Dangerous Promises

6 My son, aif you become 1surety for your friend,

If you have 2shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,

2 You are snared by the words of your mouth;

You are taken by the words of your mouth.

3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself;

For you have come into the hand of your friend:

Go and humble yourself;

Plead with your friend.

4 bGive no sleep to your eyes,

Nor slumber to your eyelids.

5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,

And like a bird from the hand of the 3fowler.

The Folly of Indolence

6 cGo to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no 4captain,

Overseer or ruler,

8 Provides her 5supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

9 dHow long will you 6slumber, O sluggard?

When will you rise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep—

11 eSo shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

And your need like an armed man.

The Wicked Man

12 A worthless person, a wicked man,

Walks with a perverse mouth;

13 fHe winks with his eyes,

He 7shuffles his feet,

He points with his fingers;

14 Perversity is in his heart,

gHe devises evil continually,

hHe sows discord.

15 Therefore his calamity shall come isuddenly;

Suddenly he shall jbe broken kwithout remedy.

16 These six things the Lord hates,

Yes, seven are an abomination to 8Him:

17 lA 9proud look,

mA lying tongue,

nHands that shed innocent blood,

18 oA heart that devises wicked plans,

pFeet that are swift in running to evil,

19 qA false witness who speaks lies,

And one who rsows discord among brethren.

Beware of Adultery

20 sMy son, keep your father’s command,

And do not forsake the law of your mother.

21 tBind them continually upon your heart;

Tie them around your neck.

22 uWhen you roam, 1they will lead you;

When you sleep, vthey will keep you;

And when you awake, they will speak with you.

23 wFor the commandment is a lamp,

And the law a light;

Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

24 xTo keep you from the evil woman,

From the flattering tongue of a seductress.

25 yDo not lust after her beauty in your heart,

Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.

26 For zby means of a harlot

A man is reduced to a crust of bread;

aAnd 2an adulteress will bprey upon his precious life.

27 Can a man take fire to his bosom,

And his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one walk on hot coals,

And his feet not be seared?

29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;

Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.

30 People do not despise a thief

If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.

31 Yet when he is found, che must restore sevenfold;

He may have to give up all the substance of his house.

32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman dlacks understanding;

He who does so destroys his own soul.

33 Wounds and dishonor he will get,

And his reproach will not be wiped away.

34 For ejealousy is a husband’s fury;

Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

35 He will 3accept no recompense,

Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.

7 My son, keep my words, And atreasure my commands within you.

2 bKeep my commands and live,

cAnd my law as the apple of your eye.

3 dBind them on your fingers;

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

And call understanding your nearest kin,

5 eThat they may keep you from the immoral woman,

From the seductress who flatters with her words.

The Crafty Harlot

6 For at the window of my house

I looked through my lattice,

7 And saw among the simple,

I perceived among the 1youths,

A young man fdevoid 2of understanding,

8 Passing along the street near her corner;

And he took the path to her house

9 gIn the twilight, in the evening,

In the black and dark night.

10 And there a woman met him,

With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

11 hShe was loud and rebellious,

iHer feet would not stay at home.

12 At times she was outside, at times in the open square,

Lurking at every corner.

13 So she caught him and kissed him;

With an 3impudent face she said to him:

14 “I have peace offerings with me;

Today I have paid my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you,

Diligently to seek your face,

And I have found you.

16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,

Colored coverings of jEgyptian linen.

17 I have perfumed my bed

With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;

Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For 4my husband is not at home;

He has gone on a long journey;

20 He has taken a bag of money 5with him,

And will come home 6on the appointed day.”

21 7With kher enticing speech she caused him to yield,

lWith her flattering lips she 8seduced him.

22 Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,

Or 9as a fool to the correction of the 1stocks,

23 Till an arrow struck his liver.

mAs a bird hastens to the snare,

He did not know it 2would cost his life.

24 Now therefore, listen to me, my children;

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 she has cast down many wounded,

And nall who were slain by her were strong men.

27 oHer house is the way to 3hell,

Descending to the chambers of death.

The Excellence of Wisdom

8 Does not awisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice?

2 She takes her stand on the top of the 1high hill,

Beside the way, where the paths meet.

3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,

At the entrance of the doors:

4 “To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O you 2simple ones, understand prudence,

And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Listen, for I will speak of bexcellent things,

And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7 For my mouth will speak truth;

Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;

Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9 They are all plain 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 cFor wisdom is better than rubies,

And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,

And find out knowledge and discretion.

13 dThe fear of the Lord is to hate evil;

ePride and arrogance and the evil way

And fthe perverse mouth I hate.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;

I am understanding, gI have strength.

15 hBy me kings reign,

And rulers decree justice.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles,

All the judges of 3the earth.

17 iI love those who love me,

And jthose who seek me diligently will find me.

18 kRiches and honor are with me,

Enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,

And my revenue than choice silver.

20 I 4traverse the way of righteousness,

In the midst of the paths of justice,

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,

That I may fill their treasuries.

22 “The lLord possessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His works of old.

23 mI have been established from everlasting,

From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,

When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 nBefore the mountains were settled,

Before the hills, I was brought forth;

26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the 5fields,

Or the 6primal dust of the world.

27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,

When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28 When He established the clouds above,

When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29 oWhen He assigned to the sea its limit,

So that the waters would not transgress His command,

When pHe marked out the foundations of the earth,

30 qThen I was beside Him as 7a master craftsman;

rAnd I was daily His delight,

Rejoicing always before Him,

31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,

And smy delight was with the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children,

For tblessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction and be wise,

And do not disdain it.

34 uBlessed is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life,

And vobtains favor from the Lord;

36 But he who sins against me wwrongs his own soul;

All those who hate me love death.”

The Way of Wisdom

9 Wisdom has abuilt her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2 bShe has slaughtered her meat,

cShe has mixed her wine,

She has also 1furnished her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens,

She cries out from the highest places of the city,

4 “Whoever dis simple, let him turn in here!”

As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

5 “Come, eeat of my bread

And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6 Forsake foolishness and live,

And go in the way of understanding.

7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,

And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

8 fDo not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;

gRebuke a wise man, and he will love you.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;

Teach a just man, hand he will increase in learning.

10 “The ifear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 jFor by me your days will be multiplied,

And years of life will be added to you.

12 kIf you are wise, you are wise for yourself,

And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

The Way of Folly

13 lA foolish woman is 2clamorous;

She is simple, and knows nothing.

14 For she sits at the door of her house,

On a seat mby the highest places of the city,

15 To call to those who pass by,

Who go straight on their way:

16 “Whoever nis 3simple, let him turn in here”;

And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

17 “Stolen owater is sweet,

And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18 But he does not know that pthe dead are there,

That her guests are in the depths of 4hell.

Wise Sayings of Solomon

10 The proverbs of aSolomon:

bA wise son makes a glad father,

But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

2 cTreasures of wickedness profit nothing,

dBut righteousness delivers from death.

3 eThe Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,

But He casts away the desire of the wicked.

4 fHe who has a slack hand becomes poor,

But gthe hand of the diligent makes rich.

5 He who gathers in hsummer is a wise son;

He who sleeps in harvest is ia son who causes shame.

6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,

But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

7 jThe memory of the righteous is blessed,

But the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart will receive commands,

kBut 1a prating fool will 2fall.

9 lHe who walks with integrity walks securely,

But he who perverts his ways will become known.

10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble,

But a prating fool will fall.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,

But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up strife,

But mlove covers all sins.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,

But na rod is for the back of him who 3is devoid of understanding.

14 Wise people store up knowledge,

But othe mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

15 The prich man’s wealth is his strong city;

The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labor of the righteous leads to qlife,

The wages of the wicked to sin.

17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,

But he who refuses correction 4goes astray.

18 Whoever rhides hatred has lying lips,

And swhoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 tIn the multitude of words sin is not lacking,

But uhe who restrains his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;

The heart of the wicked is worth little.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many,

But fools die for lack of 5wisdom.

22 vThe blessing of the Lord makes one rich,

And He adds no sorrow with it.

23 wTo do evil is like sport to a fool,

But a man of understanding has wisdom.

24 xThe fear of the wicked will come upon him,

And ythe desire of the righteous will be granted.

25 When the whirlwind passes by, zthe wicked is no more,

But athe righteous has an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

So is the lazy man to those who send him.

27 bThe fear of the Lord prolongs days,

But cthe years of the wicked will be shortened.

28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness,

But the dexpectation of the wicked will perish.

29 The way of the Lord is strength for the upright,

But edestruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

30 fThe righteous will never be removed,

But the wicked will not inhabit the 6earth.

31 gThe mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

But the perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,

But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

11 Dishonest a 1scales are an abomination to the Lord,

But a 2just weight is His delight.

2 When pride comes, then comes bshame;

But with the humble is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright will guide cthem,

But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

4 dRiches do not profit in the day of wrath,

But erighteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless will 3direct his way aright,

But the wicked will fall by his own fwickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will gperish,

And the hope of the unjust perishes.

8 hThe righteous is delivered from trouble,

And it comes to the wicked instead.

9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,

But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

10 iWhen it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;

And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is jexalted,

But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who 4is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,

But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 kA talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is of a faithful spirit lconceals a matter.

14 mWhere there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

15 He who is nsurety 5for a stranger will suffer,

But one who hates 6being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,

But ruthless men retain riches.

17 oThe merciful man does good for his own soul,

But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

18 The wicked man does deceptive work,

But phe who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.

19 As righteousness leads to qlife,

So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own rdeath.

20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,

But the blameless in their ways are His delight.

21 sThough they join 7forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;

But tthe posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,

So is a lovely woman who lacks 8discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,

But the expectation of the wicked uis wrath.

24 There is one who vscatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right,

But it leads to poverty.

25 wThe generous soul will be made rich,

xAnd he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 The people will curse yhim who withholds grain,

But zblessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good 9finds favor,

aBut trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 bHe who trusts in his riches will fall,

But cthe righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house dwill inherit the wind,

And the fool will be eservant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

And fhe who 1wins souls is wise.

31 gIf the righteous will be 2recompensed on the earth,

How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,

But he who hates correction is stupid.

2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

3 A man is not established by wickedness,

But the aroot of the righteous cannot be moved.

4 bAn 1excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

But she who causes shame is clike rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,

But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6 dThe words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”

eBut the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

7 fThe wicked are overthrown and are no more,

But the house of the righteous will stand.

8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,

gBut he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

9 hBetter is the one who is 2slighted but has a servant,

Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

10 iA righteous man regards the life of his animal,

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 jHe who 3tills his land will be satisfied with kbread,

But he who follows 4frivolity lis devoid of 5understanding.

12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,

But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

13 mThe wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

nBut the righteous will come through trouble.

14 oA man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,

pAnd the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

15 qThe way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

16 rA fool’s wrath is known at once,

But a prudent man covers shame.

17 sHe who speaks truth declares righteousness,

But a false witness, deceit.

18 tThere is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,

uBut a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

But counselors of peace have joy.

21 vNo grave 6trouble will overtake the righteous,

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 wLying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23 xA prudent man conceals knowledge,

But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24 yThe hand of the diligent will rule,

But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

25 zAnxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

But aa good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,

For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,

But diligence is man’s precious possession.

28 In the way of righteousness is life,

And in its pathway there is no death.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,

aBut a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

2 bA man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,

But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.

3 cHe who guards his mouth preserves his life,

But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 dThe soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;

But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

5 A righteous man hates lying,

But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.

6 eRighteousness guards him whose way is blameless,

But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 fThere is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;

And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,

But the poor does not hear rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoices,

gBut the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

10 By pride comes nothing but hstrife,

But with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 iWealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,

But he who gathers by labor will increase.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

But jwhen the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

13 He who kdespises the word will be destroyed,

But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

14 lThe law of the wise is a fountain of life,

To turn one away from mthe snares of death.

15 Good understanding 1gains nfavor,

But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16 oEvery prudent man acts with knowledge,

But a fool lays open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

But pa faithful ambassador brings health.

18 Poverty and shame will come to him who 2disdains correction,

But qhe who regards a rebuke 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 destroyed.

21 rEvil pursues sinners,

But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

But sthe wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

23 tMuch food is in the 3fallow ground of the poor,

And for lack of justice there is 4waste.

24 uHe who spares his rod hates his son,

But he who loves him disciplines him 5promptly.

25 vThe righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,

But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.

14 The wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,

aBut he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,

bBut the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the 1trough is clean;

But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

5 A cfaithful witness does not lie,

But a false witness will utter dlies.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,

But eknowledge is easy to him who understands.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,

When you do not perceive in him the lips of fknowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,

But the folly of fools is deceit.

9 gFools mock at 2sin,

But among the upright there is favor.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness,

And a stranger does not share its joy.

11 hThe house of the wicked will be overthrown,

But the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 iThere is a way that seems right to a man,

But jits end is the way of kdeath.

13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,

And lthe end of mirth may be grief.

14 The backslider in heart will be mfilled with his own ways,

But a good man will be satisfied 3from nabove.

15 The simple believes every word,

But the prudent considers well his steps.

16 oA wise man fears and departs from evil,

But a fool rages and is self-confident.

17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,

And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly,

But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil will bow before the good,

And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 pThe poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,

But 4the rich has many qfriends.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins;

rBut he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?

But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

23 In all labor there is profit,

But 5idle chatter leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches,

But the foolishness of fools is folly.

25 A true witness 6delivers ssouls,

But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,

And His children will have a place of refuge.

27 tThe fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,

To turn one away from the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,

But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

29 uHe who is slow to wrath has great understanding,

But he who is 7impulsive exalts folly.

30 A sound heart is life to the body,

But venvy is wrottenness to the bones.

31 xHe who oppresses the poor reproaches yhis Maker,

But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,

But zthe righteous has a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,

But awhat is in the heart of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalts a bnation,

But sin is a 8reproach to any people.

35 cThe king’s favor is toward a wise servant,

But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

15 A asoft answer turns away wrath,

But ba harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

cBut the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

3 dThe eyes of the Lord are in every place,

Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A 1wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 eA fool despises his father’s instruction,

fBut he who 2receives correction is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise 3disperse knowledge,

But the heart of the fool does not do so.

8 gThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,

But He loves him who hfollows righteousness.

10 iHarsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,

And jhe who hates correction will die.

11 kHell 4and 5Destruction are before the Lord;

So how much more lthe hearts of the sons of men.

12 mA scoffer does not love one who corrects him,

Nor will he go to the wise.

13 nA merry heart makes a cheerful 6countenance,

But oby sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,

pBut he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16 qBetter is a little with the fear of the Lord,

Than great treasure with trouble.

17 rBetter is a dinner of 7herbs where love is,

Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18 sA wrathful man stirs up strife,

But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

19 tThe way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,

But the way of the upright is a highway.

20 uA wise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish man despises his mother.

21 vFolly is joy to him who is destitute of 8discernment,

wBut a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 xWithout counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,

And ya word spoken 9in due season, how good it is!

24 zThe way of life winds upward for the wise,

That he may aturn away from 1hell below.

25 bThe Lord will destroy the house of the proud,

But cHe will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 dThe thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

eBut the words of the pure are pleasant.

27 fHe who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,

But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous gstudies how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29 hThe Lord is far from the wicked,

But iHe hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

And a good report makes the bones 2healthy.

31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life

Will abide among the wise.

32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,

But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

33 jThe fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,

And kbefore honor is humility.

16 The apreparations 1of the heart belong to man,

bBut the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own ceyes,

But the Lord weighs the spirits.

3 dCommit 2your works to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be established.

4 The eLord has made all for Himself,

fYes, even the wicked for the day of 3doom.

5 gEveryone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

Though they join 4forces, none will go unpunished.

6 hIn mercy and truth

Atonement is provided for iniquity;

And iby the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 jBetter is a little with righteousness,

Than vast revenues without justice.

9 kA man’s heart plans his way,

lBut the Lord directs his steps.

10 Divination is on the lips of the king;

His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

11 mHonest weights and scales are the Lord’s;

All the weights in the bag are His 5work.

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,

For na throne is established by righteousness.

13 oRighteous lips are the delight of kings,

And they love him who speaks what is right.

14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,

But a wise man will pappease it.

15 In the light of the king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a qcloud of the latter rain.

16 rHow much better to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than 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 6a fall.

19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,

Than to divide the 7spoil with the proud.

20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,

And whoever strusts in the Lord, happy is he.

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,

And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.

But the correction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,

And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of tdeath.

26 The person who labors, labors for himself,

For his hungry mouth drives uhim on.

27 8An ungodly man digs up evil,

And it is on his lips like a burning vfire.

28 A perverse man sows strife,

And wa whisperer separates the best of friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor,

And leads him in a way that is not good.

30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;

He 9purses his lips and brings about evil.

31 xThe silver-haired head is a crown of glory,

If it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 yHe who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the Lord.

17 Better is aa dry morsel with quietness,

Than a house full of 1feasting with strife.

2 A wise servant will rule over ba son who causes shame,

And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,

cBut the Lord tests the hearts.

4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips;

A liar listens eagerly to a 2spiteful tongue.

5 dHe who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;

eHe who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 fChildren’s children are the crown of old men,

And the glory of children is their father.

7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,

Much less lying lips to a prince.

8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;

Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 gHe who covers a transgression seeks love,

But hhe who repeats a matter separates friends.

10 iRebuke is more effective for a wise man

Than a hundred blows on a fool.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;

Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 Let a man meet ja bear robbed of her cubs,

Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoever krewards evil for good,

Evil will not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;

Therefore lstop contention before a quarrel starts.

15 mHe 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?

17 nA friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 oA man devoid of 3understanding 4shakes hands in a pledge,

And becomes 5surety for his friend.

19 He who loves transgression loves strife,

And phe who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 He who has a 6deceitful heart finds no good,

And he who has qa perverse tongue falls into evil.

21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,

And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A rmerry heart 7does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man accepts a bribe 8behind the back

To pervert the ways of justice.

24 sWisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,

But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A tfoolish son is a grief to his father,

And bitterness to her who bore him.

26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good,

Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

27 uHe who has knowledge spares his words,

And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

28 vEven a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;

When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;

He rages against all 1wise judgment.

2 A fool has no delight in understanding,

But in expressing his aown heart.

3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;

And with dishonor comes reproach.

4 bThe words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

cThe wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,

Or to overthrow the righteous in djudgment.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,

And his mouth calls for blows.

7 eA fool’s mouth is his destruction,

And his lips are the snare of his fsoul.

8 gThe words of a 2talebearer are like 3tasty trifles,

And they go down into the 4inmost body.

9 He who is slothful in his work

Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong htower;

The righteous run to it and are 5safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

And like a high wall in his own esteem.

12 iBefore destruction the heart of a man is haughty,

And before honor is humility.

13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,

It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,

But who can bear a broken spirit?

15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 jA man’s gift makes room for him,

And brings him before great men.

17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,

Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

18 Casting klots causes contentions to cease,

And keeps the mighty apart.

19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,

And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 lA man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;

From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

21 mDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 nHe who finds a wife finds a good thing,

And obtains favor from the Lord.

23 The poor man uses entreaties,

But the rich answers oroughly.

24 A man who has friends 6must himself be friendly,

pBut there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19 Better ais the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,

And he sins who hastens with his feet.

3 The foolishness of a man twists his way,

And his heart frets against the Lord.

4 bWealth makes many friends,

But the poor is separated from his friend.

5 A cfalse witness will not go unpunished,

And he who speaks lies will not escape.

6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,

And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

7 dAll the brothers of the poor hate him;

How much more do his friends go efar from him!

He may pursue them with words, yet they 1abandon him.

8 He who gets 2wisdom loves his own soul;

He who keeps understanding fwill find good.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

And he who speaks lies shall perish.

10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,

Much less gfor a servant to rule over princes.

11 hThe discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,

iAnd his glory is to overlook a transgression.

12 jThe king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,

But his favor is klike dew on the grass.

13 lA foolish son is the ruin of his father,

mAnd the contentions of a wife are a continual 3dripping.

14 nHouses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,

But oa prudent wife is from the Lord.

15 pLaziness casts one into a deep sleep,

And an idle person will qsuffer hunger.

16 rHe who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,

But he who 4is careless of his ways will die.

17 sHe who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,

And He will pay back what he has given.

18 tChasten your son while there is hope,

And do not set your heart 5on his destruction.

19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;

For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,

That you may be wise uin your latter days.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,

vNevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

22 What is desired in a man is 6kindness,

And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 wThe fear of the Lord leads to life,

And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;

He will not be visited with evil.

24 xA lazy man buries his hand in the 7bowl,

And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple ywill become wary;

zRebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother

Is aa son who causes shame and brings reproach.

27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A 8disreputable witness scorns justice,

And bthe mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,

cAnd beatings for the backs of fools.

20 Wine ais a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler,

And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2 The 1wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;

Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

3 bIt is honorable for a man to stop striving,

Since any fool can start a quarrel.

4 cThe lazy man will not plow because of winter;

dHe will beg during 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 Most men will proclaim each his own 2goodness,

But who can find a faithful man?

7 eThe righteous man walks in his integrity;

fHis children are blessed after him.

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment

Scatters all evil with his eyes.

9 gWho can say, “I have made my heart clean,

I am pure from my sin”?

10 hDiverse weights and diverse measures,

They are both alike, an abomination to the Lord.

11 Even a child is iknown by his deeds,

Whether what he does is pure and right.

12 jThe hearing ear and the seeing eye,

The Lord has made them both.

13 kDo not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;

Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

14 “It is 3good for nothing,” cries the buyer;

But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies,

But lthe lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 mTake the garment of one who is surety for a stranger,

And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

17 nBread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18 oPlans are established by counsel;

pBy wise counsel wage war.

19 qHe who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;

Therefore do not associate with one rwho flatters with his lips.

20 sWhoever curses his father or his mother,

tHis lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

21 uAn inheritance gained hastily at the beginning

vWill not be blessed at the end.

22 wDo not say, “I will 4recompense evil”;

xWait for the Lord, and He will save you.

23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord,

And dishonest scales are not good.

24 A man’s steps are of the Lord;

How then can a man understand his own way?

25 It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy,

And afterward to reconsider his vows.

26 yA wise king sifts out the wicked,

And brings the threshing wheel over them.

27 zThe spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord,

Searching all the 5inner depths of his heart.

28 aMercy and truth preserve the king,

And by 6lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,

And bthe splendor of old men is their gray head.

30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,

As do stripes the 7inner depths of the heart.

21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

Like the 1rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 aEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes,

bBut the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 cTo do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 dA haughty look, a proud heart,

And the 2plowing of the wicked are sin.

5 eThe plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6 fGetting treasures by a lying tongue

3Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked will 4destroy them,

Because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of 5a guilty man is perverse;

But as for the pure, his work is right.

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with ga contentious woman.

10 hThe soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;

But when the iwise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,

Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13 jWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,

And a bribe 6behind the back, strong wrath.

15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,

But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding

Will rest in the assembly of the kdead.

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,

And the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to dwell 7in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 lThere is desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.

21 mHe who follows righteousness and mercy

Finds life, righteousness and honor.

22 A nwise man 8scales the city of the mighty,

And brings down the trusted stronghold.

23 oWhoever guards his mouth and tongue

Keeps his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;

He acts with arrogant pride.

25 The pdesire of the lazy man kills him,

For his hands refuse to labor.

26 He covets greedily all day long,

But the righteous qgives and does not spare.

27 rThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28 A false witness shall perish,

But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29 A wicked man hardens his face,

But as for the upright, he 9establishes his way.

30 sThere is no wisdom or understanding

Or counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But tdeliverance is of the Lord.

22 A agood name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

2 The brich and the poor have this in common,

The cLord is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,

But the simple pass on and are dpunished.

4 By humility and the fear of the Lord

Are riches and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;

He who guards his soul will be far from them.

6 eTrain up a child in the way he should go,

1And when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The frich rules over the poor,

And the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He who sows iniquity will reap gsorrow, 2

And the rod of his anger will fail.

9 hHe who has a 3generous eye will be iblessed,

For he gives of his bread to the poor.

10 jCast out the scoffer, and contention will leave;

Yes, strife and reproach will cease.

11 kHe who loves purity of heart

And has grace on his lips,

The king will be his friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,

But He overthrows the words of the faithless.

13 lThe lazy man says, “There is a lion outside!

I shall be slain in the streets!”

14 mThe mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;

nHe who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

oThe rod of correction will drive it far from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,

And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

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 all be fixed upon your lips,

19 So that your trust may be in the Lord;

I have instructed you today, even you.

20 Have I not written to you excellent things

Of counsels and knowledge,

21 pThat I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,

qThat you may answer words of truth

To those who 4send to you?

22 Do not rob the rpoor because he is poor,

Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;

23 sFor the Lord will plead their cause,

And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man,

And with a tfurious man do not go,

25 Lest you learn his ways

And set a snare for your soul.

26 uDo not be one of those who 5shakes hands in a pledge,

One of those who is 6surety for debts;

27 If you have nothing with which to pay,

Why should he take away your bed from under you?

28 vDo not remove the ancient 7landmark

Which your fathers have set.

29 Do you see a man who 8excels in his work?

He will stand before kings;

He will not stand before 9unknown men.

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

Consider carefully what is before you;

2 And put a knife to your throat

If you are a man given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

For they are deceptive food.

4 aDo not overwork to be rich;

bBecause of your own understanding, cease!

5 1Will you set your eyes on that which is not?

For riches certainly make themselves wings;

They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

6 Do not eat the bread of ca 2miser,

Nor desire his delicacies;

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

“Eat and drink!” dhe says to you,

But his heart is not with you.

8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,

And waste your pleasant words.

9 eDo not speak in the hearing of a fool,

For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

10 Do not remove the ancient 3landmark,

Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;

11 fFor their Redeemer is mighty;

He will plead their cause against you.

12 Apply your heart to instruction,

And your ears to words of knowledge.

13 gDo not withhold correction from a child,

For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.

14 You shall beat him with a rod,

And deliver his soul from 4hell.

15 My son, if your heart is wise,

My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;

16 Yes, my 5inmost being will rejoice

When your lips speak right things.

17 hDo not let your heart envy sinners,

But ibe zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;

18 jFor surely there is a 6hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off.

19 Hear, my son, and be wise;

And guide your heart in the way.

20 kDo not mix with winebibbers,

Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;

21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,

And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

22 lListen to your father who begot you,

And do not despise your mother when she is old.

23 mBuy the truth, and do not sell it,

Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

24 nThe father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,

And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

25 Let your father and your mother be glad,

And let her who bore you rejoice.

26 My son, give me your heart,

And let your eyes observe my ways.

27 oFor a harlot is a deep pit,

And a seductress is a narrow well.

28 pShe also lies in wait as for a victim,

And increases the unfaithful among men.

29 qWho has woe?

Who has sorrow?

Who has contentions?

Who has complaints?

Who has wounds without cause?

Who rhas redness of eyes?

30 sThose who linger long at the wine,

Those who go in search of tmixed wine.

31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,

When it sparkles in the cup,

When it 7swirls around smoothly;

32 At the last it bites like a serpent,

And stings like a viper.

33 Your eyes will see strange things,

And your heart will utter perverse things.

34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the 8midst of the sea,

Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:

35 “They uhave struck me, but I was not hurt;

They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.

When shall vI awake, that I may seek another drink?”

24 Do not be aenvious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them;

2 For their heart devises violence,

And their lips talk of troublemaking.

3 Through wisdom a house is built,

And by understanding it is established;

4 By knowledge the rooms are filled

With all precious and pleasant riches.

5 bA wise man is strong,

Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;

6 cFor by wise counsel you will wage your own war,

And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

7 dWisdom is too lofty for a fool;

He does not open his mouth in the gate.

8 He who eplots to do evil

Will be called a 1schemer.

9 The devising of foolishness is sin,

And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If you ffaint in the day of adversity,

Your strength is small.

11 gDeliver those who are drawn toward death,

And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”

Does not hHe who weighs the hearts consider it?

He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?

And will He not render to each man iaccording to his deeds?

13 My son, jeat honey because it is good,

And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;

14 kSo shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;

If you have found it, there is a 2prospect,

And your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;

Do not plunder his resting place;

16 lFor a righteous man may fall seven times

And rise again,

mBut the wicked shall fall by calamity.

17 nDo not rejoice when your enemy falls,

And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

18 Lest the Lord see it, and 3it displease Him,

And He turn away His wrath from him.

19 oDo not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the wicked;

20 For there will be no prospect for the evil man;

The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, pfear the Lord and the king;

Do not associate with those given to change;

22 For their calamity will rise suddenly,

And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These things also belong to the wise:

qIt is not good to 4show partiality in judgment.

24 rHe who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”

Him the people will curse;

Nations will abhor him.

25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have sdelight,

And a good blessing will come upon them.

26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

27 tPrepare your outside work,

Make it fit for yourself in the field;

And afterward build your house.

28 uDo not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,

5For would you deceive with your lips?

29 vDo not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;

I will render to the man according to his work.”

30 I went by the field of the lazy man,

And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;

31 And there it was, wall overgrown with thorns;

Its surface was covered with nettles;

Its stone wall was broken down.

32 When I saw it, I considered it well;

I looked on it and received instruction:

33 xA little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to rest;

34 ySo shall your poverty come like 6a prowler,

And your need like 7an armed man.

Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

25 These aalso are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

2 bIt is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,

So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 cTake away the dross from silver,

And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king,

And his throne will be established in drighteousness.

6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,

And do not stand in the place of the great;

7 eFor it is better that he say to you,

“Come up here,”

Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,

Whom your eyes have seen.

8 fDo not go hastily to 1court;

For what will you do in the end,

When your neighbor has put you to shame?

9 gDebate your case with your neighbor,

And do not disclose the secret to another;

10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,

And 2your reputation be ruined.

11 A word fitly hspoken is like apples of gold

In settings of silver.

12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold

Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 iLike the cold of snow in time of harvest

Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 jWhoever falsely boasts of giving

Is like kclouds and wind without rain.

15 lBy long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,

And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

16 Have you found honey?

Eat only as much as you need,

Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,

Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 mA man who bears false witness against his neighbor

Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble

Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,

And like vinegar on soda,

Is one who nsings songs to a heavy heart.

21 oIf your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;

And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,

pAnd the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,

And qa backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 rIt is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25 As cold water to a weary soul,

So is sgood news from a far country.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked

Is like a murky spring and a 3polluted well.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;

So tto seek one’s own glory is not glory.

28 uWhoever has no rule over his own spirit

Is like a city broken down, without walls.

26 As snow in summer aand rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,

So ba curse without cause shall not alight.

3 cA whip for the horse,

A bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest you also be like him.

5 dAnswer 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 that hang limp

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling

Is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 1The great God who formed everything

Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

11 eAs a dog returns to his own vomit,

fSo a fool repeats his folly.

12 gDo you see a man wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!

A fierce lion is in the 2streets!”

14 As a door turns on its hinges,

So does the lazy man on his bed.

15 The hlazy man buries his hand in the 3bowl;

It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes

Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own

Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor,

And says, i“I was only joking!”

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;

And where there is no 4talebearer, strife ceases.

21 jAs charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a 5talebearer are like 6tasty trifles,

And they go down into the 7inmost body.

23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart

Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,

And lays up deceit within himself;

25 kWhen 8he speaks kindly, do not believe him,

For there are seven abominations in his heart;

26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit,

His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 lWhoever digs a pit will fall into it,

And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,

And a flattering mouth works mruin.

27 Do anot boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.

2 bLet another man praise you, and not your own mouth;

A stranger, and not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,

But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.

4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,

But cwho is able to stand before jealousy?

5 dOpen rebuke is better

Than love carefully concealed.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,

But the kisses of an enemy are edeceitful.

7 A satisfied soul 1loathes the honeycomb,

But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest

Is a man who wanders from his place.

9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart,

And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by 2hearty counsel.

10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,

Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;

fBetter is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,

gThat I may answer him who reproaches me.

12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;

The simple pass on and are hpunished.

13 Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger,

And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.

14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,

It will be counted a curse to him.

15 A icontinual dripping on a very rainy day

And a contentious woman are alike;

16 Whoever 3restrains her restrains the wind,

And grasps oil with his right hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,

So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

18 jWhoever 4keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;

So he who waits on his master will be honored.

19 As in water face reflects face,

So a man’s heart reveals the man.

20 kHell 5and 6Destruction are never full;

So lthe eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 mThe refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,

And a man is valued by what others say of him.

22 nThough you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,

Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

23 Be diligent to know the state of your oflocks,

And attend to your herds;

24 For riches are not forever,

Nor does a crown endure to all generations.

25 pWhen the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself,

And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,

26 The lambs will provide your clothing,

And the goats the price of a field;

27 You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food,

For the food of your household,

And the nourishment of your maidservants.

28 The awicked flee when no one pursues,

But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;

But by a man of understanding and knowledge

Right will be prolonged.

3 bA poor man who oppresses the poor

Is like a driving rain 1which leaves no food.

4 cThose who forsake the law praise the wicked,

dBut such as keep the law contend with them.

5 eEvil men do not understand justice,

But fthose who seek the Lord understand all.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,

But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion

Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,

gEven his prayer is an abomination.

10 hWhoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,

He himself will fall into his own pit;

iBut the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,

But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great jglory;

But when the wicked arise, men 2hide themselves.

13 kHe who covers his sins will not prosper,

But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 lLike a roaring lion and a charging bear

mIs a wicked ruler over poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great noppressor,

But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

17 oA man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;

Let no one help him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be 3saved,

But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 pHe who tills his land will have plenty of bread,

But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,

qBut he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 rTo 4show partiality is not good,

sBecause for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,

And does not consider that tpoverty will come upon him.

23 uHe who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward

Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,

And says, “It is no transgression,”

The same vis companion to a destroyer.

25 wHe who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,

xBut he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

26 He who ytrusts in his own heart is a fool,

But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

27 zHe who gives to the poor will not lack,

But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked arise, amen hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase.