory.
28 Like a city that is broken down, without walls, / Is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
26
1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, / So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like the sparrow in its fluttering, like the swallow in its flying, / So a curse without cause does not alight.
3 A whip for the horse! A bridle for the donkey! / And a rod for the back of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, / Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, / Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool / Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame which hang down, / So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling, / So is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, / So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone, / So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit / Is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? / There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, There is a roaring lion on the way; / A lion is in the streets!
14 As the door turns upon its hinges, / So does the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; / He gets weary by bringing it to his mouth again.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes / Than seven men who can answer discreetly.
17 He who passes by and meddles with strife that does not belong to him, / Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, / And says, Was I not joking?
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, / And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, / So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, / And they go down into the innermost parts of one’s being.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart / Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He who hates disguises it with his lips, / But he lays up deceit within him;
25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him; / For there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, / His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, / And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, / And a flattering mouth works ruin.
27
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, / For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; / A foreigner, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, / But a fool’s vexation is heavier than both of them.
4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, / But who can stand before jealousy?
5 Open rebuke is better / Than love that is hidden.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, / But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7 The full soul loathes a honeycomb, / But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from her nest, / So is a man who wanders from his place.
9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; / So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.
10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend / To go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity: / Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, / That I may answer him who reproaches me.
12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself; / But the simple pass on and suffer punishment for it.
13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger, / And hold one in pledge who is surety for a foreign woman.
14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, / Arousing him early in the morning, / It will be reckoned as a curse to him.
15 A continual dripping on a very rainy day / And a contentious woman are alike;
16 He who would restrain her restrains the wind, / And grasps oil with his right hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron; / So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, / And he who takes care of his master will be honored.
19 As in water face reflects face, / So the heart of man reflects man.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, / And the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, / And a man is tried by the praise given him.
22 Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, / His folly will not depart from him.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks, / And pay attention to your herds —
24 For riches are not forever, / Nor does a crown endure from generation to generation —
25 Then when the grass has disappeared, and the tender grass is seen, / And the herbs of the mountains have been gathered in,
26 The lambs will be for your clothing, / And the goats will bring the price of a field;
27 And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, / For the food of your household, / And for the sustenance for your maidens.
28
1 The wicked flee when no man pursues, / But the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land revolts, it has many rulers; / But by him who has understanding and knowledge it endures.
3 A destitute man who oppresses the poor / Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, / But those who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, / But those who seek Jehovah understand all things.
6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity / Than he who is perverse in his ways though he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is an understanding son, / But he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He who increases his substance by interest and usury / Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, / Even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way / Will himself fall into his own pit, / But the perfect will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit, / But the poor man who has understanding searches him out.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; / But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, / But whoever confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears, / But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion and a roving bear / Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The ruler who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, / But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 A man who is burdened with a person’s blood / Will be a fugitive until death; / Let no man support him.
18 Whoever walks uprightly will be delivered, / But he who is perverse in his ways will fall all at once.
19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, / But he who pursues worthless things will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, / But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To have respect of persons is not good, / Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22 A man who is envious hastens after wealth, / And does not know that want will come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor / Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, / It is no transgression, / Is the companion of a man who destroys.
25 A greedy person stirs up contention, / But he who trusts in Jehovah will prosper.
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, / But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
27 He who gives to the poor man will not lack, / But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; / But when they perish, the righteous increase.
29
1 He who hardens his neck after being often reproved / Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; / But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father glad, / But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his substance.
4 The king by justice establishes the land, / But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor / Spreads a net for his steps.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, / But the righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous man knows the rights of the poor; / The wicked man has no understanding of such knowledge.
8 Scorners set a city aflame, / But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, / The fool is either angry or laughs, and there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate one who is perfect, / And they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool utters all his anger, / But a wise man holds it back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to a false word, / All his servants are wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: / Jehovah gives light to the eyes of them both.
14 If a king judges the poor in truth, / His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, / But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases; / But the righteous will see their fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; / He will also give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; / But happy is he who keeps the law.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words alone; / For though he understands, there will be no response.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? / There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who delicately brings up his servant from a child / Will have him as a son in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up contention, / And a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low, / But he who is of a lowly spirit will obtain honor.
24 Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul; / He hears the adjuration and utters nothing.
25 The fear of man brings a snare, / But whoever puts his trust in Jehovah will be exalted.
26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, / But justice for man comes from Jehovah.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, / And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked man.
30
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh. The oracle. / The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, / And do not have a man’s understanding;
3 And I have not learned wisdom, / Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? / Who has gathered the wind in His fists? / Who has wrapped up the waters in His garment? / Who has established all the ends of the earth? / What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you know?
5 Every word of God is tried; / He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
6 Do not add to His words, / Lest He reprove you and you be found a liar.
7 Two things I have asked of You; / Do not refuse me before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. / Give me neither poverty nor riches; / Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9 Lest I become full and deny You and say, Who is Jehovah? / Or lest I become poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
10 Do not slander a servant to his master, / Lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
11 There is a generation that curse their father, / And do not bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, / And yet are not washed from their filthiness.
13 There is a generation — oh how lofty are their eyes, / And their eyelids are raised arrogantly.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, / And their jaw teeth like knives, / To devour the afflicted from off the earth, / And the needy from among men.
15 The leech has two daughters, crying, Give, give. / There are three things that are never satisfied, / Indeed, four that do not say, Enough:
16 Sheol and the barren womb, / The earth that is not satisfied with water, / And the fire that does not say, Enough.
17 The eye that mocks his father / And despises to obey his mother, / The ravens of the valley will pick it out, / And the young eagles will eat it.
18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, / Indeed four which I do not know:
19 The way of an eagle in the sky, / The way of a serpent upon a rock, / The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, / And the way of a man with a maiden.
20 This is the way of an adulterous woman: / She eats and wipes her mouth / And says, I have done no wickedness.
21 Under three things the earth quakes, / And under four, it cannot bear up:
22 Under a servant when he is king, / And a fool when he is filled with food;
23 Under a hated woman when she gets married, / And a servant girl who is heir to her mistress.
24 Four things are small on the earth, / But they are exceedingly wise:
25 The ants are a clan without strength, / Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26 The rock badgers are a clan without might, / Yet they make their houses in the rocks;
27 The swarming locusts have no king, / Yet all of them go out in ranks;
28 The lizard can be grasped with the hands, / Yet she is in kings’ palaces.
29 There are three things which are stately in their step, / Indeed four which are stately in walking:
30 The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, / And does not turn back before any;
31 The strutting cock girded in the loins, or a male goat, / And a king who has a band of soldiers with him.
32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, / Or if you have thought an evil scheme, / Put your hand upon your mouth.
33 For the churning of milk produces butter, / And the wringing of the nose brings forth blood, / So the pressing of wrath brings forth strife.
31
1 The words of King Lemuel. The oracle which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? / And what, O son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, / Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; / Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
5 Lest they drink and forget what is decreed, / And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink rather to one who is perishing, / And wine to the bitter in soul;
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, / And remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb, / And for the rights of all those who are passing away.
9 Open your mouth; judge righteously, / And minister justice to the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a worthy woman? / For her price is far above corals.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, / And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil / All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, / And delights to work with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships; / She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night / And gives food to her household, / And their task to her serving girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; / With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with strength / And makes strong her arms.
18 She samples her merchandise to be sure it is good; / Her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, / And her hands hold on to the spindle.
20 She stretches out her hand to the afflicted, / And she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear for her household when it snows, / For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself; / Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, / When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them / And delivers girdles to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, / And she happily looks forward to the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, / And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She watches closely over the ways of her household / And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; / Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 Many daughters have done worthily, / But you surpass them all.
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; / But a woman who fears Jehovah, she will be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, / And let her works praise her in the gates.