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.
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.
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 compare 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 comes before honor.
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.
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.
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 the body.
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 before honor goes humility.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. p class=MsoNormal>25 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.
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 the inner 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 jewels.
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.