Table of Contents
Proverbs
1:1 The proverbs of Solomon,
the son of David, king of Israel:
- 1:2 to know wisdom and
instruction;
- to discern the words of understanding;
- 1:3 to receive instruction
in wise dealing,
- in righteousness, justice, and equity;
- 1:4 to give prudence to
the simple,
- knowledge and discretion to the young man:
- 1:5 that the wise man may
hear, and increase in learning;
- that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
- 1:6 to understand a
proverb, and parables,
- the words and riddles of the wise.
-
- 1:7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
- but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- 1:8 My son, listen to your
father’s instruction,
- and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
- 1:9 for they will be a
garland to grace your head,
- and chains around your neck.
- 1:10 My son, if sinners
entice you, don’t consent.
- 1:11 If they say, “Come
with us,
- Let’s lay in wait for blood;
- let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
- 1:12 let’s swallow them
up alive like Sheol,
- and whole, like those who go down into the pit.
- 1:13 We’ll find all
valuable wealth.
- We’ll fill our houses with spoil.
- 1:14 You shall cast your
lot among us.
- We’ll all have one purse.”
- 1:15 My son, don’t walk
in the way with them.
- Keep your foot from their path,
- 1:16 for their feet run to
evil.
- They hurry to shed blood.
- 1:17 For in vain is the
net spread in the sight of any bird:
- 1:18 but these lay wait
for their own blood.
- They lurk secretly for their own lives.
- 1:19 So are the ways of
everyone who is greedy for gain.
- It takes away the life of its owners.
-
- 1:20 Wisdom calls aloud in
the street.
- She utters her voice in the public squares.
- 1:21 She calls at the head
of noisy places.
- At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
- 1:22 “How long, you
simple ones, will you love simplicity?
- How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery,
- and fools hate knowledge?
- 1:23 Turn at my reproof.
- Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you.
- I will make known my words to you.
- 1:24 Because I have
called, and you have refused;
- I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
- 1:25 but you have ignored
all my counsel,
- and wanted none of my reproof;
- 1:26 I also will laugh at
your disaster.
- I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
- 1:27 when calamity
overtakes you like a storm,
- when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind;
- when distress and anguish come on you.
- 1:28 Then will they call
on me, but I will not answer.
- They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
- 1:29 because they hated
knowledge,
- and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.
- 1:30 They wanted none of
my counsel.
- They despised all my reproof.
- 1:31 Therefore they will
eat of the fruit of their own way,
- and be filled with their own schemes.
- 1:32 For the backsliding
of the simple will kill them.
- The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
- 1:33 But whoever listens
to me will dwell securely,
- and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
-
2:1 My son, if you will
receive my words,
- and store up my commandments within you;
- 2:2 So as to turn your ear
to wisdom,
- and apply your heart to understanding;
- 2:3 Yes, if you call out
for discernment,
- and lift up your voice for understanding;
- 2:4 If you seek her as
silver,
- and search for her as for hidden treasures:
- 2:5 then you will
understand the fear of Yahweh,
- and find the knowledge of God.
- 2:6 For Yahweh gives
wisdom.
- Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
- 2:7 He lays up sound
wisdom for the upright.
- He is a shield to those who walk in integrity;
- 2:8 that he may guard the
paths of justice,
- and preserve the way of his saints.
- 2:9 Then you will
understand righteousness and justice,
- equity and every good path.
- 2:10 For wisdom will enter
into your heart.
- Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
- 2:11 Discretion will watch
over you.
- Understanding will keep you,
- 2:12 to deliver you from
the way of evil,
- from the men who speak perverse things;
- 2:13 who forsake the paths
of uprightness,
- to walk in the ways of darkness;
- 2:14 who rejoice to do
evil,
- and delight in the perverseness of evil;
- 2:15 who are crooked in
their ways,
- and wayward in their paths:
- 2:16 To deliver you from
the strange woman,
- even from the foreigner who flatters with her words;
- 2:17 who forsakes the
friend of her youth,
- and forgets the covenant of her God:
- 2:18 for her house leads
down to death,
- her paths to the dead.
- 2:19 None who go to her
return again,
- neither do they attain to the paths of life:
- 2:20 that you may walk in
the way of good men,
- and keep the paths of the righteous.
- 2:21 For the upright will
dwell in the land.
- The perfect will remain in it.
- 2:22 But the wicked will
be cut off from the land.
- The treacherous will be rooted out of it.
-
3:1 My son, don’t forget
my teaching;
- but let your heart keep my commandments:
- 3:2 for length of days,
and years of life,
- and peace, will they add to you.
- 3:3 Don’t let kindness
and truth forsake you.
- Bind them around your neck.
- Write them on the tablet of your heart.
- 3:4 So you will find favor,
- and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
- 3:5 Trust in Yahweh with
all your heart,
- and don’t lean on your own understanding.
- 3:6 In all your ways
acknowledge him,
- and he will make your paths straight.
- 3:7 Don’t be wise in
your own eyes.
- Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
- 3:8 It will be health to
your body,
- and nourishment to your bones.
- 3:9 Honor Yahweh with your
substance,
- with the first fruits of all your increase:
- 3:10 so your barns will be
filled with plenty,
- and your vats will overflow with new wine.
- 3:11 My son, don’t
despise Yahweh’s discipline,
- neither be weary of his reproof:
- 3:12 for whom Yahweh
loves, he reproves;
- even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
-
- 3:13 Happy is the man who
finds wisdom,
- the man who gets understanding.
- 3:14 For her good profit
is better than getting silver,
- and her return is better than fine gold.
- 3:15 She is more precious
than rubies.
- None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
- 3:16 Length of days is in
her right hand.
- In her left hand are riches and honor.
- 3:17 Her ways are ways of
pleasantness.
- All her paths are peace.
- 3:18 She is a tree of life
to those who lay hold of her.
- Happy is everyone who retains her.
- 3:19 By wisdom Yahweh
founded the earth.
- By understanding, he established the heavens.
- 3:20 By his knowledge, the
depths were broken up,
- and the skies drop down the dew.
- 3:21 My son, let them not
depart from your eyes.
- Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
- 3:22 so they will be life
to your soul,
- and grace for your neck.
- 3:23 Then you shall walk
in your way securely.
- Your foot won’t stumble.
- 3:24 When you lie down,
you will not be afraid.
- Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
- 3:25 Don’t be afraid of
sudden fear,
- neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
- 3:26 for Yahweh will be
your confidence,
- and will keep your foot from being taken.
-
- 3:27 Don’t withhold good
from those to whom it is due,
- when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
- 3:28 Don’t say to your
neighbor, “Go, and come again;
- tomorrow I will give it to you,”
- when you have it by you.
- 3:29 Don’t devise evil
against your neighbor,
- since he dwells securely by you.
- 3:30 Don’t strive with a
man without cause,
- if he has done you no harm.
- 3:31 Don’t envy the man
of violence.
- Choose none of his ways.
- 3:32 For the perverse is
an abomination to Yahweh,
- but his friendship is with the upright.
- 3:33 Yahweh’s curse is
in the house of the wicked,
- but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
- 3:34 Surely he mocks the
mockers,
- but he gives grace to the humble.
- 3:35 The wise will inherit
glory,
- but shame will be the promotion of fools.
-
4:1 Listen, sons, to a
father’s instruction.
- Pay attention and know understanding;
- 4:2 for I give you sound
learning.
- Don’t forsake my law.
- 4:3 For I was a son to my
father,
- tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
- 4:4 He taught me, and said
to me:
- “Let your heart retain my words.
- Keep my commandments, and live.
- 4:5 Get wisdom.
- Get understanding.
- Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
- 4:6 Don’t forsake her,
and she will preserve you.
- Love her, and she will keep you.
- 4:7 Wisdom is supreme.
- Get wisdom.
- Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
- 4:8 Esteem her, and she
will exalt you.
- She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.
- 4:9 She will give to your
head a garland of grace.
- She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.”
-
- 4:10 Listen, my son, and
receive my sayings.
- The years of your life will be many.
- 4:11 I have taught you in
the way of wisdom.
- I have led you in straight paths.
- 4:12 When you go, your
steps will not be hampered.
- When you run, you will not stumble.
- 4:13 Take firm hold of
instruction.
- Don’t let her go.
- Keep her, for she is your life.
- 4:14 Don’t enter into
the path of the wicked.
- Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
- 4:15 Avoid it, and don’t
pass by it.
- Turn from it, and pass on.
- 4:16 For they don’t
sleep, unless they do evil.
- Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
- 4:17 For they eat the
bread of wickedness,
- and drink the wine of violence.
- 4:18 But the path of the
righteous is like the dawning light,
- that shines more and more until the perfect day.
- 4:19 The way of the wicked
is like darkness.
- They don’t know what they stumble over.
-
- 4:20 My son, attend to my
words.
- Turn your ear to my sayings.
- 4:21 Let them not depart
from your eyes.
- Keep them in the midst of your heart.
- 4:22 For they are life to
those who find them,
- and health to their whole body.
- 4:23 Keep your heart with
all diligence,
- for out of it is the wellspring of life.
- 4:24 Put away from
yourself a perverse mouth.
- Put corrupt lips far from you.
- 4:25 Let your eyes look
straight ahead.
- Fix your gaze directly before you.
- 4:26 Make the path of your
feet level.
- Let all of your ways be established.
- 4:27 Don’t turn to the
right hand nor to the left.
- Remove your foot from evil.
-
5:1 My son, pay attention
to my wisdom.
- Turn your ear to my understanding:
- 5:2 that you may maintain
discretion,
- that your lips may preserve knowledge.
- 5:3 For the lips of an
adulteress drip honey.
- Her mouth is smoother than oil,
- 5:4 But in the end she is
as bitter as wormwood,
- and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
- 5:5 Her feet go down to
death.
- Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
- 5:6 She gives no thought
to the way of life.
- Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it.
-
- 5:7 Now therefore, my
sons, listen to me.
- Don’t depart from the words of my mouth.
- 5:8 Remove your way far
from her.
- Don’t come near the door of her house,
- 5:9 lest you give your
honor to others,
- and your years to the cruel one;
- 5:10 lest strangers feast
on your wealth,
- and your labors enrich another man’s house.
- 5:11 You will groan at
your latter end,
- when your flesh and your body are consumed,
- 5:12 and say, “How I
have hated instruction,
- and my heart despised reproof;
- 5:13 neither have I obeyed
the voice of my teachers,
- nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!
- 5:14 I have come to the
brink of utter ruin,
- in the midst of the gathered assembly.”
-
- 5:15 Drink water out of
your own cistern,
- running water out of your own well.
- 5:16 Should your springs
overflow in the streets,
- streams of water in the public squares?
- 5:17 Let them be for
yourself alone,
- not for strangers with you.
- 5:18 Let your spring be
blessed.
- Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
- 5:19 A loving doe and a
graceful deer—
- let her breasts satisfy you at all times.
- Be captivated always with her love.
- 5:20 For why should you,
my son, be captivated with an adulteress?
- Why embrace the bosom of another?
- 5:21 For the ways of man
are before the eyes of Yahweh.
- He examines all his paths.
- 5:22 The evil deeds of the
wicked ensnare him.
- The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
- 5:23 He will die for lack
of instruction.
- In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
-
6:1 My son, if you have
become collateral for your neighbor,
- if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;
- 6:2 You are trapped by the
words of your mouth.
- You are ensnared with the words of your mouth.
- 6:3 Do this now, my son,
and deliver yourself,
- since you have come into the hand of your neighbor.
- Go, humble yourself.
- Press your plea with your neighbor.
- 6:4 Give no sleep to your
eyes,
- nor slumber to your eyelids.
- 6:5 Free yourself, like a
gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
- like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
-
- 6:6 Go to the ant, you
sluggard.
- Consider her ways, and be wise;
- 6:7 which having no chief,
overseer, or ruler,
- 6:8 provides her bread in
the summer,
- and gathers her food in the harvest.
- 6:9 How long will you
sleep, sluggard?
- When will you arise out of your sleep?
- 6:10 A little sleep, a
little slumber,
- a little folding of the hands to sleep:
- 6:11 so your poverty will
come as a robber,
- and your scarcity as an armed man.
-
- 6:12 A worthless person, a
man of iniquity,
- is he who walks with a perverse mouth;
- 6:13 who winks with his
eyes, who signals with his feet,
- who motions with his fingers;
- 6:14 in whose heart is
perverseness,
- who devises evil continually,
- who always sows discord.
- 6:15 Therefore his
calamity will come suddenly.
- He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy.
-
- 6:16 There are six things
which Yahweh hates;
- yes, seven which are an abomination to him:
- 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying
tongue,
- hands that shed innocent blood;
- 6:18 a heart that devises
wicked schemes,
- feet that are swift in running to mischief,
- 6:19 a false witness who
utters lies,
- and he who sows discord among brothers.
-
- 6:20 My son, keep your
father’s commandment,
- and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching.
- 6:21 Bind them continually
on your heart.
- Tie them around your neck.
- 6:22 When you walk, it
will lead you.
- When you sleep, it will watch over you.
- When you awake, it will talk with you.
- 6:23 For the commandment
is a lamp,
- and the law is light.
- Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
- 6:24 to keep you from the
immoral woman,
- from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue.
- 6:25 Don’t lust after
her beauty in your heart,
- neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.
- 6:26 For a prostitute
reduces you to a piece of bread.
- The adulteress hunts for your precious life.
- 6:27 Can a man scoop fire
into his lap,
- and his clothes not be burned?
- 6:28 Or can one walk on
hot coals,
- and his feet not be scorched?
- 6:29 So is he who goes in
to his neighbor’s wife.
- Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.
- 6:30 Men don’t despise a
thief,
- if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry:
- 6:31 but if he is found,
he shall restore seven times.
- He shall give all the wealth of his house.
- 6:32 He who commits
adultery with a woman is void of understanding.
- He who does it destroys his own soul.
- 6:33 He will get wounds
and dishonor.
- His reproach will not be wiped away.
- 6:34 For jealousy arouses
the fury of the husband.
- He won’t spare in the day of vengeance.
- 6:35 He won’t regard any
ransom,
- neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.
-
7:1 My son, keep my words.
- Lay up my commandments within you.
- 7:2 Keep my commandments
and live!
- Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye.
- 7:3 Bind them on your
fingers.
- Write them on the tablet of your heart.
- 7:4 Tell wisdom, “You
are my sister.”
- Call understanding your relative,
- 7:5 that they may keep you
from the strange woman,
- from the foreigner who flatters with her words.
- 7:6 For at the window of
my house,
- I looked out through my lattice.
- 7:7 I saw among the simple
ones.
- I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,
- 7:8 passing through the
street near her corner,
- he went the way to her house,
- 7:9 in the twilight, in
the evening of the day,
- in the middle of the night and in the darkness.
- 7:10 Behold, there a woman
met him with the attire of a prostitute,
- and with crafty intent.
- 7:11 She is loud and
defiant.
- Her feet don’t stay in her house.
- 7:12 Now she is in the
streets, now in the squares,
- and lurking at every corner.
- 7:13 So she caught him,
and kissed him.
- With an impudent face she said to him:
- 7:14 “Sacrifices of
peace offerings are with me.
- This day I have paid my vows.
- 7:15 Therefore I came out
to meet you,
- to diligently seek your face,
- and I have found you.
- 7:16 I have spread my
couch with carpets of tapestry,
- with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
- 7:17 I have perfumed my
bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
- 7:18 Come, let’s take
our fill of loving until the morning.
- Let’s solace ourselves with loving.
- 7:19 For my husband
isn’t at home.
- He has gone on a long journey.
- 7:20 He has taken a bag of
money with him.
- He will come home at the full moon.”
- 7:21 With persuasive
words, she led him astray.
- With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.
- 7:22 He followed her
immediately,
- as an ox goes to the slaughter,
- as a fool stepping into a noose.
- 7:23 Until an arrow
strikes through his liver,
- as a bird hurries to the snare,
- and doesn’t know that it will cost his life.
- 7:24 Now therefore, sons,
listen to me.
- Pay attention to the words of my mouth.
- 7:25 Don’t let your
heart turn to her ways.
- Don’t go astray in her paths,
- 7:26 for she has thrown
down many wounded.
- Yes, all her slain are a mighty army.
- 7:27 Her house is the way
to Sheol,
- going down to the rooms of death.
-
8:1 Doesn’t wisdom cry
out?
- Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
- 8:2 On the top of high
places by the way,
- where the paths meet, she stands.
- 8:3 Beside the gates, at
the entry of the city,
- at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
- 8:4 “To you men, I call!
- I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
- 8:5 You simple, understand
prudence.
- You fools, be of an understanding heart.
- 8:6 Hear, for I will speak
excellent things.
- The opening of my lips is for right things.
- 8:7 For my mouth speaks
truth.
- Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
- 8:8 All the words of my
mouth are in righteousness.
- There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
- 8:9 They are all plain to
him who understands,
- right to those who find knowledge.
- 8:10 Receive my
instruction rather than silver;
- knowledge rather than choice gold.
- 8:11 For wisdom is better
than rubies.
- All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
-
- 8:12 “I, wisdom, have
made prudence my dwelling.
- Find out knowledge and discretion.
- 8:13 The fear of Yahweh is
to hate evil.
- I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
- 8:14 Counsel and sound
knowledge are mine.
- I have understanding and power.
- 8:15 By me kings reign,
- and princes decree justice.
- 8:16 By me princes rule;
- nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
- 8:17 I love those who love
me.
- Those who seek me diligently will find me.
- 8:18 With me are riches,
honor,
- enduring wealth, and prosperity.
- 8:19 My fruit is better
than gold, yes, than fine gold;
- my yield than choice silver.
- 8:20 I walk in the way of
righteousness,
- in the midst of the paths of justice;
- 8:21 That I may give
wealth to those who love me.
- I fill their treasuries.
-
- 8:22 “Yahweh possessed
me in the beginning of his work,
- before his deeds of old.
- 8:23 I was set up from
everlasting, from the beginning,
- before the earth existed.
- 8:24 When there were no
depths, I was brought forth,
- when there were no springs abounding with water.
- 8:25 Before the mountains
were settled in place,
- before the hills, I was brought forth;
- 8:26 while as yet he had
not made the earth, nor the fields,
- nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
- 8:27 When he established
the heavens, I was there;
- when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
- 8:28 when he established
the clouds above,
- when the springs of the deep became strong,
- 8:29 when he gave to the
sea its boundary,
- that the waters should not violate his commandment,
- when he marked out the foundations of the earth;
- 8:30 then I was the
craftsman by his side.
- I was a delight day by day,
- always rejoicing before him,
- 8:31 Rejoicing in his
whole world.
- My delight was with the sons of men.
-
- 8:32 “Now therefore, my
sons, listen to me,
- for blessed are those who keep my ways.
- 8:33 Hear instruction, and
be wise.
- Don’t refuse it.
- 8:34 Blessed is the man
who hears me,
- watching daily at my gates,
- waiting at my door posts.
- 8:35 For whoever finds me,
finds life,
- and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
- 8:36 But he who sins
against me wrongs his own soul.
- All those who hate me love death.”
-
9:1 Wisdom has built her
house.
- She has carved out her seven pillars.
- 9:2 She has prepared her
meat.
- She has mixed her wine.
- She has also set her table.
- 9:3 She has sent out her
maidens.
- She cries from the highest places of the city:
- 9:4 “Whoever is simple,
let him turn in here!”
- As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
- 9:5 “Come, eat some of
my bread,
- Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
- 9:6 Leave your simple
ways, and live.
- Walk in the way of understanding.”
-
- 9:7 He who corrects a
mocker invites insult.
- He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
- 9:8 Don’t reprove a
scoffer, lest he hate you.
- Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
- 9:9 Instruct a wise man,
and he will be still wiser.
- Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
- 9:10 The fear of Yahweh is
the beginning of wisdom.
- The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
- 9:11 For by me your days
will be multiplied.
- The years of your life will be increased.
- 9:12 If you are wise, you
are wise for yourself.
- If you mock, you alone will bear it.
-
- 9:13 The foolish woman is
loud,
- Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
- 9:14 She sits at the door
of her house,
- on a seat in the high places of the city,
- 9:15 To call to those who
pass by,
- who go straight on their ways,
- 9:16 “Whoever is simple,
let him turn in here.”
- as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
- 9:17 “Stolen water is
sweet.
- Food eaten in secret is pleasant.”
- 9:18 But he doesn’t know
that the dead are there,
- that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
10:1 The proverbs of
Solomon.
- A wise son makes a glad father;
- but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
- 10:2 Treasures of
wickedness profit nothing,
- but righteousness delivers from death.
- 10:3 Yahweh will not allow
the soul of the righteous to go hungry,
- but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
- 10:4 He becomes poor who
works with a lazy hand,
- but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
- 10:5 He who gathers in
summer is a wise son,
- but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
- 10:6 Blessings are on the
head of the righteous,
- but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
- 10:7 The memory of the
righteous is blessed,
- but the name of the wicked will rot.
- 10:8 The wise in heart
accept commandments,
- but a chattering fool will fall.
- 10:9 He who walks
blamelessly walks surely,
- but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
- 10:10 One winking with the
eye causes sorrow,
- but a chattering fool will fall.
- 10:11 The mouth of the
righteous is a spring of life,
- but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
- 10:12 Hatred stirs up
strife,
- but love covers all wrongs.
- 10:13 Wisdom is found on
the lips of him who has discernment,
- but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
- 10:14 Wise men lay up
knowledge,
- but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
- 10:15 The rich man’s
wealth is his strong city.
- The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
- 10:16 The labor of the
righteous leads to life.
- The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
- 10:17 He is in the way of
life who heeds correction,
- but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
- 10:18 He who hides hatred
has lying lips.
- He who utters a slander is a fool.
- 10:19 In the multitude of
words there is no lack of disobedience,
- but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
- 10:20 The tongue of the
righteous is like choice silver.
- The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
- 10:21 The lips of the
righteous feed many,
- but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
- 10:22 Yahweh’s blessing
brings wealth,
- and he adds no trouble to it.
- 10:23 It is a fool’s
pleasure to do wickedness,
- but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.
- 10:24 What the wicked
fear, will overtake them,
- but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
- 10:25 When the whirlwind
passes, the wicked is no more;
- but the righteous stand firm forever.
- 10:26 As vinegar to the
teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
- so is the sluggard to those who send him.
- 10:27 The fear of Yahweh
prolongs days,
- but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
- 10:28 The prospect of the
righteous is joy,
- but the hope of the wicked will perish.
- 10:29 The way of Yahweh is
a stronghold to the upright,
- but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
- 10:30 The righteous will
never be removed,
- but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
- 10:31 The mouth of the
righteous brings forth wisdom,
- but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
- 10:32 The lips of the
righteous know what is acceptable,
- but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
-
11:1 A false balance is an
abomination to Yahweh,
- but accurate weights are his delight.
- 11:2 When pride comes,
then comes shame,
- but with humility comes wisdom.
- 11:3 The integrity of the
upright shall guide them,
- but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
- 11:4 Riches don’t profit
in the day of wrath,
- but righteousness delivers from death.
- 11:5 The righteousness of
the blameless will direct his way,
- but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
- 11:6 The righteousness of
the upright shall deliver them,
- but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
- 11:7 When a wicked man
dies, hope perishes,
- and expectation of power comes to nothing.
- 11:8 A righteous person is
delivered out of trouble,
- and the wicked takes his place.
- 11:9 With his mouth the
godless man destroys his neighbor,
- but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
- 11:10 When it goes well
with the righteous, the city rejoices.
- When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
- 11:11 By the blessing of
the upright, the city is exalted,
- but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
- 11:12 One who despises his
neighbor is void of wisdom,
- but a man of understanding holds his peace.
- 11:13 One who brings
gossip betrays a confidence,
- but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
- 11:14 Where there is no
wise guidance, the nation falls,
- but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
- 11:15 He who is collateral
for a stranger will suffer for it,
- but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
- 11:16 A gracious woman
obtains honor,
- but violent men obtain riches.
- 11:17 The merciful man
does good to his own soul,
- but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
- 11:18 Wicked people earn
deceitful wages,
- but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
- 11:19 He who is truly
righteous gets life.
- He who pursues evil gets death.
- 11:20 Those who are
perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh,
- but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
- 11:21 Most certainly, the
evil man will not be unpunished,
- but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.
- 11:22 Like a gold ring in
a pig’s snout,
- is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
- 11:23 The desire of the
righteous is only good.
- The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
- 11:24 There is one who
scatters, and increases yet more.
- There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
- 11:25 The liberal soul
shall be made fat.
- He who waters shall be watered also himself.
- 11:26 People curse someone
who withholds grain,
- but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
- 11:27 He who diligently
seeks good seeks favor,
- but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
- 11:28 He who trusts in his
riches will fall,
- but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
- 11:29 He who troubles his
own house shall inherit the wind.
- The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
- 11:30 The fruit of the
righteous is a tree of life.
- He who is wise wins souls.
- 11:31 Behold, the
righteous shall be repaid in the earth;
- how much more the wicked and the sinner!
-
12:1 Whoever loves
correction loves knowledge,
- but he who hates reproof is stupid.
- 12:2 A good man shall
obtain favor from Yahweh,
- but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.
- 12:3 A man shall not be
established by wickedness,
- but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
- 12:4 A worthy woman is the
crown of her husband,
- but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.
- 12:5 The thoughts of the
righteous are just,
- but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
- 12:6 The words of the
wicked are about lying in wait for blood,
- but the speech of the upright rescues them.
- 12:7 The wicked are
overthrown, and are no more,
- but the house of the righteous shall stand.
- 12:8 A man shall be
commended according to his wisdom,
- but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
- 12:9 Better is he who is
lightly esteemed, and has a servant,
- than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
- 12:10 A righteous man
respects the life of his animal,
- but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
- 12:11 He who tills his
land shall have plenty of bread,
- but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
- 12:12 The wicked desires
the plunder of evil men,
- but the root of the righteous flourishes.
- 12:13 An evil man is
trapped by sinfulness of lips,
- but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
- 12:14 A man shall be
satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
- The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.
- 12:15 The way of a fool is
right in his own eyes,
- but he who is wise listens to counsel.
- 12:16 A fool shows his
annoyance the same day,
- but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
- 12:17 He who is truthful
testifies honestly,
- but a false witness lies.
- 12:18 There is one who
speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,
- but the tongue of the wise heals.
- 12:19 Truth’s lips will
be established forever,
- but a lying tongue is only momentary.
- 12:20 Deceit is in the
heart of those who plot evil,
- but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
- 12:21 No mischief shall
happen to the righteous,
- but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
- 12:22 Lying lips are an
abomination to Yahweh,
- but those who do the truth are his delight.
- 12:23 A prudent man keeps
his knowledge,
- but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
- 12:24 The hands of the
diligent ones shall rule,
- but laziness ends in slave labor.
- 12:25 Anxiety in a man’s
heart weighs it down,
- but a kind word makes it glad.
- 12:26 A righteous person
is cautious in friendship,
- but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
- 12:27 The slothful man
doesn’t roast his game,
- but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
- 12:28 In the way of
righteousness is life;
- in its path there is no death.
-
13:1
A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
- but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
- 13:2 By the fruit of his
lips, a man enjoys good things;
- but the unfaithful crave violence.
- 13:3 He who guards his
mouth guards his soul.
- One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
- 13:4 The soul of the
sluggard desires, and has nothing,
- but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
- 13:5 A righteous man hates
lies,
- but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
- 13:6 Righteousness guards
the way of integrity,
- but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
- 13:7 There are some who
pretend to be rich, yet have nothing.
- There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
- 13:8 The ransom of a
man’s life is his riches,
- but the poor hear no threats.
- 13:9 The light of the
righteous shines brightly,
- but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
- 13:10 Pride only breeds
quarrels,
- but with ones who take advice is wisdom.
- 13:11 Wealth gained
dishonestly dwindles away,
- but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
- 13:12 Hope deferred makes
the heart sick,
- but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
- 13:13 Whoever despises
instruction will pay for it,
- but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
- 13:14 The teaching of the
wise is a spring of life,
- to turn from the snares of death.
- 13:15 Good understanding
wins favor;
- but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
- 13:16 Every prudent man
acts from knowledge,
- but a fool exposes folly.
- 13:17 A wicked messenger
falls into trouble,
- but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
- 13:18 Poverty and shame
come to him who refuses discipline,
- but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
- 13:19 Longing fulfilled is
sweet to the soul,
- but fools detest turning from evil.
- 13:20 One who walks with
wise men grows wise,
- but a companion of fools suffers harm.
- 13:21 Misfortune pursues
sinners,
- but prosperity rewards the righteous.
- 13:22 A good man leaves an
inheritance to his children’s children,
- but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
- 13:23 An abundance of food
is in poor people’s fields,
- but injustice sweeps it away.
- 13:24 One who spares the
rod hates his son,
- but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
- 13:25 The righteous one
eats to the satisfying of his soul,
- but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
-
14:1 Every wise woman
builds her house,
- but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
- 14:2 He who walks in his
uprightness fears Yahweh,
- but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.
- 14:3 The fool’s talk
brings a rod to his back,
- but the lips of the wise protect them.
- 14:4 Where no oxen are,
the crib is clean,
- but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
- 14:5 A truthful witness
will not lie,
- but a false witness pours out lies.
- 14:6 A scoffer seeks
wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
- but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
- 14:7 Stay away from a
foolish man,
- for you won’t find knowledge on his lips.
- 14:8 The wisdom of the
prudent is to think about his way,
- but the folly of fools is deceit.
- 14:9 Fools mock at making
atonement for sins,
- but among the upright there is good will.
- 14:10 The heart knows its
own bitterness and joy;
- he will not share these with a stranger.
- 14:11 The house of the
wicked will be overthrown,
- but the tent of the upright will flourish.
- 14:12 There is a way which
seems right to a man,
- but in the end it leads to death.
- 14:13 Even in laughter the
heart may be sorrowful,
- and mirth may end in heaviness.
- 14:14 The unfaithful will
be repaid for his own ways;
- likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.
- 14:15 A simple man
believes everything,
- but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
- 14:16 A wise man fears,
and shuns evil,
- but the fool is hotheaded and reckless.
- 14:17 He who is quick to
become angry will commit folly,
- and a crafty man is hated.
- 14:18 The simple inherit
folly,
- but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
- 14:19 The evil bow down
before the good,
- and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
- 14:20 The poor person is
shunned even by his own neighbor,
- but the rich person has many friends.
- 14:21 He who despises his
neighbor sins,
- but blessed is he who has pity on the poor.
- 14:22 Don’t they go
astray who plot evil?
- But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
- 14:23 In all hard work
there is profit,
- but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
- 14:24 The crown of the
wise is their riches,
- but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
- 14:25 A truthful witness
saves souls,
- but a false witness is deceitful.
- 14:26 In the fear of
Yahweh is a secure fortress,
- and he will be a refuge for his children.
- 14:27 The fear of Yahweh
is a fountain of life,
- turning people from the snares of death.
- 14:28 In the multitude of
people is the king’s glory,
- but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
- 14:29 He who is slow to
anger has great understanding,
- but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
- 14:30 The life of the body
is a heart at peace,
- but envy rots the bones.
- 14:31 He who oppresses the
poor shows contempt for his Maker,
- but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
- 14:32 The wicked is
brought down in his calamity,
- but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
- 14:33 Wisdom rests in the
heart of one who has understanding,
- and is even made known in the inward part of fools.
- 14:34 Righteousness exalts
a nation,
- but sin is a disgrace to any people.
- 14:35 The king’s favor
is toward a servant who deals wisely,
- but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
-
15:1 A gentle answer turns
away wrath,
- but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- 15:2 The tongue of the
wise commends knowledge,
- but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
- 15:3 Yahweh’s eyes are
everywhere,
- keeping watch on the evil and the good.
- 15:4 A gentle tongue is a
tree of life,
- but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
- 15:5 A fool despises his
father’s correction,
- but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
- 15:6 In the house of the
righteous is much treasure,
- but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
- 15:7 The lips of the wise
spread knowledge;
- not so with the heart of fools.
- 15:8 The sacrifice made by
the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
- but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
- 15:9 The way of the wicked
is an abomination to Yahweh,
- but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
- 15:10 There is stern
discipline for one who forsakes the way:
- whoever hates reproof shall die.
- 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh—
- how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
- 15:12 A scoffer doesn’t
love to be reproved;
- he will not go to the wise.
- 15:13 A glad heart makes a
cheerful face;
- but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
- 15:14 The heart of one who
has understanding seeks knowledge,
- but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
- 15:15 All the days of the
afflicted are wretched,
- but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
- 15:16 Better is little,
with the fear of Yahweh,
- than great treasure with trouble.
- 15:17 Better is a dinner
of herbs, where love is,
- than a fattened calf with hatred.
- 15:18 A wrathful man stirs
up contention,
- but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
- 15:19 The way of the
sluggard is like a thorn patch,
- but the path of the upright is a highway.
- 15:20 A wise son makes a
father glad,
- but a foolish man despises his mother.
- 15:21 Folly is joy to one
who is void of wisdom,
- but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
- 15:22 Where there is no
counsel, plans fail;
- but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
- 15:23 Joy comes to a man
with the reply of his mouth.
- How good is a word at the right time!
- 15:24 The path of life
leads upward for the wise,
- to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
- 15:25 Yahweh will uproot
the house of the proud,
- but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
- 15:26 Yahweh detests the
thoughts of the wicked,
- but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
- 15:27 He who is greedy for
gain troubles his own house,
- but he who hates bribes will live.
- 15:28 The heart of the
righteous weighs answers,
- but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
- 15:29 Yahweh is far from
the wicked,
- but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
- 15:30 The light of the
eyes rejoices the heart.
- Good news gives health to the bones.
- 15:31 The ear that listens
to reproof lives,
- and will be at home among the wise.
- 15:32 He who refuses
correction despises his own soul,
- but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
- 15:33 The fear of Yahweh
teaches wisdom.
- Before honor is humility.
-
16:1 The plans of the
heart belong to man,
- but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
- 16:2 All the ways of a man
are clean in his own eyes;
- but Yahweh weighs the motives.
- 16:3 Commit your deeds to
Yahweh,
- and your plans shall succeed.
- 16:4 Yahweh has made
everything for its own end—
- yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
- 16:5 Everyone who is proud
in heart is an abomination to Yahweh:
- they shall certainly not be unpunished.
- 16:6 By mercy and truth
iniquity is atoned for.
- By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
- 16:7 When a man’s ways
please Yahweh,
- he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- 16:8 Better is a little
with righteousness,
- than great revenues with injustice.
- 16:9 A man’s heart plans
his course,
- but Yahweh directs his steps.
- 16:10 Inspired judgments
are on the lips of the king.
- He shall not betray his mouth.
- 16:11 Honest balances and
scales are Yahweh’s;
- all the weights in the bag are his work.
- 16:12 It is an abomination
for kings to do wrong,
- for the throne is established by righteousness.
- 16:13 Righteous lips are
the delight of kings.
- They value one who speaks the truth.
- 16:14 The king’s wrath
is a messenger of death,
- but a wise man will pacify it.
- 16:15 In the light of the
king’s face is life.
- His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
- 16:16 How much better it
is to get wisdom than gold!
- Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- 16:17 The highway of the
upright is to depart from evil.
- He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
- 16:18 Pride goes before
destruction,
- and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- 16:19 It is better to be
of a lowly spirit with the poor,
- than to divide the plunder with the proud.
- 16:20 He who heeds the
Word finds prosperity.
- Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
- 16:21 The wise in heart
shall be called prudent.
- Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
- 16:22 Understanding is a
fountain of life to one who has it,
- but the punishment of fools is their folly.
- 16:23 The heart of the
wise instructs his mouth,
- and adds learning to his lips.
- 16:24 Pleasant words are a
honeycomb,
- sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
- 16:25 There is a way which
seems right to a man,
- but in the end it leads to death.
- 16:26 The appetite of the
laboring man labors for him;
- for his mouth urges him on.
- 16:27 A worthless man
devises mischief.
- His speech is like a scorching fire.
- 16:28 A perverse man stirs
up strife.
- A whisperer separates close friends.
- 16:29 A man of violence
entices his neighbor,
- and leads him in a way that is not good.
- 16:30 One who winks his
eyes to plot perversities,
- one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
- 16:31 Gray hair is a crown
of glory.
- It is attained by a life of righteousness.
- 16:32 One who is slow to
anger is better than the mighty;
- one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
- 16:33 The lot is cast into
the lap,
- but its every decision is from Yahweh.
-
17:1 Better is a dry
morsel with quietness,
- than a house full of feasting with strife.
- 17:2 A servant who deals
wisely will rule over a son who causes shame,
- and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
- 17:3 The refining pot is
for silver, and the furnace for gold,
- but Yahweh tests the hearts.
- 17:4 An evildoer heeds
wicked lips.
- A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
- 17:5 Whoever mocks the
poor reproaches his Maker.
- He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
- 17:6 Children’s children
are the crown of old men;
- the glory of children are their parents.
- 17:7 Arrogant speech
isn’t fitting for a fool,
- much less do lying lips fit a prince.
- 17:8 A bribe is a precious
stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
- wherever he turns, he prospers.
- 17:9 He who covers an
offense promotes love;
- but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
- 17:10 A rebuke enters
deeper into one who has understanding
- than a hundred lashes into a fool.
- 17:11 An evil man seeks
only rebellion;
- therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
- 17:12 Let a bear robbed of
her cubs meet a man,
- rather than a fool in his folly.
- 17:13 Whoever rewards evil
for good,
- evil shall not depart from his house.
- 17:14 The beginning of
strife is like breaching a dam,
- therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
- 17:15 He who justifies the
wicked, and he who condemns the righteous,
- both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
- 17:16 Why is there money
in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
- since he has no understanding?
- 17:17 A friend loves at
all times;
- and a brother is born for adversity.
- 17:18 A man void of
understanding strikes hands,
- and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
- 17:19 He who loves
disobedience loves strife.
- One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
- 17:20 One who has a
perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity,
- and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
- 17:21 He who becomes the
father of a fool grieves.
- The father of a fool has no joy.
- 17:22 A cheerful heart
makes good medicine,
- but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- 17:23 A wicked man
receives a bribe in secret,
- to pervert the ways of justice.
- 17:24 Wisdom is before the
face of one who has understanding,
- but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
- 17:25 A foolish son brings
grief to his father,
- and bitterness to her who bore him.
- 17:26 Also to punish the
righteous is not good,
- nor to flog officials for their integrity.
- 17:27 He who spares his
words has knowledge.
- He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
- 17:28 Even a fool, when he
keeps silent, is counted wise.
- When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
-
18:1 An unfriendly man
pursues selfishness,
- and defies all sound judgment.
- 18:2 A fool has no delight
in understanding,
- but only in revealing his own opinion.
- 18:3 When wickedness
comes, contempt also comes,
- and with shame comes disgrace.
- 18:4 The words of a
man’s mouth are like deep waters.
- The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
- 18:5 To be partial to the
faces of the wicked is not good,
- nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
- 18:6 A fool’s lips come
into strife,
- and his mouth invites beatings.
- 18:7 A fool’s mouth is
his destruction,
- and his lips are a snare to his soul.
- 18:8 The words of a gossip
are like dainty morsels:
- they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
- 18:9 One who is slack in
his work
- is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
- 18:10 The name of Yahweh
is a strong tower:
- the righteous run to him, and are safe.
- 18:11 The rich man’s
wealth is his strong city,
- like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
- 18:12 Before destruction
the heart of man is proud,
- but before honor is humility.
- 18:13 He who gives answer
before he hears,
- that is folly and shame to him.
- 18:14 A man’s spirit
will sustain him in sickness,
- but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
- 18:15 The heart of the
discerning gets knowledge.
- The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
- 18:16 A man’s gift makes
room for him,
- and brings him before great men.
- 18:17 He who pleads his
cause first seems right;
- until another comes and questions him.
- 18:18 The lot settles
disputes,
- and keeps strong ones apart.
- 18:19 A brother offended
is more difficult than a fortified city;
- and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
- 18:20 A man’s stomach is
filled with the fruit of his mouth.
- With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
- 18:21 Death and life are
in the power of the tongue;
- those who love it will eat its fruit.
- 18:22 Whoever finds a wife
finds a good thing,
- and obtains favor of Yahweh.
- 18:23 The poor plead for
mercy,
- but the rich answer harshly.
- 18:24 A man of many
companions may be ruined,
- but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
-
19:1 Better is the poor
who walks in his integrity
- than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
- 19:2 It isn’t good to
have zeal without knowledge;
- nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
- 19:3 The foolishness of
man subverts his way;
- his heart rages against Yahweh.
- 19:4 Wealth adds many
friends,
- but the poor is separated from his friend.
- 19:5 A false witness shall
not be unpunished.
- He who pours out lies shall not go free.
- 19:6 Many will entreat the
favor of a ruler,
- and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
- 19:7 All the relatives of
the poor shun him:
- how much more do his friends avoid him!
- He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
- 19:8 He who gets wisdom
loves his own soul.
- He who keeps understanding shall find good.
- 19:9 A false witness shall
not be unpunished.
- He who utters lies shall perish.
- 19:10 Delicate living is
not appropriate for a fool,
- much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
- 19:11 The discretion of a
man makes him slow to anger.
- It is his glory to overlook an offense.
- 19:12 The king’s wrath
is like the roaring of a lion,
- but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- 19:13 A foolish son is the
calamity of his father.
- A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
- 19:14 House and riches are
an inheritance from fathers,
- but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
- 19:15 Slothfulness casts
into a deep sleep.
- The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
- 19:16 He who keeps the
commandment keeps his soul,
- but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
- 19:17 He who has pity on
the poor lends to Yahweh;
- he will reward him.
- 19:18 Discipline your son,
for there is hope;
- don’t be a willing party to his death.
- 19:19 A hot-tempered man
must pay the penalty,
- for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
- 19:20 Listen to counsel
and receive instruction,
- that you may be wise in your latter end.
- 19:21 There are many plans
in a man’s heart,
- but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
- 19:22 That which makes a
man to be desired is his kindness.
- A poor man is better than a liar.
- 19:23 The fear of Yahweh
leads to life, then contentment;
- he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
- 19:24 The sluggard buries
his hand in the dish;
- he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
- 19:25 Flog a scoffer, and
the simple will learn prudence;
- rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
- 19:26 He who robs his
father and drives away his mother,
- is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
- 19:27 If you stop
listening to instruction, my son,
- you will stray from the words of knowledge.
- 19:28 A corrupt witness
mocks justice,
- and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
- 19:29 Penalties are
prepared for scoffers,
- and beatings for the backs of fools.
-
-
20,1 Wine is a mocker, and
beer is a brawler.
- Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
- 20,2 The terror of a king
is like the roaring of a lion.
- He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
- 20,3 It is an honor for a
man to keep aloof from strife;
- but every fool will be quarreling.
- 20,4 The sluggard will not
plow by reason of the winter;
- therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
- 20,5 Counsel in the heart
of man is like deep water;
- but a man of understanding will draw it out.
- 20,6 Many men claim to be
men of unfailing love,
- but who can find a faithful man?
- 20,7 A righteous man walks
in integrity.
- Blessed are his children after him.
- 20,8 A king who sits on
the throne of judgment
- scatters away all evil with his eyes.
- 20,9 Who can say, “I
have made my heart pure.
- I am clean and without sin?”
- 20,10 Differing weights
and differing measures,
- both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
- 20,11 Even a child makes
himself known by his doings,
- whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
- 20,12 The hearing ear, and
the seeing eye,
- Yahweh has made even both of them.
- 20,13 Don’t love sleep,
lest you come to poverty.
- Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
- 20,14 “It’s no good,
it’s no good,” says the buyer;
- but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
- 20,15 There is gold and
abundance of rubies;
- but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
- 20,16 Take the garment of
one who puts up collateral for a stranger;
- and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
- 20,17 Fraudulent food is
sweet to a man,
- but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
- 20,18 Plans are
established by advice;
- by wise guidance you wage war!
- 20,19 He who goes about as
a tale-bearer reveals secrets;
- therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
- 20,20 Whoever curses his
father or his mother,
- his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
- 20,21 An inheritance
quickly gained at the beginning,
- won’t be blessed in the end.
- 20,22 Don’t say, “I
will pay back evil.”
- Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
- 20,23 Yahweh detests
differing weights,
- and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
- 20,24 A man’s steps are
from Yahweh;
- how then can man understand his way?
- 20,25 It is a snare to a
man to make a rash dedication,
- then later to consider his vows.
- 20,26 A wise king winnows
out the wicked,
- and drives the threshing wheel over them.
- 20,27 The spirit of man is
Yahweh’s lamp,
- searching all his innermost parts.
- 20,28 Love and
faithfulness keep the king safe.
- His throne is sustained by love.
- 20,29 The glory of young
men is their strength.
- The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
- 20,30 Wounding blows
cleanse away evil,
- and beatings purge the innermost parts.
-
-
21:1 The king’s heart is
in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses.
- He turns it wherever he desires.
- 21:2 Every way of a man is
right in his own eyes,
- but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
- 21:3 To do righteousness
and justice
- is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
- 21:4 A high look, and a
proud heart,
- the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
- 21:5 The plans of the
diligent surely lead to profit;
- and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
- 21:6 Getting treasures by
a lying tongue
- is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
- 21:7 The violence of the
wicked will drive them away,
- because they refuse to do what is right.
- 21:8 The way of the guilty
is devious,
- but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
- 21:9 It is better to dwell
in the corner of the housetop,
- than to share a house with a contentious woman.
- 21:10 The soul of the
wicked desires evil;
- his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
- 21:11 When the mocker is
punished, the simple gains wisdom.
- When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
- 21:12 The Righteous One
considers the house of the wicked,
- and brings the wicked to ruin.
- 21:13 Whoever stops his
ears at the cry of the poor,
- he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
- 21:14 A gift in secret
pacifies anger;
- and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
- 21:15 It is joy to the
righteous to do justice;
- but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
- 21:16 The man who wanders
out of the way of understanding
- shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
- 21:17 He who loves
pleasure shall be a poor man.
- He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
- 21:18 The wicked is a
ransom for the righteous;
- the treacherous for the upright.
- 21:19 It is better to
dwell in a desert land,
- than with a contentious and fretful woman.
- 21:20 There is precious
treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
- but a foolish man swallows it up.
- 21:21 He who follows after
righteousness and kindness
- finds life, righteousness, and honor.
- 21:22 A wise man scales
the city of the mighty,
- and brings down the strength of its confidence.
- 21:23 Whoever guards his
mouth and his tongue
- keeps his soul from troubles.
- 21:24 The proud and
haughty man, “scoffer” is his name;
- he works in the arrogance of pride.
- 21:25 The desire of the
sluggard kills him,
- for his hands refuse to labor.
- 21:26 There are those who
covet greedily all day long;
- but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
- 21:27 The sacrifice of the
wicked is an abomination:
- how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
- 21:28 A false witness will
perish,
- and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
- 21:29 A wicked man hardens
his face;
- but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
- 21:30 There is no wisdom
nor understanding
- nor counsel against Yahweh.
- 21:31 The horse is
prepared for the day of battle;
- but victory is with Yahweh.
-
-
22:1 A good name is more
desirable than great riches,
- and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
- 22:2 The rich and the poor
have this in common:
- Yahweh is the maker of them all.
- 22:3 A prudent man sees
danger, and hides himself;
- but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- 22:4 The result of
humility and the fear of Yahweh
- is wealth, honor, and life.
- 22:5 Thorns and snares are
in the path of the wicked:
- whoever guards his soul stays from them.
- 22:6 Train up a child in
the way he should go,
- and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- 22:7 The rich rule over
the poor.
- The borrower is servant to the lender.
- 22:8 He who sows
wickedness reaps trouble,
- and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
- 22:9 He who has a generous
eye will be blessed;
- for he shares his food with the poor.
- 22:10 Drive out the
mocker, and strife will go out;
- yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
- 22:11 He who loves purity
of heart and speaks gracefully
- is the king’s friend.
- 22:12 The eyes of Yahweh
watch over knowledge;
- but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
- 22:13 The sluggard says,
“There is a lion outside!
- I will be killed in the streets!”
- 22:14 The mouth of an
adulteress is a deep pit:
- he who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.
- 22:15 Folly is bound up in
the heart of a child:
- the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
- 22:16 Whoever oppresses
the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,
- both come to poverty.
-
- 22:17 Turn your ear, and
listen to the words of the wise.
- Apply your heart to my teaching.
- 22:18 For it is a pleasant
thing if you keep them within you,
- if all of them are ready on your lips.
- 22:19 That your trust may
be in Yahweh,
- I teach you today, even you.
- 22:20 Haven’t I written
to you thirty excellent things
- of counsel and knowledge,
- 22:21 To teach you truth,
reliable words,
- to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
-
- 22:22 Don’t exploit the
poor, because he is poor;
- and don’t crush the needy in court;
- 22:23 for Yahweh will
plead their case,
- and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
-
- 22:24 Don’t befriend a
hot-tempered man,
- and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:
- 22:25 lest you learn his
ways,
- and ensnare your soul.
-
- 22:26 Don’t you be one
of those who strike hands,
- of those who are collateral for debts.
- 22:27 If you don’t have
means to pay,
- why should he take away your bed from under you?
-
- 22:28 Don’t move the
ancient boundary stone,
- which your fathers have set up.
-
- 22:29 Do you see a man
skilled in his work?
- He will serve kings.
- He won’t serve obscure men.
-
-
23:1 When you sit to eat
with a ruler,
- consider diligently what is before you;
- 23:2 put a knife to your
throat,
- if you are a man given to appetite.
- 23:3 Don’t be desirous
of his dainties,
- since they are deceitful food.
- 23:4 Don’t weary
yourself to be rich.
- In your wisdom, show restraint.
- 23:5 Why do you set your
eyes on that which is not?
- For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
- 23:6 Don’t eat the food
of him who has a stingy eye,
- and don’t crave his delicacies:
- 23:7 for as he thinks
about the cost, so he is.
- “Eat and drink!” he says to you,
- but his heart is not with you.
- 23:8 The morsel which you
have eaten you shall vomit up,
- and lose your good words.
-
- 23:9 Don’t speak in the
ears of a fool,
- for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
-
- 23:10 Don’t move the
ancient boundary stone.
- Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless:
- 23:11 for their Defender
is strong.
- He will plead their case against you.
-
- 23:12 Apply your heart to
instruction,
- and your ears to the words of knowledge.
- 23:13 Don’t withhold
correction from a child.
- If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
- 23:14 Punish him with the
rod,
- and save his soul from Sheol.
-
- 23:15 My son, if your
heart is wise,
- then my heart will be glad, even mine:
- 23:16 yes, my heart will
rejoice,
- when your lips speak what is right.
- 23:17 Don’t let your
heart envy sinners;
- but rather fear Yahweh all the day long.
- 23:18 Indeed surely there
is a future hope,
- and your hope will not be cut off.
- 23:19 Listen, my son, and
be wise,
- and keep your heart on the right path!
- 23:20 Don’t be among
ones drinking too much wine,
- or those who gorge themselves on meat:
- 23:21 for the drunkard and
the glutton shall become poor;
- and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
- 23:22 Listen to your
father who gave you life,
- and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
- 23:23 Buy the truth, and
don’t sell it.
- Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
- 23:24 The father of the
righteous has great joy.
- Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
- 23:25 Let your father and
your mother be glad!
- Let her who bore you rejoice!
- 23:26 My son, give me your
heart;
- and let your eyes keep in my ways.
- 23:27 For a prostitute is
a deep pit;
- and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
- 23:28 Yes, she lies in
wait like a robber,
- and increases the unfaithful among men.
-
- 23:29 Who has woe?
- Who has sorrow?
- Who has strife?
- Who has complaints?
- Who has needless bruises?
- Who has bloodshot eyes?
- 23:30 Those who stay long
at the wine;
- those who go to seek out mixed wine.
- 23:31 Don’t look at the
wine when it is red,
- when it sparkles in the cup,
- when it goes down smoothly.
- 23:32 In the end, it bites
like a snake,
- and poisons like a viper.
- 23:33 Your eyes will see
strange things,
- and your mind will imagine confusing things.
- 23:34 Yes, you will be as
he who lies down in the midst of the sea,
- or as he who lies on top of the rigging:
- 23:35 “They hit me, and
I was not hurt!
- They beat me, and I don’t feel it!
- When will I wake up? I can do it again.
- I can find another.”
-
-
- 24:1 Don’t be envious of
evil men;
- neither desire to be with them:
- 24:2 for their hearts plot
violence,
- and their lips talk about mischief.
- 24:3 Through wisdom a
house is built;
- by understanding it is established;
- 24:4 by knowledge the
rooms are filled
- with all rare and beautiful treasure.
- 24:5 A wise man has great
power;
- and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
- 24:6 for by wise guidance
you wage your war;
- and victory is in many advisors.
- 24:7 Wisdom is too high
for a fool:
- he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
- 24:8 One who plots to do
evil
- will be called a schemer.
- 24:9 The schemes of folly
are sin.
- The mocker is detested by men.
- 24:10 If you falter in the
time of trouble,
- your strength is small.
- 24:11 Rescue those who are
being led away to death!
- Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
- 24:12 If you say,
“Behold, we didn’t know this;”
- doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it?
- He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it?
- Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
- 24:13 My son, eat honey,
for it is good;
- the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
- 24:14 so you shall know
wisdom to be to your soul;
- if you have found it, then there will be a reward,
- your hope will not be cut off.
- 24:15 Don’t lay in wait,
wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous.
- Don’t destroy his resting place:
- 24:16 for a righteous man
falls seven times, and rises up again;
- but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
- 24:17 Don’t rejoice when
your enemy falls.
- Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
- 24:18 lest Yahweh see it,
and it displease him,
- and he turn away his wrath from him.
- 24:19 Don’t fret
yourself because of evildoers;
- neither be envious of the wicked:
- 24:20 for there will be no
reward to the evil man;
- and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
- 24:21 My son, fear Yahweh
and the king.
- Don’t join those who are rebellious:
- 24:22 for their calamity
will rise suddenly;
- the destruction from them both—who knows?
-
24:23 These also are
sayings of the wise.
- To show partiality in judgment is not good.
- 24:24 He who says to the
wicked, “You are righteous;”
- peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him—
- 24:25 but it will go well
with those who convict the guilty,
- and a rich blessing will come on them.
- 24:26 An honest answer
- is like a kiss on the lips.
- 24:27 Prepare your work
outside,
- and get your fields ready.
- Afterwards, build your house.
- 24:28 Don’t be a witness
against your neighbor without cause.
- Don’t deceive with your lips.
- 24:29 Don’t say, “I
will do to him as he has done to me;
- I will render to the man according to his work.”
- 24:30 I went by the field
of the sluggard,
- by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
- 24:31 Behold, it was all
grown over with thorns.
- Its surface was covered with nettles,
- and its stone wall was broken down.
- 24:32 Then I saw, and
considered well.
- I saw, and received instruction:
- 24:33 a little sleep, a
little slumber,
- a little folding of the hands to sleep;
- 24:34 so your poverty will
come as a robber,
- and your want as an armed man.
25:1 These also are
proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
- 25:2 It is the glory of
God to conceal a thing,
- but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
- 25:3 As the heavens for
height, and the earth for depth,
- so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
- 25:4 Take away the dross
from the silver,
- and material comes out for the refiner;
- 25:5 Take away the wicked
from the king’s presence,
- and his throne will be established in righteousness.
- 25:6 Don’t exalt
yourself in the presence of the king,
- or claim a place among great men;
- 25:7 for it is better that
it be said to you, “Come up here,”
- than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
- whom your eyes have seen.
- 25:8 Don’t be hasty in
bringing charges to court.
- What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
- 25:9 Debate your case with
your neighbor,
- and don’t betray the confidence of another;
- 25:10 lest one who hears
it put you to shame,
- and your bad reputation never depart.
-
- 25:11 A word fitly spoken
- is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- 25:12 As an earring of
gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
- so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
- 25:13 As the cold of snow
in the time of harvest,
- so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
- for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
- 25:14 As clouds and wind
without rain,
- so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
- 25:15 By patience a ruler
is persuaded.
- A soft tongue breaks the bone.
- 25:16 Have you found honey?
- Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
- lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
- 25:17 Let your foot be
seldom in your neighbor’s house,
- lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
- 25:18 A man who gives
false testimony against his neighbor
- is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
- 25:19 Confidence in
someone unfaithful in time of trouble
- is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
- 25:20 As one who takes
away a garment in cold weather,
- or vinegar on soda,
- so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
- 25:21 If your enemy is
hungry, give him food to eat.
- If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
- 25:22 for you will heap
coals of fire on his head,
- and Yahweh will reward you.
- 25:23 The north wind
brings forth rain:
- so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
- 25:24 It is better to
dwell in the corner of the housetop,
- than to share a house with a contentious woman.
- 25:25 Like cold water to a
thirsty soul,
- so is good news from a far country.
- 25:26 Like a muddied
spring, and a polluted well,
- so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
- 25:27 It is not good to
eat much honey;
- nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
- 25:28 Like a city that is
broken down and without walls
- is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
-
26:1 Like snow in summer,
and as rain in harvest,
- so honor is not fitting for a fool.
- 26:2 Like a fluttering
sparrow,
- like a darting swallow,
- so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
- 26:3 A whip is for the
horse,
- a bridle for the donkey,
- and a rod for the back of fools!
- 26:4 Don’t answer a fool
according to his folly,
- lest you also be like him.
- 26:5 Answer a fool
according to his folly,
- lest he be wise in his own eyes.
- 26:6 One who sends a
message by the hand of a fool
- is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
- 26:7 Like the legs of the
lame that hang loose:
- so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
- 26:8 As one who binds a
stone in a sling,
- so is he who gives honor to a fool.
- 26:9 Like a thornbush that
goes into the hand of a drunkard,
- so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
- 26:10 As an archer who
wounds all,
- so is he who hires a fool
- or he who hires those who pass by.
- 26:11 As a dog that
returns to his vomit,
- so is a fool who repeats his folly.
- 26:12 Do you see a man
wise in his own eyes?
- There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 26:13 The sluggard says,
“There is a lion in the road!
- A fierce lion roams the streets!”
- 26:14 As the door turns on
its hinges,
- so does the sluggard on his bed.
- 26:15 The sluggard buries
his hand in the dish.
- He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
- 26:16 The sluggard is
wiser in his own eyes
- than seven men who answer with discretion.
- 26:17 Like one who grabs a
dog’s ears
- is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
- 26:18 Like a madman who
shoots torches, arrows, and death,
- 26:19 is the man who
deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
- 26:20 For lack of wood a
fire goes out.
- Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
- 26:21 As coals are to hot
embers,
- and wood to fire,
- so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
- 26:22 The words of a
whisperer are as dainty morsels,
- they go down into the innermost parts.
- 26:23 Like silver dross on
an earthen vessel
- are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
- 26:24 A malicious man
disguises himself with his lips,
- but he harbors evil in his heart.
- 26:25 When his speech is
charming, don’t believe him;
- for there are seven abominations in his heart.
- 26:26 His malice may be
concealed by deception,
- but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
- 26:27 Whoever digs a pit
shall fall into it.
- Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
- 26:28 A lying tongue hates
those it hurts;
- and a flattering mouth works ruin.
-
27:1 Don’t boast about
tomorrow;
- for you don’t know what a day may bring forth.
- 27:2 Let another man
praise you,
- and not your own mouth;
- a stranger, and not your own lips.
- 27:3 A stone is heavy,
- and sand is a burden;
- but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
- 27:4 Wrath is cruel,
- and anger is overwhelming;
- but who is able to stand before jealousy?
- 27:5 Better is open rebuke
- than hidden love.
- 27:6 Faithful are the
wounds of a friend;
- although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
- 27:7 A full soul loathes a
honeycomb;
- but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
- 27:8 As a bird that
wanders from her nest,
- so is a man who wanders from his home.
- 27:9 Perfume and incense
bring joy to the heart;
- so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
- 27:10 Don’t forsake your
friend and your father’s friend.
- Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster:
- better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.
- 27:11 Be wise, my son,
- and bring joy to my heart,
- then I can answer my tormentor.
- 27:12 A prudent man sees
danger and takes refuge;
- but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- 27:13 Take his garment
when he puts up collateral for a stranger.
- Hold it for a wayward woman!
- 27:14 He who blesses his
neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,
- it will be taken as a curse by him.
- 27:15 A continual dropping
on a rainy day
- and a contentious wife are alike:
- 27:16 restraining her is
like restraining the wind,
- or like grasping oil in his right hand.
-
- 27:17 Iron sharpens iron;
- so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
- 27:18 Whoever tends the
fig tree shall eat its fruit.
- He who looks after his master shall be honored.
- 27:19 As water reflects a
face,
- so a man’s heart reflects the man.
- 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied;
- and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
- 27:21 The crucible is for
silver,
- and the furnace for gold;
- but man is refined by his praise.
- 27:22 Though you grind a
fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
- yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
-
- 27:23 Know well the state
of your flocks,
- and pay attention to your herds:
- 27:24 for riches are not
forever,
- nor does even the crown endure to all generations.
- 27:25 The hay is removed,
and the new growth appears,
- the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
- 27:26 The lambs are for
your clothing,
- and the goats are the price of a field.
- 27:27 There will be plenty
of goats’ milk for your food,
- for your family’s food,
- and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
-
28:1 The wicked flee when
no one pursues;
- but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- 28:2 In rebellion, a land
has many rulers,
- but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
- 28:3 A needy man who
oppresses the poor
- is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
- 28:4 Those who forsake the
law praise the wicked;
- but those who keep the law contend with them.
- 28:5 Evil men don’t
understand justice;
- but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
- 28:6 Better is the poor
who walks in his integrity,
- than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
- 28:7 Whoever keeps the law
is a wise son;
- but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
- 28:8 He who increases his
wealth by excessive interest
- gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
- 28:9 He who turns away his
ear from hearing the law,
- even his prayer is an abomination.
- 28:10 Whoever causes the
upright to go astray in an evil way,
- he will fall into his own trap;
- but the blameless will inherit good.
- 28:11 The rich man is wise
in his own eyes;
- but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
- 28:12 When the righteous
triumph, there is great glory;
- but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
- 28:13 He who conceals his
sins doesn’t prosper,
- but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
- 28:14 Blessed is the man
who always fears;
- but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
- 28:15 As a roaring lion or
a charging bear,
- so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
- 28:16 A tyrannical ruler
lacks judgment.
- One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
- 28:17 A man who is
tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death;
- no one will support him.
- 28:18 Whoever walks
blamelessly is kept safe;
- but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
- 28:19 One who works his
land will have an abundance of food;
- but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
- 28:20 A faithful man is
rich with blessings;
- but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
- 28:21 To show partiality
is not good;
- yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
- 28:22 A stingy man hurries
after riches,
- and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
- 28:23 One who rebukes a
man will afterward find more favor
- than one who flatters with the tongue.
- 28:24 Whoever robs his
father or his mother, and says, “It’s not wrong.”
- He is a partner with a destroyer.
- 28:25 One who is greedy
stirs up strife;
- but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
- 28:26 One who trusts in
himself is a fool;
- but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
- 28:27 One who gives to the
poor has no lack;
- but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
- 28:28 When the wicked
rise, men hide themselves;
- but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
-
29:1 He who is often
rebuked and stiffens his neck
- will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
- 29:2 When the righteous
thrive, the people rejoice;
- but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
- 29:3 Whoever loves wisdom
brings joy to his father;
- but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
- 29:4 The king by justice
makes the land stable,
- but he who takes bribes tears it down.
- 29:5 A man who flatters
his neighbor
- spreads a net for his feet.
- 29:6 An evil man is snared
by his sin,
- but the righteous can sing and be glad.
- 29:7 The righteous care
about justice for the poor.
- The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
- 29:8 Mockers stir up a
city,
- but wise men turn away anger.
- 29:9 If a wise man goes to
court with a foolish man,
- the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
- 29:10 The bloodthirsty
hate a man of integrity;
- and they seek the life of the upright.
- 29:11 A fool vents all of
his anger,
- but a wise man brings himself under control.
- 29:12 If a ruler listens
to lies,
- all of his officials are wicked.
- 29:13 The poor man and the
oppressor have this in common:
- Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
- 29:14 The king who fairly
judges the poor,
- his throne shall be established forever.
- 29:15 The rod of
correction gives wisdom,
- but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
- 29:16 When the wicked
increase, sin increases;
- but the righteous will see their downfall.
- 29:17 Correct your son,
and he will give you peace;
- yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
- 29:18 Where there is no
revelation, the people cast off restraint;
- but one who keeps the law is blessed.
- 29:19 A servant can’t be
corrected by words.
- Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
- 29:20 Do you see a man who
is hasty in his words?
- There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 29:21 He who pampers his
servant from youth
- will have him become a son in the end.
- 29:22 An angry man stirs
up strife,
- and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
- 29:23 A man’s pride
brings him low,
- but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
- 29:24 Whoever is an
accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul.
- He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
- 29:25 The fear of man
proves to be a snare,
- but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
- 29:26 Many seek the
ruler’s favor,
- but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.
- 29:27 A dishonest man
detests the righteous,
- and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.
-
30,1 The words of Agur the
son of Jakeh, the oracle:
- the man says to Ithiel,
- to Ithiel and Ucal:
- 30,2 “Surely I am the
most ignorant man,
- and don’t have a man’s understanding.
- 30,3 I have not learned
wisdom,
- neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
- 30,4 Who has ascended up
into heaven, and descended?
- Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
- Who has bound 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?
-
- 30,5 “Every word of God
is flawless.
- He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
- 30,6 Don’t you add to
his words,
- lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
-
- 30,7 “Two things I have
asked of you;
- don’t deny me before I die:
- 30,8 Remove far from me
falsehood and lies.
- Give me neither poverty nor riches.
- Feed me with the food that is needful for me;
- 30,9 lest I be full, deny
you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’
- or lest I be poor, and steal,
- and so dishonor the name of my God.
-
- 30,10 “Don’t slander a
servant to his master,
- lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
- 30,11 There is a
generation that curses their father,
- and doesn’t bless their mother.
- 30,12 There is a
generation that is pure in their own eyes,
- yet are not washed from their filthiness.
- 30,13 There is a
generation, oh how lofty are their eyes!
- Their eyelids are lifted up.
- 30,14 There is a
generation whose teeth are like swords,
- and their jaws like knives,
- to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men.
-
- 30,15 “The leach has two
daughters:
- ‘Give, give.’
-
- “There are three things that are never satisfied;
- four that don’t say, ‘Enough:’
- 30,16 Sheol,
- the barren womb;
- the earth that is not satisfied with water;
- and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough.’
-
- 30,17 “The eye that
mocks at his father,
- and scorns obedience to his mother:
- the ravens of the valley shall pick it out,
- the young eagles shall eat it.
-
- 30,18 “There are three
things which are too amazing for me,
- four which I don’t understand:
- 30,19 The way of an eagle
in the air;
- the way of a serpent on a rock;
- the way of a ship in the midst of the sea;
- and the way of a man with a maiden.
-
- 30,20 “So is the way of
an adulterous woman:
- she eats and wipes her mouth,
- and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
-
- 30,21 “For three things
the earth tremble,
- and under four, it can’t bear up:
- 30,22 For a servant when
he is king;
- a fool when he is filled with food;
- 30,23 for an unloved woman
when she is married;
- and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
-
- 30,24 “There are four
things which are little on the earth,
- but they are exceedingly wise:
- 30,25 the ants are not a
strong people,
- yet they provide their food in the summer.
- 30,26 The conies are but a
feeble folk,
- yet make they their houses in the rocks.
- 30,27 The locusts have no
king,
- yet they advance in ranks.
- 30,28 You can catch a
lizard with your hands,
- yet it is in kings’ palaces.
-
- 30,29 “There are three
things which are stately in their march,
- four which are stately in going:
- 30,30 The lion, which is
mightiest among animals,
- and doesn’t turn away for any;
- 30,31 the greyhound,
- the male goat also;
- and the king against whom there is no rising up.
-
- 30,32 “If you have done
foolishly in lifting up yourself,
- or if you have thought evil,
- put your hand over your mouth.
- 30,33 For as the churning
of milk brings forth butter,
- and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood;
- so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.”
31:1 The words of king
Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
- 31:2 “Oh, my son!
- Oh, son of my womb!
- Oh, son of my vows!
- 31:3 Don’t give your
strength to women,
- nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
- 31:4 It is not for kings,
Lemuel;
- it is not for kings to drink wine;
- nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
- 31:5 lest they drink, and
forget the law,
- and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
- 31:6 Give strong drink to
him who is ready to perish;
- and wine to the bitter in soul:
- 31:7 Let him drink, and
forget his poverty,
- and remember his misery no more.
- 31:8 Open your mouth for
the mute,
- in the cause of all who are left desolate.
- 31:9 Open your mouth,
judge righteously,
- and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
-
- 31:10 *Who can find
a worthy woman?
- For her price is far above rubies.
- 31:11 The heart of her
husband trusts in her.
- He shall have no lack of gain.
- 31:12 She does him good,
and not harm,
- all the days of her life.
- 31:13 She seeks wool and
flax,
- and works eagerly with her hands.
- 31:14 She is like the
merchant ships.
- She brings her bread from afar.
- 31:15 She rises also while
it is yet night,
- gives food to her household,
- and portions for her servant girls.
- 31:16 She considers a
field, and buys it.
- With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
- 31:17 She arms her waist
with strength,
- and makes her arms strong.
- 31:18 She perceives that
her merchandise is profitable.
- Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
- 31:19 She lays her hands
to the distaff,
- and her hands hold the spindle.
- 31:20 She opens her arms
to the poor;
- yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
- 31:21 She is not afraid of
the snow for her household;
- for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
- 31:22 She makes for
herself carpets of tapestry.
- Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
- 31:23 Her husband is
respected in the gates,
- when he sits among the elders of the land.
- 31:24 She makes linen
garments and sells them,
- and delivers sashes to the merchant.
- 31:25 Strength and dignity
are her clothing.
- She laughs at the time to come.
- 31:26 She opens her mouth
with wisdom.
- Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
- 31:27 She looks well to
the ways of her household,
- and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
- 31:28 Her children rise up
and call her blessed.
- Her husband also praises her:
- 31:29 “Many women do
noble things,
- but you excel them all.”
- 31:30 Charm is deceitful,
and beauty is vain;
- but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
- 31:31 Give her of the
fruit of her hands!
- Let her works praise her in the gates!
Notes:
[1] back to 1:7
“Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all
caps) in other translations.
[2] back to 1:12 Sheol is the place of the dead.
[3] back to 2:5 The Hebrew word rendered
“God” is “Elohim.”
[4] back
to 5:5 Sheol is the place of the dead.
[5] back to 7:27 Sheol is the place of the dead.
[6] back to 9:18 Sheol is the place of the
dead.
[7] back to 15:11 Sheol
is the place of the dead.
[8] back
to 15:24 Sheol is the place of the dead.
[9] back to 23:14 Sheol is the place of the dead.
[10] back to 27:20 Sheol is the place of
the dead.
[11] back to 30:16
Sheol is the place of the dead.
[12] back to 31:10 Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with
each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.
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