Proverbs 10:1-18:5
New International Version
Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)
A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(J)
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(O)
9 Whoever walks in integrity(P) walks securely,(Q)
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(R)
10 Whoever winks maliciously(S) causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(T)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(U)
12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.(V)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(W)
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(X)
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,(AE)
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(AF)
and spreads slander is a fool.
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.(AG)
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(AH)
23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(AL)
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(AV)
29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.(AW)
30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.(AX)
31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,(AY)
but a perverse tongue(AZ) will be silenced.
32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,(BA)
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.(BB)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(BG)
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(BK)
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(BL)
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(BM)
7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(BN)
all the promise of[c] their power comes to nothing.(BO)
8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.(BP)
9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.(BQ)
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(BR)
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(BS)
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(BT)
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(BU)
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(BV)
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(BW)
15 Whoever puts up security(CB) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(CC)
16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(CD)
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(CE)
20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(CH)
but he delights(CI) in those whose ways are blameless.(CJ)
21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.(CK)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.(CN)
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(CO)
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(CP)
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.(CQ)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(CR)
and the one who is wise saves lives.
31 If the righteous receive their due(CS) on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.(CT)
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(CW)
4 A wife of noble character(CX) is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(CY)
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(CZ)
8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped(DC) mind is despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(DD)
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(DE)
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(DH)
and the work of their hands brings them reward.(DI)
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.(DO)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(DR)
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(DS)
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.(DY)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(DZ)
but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(EA)
27 The lazy do not roast[d] any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(EB)
along that path is immortality.
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(EC)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(ED)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(EE) preserve their lives,(EF)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(EG)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(EH)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(EI)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(EJ)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(EK)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(EL)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(EM)
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(EN)
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(EO)
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(EP)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(EQ)
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(ER)
but whoever respects(ES) a command is rewarded.(ET)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(EU)
turning a person from the snares of death.(EV)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[e]
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(FA)
but whoever heeds correction is honored.(FB)
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(FC)
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.(FD)
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(FH)
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod(FI) hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(FJ) them.(FK)
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(FL)
14 The wise woman builds her house,(FM)
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox(FP) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.(FQ)
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(FR)
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(FS)
but the folly of fools is deception.(FT)
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
13 Even in laughter(FY) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.(GB)
17 A quick-tempered person(GE) does foolish things,(GF)
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(GG)
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(GH)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(GI)
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(GL)
But those who plan what is good find[g] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.(GM)
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.(GN)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(GO)
and for their children it will be a refuge.(GP)
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.(GS)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(GT)
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(GU)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.(GV)
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(GW)
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(GX)
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(GY)
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(GZ)
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(HA)
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[h]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(HB)
but sin condemns any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(HC)
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(HN)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(HO)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(HP)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(HQ)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice(HR) of the wicked,(HS)
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(HT)
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(HW)
12 Mockers resent correction,(HZ)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(IC)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(ID)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(IE)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(IF)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(II)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(IJ)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(IK)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(IQ)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(IR)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(IS) of the wicked,(IT)
but gracious words are pure(IU) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(IV)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(IY)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(IZ)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(JA)
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(JB)
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(JC)
16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(JF)
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.(JJ)
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord(JO) evil is avoided.(JP)
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace(JQ) with them.(JR)
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.(JU)
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.(JV)
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.(JW)
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.(JX)
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.(JY)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(KF)
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[j](KJ)
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(KK)
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(KM)
but folly brings punishment to fools.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.(KX)
30 Whoever winks(KY) with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(KZ)
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.(LD)
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor(LG) shows contempt for their Maker;(LH)
whoever gloats over disaster(LI) will not go unpunished.(LJ)
6 Children’s children(LK) are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(LL)
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.(LM)
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(LN)
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(LO)
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.(LP)
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(LS)
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?(LV)
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(LW)
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.(LX)
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(LY)
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes(MD) wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(ME)
26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,(MF)
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(MG)
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(MH)
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.(MI)
18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.(MJ)
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(MK)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
- Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.
- Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
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