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Proverbs 1-17
King James Version
Proverbs 1-17
King James Version
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
3 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
4 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
5 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
6 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
7 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
8 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
9 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
10 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
3 The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
12 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
13 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
14 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
16 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
17 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Proverbs 1-9
New International Version
Proverbs 1-9
New International Version
Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs(A) of Solomon(B) son of David, king of Israel:(C)
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)
7 The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
8 Listen, my son,(M) to your father’s(N) instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(O)
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.(P)
10 My son, if sinful men entice(Q) you,
do not give in(R) to them.(S)
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait(T) for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow(U) them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;(V)
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot(W)”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot(X) on their paths;(Y)
16 for their feet rush into evil,(Z)
they are swift to shed blood.(AA)
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait(AB) for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!(AC)
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.(AD)
Wisdom’s Rebuke
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,(AE)
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple(AF) love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate(AG) knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse(AH) to listen when I call(AI)
and no one pays attention(AJ) when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh(AK) when disaster(AL) strikes you;
I will mock(AM) when calamity overtakes you(AN)—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster(AO) sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;(AP)
they will look for me but will not find me,(AQ)
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord.(AR)
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,(AS)
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.(AT)
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;(AU)
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety(AV)
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”(AW)
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
2 My son,(AX) if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding(AY)—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight(AZ)
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,(BA)
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.(BB)
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;(BC)
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(BD)
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield(BE) to those whose walk is blameless,(BF)
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.(BG)
9 Then you will understand(BH) what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,(BI)
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.(BJ)
12 Wisdom will save(BK) you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,(BL)
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,(BM)
15 whose paths are crooked(BN)
and who are devious in their ways.(BO)
16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,(BP)
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.[e](BQ)
18 Surely her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.(BR)
19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.(BS)
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,(BT)
and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked(BU) will be cut off from the land,(BV)
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.(BW)
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
3 My son,(BX) do not forget my teaching,(BY)
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years(BZ)
and bring you peace and prosperity.(CA)
3 Let love and faithfulness(CB) never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.(CC)
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.(CD)
5 Trust in the Lord(CE) with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths(CF) straight.[f](CG)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;(CH)
fear the Lord(CI) and shun evil.(CJ)
8 This will bring health to your body(CK)
and nourishment to your bones.(CL)
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits(CM) of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled(CN) to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.(CO)
11 My son,(CP) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,(CQ)
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,(CR)
as a father the son he delights in.[g](CS)
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.(CT)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(CU)
nothing you desire can compare with her.(CV)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(CW)
in her left hand are riches and honor.(CX)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.(CY)
18 She is a tree of life(CZ) to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.(DA)
19 By wisdom(DB) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,(DC)
by understanding he set the heavens(DD) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son,(DE) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(DF)
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(DG)
an ornament to grace your neck.(DH)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(DI)
and your foot will not stumble.(DJ)
24 When you lie down,(DK) you will not be afraid;(DL)
when you lie down, your sleep(DM) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(DN)
and will keep your foot(DO) from being snared.(DP)
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.(DQ)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.(DR)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy(DS) the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse(DT)
but takes the upright into his confidence.(DU)
33 The Lord’s curse(DV) is on the house of the wicked,(DW)
but he blesses the home of the righteous.(DX)
34 He mocks(DY) proud mockers(DZ)
but shows favor to the humble(EA) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
4 Listen, my sons,(EB) to a father’s instruction;(EC)
pay attention and gain understanding.(ED)
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold(EE) of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.(EF)
5 Get wisdom,(EG) get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;(EH)
love her, and she will watch over you.(EI)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[h] wisdom.
Though it cost all(EJ) you have,[i] get understanding.(EK)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.(EL)
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.(EM)”
10 Listen, my son,(EN) accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.(EO)
11 I instruct(EP) you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.(EQ)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.(ER)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.(ES)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.(ET)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(EU)
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.(EV)
18 The path of the righteous(EW) is like the morning sun,(EX)
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(EY)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(EZ)
they do not know what makes them stumble.(FA)
20 My son,(FB) pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.(FC)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(FD)
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.(FE)
23 Above all else, guard(FF) your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.(FG)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(FH) look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[j] paths for your feet(FI)
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(FJ)
keep your foot from evil.
Warning Against Adultery
5 My son,(FK) pay attention to my wisdom,
turn your ear to my words(FL) of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;(FM)
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,(FN)
sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.(FO)
6 She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.(FP)
7 Now then, my sons, listen(FQ) to me;
do not turn aside from what I say.
8 Keep to a path far from her,(FR)
do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you lose your honor to others
and your dignity[k] to one who is cruel,
10 lest strangers feast on your wealth
and your toil enrich the house of another.(FS)
11 At the end of your life you will groan,
when your flesh and body are spent.
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
How my heart spurned correction!(FT)
13 I would not obey my teachers
or turn my ear to my instructors.
14 And I was soon in serious trouble(FU)
in the assembly of God’s people.”(FV)
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets,
your streams of water in the public squares?
17 Let them be yours alone,
never to be shared with strangers.
18 May your fountain(FW) be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.(FX)
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer(FY)—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife?
Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
21 For your ways are in full view(FZ) of the Lord,
and he examines(GA) all your paths.(GB)
22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;(GC)
the cords of their sins hold them fast.(GD)
23 For lack of discipline they will die,(GE)
led astray by their own great folly.(GF)
Warnings Against Folly
6 My son,(GG) if you have put up security(GH) for your neighbor,(GI)
if you have shaken hands in pledge(GJ) for a stranger,
2 you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go—to the point of exhaustion—[l]
and give your neighbor no rest!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.(GK)
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle(GL) from the hand of the hunter,(GM)
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.(GN)
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;(GO)
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer(GP)
and gathers its food at harvest.(GQ)
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?(GR)
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest(GS)—
11 and poverty(GT) will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
12 A troublemaker and a villain,
who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks maliciously with his eye,(GU)
signals with his feet
and motions with his fingers,(GV)
14 who plots evil(GW) with deceit in his heart—
he always stirs up conflict.(GX)
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;(GY)
he will suddenly(GZ) be destroyed—without remedy.(HA)
16 There are six things the Lord hates,(HB)
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,(HC)
a lying tongue,(HD)
hands that shed innocent blood,(HE)
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,(HF)
19 a false witness(HG) who pours out lies(HH)
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.(HI)
Warning Against Adultery
20 My son,(HJ) keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(HK)
21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck.(HL)
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,(HM)
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,(HN)
24 keeping you from your neighbor’s wife,
from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.(HO)
25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes.
26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,
but another man’s wife preys on your very life.(HP)
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps(HQ) with another man’s wife;(HR)
no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,(HS)
though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery(HT) has no sense;(HU)
whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Blows and disgrace are his lot,
and his shame will never(HV) be wiped away.
34 For jealousy(HW) arouses a husband’s fury,(HX)
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not accept any compensation;
he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.(HY)
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
7 My son,(HZ) keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;(IA)
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(IB)
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.(IC)
6 At the window of my house
I looked down through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.(ID)
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight,(IE) as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly(IF) and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)(IG)
13 She took hold of him(IH) and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:(II)
14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering(IJ) at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed(IK)
with myrrh,(IL) aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!(IM)
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”
21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.(IN)
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[m] stepping into a noose[n](IO)
23 till an arrow pierces(IP) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.(IQ)
24 Now then, my sons, listen(IR) to me;
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.(IS)
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.(IT)
Wisdom’s Call
8 Does not wisdom call out?(IU)
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:(IV)
4 “To you, O people, I call out;(IW)
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple,(IX) gain prudence;(IY)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[o]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,(IZ)
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,(JA)
11 for wisdom is more precious(JB) than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(JC)
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.(JD)
13 To fear the Lord(JE) is to hate evil;(JF)
I hate(JG) pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.(JH)
15 By me kings reign
and rulers(JI) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(JJ)
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[p]
17 I love those who love me,(JK)
and those who seek me find me.(JL)
18 With me are riches and honor,(JM)
enduring wealth and prosperity.(JN)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(JO)
what I yield surpasses choice silver.(JP)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(JQ)
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.(JR)
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[q][r]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;(JS)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(JT)
before the hills, I was given birth,(JU)
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.(JV)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(JW)
when he marked out the horizon(JX) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(JY)
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(JZ)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(KA)
so the waters would not overstep his command,(KB)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(KC)
30 Then I was constantly[s] at his side.(KD)
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.(KE)
32 “Now then, my children, listen(KF) to me;
blessed are(KG) those who keep my ways.(KH)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(KI) to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(KJ) find life(KK)
and receive favor from the Lord.(KL)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(KM)
all who hate me love death.”(KN)
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
9 Wisdom has built(KO) her house;
she has set up[t] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(KP)
she has also set her table.(KQ)
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls(KR)
from the highest point of the city,(KS)
4 “Let all who are simple(KT) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(KU) she says,
5 “Come,(KV) eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.(KW)
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;(KX)
walk in the way of insight.”(KY)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
- Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
- Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.
- Proverbs 1:21 Septuagint; Hebrew / at noisy street corners
- Proverbs 2:17 Or covenant of her God
- Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths
- Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child
- Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
- Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
- Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level
- Proverbs 5:9 Or years
- Proverbs 6:3 Or Go and humble yourself,
- Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
- Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
- Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
- Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
- Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
- Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
- Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child
- Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
- Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me
Proverbs 1-17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Proverbs 1-17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:(A)
Prologue
2 For learning about wisdom and instruction,
for understanding words of insight,
3 for gaining instruction in wise dealing,
righteousness, justice, and equity;(B)
4 to teach shrewdness to the simple,
knowledge and prudence to the young—(C)
5 let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning
and the discerning acquire skill,(D)
6 to understand a proverb and a figure,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.(E)
Warnings against Evil Companions
8 Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,
and do not reject your mother’s teaching,(F)
9 for they are a fair garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.(G)
10 My child, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.(H)
11 If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
let us wantonly ambush the innocent;(I)
12 like Sheol let us swallow them alive
and whole, like those who go down to the Pit.(J)
13 We shall find all kinds of costly things;
we shall fill our houses with spoil.
14 Throw in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse”—
15 my child, do not walk in their way;
keep your foot from their paths,(K)
16 for their feet run to evil,
and they hurry to shed blood.(L)
17 For in vain is the net baited
while the bird is looking on;
18 yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves!
and set an ambush—for their own lives!
19 Such is the end[a] of all who are greedy for gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.(M)
The Call of Wisdom
20 Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.(N)
21 At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?(O)
23 Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.(P)
24 Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,(Q)
25 and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,(R)
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,(S)
27 when panic strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.(T)
29 Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,(U)
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.(V)
32 For waywardness kills the simple,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;(W)
33 but those who listen to me will be secure
and will live at ease without dread of disaster.”(X)
The Value of Wisdom
2 My child, if you accept my words
and treasure up my commandments within you,(Y)
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding,
3 if you indeed cry out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures—(Z)
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.(AA)
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;(AB)
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,(AC)
8 guarding the paths of justice
and preserving the way of his faithful ones.(AD)
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path,(AE)
10 for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 prudence will watch over you,
and understanding will guard you.
12 It will save you from the way of evil,
from those who speak perversely,
13 who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,(AF)
14 who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil,(AG)
15 those whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.(AH)
16 You will be saved from the loose woman,[b]
from the adulteress[c] with her smooth words,(AI)
17 who forsakes the partner of her youth
and forgets her sacred covenant,
18 for her way[d] leads down to death
and her paths to the shades;(AJ)
19 those who go to her never come back,
nor do they regain the paths of life.
20 Therefore walk in the way of the good,
and keep to the paths of the just.
21 For the upright will abide in the land,
and the innocent will remain in it,(AK)
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the earth,
and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.(AL)
Admonition to Trust and Honor God
3 My child, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,(AM)
2 for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare they will give you.(AN)
3 Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(AO)
4 Then you will find favor and high regard
in the sight of God and of people.(AP)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.(AQ)
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.(AR)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(AS)
8 It will be a healing for your flesh
and a refreshment for your body.(AT)
9 Honor the Lord with your substance
and with the first fruits of all your produce;(AU)
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,(AV)
12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.(AW)
The True Wealth
13 Happy are those who find wisdom
and those who get understanding,
14 for her income is better than silver
and her revenue better than gold.(AX)
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(AY)
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.(AZ)
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.(BA)
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.(BB)
God’s Wisdom in Creation
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;(BC)
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.(BD)
The True Security
21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight:
keep sound wisdom and prudence,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.(BE)
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.(BF)
24 If you sit down,[e] you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Then you will not be afraid of sudden panic
or of the storm that strikes the wicked,(BG)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[f]
when it is in your power to do it.(BH)
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go and come again;
tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.(BI)
29 Do not plan harm against your neighbor
who lives trustingly beside you.(BJ)
30 Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,
when no harm has been done to you.(BK)
31 Do not envy the violent,
and do not choose any of their ways,(BL)
32 for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.(BM)
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the abode of the righteous.(BN)
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he shows favor.(BO)
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but stubborn fools, disgrace.
Parental Advice
4 Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain[g] insight,(BP)
2 for I give you good precepts:
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender and my mother’s favorite,(BQ)
4 he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments and live.(BR)
5 Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget nor turn away
from the words of my mouth.(BS)
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.(BT)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom,
and whatever else you get, get insight.(BU)
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.(BV)
9 She will place on your head a fair garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”(BW)
Admonition to Keep to the Right Path
10 Hear, my child, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
11 I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.(BX)
12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.(BY)
13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evildoers.(BZ)
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.(CA)
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.(CB)
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what they stumble over.(CC)
20 My child, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.(CD)
22 For they are life to those who find them
and healing to all their flesh.(CE)
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.(CF)
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.(CG)
25 Let your eyes look directly forward
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Keep straight the path of your feet,
and all your ways will be sure.(CH)
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.(CI)
Warning against Impurity and Infidelity
5 My child, be attentive to my wisdom;
incline your ear to my understanding,(CJ)
2 so that you may hold on to prudence,
and your lips may guard knowledge.
3 For the lips of a loose woman[h] drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil,(CK)
4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
sharp as a two-edged sword.(CL)
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps follow the path to Sheol.
6 She does not keep straight to the path of life;
her ways wander, and she does not know it.
7 And now, my child,[i] listen to me,
and do not depart from the words of my mouth.(CM)
8 Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house,(CN)
9 lest you give your honor to others
and your years to the merciless,
10 and strangers take their fill of your wealth,
and your labors go to the house of an alien,
11 and at the end of your life you groan,
when your flesh and body are consumed,
12 and you say, “Oh, how I hated discipline,
and my heart despised reproof!(CO)
13 I did not listen to the voice of my teachers
or incline my ear to my instructors.
14 Now I am at the point of utter ruin
in the public assembly.”
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well.
16 Should your springs be scattered abroad,
streams of water in the streets?(CP)
17 Let them be for yourself alone
and not for sharing with strangers.
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,(CQ)
19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
May her breasts satisfy you at all times;
may you be intoxicated always by her love.(CR)
20 Why should you be intoxicated, my son, by another woman
and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?[j](CS)
21 For human ways are under the eyes of the Lord,
and he examines all their paths.(CT)
22 The iniquities of the wicked ensnare them,
and they are caught in the coils of their sin.(CU)
23 They die for lack of discipline,
and because of their great folly they are lost.(CV)
Practical Admonitions
6 My child, if you have given your pledge to your neighbor,
if you have bound yourself to another,[k](CW)
2 you are snared by the utterance of your lips,[l]
caught by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my child, and save yourself,
for you have come into your neighbor’s power:
go, hurry,[m] and plead with your neighbor.
4 Give your eyes no sleep
and your eyelids no slumber;(CX)
5 save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter,[n]
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.(CY)
6 Go to the ant, you lazybones;
consider its ways and be wise.(CZ)
7 Without having any chief
or officer or ruler,
8 it prepares its food in summer
and gathers its sustenance in harvest.(DA)
9 How long will you lie there, O lazybones?
When will you rise from your sleep?(DB)
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want, like an armed warrior.(DC)
12 A scoundrel and a villain
goes around with crooked speech,(DD)
13 winking the eyes, shuffling the feet,
pointing the fingers,(DE)
14 with perverted mind devising evil,
continually sowing discord;(DF)
15 on such a one calamity will descend suddenly,
in a moment, damage beyond repair.(DG)
16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,(DH)
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that hurry to run to evil,(DI)
19 a lying witness who testifies falsely,
and one who sows discord in a family.(DJ)
20 My child, keep your father’s commandment,
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(DK)
21 Bind them upon your heart always;
tie them around your neck.(DL)
22 When you walk, they[o] will lead you;
when you lie down, they[p] will watch over you;
and when you awake, they[q] will talk with you.(DM)
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,(DN)
24 to preserve you from the wife of another,[r]
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.[s](DO)
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes,(DP)
26 for a prostitute’s fee is only a loaf of bread,[t]
but the wife of another stalks a man’s precious life.(DQ)
27 Can fire be carried in the bosom
without burning one’s clothes?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
without scorching the feet?
29 So is he who sleeps with his neighbor’s wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished.(DR)
30 Thieves are not despised who steal only
to satisfy their appetite when they are hungry.
31 Yet if they are caught, they will pay sevenfold;
they will forfeit all the goods of their house.(DS)
32 But he who commits adultery has no sense;
he who does it destroys himself.(DT)
33 He will get wounds and dishonor,
and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury,
and he will show no restraint when he takes revenge.(DU)
35 He will accept no compensation
and will refuse a bribe no matter how great.
The False Attractions of Adultery
7 My child, keep my words
and store up my commandments with you;(DV)
2 keep my commandments and live;
keep my teachings as the apple[u] of your eye;(DW)
3 bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(DX)
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend,
5 that they may keep you from the loose woman,[v]
from the adulteress[w] with her smooth words.(DY)
6 For at the window of my house
I looked out through my lattice,
7 and I saw among the simple ones,
I observed among the youths,
a young man without sense,(DZ)
8 passing along the street near her corner,
taking the road to her house(EA)
9 in the twilight, in the evening,
at the time of night and darkness.(EB)
10 Then a woman comes toward him
decked out like a prostitute, with hidden intent.
11 She is loud and wayward;
her feet do not stay at home;(EC)
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
and at every corner she lies in wait.(ED)
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
and with impudent face she says to him:
14 “I had to offer sacrifices,
and today I have paid my vows;(EE)
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you!
16 I have decked my couch with coverings,
colored spreads of Egyptian linen;(EF)
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him;
he will not come home until full moon.”
21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.(EG)
22 Right away he follows her
and goes like an ox to the slaughter
or bounds like a stag toward the trap[x]
23 until an arrow pierces its entrails.
He is like a bird rushing into a snare,
not knowing that it will cost him his life.(EH)
24 And now, my children, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.(EI)
25 Do not let your hearts turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths.(EJ)
26 For many are those she has laid low,
and numerous are her victims.(EK)
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.(EL)
The Gifts of Wisdom
8 Does not wisdom call
and understanding raise her voice?(EM)
2 On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:(EN)
4 “To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all who live.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence;
acquire intelligence, you who lack it.(EO)
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,(EP)
7 for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.(EQ)
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all straight to one who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.(ER)
10 Take my instruction instead of silver
and knowledge rather than choice gold,(ES)
11 for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.(ET)
12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
and I attain knowledge and discretion.(EU)
13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.(EV)
14 I have good advice and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.(EW)
15 By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;(EX)
16 by me rulers rule,
and nobles, all who govern rightly.
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.(EY)
18 Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and prosperity.(EZ)
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.(FA)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 endowing with wealth those who love me
and filling their treasuries.
Wisdom’s Part in Creation
22 “The Lord created me at the beginning[y] of his work,[z]
the first of his acts of long ago.(FB)
23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.(FC)
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,(FD)
26 when he had not yet made earth and fields[aa]
or the world’s first bits of soil.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,(FE)
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,(FF)
30 then I was beside him, like a master worker,[ab]
and I was daily his[ac] delight,
playing before him always,(FG)
31 playing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race.(FH)
32 “And now, my children, listen to me:
happy are those who keep my ways.(FI)
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 Happy is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.(FJ)
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,(FK)
36 but those who miss me injure themselves;
all who hate me love death.”(FL)
Wisdom’s Feast
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.(FM)
2 She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.(FN)
3 She has sent out her female servants; she calls
from the highest places in the town,(FO)
4 “You who are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says,(FP)
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.(FQ)
6 Lay aside immaturity and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”(FR)
General Maxims
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.(FS)
8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.(FT)
9 Give instruction[ad] to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
teach the righteous, and they will gain in learning.(FU)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.(FV)
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.(FW)
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.(FX)
Folly’s Invitation and Promise
13 The foolish woman is loud;
she is ignorant and knows nothing.(FY)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the high places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16 “You who are simple, turn in here!”
And to those without sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”(FZ)
18 But they do not know that the dead[ae] are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.(GA)
Wise Sayings of Solomon
10 The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise child makes a glad father,
but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.(GB)
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(GC)
4 A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.(GD)
5 A child who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.(GE)
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(GF)
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(GG)
8 The wise of heart will heed commandments,
but one with foolish lips will come to ruin.(GH)
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.(GI)
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
but one who rebukes boldly makes peace.[af](GJ)
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(GK)
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.(GL)
13 On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.(GM)
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.(GN)
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.
18 Lying lips conceal hatred,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but the prudent are restrained in speech.(GO)
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the mind of the wicked is of little worth.(GP)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and toil adds nothing to it.(GQ)
23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool,
but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.(GR)
24 What the wicked dread will come upon them,
but the desire of the righteous will be granted.(GS)
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more,
but the righteous are established forever.(GT)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so are the lazy to their employers.(GU)
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.(GV)
28 The hope of the righteous ends in gladness,
but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright
but destruction for evildoers.(GW)
30 The righteous will never totter,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(GX)
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.(GY)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
11 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but an accurate weight is his delight.(GZ)
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but wisdom is with the humble.(HA)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.(HB)
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.(HC)
5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight,
but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright saves them,
but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.(HD)
7 When the wicked die, hope perishes,
and the expectation of strength comes to nothing.(HE)
8 The righteous are delivered from trouble,
and the wicked come into it instead.(HF)
9 With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.(HG)
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.(HH)
12 Whoever belittles another lacks sense,
but an intelligent person remains silent.(HI)
13 A gossip goes about telling secrets,
but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.(HJ)
14 Where there is no guidance, a nation[ag] falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.(HK)
15 To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble,
but there is safety in refusing to do so.
16 A gracious woman gets honor,
but she who hates virtue is covered with shame.[ah]
The timid become destitute,[ai]
but the aggressive gain riches.(HL)
17 Those who are kind reward themselves,
but the cruel do themselves harm.
18 The wicked earn no real gain,
but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.(HM)
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,
but whoever pursues evil will die.
20 Crooked minds are an abomination to the Lord,
but those of blameless ways are his delight.(HN)
21 Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will escape.(HO)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without good sense.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 Some give freely yet grow all the richer;
others withhold what is due and only suffer want.(HP)
25 A generous person will be enriched,
and one who gives water will get water.(HQ)
26 The people curse those who hold back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.(HR)
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to the one who searches for it.(HS)
28 Those who trust in their riches will wither,[aj]
but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.(HT)
29 Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and the wise capture souls.(HU)
31 If the righteous are repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!(HV)
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.(HW)
2 The good obtain favor from the Lord,
but those who devise evil he condemns.(HX)
3 No one finds security by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.(HY)
4 A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.(HZ)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the speech of the upright delivers them.(IA)
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.(IB)
8 One is commended for good sense,
but a perverse mind is despised.
9 Better to be despised and have produce[ak]
than to be self-important and lack food.
10 The righteous know the needs of their animals,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.(IC)
11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.(ID)
12 The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,[al]
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
but the righteous escape from trouble.(IE)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
and manual labor has its reward.(IF)
15 Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to advice.(IG)
16 Fools show their anger at once,
but the prudent ignore an insult.(IH)
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness speaks deceitfully.(II)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(IJ)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.(IK)
20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.(IL)
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.(IM)
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.(IN)
23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
but the mind of a fool[am] broadcasts folly.(IO)
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
but a good word cheers it up.(IP)
26 The righteous are released from misfortune,[an]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy do not roast[ao] their game,
but the diligent obtain precious wealth.[ap]
28 In the path of righteousness there is life;
in walking its path there is no death.(IQ)
13 A wise child loves discipline,[aq]
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(IR)
2 From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things,
but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.
3 Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(IS)
4 The appetite of the lazy craves and gets nothing,
while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.(IT)
5 The righteous hate falsehood,
but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully.
6 Righteousness guards one whose way is upright,
but sin overthrows the wicked.(IU)
7 Some pretend to be rich yet have nothing;
others pretend to be poor yet have great wealth.(IV)
8 Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life,
but a poor person pays no attention to a rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,[ar]
but the lamp of the wicked goes out.(IW)
10 By insolence the empty-headed person makes strife,
but wisdom is with those who take advice.(IX)
11 Wealth hastily gotten[as] will dwindle,
but those who gather little by little will increase it.(IY)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Those who despise a word bring destruction on themselves,
but those who respect a command will be rewarded.(IZ)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
so that one may avoid the snares of death.(JA)
15 Good sense wins favor,
but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[at](JB)
16 The clever do all things intelligently,
but the fool displays folly.(JC)
17 A bad messenger brings trouble,
but a faithful envoy, healing.(JD)
18 Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction,
but one who heeds reproof is honored.(JE)
19 A desire realized is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools suffers harm.(JF)
21 Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.(JG)
22 The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children,
but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.(JH)
23 The field of the poor may yield much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.(JI)
24 Those who spare the rod hate their children,
but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.(JJ)
25 The righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite,
but the belly of the wicked is empty.(JK)
14 The wise woman[au] builds her house,
but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
2 Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
but one who is devious in conduct despises him.(JL)
3 The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[av]
but the lips of the wise preserve them.(JM)
4 Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;
abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.(JN)
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for one who understands.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not find words of knowledge.
8 It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
but the folly of fools misleads.(JO)
9 Fools mock at the guilt offering,[aw]
but the upright enjoy God’s favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked is destroyed,
but the tent of the upright flourishes.(JP)
12 There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.[ax](JQ)
13 Even in laughter the heart is sad,
and the end of joy is grief.(JR)
14 The perverse get what their ways deserve,
and the good, what their deeds deserve.[ay](JS)
15 The simple believe everything,
but the clever consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(JT)
17 One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,
and the schemer is hated.(JU)
18 The simple are adorned with[az] folly,
but the clever are crowned with knowledge.(JV)
19 The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(JW)
20 The poor are disliked even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(JX)
21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
but happy are those who are kind to the poor.(JY)
22 Do not those who plan evil err?
Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but folly is the garland[ba] of fools.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who utters lies is a betrayer.(JZ)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and one’s children will have a refuge.(KA)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
so that one may avoid the snares of death.(KB)
28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.(KC)
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
but jealousy makes the bones rot.(KD)
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honor him.(KE)
32 The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,
but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.[bb](KF)
33 Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
but it is not[bc] known in the heart of fools.(KG)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.(KH)
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.(KI)
15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.(KJ)
2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(KK)
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.(KL)
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.(KM)
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(KN)
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(KO)
10 There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way;
one who hates a rebuke will die.(KP)
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more human hearts!(KQ)
12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
they will not go to the wise.(KR)
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(KS)
14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are hard,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.(KT)
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.(KU)
18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
but those who are slow to anger calm contention.(KV)
19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.(KW)
20 A wise child makes a glad father,
but the foolish despise their mothers.(KX)
21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.(KY)
22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.(KZ)
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
and a word in season, how good it is!(LA)
24 For the wise the path of life leads upward,
in order to avoid Sheol below.(LB)
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.(LC)
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.(LD)
27 Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
but those who hate bribes will live.(LE)
28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.(LF)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(LG)
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the body.
31 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
will lodge among the wise.
32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
but those who heed admonition gain understanding.(LH)
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility goes before honor.(LI)
16 The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.(LJ)
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.(LK)
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.(LL)
5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, they will not go unpunished.(LM)
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.(LN)
7 When the ways of people please the Lord,
he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.(LO)
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than large income with injustice.
9 The human mind plans the way,
but the Lord directs the steps.(LP)
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.(LQ)
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.(LR)
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves those who speak what is right.(LS)
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and whoever is wise will appease it.(LT)
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.(LU)
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.(LV)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their way preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall.(LW)
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
and happy are those who trust in the Lord.(LX)
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but folly is the punishment of fools.(LY)
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
but in the end it is the way to death.(LZ)
26 The appetite of workers works for them;
their hunger urges them on.
27 Scoundrels concoct evil,
and their speech is like a scorching fire.(MA)
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.(MB)
29 The violent entice their neighbors
and lead them in a way that is not good.(MC)
30 One who winks the eyes plans[bd] perverse things;
one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.(MD)
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.(ME)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but the decision is the Lord’s alone.
17 Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.(MF)
2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.(MG)
3 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.(MH)
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.
5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.(MI)
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their parents.(MJ)
7 Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
still less is false speech to a ruler.[be]
8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;
wherever they turn they prosper.(MK)
9 One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,
but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.(ML)
10 A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person
than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 Evil people seek only rebellion,
but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs
than to confront a fool immersed in folly.(MM)
13 Evil will not depart from the house
of one who returns evil for good.(MN)
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so stop before the quarrel breaks out.(MO)
15 One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.(MP)
16 Why should fools have a price in hand
to buy wisdom when they have no mind to learn?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.(MQ)
18 It is senseless to give a pledge,
to become surety for a neighbor.(MR)
19 One who loves transgression loves strife;
one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.(MS)
20 The crooked of mind do not prosper,
and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.(MT)
21 The one who fathers a fool gets trouble;
the parent of a fool has no joy.(MU)
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine,
but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.(MV)
23 The wicked accept a concealed bribe
to pervert the ways of justice.(MW)
24 The discerning person looks to wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.(MX)
25 Foolish children are a grief to their father
and bitterness to her who bore them.(MY)
26 To impose a fine on the innocent is not right
or to flog the noble for their integrity.(MZ)
27 One who spares words is knowledgeable;
one who is cool in spirit has understanding.(NA)
Footnotes
- 1.19 Gk: Heb are the ways
- 2.16 Heb strange woman
- 2.16 Heb alien woman
- 2.18 Cn: Heb house
- 3.24 Gk: Heb lie down
- 3.27 Heb from its owners
- 4.1 Heb know
- 5.3 Heb strange woman
- 5.7 Gk Vg: Heb children
- 5.20 Heb alien woman
- 6.1 Or a stranger
- 6.2 Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb the words of your mouth
- 6.3 Or humble yourself
- 6.5 Cn: Heb from the hand
- 6.22 Heb it
- 6.22 Heb it
- 6.22 Heb it
- 6.24 Gk: MT the evil woman
- 6.24 Heb alien woman
- 6.26 Cn Compare Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb for because of a harlot to a piece of bread
- 7.2 Heb little man
- 7.5 Heb strange woman
- 7.5 Heb alien woman
- 7.22 Cn Compare Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 8.22 Or me as the beginning
- 8.22 Heb way
- 8.26 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 8.30 Or little child
- 8.30 Gk: Heb lacks his
- 9.9 Heb lacks instruction
- 9.18 Heb shades
- 10.10 Gk: Heb but one with foolish lips will come to ruin
- 11.14 Or an army
- 11.16 Compare Gk Syr: Heb lacks but she . . . shame
- 11.16 Gk: Heb lacks The timid . . . destitute
- 11.28 Cn: Heb fall
- 12.9 Cn: Heb servant
- 12.12 Or covet the catch of the wicked
- 12.23 Heb the heart of fools
- 12.26 Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 12.27 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 12.27 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 13.1 Cn: Heb A wise child the discipline of his father
- 13.9 Or shines
- 13.11 Gk Vg: Heb from vanity
- 13.15 Cn Compare Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb is enduring
- 14.1 Heb Wisdom of women
- 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride
- 14.9 Meaning of Heb uncertain
- 14.12 Heb ways of death
- 14.14 Cn: Heb from upon him
- 14.18 Or inherit
- 14.24 Cn: Heb is the folly
- 14.32 Gk Syr: Heb in their death
- 14.33 Gk Syr: Heb lacks not
- 16.30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan
- 17.7 Or a noble
Proverbs 1-31
New Century Version
Proverbs 1-31
New Century Version
The Importance of Proverbs
1 These are the wise words of Solomon son of David, king of Israel.
2 They teach wisdom and self-control;
they will help you understand wise words.
3 They will teach you how to be wise and self-controlled
and will teach you to do what is honest and fair and right.
4 They make the uneducated wise
and give knowledge and sense to the young.
5 Wise people can also listen and learn;
even they can find good advice in these words.
6 Then anyone can understand wise words and stories,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Knowledge begins with respect for the Lord,
but fools hate wisdom and discipline.
Warnings Against Evil
8 My child, listen to your father’s teaching
and do not forget your mother’s advice.
9 Their teaching will be like flowers in your hair
or a necklace around your neck.
10 My child, if sinners try to lead you into sin,
do not follow them.
11 They will say, “Come with us.
Let’s ambush and kill someone;
let’s attack some innocent people just for fun.
12 Let’s swallow them alive, as death does;
let’s swallow them whole, as the grave does.
13 We will take all kinds of valuable things
and fill our houses with stolen goods.
14 Come join us,
and we will share with you stolen goods.”
15 My child, do not go along with them;
do not do what they do.
16 They are eager to do evil
and are quick to kill.
17 It is useless to spread out a net
right where the birds can see it.
18 But sinners will fall into their own traps;
they will only catch themselves!
19 All greedy people end up this way;
greed kills selfish people.
Wisdom Speaks
20 Wisdom is like a woman shouting in the street;
she raises her voice in the city squares.
21 She cries out in the noisy street
and shouts at the city gates:
22 “You fools, how long will you be foolish?
How long will you make fun of wisdom
and hate knowledge?
23 If only you had listened when I corrected you,
I would have told you what’s in my heart;
I would have told you what I am thinking.
24 I called, but you refused to listen;
I held out my hand, but you paid no attention.
25 You did not follow my advice
and did not listen when I corrected you.
26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble.
I will make fun when disaster strikes you,
27 when disaster comes over you like a storm,
when trouble strikes you like a whirlwind,
when pain and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then you will call to me,
but I will not answer.
You will look for me,
but you will not find me.
29 It is because you rejected knowledge
and did not choose to respect the Lord.
30 You did not accept my advice,
and you rejected my correction.
31 So you will get what you deserve;
you will get what you planned for others.
32 Fools will die because they refuse to listen;
they will be destroyed because they do not care.
33 But those who listen to me will live in safety
and be at peace, without fear of injury.”
Rewards of Wisdom
2 My child, listen to what I say
and remember what I command you.
2 Listen carefully to wisdom;
set your mind on understanding.
3 Cry out for wisdom,
and beg for understanding.
4 Search for it like silver,
and hunt for it like hidden treasure.
5 Then you will understand respect for the Lord,
and you will find that you know God.
6 Only the Lord gives wisdom;
he gives knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up wisdom for those who are honest.
Like a shield he protects the innocent.
8 He makes sure that justice is done,
and he protects those who are loyal to him.
9 Then you will understand what is honest and fair
and what is the good and right thing to do.
10 Wisdom will come into your mind,
and knowledge will be pleasing to you.
11 Good sense will protect you;
understanding will guard you.
12 It will keep you from the wicked,
from those whose words are bad,
13 who don’t do what is right
but what is evil.
14 They enjoy doing wrong
and are happy to do what is crooked and evil.
15 What they do is wrong,
and their ways are dishonest.
16 It will save you from the unfaithful wife
who tries to lead you into adultery with pleasing words.
17 She leaves the husband she married when she was young.
She ignores the promise she made before God.
18 Her house is on the way to death;
those who took that path are now all dead.
19 No one who goes to her comes back
or walks the path of life again.
20 But wisdom will help you be good
and do what is right.
21 Those who are honest will live in the land,
and those who are innocent will remain in it.
22 But the wicked will be removed from the land,
and the unfaithful will be thrown out of it.
Advice to Children
3 My child, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in mind.
2 Then you will live a long time,
and your life will be successful.
3 Don’t ever forget kindness and truth.
Wear them like a necklace.
Write them on your heart as if on a tablet.
4 Then you will be respected
and will please both God and people.
5 Trust the Lord with all your heart,
and don’t depend on your own understanding.
6 Remember the Lord in all you do,
and he will give you success.
7 Don’t depend on your own wisdom.
Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
8 Then your body will be healthy,
and your bones will be strong.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and the firstfruits from all your crops.
10 Then your barns will be full,
and your wine barrels will overflow with new wine.
11 My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t get angry when he corrects you.
12 The Lord corrects those he loves,
just as parents correct the child they delight in.
13 Happy is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gets understanding.
14 Wisdom is worth more than silver;
it brings more profit than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you could want is equal to it.
16 With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life,
and with her left hand she gives you riches and honor.
17 Wisdom will make your life pleasant
and will bring you peace.
18 As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it,
and everyone who uses it will be happy.
19 The Lord made the earth, using his wisdom.
He set the sky in place, using his understanding.
20 With his knowledge, he made springs flow into rivers
and the clouds drop rain on the earth.
21 My child, hold on to wisdom and good sense.
Don’t let them out of your sight.
22 They will give you life
and beauty like a necklace around your neck.
23 Then you will go your way in safety,
and you will not get hurt.
24 When you lie down, you won’t be afraid;
when you lie down, you will sleep in peace.
25 You won’t be afraid of sudden trouble;
you won’t fear the ruin that comes to the wicked,
26 because the Lord will keep you safe.
He will keep you from being trapped.
27 Whenever you are able,
do good to people who need help.
28 If you have what your neighbor asks for,
don’t say, “Come back later.
I will give it to you tomorrow.”
29 Don’t make plans to hurt your neighbor
who lives nearby and trusts you.
30 Don’t accuse a person for no good reason;
don’t accuse someone who has not harmed you.
31 Don’t be jealous of those who use violence,
and don’t choose to be like them.
32 The Lord hates those who do wrong,
but he is a friend to those who are honest.
33 The Lord will curse the evil person’s house,
but he will bless the home of those who do right.
34 The Lord laughs at those who laugh at him,
but he gives grace to those who are not proud.
35 Wise people will receive honor,
but fools will be disgraced.
Wisdom Is Important
4 My children, listen to your father’s teaching;
pay attention so you will understand.
2 What I am telling you is good,
so do not forget what I teach you.
3 When I was a young boy in my father’s house
and like an only child to my mother,
4 my father taught me and said,
“Hold on to my words with all your heart.
Keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom and understanding.
Don’t forget or ignore my words.
6 Hold on to wisdom, and it will take care of you.
Love it, and it will keep you safe.
7 Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom.
If it costs everything you have, get understanding.
8 Treasure wisdom, and it will make you great;
hold on to it, and it will bring you honor.
9 It will be like flowers in your hair
and like a beautiful crown on your head.”
10 My child, listen and accept what I say.
Then you will have a long life.
11 I am guiding you in the way of wisdom,
and I am leading you on the right path.
12 Nothing will hold you back;
you will not be overwhelmed.
13 Always remember what you have been taught,
and don’t let go of it.
Keep all that you have learned;
it is the most important thing in life.
14 Don’t follow the ways of the wicked;
don’t do what evil people do.
15 Avoid their ways, and don’t follow them.
Stay away from them and keep on going,
16 because they cannot sleep until they do evil.
They cannot rest until they harm someone.
17 They feast on wickedness and cruelty
as if they were eating bread and drinking wine.
18 The way of the good person is like the light of dawn,
growing brighter and brighter until full daylight.
19 But the wicked walk around in the dark;
they can’t even see what makes them stumble.
20 My child, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to what I say.
21 Don’t ever forget my words;
keep them always in mind.
22 They are the key to life for those who find them;
they bring health to the whole body.
23 Be careful what you think,
because your thoughts run your life.
24 Don’t use your mouth to tell lies;
don’t ever say things that are not true.
25 Keep your eyes focused on what is right,
and look straight ahead to what is good.
26 Be careful what you do,
and always do what is right.
27 Don’t turn off the road of goodness;
keep away from evil paths.
Warning About Adultery
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen to my words of understanding.
2 Be careful to use good sense,
and watch what you say.
3 The words of another man’s wife may seem sweet as honey;
they may be as smooth as olive oil.
4 But in the end she will bring you sorrow,
causing you pain like a two-edged sword.
5 She is on the way to death;
her steps are headed straight to the grave.
6 She gives little thought to life.
She doesn’t even know that her ways are wrong.
7 Now, my sons, listen to me,
and don’t ignore what I say.
8 Stay away from such a woman.
Don’t even go near the door of her house,
9 or you will give your riches to others,
and the best years of your life will be given to someone cruel.
10 Strangers will enjoy your wealth,
and what you worked so hard for will go to someone else.
11 You will groan at the end of your life
when your health is gone.
12 Then you will say, “I hated being told what to do!
I would not listen to correction!
13 I would not listen to my teachers
or pay attention to my instructors.
14 I came close to being completely ruined
in front of a whole group of people.”
15 Be faithful to your own wife,
just as you drink water from your own well.
16 Don’t pour your water in the streets;
don’t give your love to just any woman.
17 These things are yours alone
and shouldn’t be shared with strangers.
18 Be happy with the wife you married when you were young.
She gives you joy, as your fountain gives you water.
19 She is as lovely and graceful as a deer.
Let her love always make you happy;
let her love always hold you captive.
20 My son, don’t be held captive by a woman who takes part in adultery.
Don’t fondle a woman who is not your wife.
21 The Lord sees everything you do,
and he watches where you go.
22 An evil man will be caught in his wicked ways;
the ropes of his sins will tie him up.
23 He will die because he does not control himself,
and he will be held captive by his foolishness.
Dangers of Being Foolish
6 My child, be careful about giving a guarantee for somebody else’s loan,
about promising to pay what someone else owes.
2 You might get trapped by what you say;
you might be caught by your own words.
3 My child, if you have done this and are under your neighbor’s control,
here is how to get free.
Don’t be proud. Go to your neighbor
and beg to be free from your promise.
4 Don’t go to sleep
or even rest your eyes,
5 but free yourself like a deer running from a hunter,
like a bird flying away from a trapper.
6 Go watch the ants, you lazy person.
Watch what they do and be wise.
7 Ants have no commander,
no leader or ruler,
8 but they store up food in the summer
and gather their supplies at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you lazy person?
When will you get up from sleeping?
10 You sleep a little; you take a nap.
You fold your hands and lie down to rest.
11 So you will be as poor as if you had been robbed;
you will have as little as if you had been held up.
12 Some people are wicked and no good.
They go around telling lies,
13 winking with their eyes, tapping with their feet,
and making signs with their fingers.
14 They make evil plans in their hearts
and are always starting arguments.
15 So trouble will strike them in an instant;
suddenly they will be so hurt no one can help them.
16 There are six things the Lord hates.
There are seven things he cannot stand:
17 a proud look,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill innocent people,
18 a mind that thinks up evil plans,
feet that are quick to do evil,
19 a witness who lies,
and someone who starts arguments among families.
Warning About Adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s commands,
and don’t forget your mother’s teaching.
21 Keep their words in mind forever
as though you had them tied around your neck.
22 They will guide you when you walk.
They will guard you when you sleep.
They will speak to you when you are awake.
23 These commands are like a lamp;
this teaching is like a light.
And the correction that comes from them
will help you have life.
24 They will keep you from sinful women
and from the pleasing words of another man’s unfaithful wife.
25 Don’t desire her because she is beautiful.
Don’t let her capture you by the way she looks at you.
26 A prostitute will treat you like a loaf of bread,
and a woman who takes part in adultery may cost you your life.
27 You cannot carry hot coals against your chest
without burning your clothes,
28 and you cannot walk on hot coals
without burning your feet.
29 The same is true if you have sexual relations with another man’s wife.
Anyone who does so will be punished.
30 People don’t hate a thief
when he steals because he is hungry.
31 But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole,
and it may cost him everything he owns.
32 A man who takes part in adultery has no sense;
he will destroy himself.
33 He will be beaten up and disgraced,
and his shame will never go away.
34 Jealousy makes a husband very angry,
and he will have no pity when he gets revenge.
35 He will accept no payment for the wrong;
he will take no amount of money.
The Woman of Adultery
7 My son, remember what I say, and treasure my commands.
2 Obey my commands, and you will live.
Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes.
3 Remind yourself of them;
write them on your heart as if on a tablet.
4 Treat wisdom as a sister,
and make understanding your closest friend.
5 Wisdom and understanding will keep you away from adultery,
away from the unfaithful wife and her pleasing words.
6 Once while I was at the window of my house
I looked out through the shutters
7 and saw some foolish, young men.
I noticed one of them had no wisdom.
8 He was walking down the street near the corner
on the road leading to her house.
9 It was the twilight of the evening;
the darkness of the night was just beginning.
10 Then the woman approached him,
dressed like a prostitute
and planning to trick him.
11 She was loud and stubborn
and never stayed at home.
12 She was always out in the streets or in the city squares,
waiting around on the corners of the streets.
13 She grabbed him and kissed him.
Without shame she said to him,
14 “I made my fellowship offering and took some of the meat home.
Today I have kept my special promises.
15 So I have come out to meet you;
I have been looking for you and have found you.
16 I have covered my bed
with colored sheets from Egypt.
17 I have made my bed smell sweet
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s make love until morning.
Let’s enjoy each other’s love.
19 My husband is not home;
he has gone on a long trip.
20 He took a lot of money with him
and won’t be home for weeks.”
21 By her clever words she made him give in;
by her pleasing words she led him into doing wrong.
22 All at once he followed her,
like an ox led to the butcher,
like a deer caught in a trap
23 and shot through the liver with an arrow.
Like a bird caught in a trap,
he didn’t know what he did would kill him.
24 Now, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to what I say.
25 Don’t let yourself be tricked by such a woman;
don’t go where she leads you.
26 She has ruined many good men,
and many have died because of her.
27 Her house is on the road to death,
the road that leads down to the grave.
Listen to Wisdom
8 Wisdom calls to you like someone shouting;
understanding raises her voice.
2 On the hilltops along the road
and at the crossroads, she stands calling.
3 Beside the city gates,
at the entrances into the city, she calls out:
4 “Listen, everyone, I’m calling out to you;
I am shouting to all people.
5 You who are uneducated, seek wisdom.
You who are foolish, get understanding.
6 Listen, because I have important things to say,
and what I tell you is right.
7 What I say is true,
I refuse to speak evil.
8 Everything I say is honest;
nothing I say is crooked or false.
9 People with good sense know what I say is true;
and those with knowledge know my words are right.
10 Choose my teachings instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than the finest gold.
11 Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
Nothing you could want is equal to it.
12 “I am wisdom, and I have good judgment.
I also have knowledge and good sense.
13 If you respect the Lord, you will also hate evil.
I hate pride and bragging,
evil ways and lies.
14 I have good sense and advice,
and I have understanding and power.
15 I help kings to govern
and rulers to make fair laws.
16 Princes use me to lead,
and so do all important people who judge fairly.
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 Riches and honor are mine to give.
So are wealth and lasting success.
19 What I give is better than the finest gold,
better than the purest silver.
20 I do what is right
and follow the path of justice.
21 I give wealth to those who love me,
filling their houses with treasures.
22 “I, wisdom, was with the Lord when he began his work,
long before he made anything else.
23 I was created in the very beginning,
even before the world began.
24 I was born before there were oceans,
or springs overflowing with water,
25 before the hills were there,
before the mountains were put in place.
26 God had not made the earth or fields,
not even the first dust of the earth.
27 I was there when God put the skies in place,
when he stretched the horizon over the oceans,
28 when he made the clouds above
and put the deep underground springs in place.
29 I was there when he ordered the sea
not to go beyond the borders he had set.
I was there when he laid the earth’s foundation.
30 I was like a child by his side.
I was delighted every day,
enjoying his presence all the time,
31 enjoying the whole world,
and delighted with all its people.
32 “Now, my children, listen to me,
because those who follow my ways are happy.
33 Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise;
do not ignore it.
34 Happy are those who listen to me,
watching at my door every day,
waiting at my open doorway.
35 Those who find me find life,
and the Lord will be pleased with them.
36 Those who do not find me hurt themselves.
Those who hate me love death.”
Being Wise or Foolish
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has made its seven columns.
2 She has prepared her food and wine;
she has set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls,
and she calls out from the highest place in the city.
4 She says to those who are uneducated,
“Come in here, you foolish people!
5 Come and eat my food
and drink the wine I have prepared.
6 Stop your foolish ways, and you will live;
take the road of understanding.
7 “If you correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, you will be insulted.
If you correct an evil person, you will get hurt.
8 Do not correct those who make fun of wisdom, or they will hate you.
But correct the wise, and they will love you.
9 Teach the wise, and they will become even wiser;
teach good people, and they will learn even more.
10 “Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord,
and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One.
11 If you live wisely, you will live a long time;
wisdom will add years to your life.
12 The wise person is rewarded by wisdom,
but whoever makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it.”
13 Foolishness is like a loud woman;
she does not have wisdom or knowledge.
14 She sits at the door of her house
at the highest place in the city.
15 She calls out to those who are passing by,
who are going along, minding their own business.
16 She says to those who are uneducated,
“Come in here, you foolish people!
17 Stolen water is sweeter,
and food eaten in secret tastes better.”
18 But these people don’t know that everyone who goes there dies,
that her guests end up deep in the grave.
The Wise Words of Solomon
10 These are the wise words of Solomon:
Wise children make their father happy,
but foolish children make their mother sad.
2 Riches gotten by doing wrong have no value,
but right living will save you from death.
3 The Lord does not let good people go hungry,
but he keeps evil people from getting what they want.
4 A lazy person will end up poor,
but a hard worker will become rich.
5 Those who gather crops on time are wise,
but those who sleep through the harvest are a disgrace.
6 Good people will have rich blessings,
but the wicked will be overwhelmed by violence.
7 Good people will be remembered as a blessing,
but evil people will soon be forgotten.
8 The wise do what they are told,
but a talkative fool will be ruined.
9 The honest person will live in safety,
but the dishonest will be caught.
10 A wink may get you into trouble,
and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.
11 The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water,
but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.
12 Hatred stirs up trouble,
but love forgives all wrongs.
13 Wise people speak with understanding,
but people without wisdom should be punished.
14 The wise don’t tell everything they know,
but the foolish talk too much and are ruined.
15 Having lots of money protects the rich,
but having no money destroys the poor.
16 Good people are rewarded with life,
but evil people are paid with punishment.
17 Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life.
18 Whoever hides hate is a liar.
Whoever tells lies is a fool.
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin;
if you are wise, you will keep quiet.
20 The words of a good person are like pure silver,
but an evil person’s thoughts are worth very little.
21 Good people’s words will help many others,
but fools will die because they don’t have wisdom.
22 The Lord’s blessing brings wealth,
and no sorrow comes with it.
23 A foolish person enjoys doing wrong,
but a person with understanding enjoys doing what is wise.
24 Evil people will get what they fear most,
but good people will get what they want most.
25 A storm will blow the evil person away,
but a good person will always be safe.
26 A lazy person affects the one he works for
like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27 Whoever respects the Lord will have a long life,
but the life of an evil person will be cut short.
28 A good person can look forward to happiness,
but an evil person can expect nothing.
29 The Lord will protect good people
but will ruin those who do evil.
30 Good people will always be safe,
but evil people will not remain in the land.
31 A good person says wise things,
but a liar’s tongue will be stopped.
32 Good people know the right thing to say,
but evil people only tell lies.
11 The Lord hates dishonest scales,
but he is pleased with honest weights.
2 Pride leads only to shame;
it is wise to be humble.
3 Good people will be guided by honesty;
dishonesty will destroy those who are not trustworthy.
4 Riches will not help when it’s time to die,
but right living will save you from death.
5 The goodness of the innocent makes life easier,
but the wicked will be destroyed by their wickedness.
6 Doing right brings freedom to honest people,
but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.
7 When the wicked die, hope dies with them;
their hope in riches will come to nothing.
8 The good person is saved from trouble;
it comes to the wicked instead.
9 With words an evil person can destroy a neighbor,
but a good person will escape by being resourceful.
10 When good people succeed, the city is happy.
When evil people die, there are shouts of joy.
11 Good people bless and build up their city,
but the wicked can destroy it with their words.
12 People without good sense find fault with their neighbors,
but those with understanding keep quiet.
13 Gossips can’t keep secrets,
but a trustworthy person can.
14 Without leadership a nation falls,
but lots of good advice will save it.
15 Whoever guarantees to pay somebody else’s loan will suffer.
It is safer to avoid such promises.
16 A kind woman gets respect,
but cruel men get only wealth.
17 Kind people do themselves a favor,
but cruel people bring trouble on themselves.
18 An evil person really earns nothing,
but a good person will surely be rewarded.
19 Those who are truly good will live,
but those who chase after evil will die.
20 The Lord hates those with evil hearts
but is pleased with those who are innocent.
21 Evil people will certainly be punished,
but those who do right will be set free.
22 A beautiful woman without good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 Those who do right only wish for good,
but the wicked can expect to be defeated by God’s anger.
24 Some people give much but get back even more.
Others don’t give what they should and end up poor.
25 Whoever gives to others will get richer;
those who help others will themselves be helped.
26 People curse those who keep all the grain,
but they bless the one who is willing to sell it.
27 Whoever looks for good will find kindness,
but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28 Those who trust in riches will be ruined,
but a good person will be healthy like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble to his family
will be left with nothing but the wind.
A fool will be a servant to the wise.
30 A good person gives life to others;
the wise person teaches others how to live.
31 Good people will be rewarded on earth,
and the wicked and the sinners will be punished.
12 Anyone who loves learning accepts correction,
but a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
2 The Lord is pleased with a good person,
but he will punish anyone who plans evil.
3 Doing evil brings no safety at all,
but a good person has safety and security.
4 A good wife is like a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.
5 The plans that good people make are fair,
but the advice of the wicked will trick you.
6 The wicked talk about killing people,
but the words of good people will save them.
7 Wicked people die and they are no more,
but a good person’s family continues.
8 The wisdom of the wise wins praise,
but there is no respect for the stupid.
9 A person who is not important but has a servant is better off
than someone who acts important but has no food.
10 Good people take care of their animals,
but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise.
12 The wicked want what other evil people have stolen,
but good people want to give what they have to others.
13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk,
but good people stay out of trouble.
14 People will be rewarded for what they say,
and they will also be rewarded for what they do.
15 Fools think they are doing right,
but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools quickly show that they are upset,
but the wise ignore insults.
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
but wise words bring healing.
19 Truth will continue forever,
but lies are only for a moment.
20 Those who plan evil are full of lies,
but those who plan peace are happy.
21 No harm comes to a good person,
but an evil person’s life is full of trouble.
22 The Lord hates those who tell lies
but is pleased with those who keep their promises.
23 Wise people keep what they know to themselves,
but fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are.
24 Hard workers will become leaders,
but those who are lazy will be slaves.
25 Worry is a heavy load,
but a kind word cheers you up.
26 Good people take advice from their friends,
but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
27 The lazy catch no food to cook,
but a hard worker will have great wealth.
28 Doing what is right is the way to life,
but there is another way that leads to death.
13 Wise children take their parents’ advice,
but whoever makes fun of wisdom won’t listen to correction.
2 People will be rewarded for what they say,
but those who can’t be trusted want only violence.
3 Those who are careful about what they say protect their lives,
but whoever speaks without thinking will be ruined.
4 The lazy will not get what they want,
but those who work hard will.
5 Good people hate what is false,
but the wicked do shameful and disgraceful things.
6 Doing what is right protects the honest person,
but doing evil ruins the sinner.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but really have nothing.
Others pretend to be poor but really are wealthy.
8 The rich may have to pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor will face no such danger.
9 Good people can look forward to a bright future,
but the future of the wicked is like a flame going out.
10 Pride only leads to arguments,
but those who take advice are wise.
11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly,
but money that is gathered little by little will grow.
12 It is sad not to get what you hoped for.
But wishes that come true are like eating fruit from the tree of life.
13 Those who reject what they are taught will pay for it,
but those who obey what they are told will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person gives life.
It is like a fountain that can save people from death.
15 People with good understanding will be well liked,
but the lives of those who are not trustworthy are hard.
16 Every wise person acts with good sense,
but fools show how foolish they are.
17 A wicked messenger brings nothing but trouble,
but a trustworthy one makes everything right.
18 A person who refuses correction will end up poor and disgraced,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.
19 It is so good when wishes come true,
but fools hate to stop doing evil.
20 Spend time with the wise and you will become wise,
but the friends of fools will suffer.
21 Trouble always comes to sinners,
but good people enjoy success.
22 Good people leave their wealth to their grandchildren,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for good people.
23 A poor person’s field might produce plenty of food,
but others often steal it away.
24 If you do not punish your children, you don’t love them,
but if you love your children, you will correct them.
25 Good people have enough to eat,
but the wicked will go hungry.
14 A wise woman strengthens her family,
but a foolish woman destroys hers by what she does.
2 People who live good lives respect the Lord,
but those who live evil lives don’t.
3 Fools will be punished for their proud words,
but the words of the wise will protect them.
4 When there are no oxen, no food is in the barn.
But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown.
5 A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness tells nothing but lies.
6 Those who make fun of wisdom look for it and do not find it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from fools,
because they can’t teach you anything.
8 A wise person will understand what to do,
but a foolish person is dishonest.
9 Fools don’t care if they sin,
but honest people work at being right.
10 No one else can know your sadness,
and strangers cannot share your joy.
11 The wicked person’s house will be destroyed,
but a good person’s tent will still be standing.
12 Some people think they are doing right,
but in the end it leads to death.
13 Someone who is laughing may be sad inside,
and joy may end in sadness.
14 Evil people will be paid back for their evil ways,
and good people will be rewarded for their good ones.
15 Fools will believe anything,
but the wise think about what they do.
16 Wise people are careful and stay out of trouble,
but fools are careless and quick to act.
17 Someone with a quick temper does foolish things,
but someone with understanding remains calm.
18 Fools are rewarded with nothing but more foolishness,
but the wise are rewarded with knowledge.
19 Evil people will bow down to those who are good;
the wicked will bow down at the door of those who do right.
20 The poor are rejected, even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
21 It is a sin to hate your neighbor,
but being kind to the needy brings happiness.
22 Those who make evil plans will be ruined,
but those who plan to do good will be loved and trusted.
23 Those who work hard make a profit,
but those who only talk will be poor.
24 Wise people are rewarded with wealth,
but fools only get more foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.
26 Those who respect the Lord will have security,
and their children will be protected.
27 Respect for the Lord gives life.
It is like a fountain that can save people from death.
28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule,
but a prince is ruined if he has none.
29 Patient people have great understanding,
but people with quick tempers show their foolishness.
30 Peace of mind means a healthy body,
but jealousy will rot your bones.
31 Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32 The wicked are ruined by their own evil,
but those who do right are protected even in death.
33 Wisdom lives in those with understanding,
and even fools recognize it.
34 Doing what is right makes a nation great,
but sin will bring disgrace to any people.
35 A king is pleased with a wise servant,
but he will become angry with one who causes him shame.
15 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger,
but an unkind answer will cause more anger.
2 Wise people use knowledge when they speak,
but fools pour out foolishness.
3 The Lord’s eyes see everything;
he watches both evil and good people.
4 As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life,
but dishonest words crush the spirit.
5 Fools reject their parents’ correction,
but anyone who accepts correction is wise.
6 Much wealth is in the houses of good people,
but evil people get nothing but trouble.
7 Wise people use their words to spread knowledge,
but there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifice that the wicked offer,
but he likes the prayers of honest people.
9 The Lord hates what evil people do,
but he loves those who do what is right.
10 The person who quits doing what is right will be punished,
and the one who hates to be corrected will die.
11 The Lord knows what is happening in the world of the dead,
so he surely knows the thoughts of the living.
12 Those who make fun of wisdom don’t like to be corrected;
they will not ask the wise for advice.
13 Happiness makes a person smile,
but sadness can break a person’s spirit.
14 People with understanding want more knowledge,
but fools just want more foolishness.
15 Every day is hard for those who suffer,
but a happy heart is like a continual feast.
16 It is better to be poor and respect the Lord
than to be wealthy and have much trouble.
17 It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you
than to eat meat with those who hate you.
18 People with quick tempers cause trouble,
but those who control their tempers stop a quarrel.
19 A lazy person’s life is like a patch of thorns,
but an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway.
20 Wise children make their father happy,
but foolish children disrespect their mother.
21 A person without wisdom enjoys being foolish,
but someone with understanding does what is right.
22 Plans fail without good advice,
but they succeed with the advice of many others.
23 People enjoy giving good advice.
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.
24 Wise people’s lives get better and better.
They avoid whatever would cause their death.
25 The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house,
but he will protect the widow’s property.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts
but is pleased with kind words.
27 Greedy people bring trouble to their families,
but the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.
28 Good people think before they answer,
but the wicked simply pour out evil.
29 The Lord does not listen to the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of those who do right.
30 Good news makes you feel better.
Your happiness will show in your eyes.
31 If you listen to correction to improve your life,
you will live among the wise.
32 Those who refuse correction hate themselves,
but those who accept correction gain understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must be humble.
16 People may make plans in their minds,
but only the Lord can make them come true.
2 You may believe you are doing right,
but the Lord will judge your reasons.
3 Depend on the Lord in whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord makes everything go as he pleases.
He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.
5 The Lord hates those who are proud.
They will surely be punished.
6 Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin.
By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.
7 When people live so that they please the Lord,
even their enemies will make peace with them.
8 It is better to be poor and right
than to be wealthy and dishonest.
9 People may make plans in their minds,
but the Lord decides what they will do.
10 The words of a king are like a message from God,
so his decisions should be fair.
11 The Lord wants honest balances and scales;
all the weights are his work.
12 Kings hate those who do wrong,
because governments only continue if they are fair.
13 Kings like honest people;
they value someone who speaks the truth.
14 An angry king can put someone to death,
so a wise person will try to make him happy.
15 A smiling king can give people life;
his kindness is like a spring shower.
16 It is better to get wisdom than gold,
and to choose understanding rather than silver!
17 Good people stay away from evil.
By watching what they do, they protect their lives.
18 Pride leads to destruction;
a proud attitude brings ruin.
19 It is better to be humble and be with those who suffer
than to share stolen property with the proud.
20 Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed,
and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.
21 The wise are known for their understanding.
Their pleasant words make them better teachers.
22 Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it,
but foolishness brings punishment to fools.
23 Wise people’s minds tell them what to say,
and that helps them be better teachers.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
making people happy and healthy.
25 Some people think they are doing right,
but in the end it leads to death.
26 The workers’ hunger helps them,
because their desire to eat makes them work.
27 Useless people make evil plans,
and their words are like a burning fire.
28 A useless person causes trouble,
and a gossip ruins friendships.
29 Cruel people trick their neighbors
and lead them to do wrong.
30 Someone who winks is planning evil,
and the one who grins is planning something wrong.
31 Gray hair is like a crown of honor;
it is earned by living a good life.
32 Patience is better than strength.
Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.
33 People throw lots to make a decision,
but the answer comes from the Lord.
17 It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace
than to have a feast where there is quarreling.
2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful child
and will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his children.
3 A hot furnace tests silver and gold,
but the Lord tests hearts.
4 Evil people listen to evil words.
Liars pay attention to cruel words.
5 Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker;
whoever enjoys someone’s trouble will be punished.
6 Old people are proud of their grandchildren,
and children are proud of their parents.
7 Fools should not be proud,
and rulers should not be liars.
8 Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask.
They think it will work every time.
9 Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend,
but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.
10 A wise person will learn more from a warning
than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings.
11 Disobedient people look only for trouble,
so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to meet a fool doing foolish things.
13 Whoever gives evil in return for good
will always have trouble at home.
14 Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam,
so stop it before a fight breaks out.
15 The Lord hates both of these things:
freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent.
16 It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom,
because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.
17 A friend loves you all the time,
and a brother helps in time of trouble.
18 It is not wise to promise
to pay what your neighbor owes.
19 Whoever loves to argue loves to sin.
Whoever brags a lot is asking for trouble.
20 A person with an evil heart will find no success,
and the person whose words are evil will get into trouble.
21 It is sad to have a foolish child;
there is no joy in being the parent of a fool.
22 A happy heart is like good medicine,
but a broken spirit drains your strength.
23 When the wicked accept money to do wrong
there can be no justice.
24 The person with understanding is always looking for wisdom,
but the mind of a fool wanders everywhere.
25 Foolish children make their father sad
and cause their mother great sorrow.
26 It is not good to punish the innocent
or to beat leaders for being honest.
27 The wise say very little,
and those with understanding stay calm.
28 Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet;
if they don’t speak, they appear to understand.
18 Unfriendly people are selfish
and hate all good sense.
2 Fools do not want to understand anything.
They only want to tell others what they think.
3 Do something evil, and people won’t like you.
Do something shameful, and they will make fun of you.
4 Spoken words can be like deep water,
but wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to honor the wicked
or to be unfair to the innocent.
6 The words of fools start quarrels.
They make people want to beat them.
7 The words of fools will ruin them;
their own words will trap them.
8 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
People like to gobble them up.
9 A person who doesn’t work hard
is just like someone who destroys things.
10 The Lord is like a strong tower;
those who do right can run to him for safety.
11 Rich people trust their wealth to protect them.
They think it is like the high walls of a city.
12 Proud people will be ruined,
but the humble will be honored.
13 Anyone who answers without listening
is foolish and confused.
14 The will to live can get you through sickness,
but no one can live with a broken spirit.
15 The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge;
the wise person listens to learn more.
16 Taking gifts to important people
will help get you in to see them.
17 The person who tells one side of a story seems right,
until someone else comes and asks questions.
18 Throwing lots can settle arguments
and keep the two sides from fighting.
19 A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city,
and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.
20 People will be rewarded for what they say;
they will be rewarded by how they speak.
21 What you say can mean life or death.
Those who speak with care will be rewarded.
22 When a man finds a wife, he finds something good.
It shows that the Lord is pleased with him.
23 The poor beg for mercy,
but the rich give rude answers.
24 Some friends may ruin you,
but a real friend will be more loyal than a brother.
19 It is better to be poor and honest
than to be foolish and tell lies.
2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good.
If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake.
3 People’s own foolishness ruins their lives,
but in their minds they blame the Lord.
4 Wealthy people are always finding more friends,
but the poor lose all theirs.
5 A witness who lies will not go free;
liars will never escape.
6 Many people want to please a leader,
and everyone is friends with those who give gifts.
7 Poor people’s relatives avoid them;
even their friends stay far away.
They run after them, begging,
but they are gone.
8 Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor,
and those who love learning will succeed.
9 A witness who lies will not go free,
liars will die.
10 A fool should not live in luxury.
A slave should not rule over princes.
11 The wise are patient;
they will be honored if they ignore insults.
12 An angry king is like a roaring lion,
but his kindness is like the dew on the grass.
13 A foolish child brings disaster to a father,
and a quarreling wife is like dripping water.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.
15 Lazy people sleep a lot,
and idle people will go hungry.
16 Those who obey the commands protect themselves,
but those who are careless will die.
17 Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord;
he will reward you for what you have done.
18 Correct your children while there is still hope;
do not let them destroy themselves.
19 People with quick tempers will have to pay for it.
If you help them out once, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept correction,
and in the end you will be wise.
21 People can make all kinds of plans,
but only the Lord’s plan will happen.
22 People want others to be loyal,
so it is better to be poor than to be a liar.
23 Those who respect the Lord will live
and be satisfied, unbothered by trouble.
24 Though the lazy person puts his hand in the dish,
he won’t lift the food to his mouth.
25 Whip those who make fun of wisdom, and perhaps foolish people will gain some wisdom.
Correct those with understanding, and they will gain knowledge.
26 A child who robs his father and sends away his mother
brings shame and disgrace on himself.
27 Don’t stop listening to correction, my child,
or you will forget what you have already learned.
28 An evil witness makes fun of fairness,
and wicked people love what is evil.
29 People who make fun of wisdom will be punished,
and the backs of foolish people will be beaten.
20 Wine and beer make people loud and uncontrolled;
it is not wise to get drunk on them.
2 An angry king is like a roaring lion.
Making him angry may cost you your life.
3 Foolish people are always fighting,
but avoiding quarrels will bring you honor.
4 Lazy farmers don’t plow when they should;
they expect a harvest, but there is none.
5 People’s thoughts can be like a deep well,
but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there.
6 Many people claim to be loyal,
but it is hard to find a trustworthy person.
7 The good people who live honest lives
will be a blessing to their children.
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he knows evil when he sees it.
9 No one can say, “I am innocent;
I have never done anything wrong.”
10 The Lord hates both these things:
dishonest weights and dishonest measures.
11 Even children are known by their behavior;
their actions show if they are innocent and good.
12 The Lord has made both these things:
ears to hear and eyes to see.
13 If you love to sleep, you will be poor.
If you stay awake, you will have plenty of food.
14 Buyers say, “This is bad. It’s no good.”
Then they go away and brag about what they bought.
15 There is gold and plenty of rubies,
but only a few people speak with knowledge.
16 Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger’s debts,
and keep it until he pays what the stranger owes.
17 Stolen food may taste sweet at first,
but later it will feel like a mouth full of gravel.
18 Get advice if you want your plans to work.
If you go to war, get the advice of others.
19 Gossips can’t keep secrets,
so avoid people who talk too much.
20 Those who curse their father or mother
will be like a light going out in darkness.
21 Wealth inherited quickly in the beginning
will do you no good in the end.
22 Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.”
Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right.
23 The Lord hates dishonest weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
24 The Lord decides what a person will do;
no one understands what his life is all about.
25 It’s dangerous to promise something to God too quickly.
After you’ve thought about it, it may be too late.
26 A wise king sorts out the evil people,
and he punishes them as they deserve.
27 The Lord looks deep inside people
and searches through their thoughts.
28 Loyalty and truth keep a king in power;
he continues to rule if he is loyal.
29 The young glory in their strength,
and the old are honored for their gray hair.
30 Hard punishment will get rid of evil,
and whippings can change an evil heart.
21 The Lord can control a king’s mind as he controls a river;
he can direct it as he pleases.
2 You may believe you are doing right,
but the Lord judges your reasons.
3 Doing what is right and fair
is more important to the Lord than sacrifices.
4 Proud looks, proud thoughts,
and evil actions are sin.
5 The plans of hard-working people earn a profit,
but those who act too quickly become poor.
6 Wealth that comes from telling lies
vanishes like a mist and leads to death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Guilty people live dishonest lives,
but honest people do right.
9 It is better to live in a corner on the roof[a]
than inside the house with a quarreling wife.
10 Evil people only want to harm others.
Their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 If you punish those who make fun of wisdom, a foolish person may gain some wisdom.
But if you teach the wise, they will get knowledge.
12 God, who is always right, watches the house of the wicked
and brings ruin on every evil person.
13 Whoever ignores the poor when they cry for help
will also cry for help and not be answered.
14 A secret gift will calm an angry person;
a present given in secrecy will quiet great anger.
15 When justice is done, good people are happy,
but evil people are ruined.
16 Whoever does not use good sense
will end up among the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and perfume will never be rich.
18 Wicked people will suffer instead of good people,
and those who cannot be trusted will suffer instead of those who do right.
19 It is better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarreling and complaining wife.
20 Wise people’s houses are full of the best foods and olive oil,
but fools waste everything they have.
21 Whoever tries to live right and be loyal
finds life, success, and honor.
22 A wise person can defeat a city full of warriors
and tear down the defenses they trust in.
23 Those who are careful about what they say
keep themselves out of trouble.
24 People who act with stubborn pride
are called “proud,” “bragger,” and “mocker.”
25 Lazy people’s desire for sleep will kill them,
because they refuse to work.
26 All day long they wish for more,
but good people give without holding back.
27 The Lord hates sacrifices brought by evil people,
particularly when they offer them for the wrong reasons.
28 A lying witness will be forgotten,
but a truthful witness will speak on.
29 Wicked people are stubborn,
but good people think carefully about what they do.
30 There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice
that can succeed against the Lord.
31 You can get the horses ready for battle,
but it is the Lord who gives the victory.
22 Being respected is more important than having great riches.
To be well thought of is better than silver or gold.
2 The rich and the poor are alike
in that the Lord made them all.
3 The wise see danger ahead and avoid it,
but fools keep going and get into trouble.
4 Respecting the Lord and not being proud
will bring you wealth, honor, and life.
5 Evil people’s lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps.
People who guard themselves don’t have such problems.
6 Train children to live the right way,
and when they are old, they will not stray from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor,
and borrowers are servants to lenders.
8 Those who plan evil will receive trouble.
Their cruel anger will come to an end.
9 Generous people will be blessed,
because they share their food with the poor.
10 Get rid of the one who makes fun of wisdom.
Then fighting, quarrels, and insults will stop.
11 Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words
will have even the king as a friend.
12 The Lord guards knowledge,
but he destroys false words.
13 The lazy person says, “There’s a lion outside!
I might get killed out in the street!”
14 The words of an unfaithful wife are like a deep trap.
Those who make the Lord angry will get caught by them.
15 Every child is full of foolishness,
but punishment can get rid of it.
16 Whoever gets rich by mistreating the poor,
and gives presents to the wealthy, will become poor.
Other Wise Sayings
17 Listen carefully to what wise people say;
pay attention to what I am teaching you.
18 It will be good to keep these things in mind
so that you are ready to repeat them.
19 I am teaching them to you now
so that you will put your trust in the Lord.
20 I have written thirty sayings for you,
which give knowledge and good advice.
21 I am teaching you true and reliable words
so that you can give true answers to anyone who asks.
22 Do not abuse poor people because they are poor,
and do not take away the rights of the needy in court.
23 The Lord will defend them in court
and will take the life of those who take away their rights.
24 Don’t make friends with quick-tempered people
or spend time with those who have bad tempers.
25 If you do, you will be like them.
Then you will be in real danger.
26 Don’t promise to pay what someone else owes,
and don’t guarantee anyone’s loan.
27 If you cannot pay the loan,
your own bed may be taken right out from under you.
28 Don’t move an old stone that marks a border,
because those stones were set up by your ancestors.
29 Do you see people skilled in their work?
They will work for kings, not for ordinary people.
23 If you sit down to eat with a ruler,
notice the food that is in front of you.
2 Control yourself
if you have a big appetite.
3 Don’t be greedy for his fine foods,
because that food might be a trick.
4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;
be wise enough to control yourself.
5 Wealth can vanish in the wink of an eye.
It can seem to grow wings
and fly away like an eagle.
6 Don’t eat the food of selfish people;
don’t be greedy for their fine foods.
7 Selfish people are always worrying
about how much the food costs.
They tell you, “Eat and drink,”
but they don’t really mean it.
8 You will throw up the little you have eaten,
and you will have wasted your kind words.
9 Don’t speak to fools;
they will only ignore your wise words.
10 Don’t move an old stone that marks a border,
and don’t take fields that belong to orphans.
11 God, their defender, is strong;
he will take their side against you.
12 Remember what you are taught,
and listen carefully to words of knowledge.
13 Don’t fail to punish children.
If you spank them, they won’t die.
14 If you spank them,
you will save them from death.
15 My child, if you are wise,
then I will be happy.
16 I will be so pleased
if you speak what is right.
17 Don’t envy sinners,
but always respect the Lord.
18 Then you will have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
19 Listen, my child, and be wise.
Keep your mind on what is right.
20 Don’t drink too much wine
or eat too much food.
21 Those who drink and eat too much become poor.
They sleep too much and end up wearing rags.
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not forget your mother when she is old.
23 Learn the truth and never reject it.
Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.
24 The father of a good child is very happy;
parents who have wise children are glad because of them.
25 Make your father and mother happy;
give your mother a reason to be glad.
26 My son, pay attention to me,
and watch closely what I do.
27 A prostitute is as dangerous as a deep pit,
and an unfaithful wife is like a narrow well.
28 They ambush you like robbers
and cause many men to be unfaithful to their wives.
29 Who has trouble? Who has pain?
Who fights? Who complains?
Who has unnecessary bruises?
Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 It is people who drink too much wine,
who try out all different kinds of strong drinks.
31 Don’t stare at the wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly.
32 Later it bites like a snake
with poison in its fangs.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will be confused.
34 You will feel dizzy as if you’re in a storm on the ocean,
as if you’re on top of a ship’s sails.
35 You will think, “They hit me, but I’m not hurt.
They beat me up, but I don’t remember it.
I wish I could wake up.
Then I would get another drink.”
24 Don’t envy evil people
or try to be friends with them.
2 Their minds are always planning violence,
and they always talk about making trouble.
3 It takes wisdom to have a good family,
and it takes understanding to make it strong.
4 It takes knowledge to fill a home
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 Wise people have great power,
and those with knowledge have great strength.
6 So you need advice when you go to war.
If you have lots of good advice, you will win.
7 Foolish people cannot understand wisdom.
They have nothing to say in a discussion.
8 Whoever makes evil plans
will be known as a troublemaker.
9 Making foolish plans is sinful,
and making fun of wisdom is hateful.
10 If you give up when trouble comes,
it shows that you are weak.
11 Save those who are being led to their death;
rescue those who are about to be killed.
12 If you say, “We don’t know anything about this,”
God, who knows what’s in your mind, will notice.
He is watching you, and he will know.
He will reward each person for what he has done.
13 My child, eat honey because it is good.
Honey from the honeycomb tastes sweet.
14 In the same way, wisdom is pleasing to you.
If you find it, you have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
15 Don’t be wicked and attack a good family’s house;
don’t rob the place where they live.
16 Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated,
but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.
17 Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated;
don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
18 The Lord will notice and be displeased.
He may not be angry with them anymore.
19 Don’t envy evil people,
and don’t be jealous of the wicked.
20 An evil person has nothing to hope for;
the wicked will die like a flame that is put out.
21 My child, respect the Lord and the king.
Don’t join those people who refuse to obey them.
22 The Lord and the king will quickly destroy such people.
Those two can cause great disaster!
More Words of Wisdom
23 These are also sayings of the wise:
It is not good to take sides when you are the judge.
24 Don’t tell the wicked that they are innocent;
people will curse you, and nations will hate you.
25 But things will go well if you punish the guilty,
and you will receive rich blessings.
26 An honest answer is as pleasing
as a kiss on the lips.
27 First, finish your outside work
and prepare your fields.
After that, you can build your house.
28 Don’t testify against your neighbor for no good reason.
Don’t say things that are false.
29 Don’t say, “I’ll get even;
I’ll do to him what he did to me.”
30 I passed by a lazy person’s field
and by the vineyard of someone with no sense.
31 Thorns had grown up everywhere.
The ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone walls had fallen down.
32 I thought about what I had seen;
I learned this lesson from what I saw.
33 You sleep a little; you take a nap.
You fold your hands and lie down to rest.
34 Soon you will be as poor as if you had been robbed;
you will have as little as if you had been held up.
More Wise Sayings of Solomon
25 These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.
2 God is honored for what he keeps secret.
Kings are honored for what they can discover.
3 No one can measure the height of the skies or the depth of the earth.
So also no one can understand the mind of a king.
4 Remove the scum from the silver,
so the silver can be used by the silversmith.
5 Remove wicked people from the king’s presence;
then his government will be honest and last a long time.
6 Don’t brag to the king
and act as if you are great.
7 It is better for him to give you a higher position
than to bring you down in front of the prince.
Because of something you have seen,
8 do not quickly take someone to court.
What will you do later
when your neighbor proves you wrong?
9 If you have an argument with your neighbor,
don’t tell other people what was said.
10 Whoever hears it might shame you,
and you might not ever be respected again.
11 The right word spoken at the right time
is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.
12 A wise warning to someone who will listen
is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.
13 Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them,
like the coolness of snow in the summertime.
14 People who brag about gifts they never give
are like clouds and wind that give no rain.
15 With patience you can convince a ruler,
and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.
16 If you find honey, don’t eat too much,
or it will make you throw up.
17 Don’t go to your neighbor’s house too often;
too much of you will make him hate you.
18 When you lie about your neighbors,
it hurts them as much as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting unfaithful people when you are in trouble
is like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot.
20 Singing songs to someone who is sad
is like taking away his coat on a cold day
or pouring vinegar on soda.
21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
22 Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 As the north wind brings rain,
telling gossip brings angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner on the roof[b]
than inside the house with a quarreling wife.
25 Good news from a faraway place
is like a cool drink when you are tired.
26 A good person who gives in to evil
is like a muddy spring or a dirty well.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor does it bring you honor to brag about yourself.
28 Those who do not control themselves
are like a city whose walls are broken down.
26 It shouldn’t snow in summer or rain at harvest.
Neither should a foolish person ever be honored.
2 Curses will not harm someone who is innocent;
they are like sparrows or swallows that fly around and never land.
3 Whips are for horses, and harnesses are for donkeys,
so paddles are good for fools.
4 Don’t answer fools when they speak foolishly,
or you will be just like them.
5 Answer fools when they speak foolishly,
or they will think they are really wise.
6 Sending a message by a foolish person
is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison.
7 A wise saying spoken by a fool
is as useless as the legs of a crippled person.
8 Giving honor to a foolish person
is like tying a stone in a slingshot.
9 A wise saying spoken by a fool
is like a thorn stuck in the hand of a drunk.
10 Hiring a foolish person or anyone just passing by
is like an archer shooting at just anything.
11 A fool who repeats his foolishness
is like a dog that goes back to what it has thrown up.
12 There is more hope for a foolish person
than for those who think they are wise.
13 The lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the road!
There’s a lion in the streets!”
14 Like a door turning back and forth on its hinges,
the lazy person turns over and over in bed.
15 Lazy people may put their hands in the dish,
but they are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.
16 The lazy person thinks he is wiser
than seven people who give sensible answers.
17 Interfering in someone else’s quarrel as you pass by
is like grabbing a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman shooting
deadly, burning arrows
19 is the one who tricks a neighbor
and then says, “I was just joking.”
20 Without wood, a fire will go out,
and without gossip, quarreling will stop.
21 Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going,
a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.
22 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food;
people like to gobble them up.
23 Kind words from a wicked mind
are like a shiny coating on a clay pot.
24 Those who hate you may try to fool you with their words,
but in their minds they are planning evil.
25 People’s words may be kind, but don’t believe them,
because their minds are full of evil thoughts.
26 Lies can hide hate,
but the evil will be plain to everyone.
27 Whoever digs a pit for others will fall into it.
Whoever tries to roll a boulder down on others will be crushed by it.
28 Liars hate the people they hurt,
and false praise can ruin others.
27 Don’t brag about tomorrow;
you don’t know what may happen then.
2 Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.
Let the praise come from a stranger and not from your own mouth.
3 Stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but a complaining fool is worse than either.
4 Anger is cruel and destroys like a flood,
but no one can put up with jealousy!
5 It is better to correct someone openly
than to have love and not show it.
6 The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you,
but the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies.
7 When you are full, not even honey tastes good,
but when you are hungry, even something bitter tastes sweet.
8 A person who leaves his home
is like a bird that leaves its nest.
9 The sweet smell of perfume and oils is pleasant,
and so is good advice from a friend.
10 Don’t forget your friend or your parent’s friend.
Don’t always go to your family for help when trouble comes.
A neighbor close by is better than a family far away.
11 Be wise, my child, and make me happy.
Then I can respond to any insult.
12 The wise see danger ahead and avoid it,
but fools keep going and get into trouble.
13 Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger’s loan,
and keep it until he pays what the stranger owes.
14 If you loudly greet your neighbor early in the morning,
he will think of it as a curse.
15 A quarreling wife is as bothersome
as a continual dripping on a rainy day.
16 Stopping her is like stopping the wind
or trying to grab oil in your hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so people can improve each other.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree gets to eat its fruit,
and whoever takes care of his master will receive honor.
19 As water reflects your face,
so your mind shows what kind of person you are.
20 People will never stop dying and being destroyed,
and they will never stop wanting more than they have.
21 A hot furnace tests silver and gold,
and people are tested by the praise they receive.
22 Even if you ground up a foolish person like grain in a bowl,
you couldn’t remove the foolishness.
23 Be sure you know how your sheep are doing,
and pay attention to the condition of your cattle.
24 Riches will not go on forever,
nor do governments go on forever.
25 Bring in the hay, and let the new grass appear.
Gather the grass from the hills.
26 Make clothes from the lambs’ wool,
and sell some goats to buy a field.
27 There will be plenty of goat’s milk
to feed you and your family
and to make your servant girls healthy.
28 Evil people run even though no one is chasing them,
but good people are as brave as a lion.
2 When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another;
but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.
3 Rulers who mistreat the poor
are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.
4 Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked,
but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.
5 Evil people do not understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6 It is better to be poor and innocent
than to be rich and wicked.
7 Children who obey what they have been taught are wise,
but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.
8 Some people get rich by overcharging others,
but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.
9 If you refuse to obey what you have been taught,
your prayers will not be heard.
10 Those who lead good people to do wrong
will be ruined by their own evil,
but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.
11 Rich people may think they are wise,
but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong.
12 When good people triumph, there is great happiness,
but when the wicked get control, everybody hides.
13 If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.
If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.
14 Those who are always respectful will be happy,
but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.
15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people
as a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 A ruler without wisdom will be cruel,
but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time.
17 Don’t help those who are guilty of murder;
let them run until they die.
18 Innocent people will be kept safe,
but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.
19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.
20 A truthful person will have many blessings,
but those eager to get rich will be punished.
21 It is not good for a judge to take sides,
but some will sin for only a piece of bread.
22 Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich
and do not realize they soon will be poor.
23 Those who correct others will later be liked
more than those who give false praise.
24 Whoever robs father or mother
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is just like someone who destroys things.
25 A greedy person causes trouble,
but the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.
26 Those who trust in themselves are foolish,
but those who live wisely will be kept safe.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will have everything he needs,
but the one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked get control, everybody hides,
but when they die, good people do well.
29 Whoever is stubborn after being corrected many times
will suddenly be hurt beyond cure.
2 When good people do well, everyone is happy,
but when evil people rule, everyone groans.
3 Those who love wisdom make their parents happy,
but friends of prostitutes waste their money.
4 If a king is fair, he makes his country strong,
but if he takes gifts dishonestly, he tears his country down.
5 Those who give false praise to their neighbors
are setting a trap for them.
6 Evil people are trapped by their own sin,
but good people can sing and be happy.
7 Good people care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked are not concerned.
8 People who make fun of wisdom cause trouble in a city,
but wise people calm anger down.
9 When a wise person takes a foolish person to court,
the fool only shouts or laughs, and there is no peace.
10 Murderers hate an honest person
and try to kill those who do right.
11 Foolish people lose their tempers,
but wise people control theirs.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
all his officers will become wicked.
13 The poor person and the cruel person are alike
in that the Lord gave eyes to both of them.
14 If a king judges poor people fairly,
his government will continue forever.
15 Correction and punishment make children wise,
but those left alone will disgrace their mother.
16 When there are many wicked people, there is much sin,
but those who do right will see them destroyed.
17 Correct your children, and you will be proud;
they will give you satisfaction.
18 Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,
but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.
19 Words alone cannot correct a servant,
because even if they understand, they won’t respond.
20 Do you see people who speak too quickly?
There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.
21 If you spoil your servants when they are young,
they will bring you grief later on.
22 An angry person causes trouble;
a person with a quick temper sins a lot.
23 Pride will ruin people,
but those who are humble will be honored.
24 Partners of thieves are their own worst enemies.
If they have to testify in court, they are afraid to say anything.
25 Being afraid of people can get you into trouble,
but if you trust the Lord, you will be safe.
26 Many people want to speak to a ruler,
but justice comes only from the Lord.
27 Good people hate those who are dishonest,
and the wicked hate those who are honest.
Wise Words from Agur
30 These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh.
This is his message to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 “I am the most stupid person there is,
and I have no understanding.
3 I have not learned to be wise,
and I don’t know much about God, the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come back down?
Who can hold the wind in his hand?
Who can gather up the waters in his coat?
Who has set in place the ends of the earth?
What is his name or his son’s name?
Tell me, if you know!
5 “Every word of God is true.
He guards those who come to him for safety.
6 Do not add to his words,
or he will correct you and prove you are a liar.
7 “I ask two things from you, Lord.
Don’t refuse me before I die.
8 Keep me from lying and being dishonest.
And don’t make me either rich or poor;
just give me enough food for each day.
9 If I have too much, I might reject you
and say, ‘I don’t know the Lord.’
If I am poor, I might steal
and disgrace the name of my God.
10 “Do not say bad things about servants to their masters,
or they will curse you, and you will suffer for it.
11 “Some people curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers.
12 Some people think they are pure,
but they are not really free from evil.
13 Some people have such a proud look!
They look down on others.
14 Some people have teeth like swords;
their jaws seem full of knives.
They want to remove the poor from the earth
and the needy from the land.
15 “Greed has two daughters
named ‘Give’ and ‘Give.’
There are three things that are never satisfied,
really four that never say, ‘I’ve had enough!’:
16 the cemetery, the childless mother,
the land that never gets enough rain,
and fire that never says, ‘I’ve had enough!’
17 “If you make fun of your father
and refuse to obey your mother,
the birds of the valley will peck out your eyes,
and the vultures will eat them.
18 “There are three things that are too hard for me,
really four I don’t understand:
19 the way an eagle flies in the sky,
the way a snake slides over a rock,
the way a ship sails on the sea,
and the way a man and a woman fall in love.
20 “This is the way of a woman who takes part in adultery:
She acts as if she had eaten and washed her face;
she says, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong.’
21 “There are three things that make the earth tremble,
really four it cannot stand:
22 a servant who becomes a king,
a foolish person who has plenty to eat,
23 a hated woman who gets married,
and a maid who replaces her mistress.
24 “There are four things on earth that are small,
but they are very wise:
25 Ants are not very strong,
but they store up food in the summer.
26 Rock badgers are not very powerful,
but they can live among the rocks.
27 Locusts have no king,
but they all go forward in formation.
28 Lizards can be caught in the hand,
but they are found even in kings’ palaces.
29 “There are three things that strut proudly,
really four that walk as if they were important:
30 a lion, the proudest animal,
which is strong and runs from nothing,
31 a rooster, a male goat,
and a king when his army is around him.
32 “If you have been foolish and proud,
or if you have planned evil, shut your mouth.
33 Just as stirring milk makes butter,
and twisting noses makes them bleed,
so stirring up anger causes trouble.”
Wise Words of King Lemuel
31 These are the words of King Lemuel, the message his mother taught him:
2 “My son, I gave birth to you.
You are the son I prayed for.
3 Don’t waste your strength on women
or your time on those who ruin kings.
4 “Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel,
and rulers should not desire beer.
5 If they drink, they might forget the law
and keep the needy from getting their rights.
6 Give beer to people who are dying
and wine to those who are sad.
7 Let them drink and forget their need
and remember their misery no more.
8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
9 Speak up and judge fairly,
and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
The Good Wife
10 It is hard to find a good wife,
because she is worth more than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her completely.
With her, he has everything he needs.
12 She does him good and not harm
for as long as she lives.
13 She looks for wool and flax
and likes to work with her hands.
14 She is like a trader’s ship,
bringing food from far away.
15 She gets up while it is still dark
and prepares food for her family
and feeds her servant girls.
16 She inspects a field and buys it.
With money she earned, she plants a vineyard.
17 She does her work with energy,
and her arms are strong.
18 She knows that what she makes is good.
Her lamp burns late into the night.
19 She makes thread with her hands
and weaves her own cloth.
20 She welcomes the poor
and helps the needy.
21 She does not worry about her family when it snows,
because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.
23 Her husband is known at the city meetings,
where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land.
24 She makes linen clothes and sells them
and provides belts to the merchants.
25 She is strong and is respected by the people.
She looks forward to the future with joy.
26 She speaks wise words
and teaches others to be kind.
27 She watches over her family
and never wastes her time.
28 Her children speak well of her.
Her husband also praises her,
29 saying, “There are many fine women,
but you are better than all of them.”
30 Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you,
but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned;
she should be praised in public for what she has done.
Footnotes
- 21:9 roof In Bible times houses were built with flat roofs. The roof was used for drying things such as flax and fruit. And it was used as an extra room, as a place for worship, and as a cool place to sleep in the summer.
- 25:24 roof In Bible times houses were built with flat roofs. The roof was used for drying things such as flax and fruit. And it was used as an extra room, as a place for worship, and as a cool place to sleep in the summer.
Proverbs 1-31
Amplified Bible
Proverbs 1-31
Amplified Bible
The Usefulness of Proverbs
1 The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2
To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;
To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,
3
To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness,
Righteousness, justice, and integrity;
4
That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled],
And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,
5
The wise will hear and increase their learning,
And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],(A)
6
To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation,
And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].
7
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];
But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.(B)
The Enticement of Sinners
8
My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not reject the teaching of your mother.
9
For they are a garland of grace on your head,
And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.
10
My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.(C)
11
If they say, “Come with us;
Let us lie in wait to shed blood,
Let us ambush the innocent without cause;
12
Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead),
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];
13
We will find and take all kinds of precious possessions,
We will fill our houses with spoil;
14
Throw in your lot with us [they insist];
We will all have one money bag [in common],”
15
My son, do not walk on the road with them;
Keep your foot [far] away from their path,
16
For their feet run to evil,
And they hurry to shed blood.
17
Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net
In the sight of any bird;
18
But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood;
They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction].
19
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.(D)
Wisdom Warns
20
[b]Wisdom shouts in the street,
She raises her voice in the markets;
21
She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather];
At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:
22
“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning?
How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing,
How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?
23
“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,
Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.(E)
24
“Because I called and you refused [to answer],
I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];(F)
25
And you treated all my counsel as nothing
And would not accept my reprimand,
26
I also will laugh at your disaster;
I will mock when your dread and panic come,
27
When your dread and panic come like a storm,
And your disaster comes like a whirlwind,
When anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].
28
“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer;
They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,(G)
29
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord [that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect],(H)
30
They would not accept my counsel,
And they spurned all my rebuke.
31
“Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own [wicked] way
And be satiated with [the penalty of] their own devices.
32
“For the turning away of the [c]naive will kill them,
And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them.(I)
33
“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust
And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”
The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security
2 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2
So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];
3
Yes, if you cry out for insight,
And lift up your voice for understanding;
4
If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver
And search for her as you would hidden treasures;
5
Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]
And discover the knowledge of God.(J)
6
For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7
He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],
8
He guards the paths of justice;
And He preserves the way of His saints (believers).(K)
9
Then you will understand righteousness and justice [in every circumstance]
And integrity and every good path.
10
For [skillful and godly] wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11
Discretion will watch over you,
Understanding and discernment will guard you,
12
To keep you from the way of evil and the evil man,
From the man who speaks perverse things;
13
From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;
14
Who find joy in doing evil
And delight in the perversity of evil,
15
Whose paths are crooked,
And who are devious in their ways;
16
To keep you from the immoral woman;
From the seductress with her flattering words,(L)
17
Who leaves the companion (husband) of her youth,
And forgets the covenant of her God.
18
For her house leads down to death
And her paths lead to the dead;
19
None who go to her return again,
Nor do they regain the paths of life—
20
So you will walk in the way of good men [that is, those of personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character],
And keep to the paths of the righteous.
21
For the upright [those who are in right standing with God] will live in the land
And those [of integrity] who are blameless [in God’s sight] will remain in it;
22
But the wicked will be cut off from the land
And the treacherous shall be [forcibly] uprooted and removed from it.
The Rewards of Wisdom
3 My son, do not forget my [d]teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2
For length of days and years of life [worth living]
And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you.
3
Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you];
Bind them [securely] around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.(M)
4
So find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.(N)
5
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6
[e]In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
7
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.(O)
8
It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]
And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.
9
Honor the Lord with your wealth
And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);(P)
10
Then your barns will be abundantly filled
And your vats will overflow with new wine.(Q)
11
My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the Lord [learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline];
Nor despise His rebuke,(R)
12
For those whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13
Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],
14
For wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her gain is better than fine gold.
15
She is more precious than rubies;
And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].(S)
16
Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.(T)
17
Her ways are highways of pleasantness and favor,
And all her paths are peace.
18
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.
19
The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth;
By His understanding He has established the heavens.(U)
20
By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the clouds drip with dew.
21
My son, let them not escape from your sight,
But keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22
And they will be life to your soul (your inner self)
And a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self).
23
Then you will walk on your way [of life] securely
And your foot will not stumble.(V)
24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25
Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];
26
For the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong,
And will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].
27
[f]Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients],
When it is in your power to do it.(W)
28
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.(X)
29
Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
Who lives securely beside you.
30
Do not quarrel with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.(Y)
31
Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.(Z)
32
For the devious are repulsive to the Lord;
But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].(AA)
33
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just and righteous.(AB)
34
Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners,
Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those who give up self-importance].(AC)
35
The wise will inherit honor and glory,
But dishonor and shame is conferred on fools.(AD)
A Father’s Instruction
4 Hear, O children, the instruction of a father,
And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment.
2
For I give you good doctrine;
Do not [g]turn away from my instruction.
3
When I was a son with my father (David),
Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba),
4
He taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
Keep my commandments and live.(AE)
5
“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!
Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6
“Do not [h]turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7
“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].(AF)
8
“Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9
“She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.”
10
Hear, my son, and accept my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
11
I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom;
I have led you in upright paths.
12
When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open];
And when you run, you will not stumble.
13
Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go.
Guard her, for she is your life.
14
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not go the way of evil men.
15
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
16
For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil;
And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall.
17
For they eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
18
But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.(AG)
19
The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.(AH)
20
My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn;
Open your ears to my sayings.
21
Do not let them escape from your sight;
Keep them in the center of your heart.
22
For they are life to those who find them,
And healing and health to all their flesh.
23
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
24
Put away from you a deceitful (lying, misleading) mouth,
And put devious lips far from you.
25
Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].
26
Consider well and watch carefully the path of your feet,
And all your ways will be steadfast and sure.
27
Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk];
Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.
Pitfalls of Immorality
5 My son, be attentive to my wisdom [godly wisdom learned by costly experience],
Incline your ear to my understanding;(AI)
2
That you may exercise discrimination and discretion (good judgment),
And your lips may reserve knowledge and answer wisely [to temptation].
3
For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey [like a honeycomb]
And her speech is smoother than oil;(AJ)
4
But in the end she is bitter like [the extract of] wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5
Her feet go down to death;
Her steps take hold of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead),
6
So that she does not think [seriously] about the path of life;
Her ways are aimless and unstable; you cannot know where her path leads.
7
Now then, my sons, listen to me
And do not depart from (forget) the words of my mouth.
8
Let your way [in life] be far from her,
And do not go near the door of her house [avoid even being near the places of temptation],(AK)
9
Or you will give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one,
10
And strangers will be filled with your strength
And your hard-earned wealth will go to the house of a foreigner [who does not know God];
11
And you will groan when your life is ending,
When your flesh and your body are consumed;
12
And you say, “How I hated instruction and discipline,
And my heart despised correction and reproof!
13
“I have not listened to the voice of my teachers,
Nor have I inclined my ear to those who instructed me.
14
“I was almost in total ruin
In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
15
[i]Drink water from your own [j]cistern [of a pure marriage relationship]
And fresh running water from your own well.
16
Should your [k]springs (children) be dispersed,
As streams of water in the streets?
17
[Confine yourself to your own wife.] Let your children be yours alone,
And not the children of strangers with you.
18
Let your fountain (wife) be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity],
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.(AL)
19
Let her be as a loving hind and graceful doe,
Let her breasts refresh and satisfy you at all times;
Always be [l]exhilarated and delight in her love.
20
Why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an immoral woman
And embrace the bosom of an outsider (pagan)?
21
For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord,
And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].(AM)
22
The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him,
And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
23
He will die for lack of instruction (discipline),
And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost.
Parental Counsel
6 My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor,
If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family],
2
If you have been snared with the words of your lips,
If you have been trapped by the speech of your mouth,
3
Do this now, my son, and release yourself [from the obligation];
[m]Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor [to pay his debt and release you].
4
Give no [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
5
Tear yourself away like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6
Go to the ant, O lazy one;
Observe her ways and be wise,(AN)
7
Which, having no chief,
Overseer or ruler,
8
She prepares her food in the summer
And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.
9
How long will you lie down, O lazy one?
When will you arise from your sleep [and learn self-discipline]?(AO)
10
“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to lie down and rest”—
11
So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely]
And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].(AP)
12
A worthless person, a wicked man,
Is one who walks with a perverse (corrupt, vulgar) mouth.
13
Who winks with his eyes [in mockery], who shuffles his feet [to signal],
Who points with his fingers [to give subversive instruction];
14
Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually;
Who spreads discord and strife.
15
Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him;
Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God].
16
These six things the Lord hates;
Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:
17
A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,(AQ)
18
A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,
19
A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],
And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.
20
My son, be guided by your father’s [God-given] commandment (instruction)
And do not [n]reject the teaching of your mother;(AR)
21
Bind them continually upon your heart (in your thoughts),
And tie them around your neck.(AS)
22
When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you;
When you sleep, they will keep watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
23
For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light,
And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,(AT)
24
To keep you from the evil woman,
From [the flattery of] the smooth tongue of an immoral woman.
25
Do not desire (lust after) her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her capture you with her eyelashes.
26
For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread [to be eaten up],
And the immoral woman hunts [with a hook] the precious life [of a man].
27
Can a man take fire to his chest
And his clothes not be burned?
28
Or can a man walk on hot coals
And his feet not be scorched?
29
So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
Whoever touches her will not be found innocent or go unpunished.
30
People do not despise a thief if he steals
To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
31
But when he is found, he must repay seven times [what he stole];
He must give all the property of his house [if necessary to meet his fine].
32
But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks common sense and sound judgment and an understanding [of moral principles];
He who would destroy his soul does it.
33
Wounds and disgrace he will find,
And his reproach (blame) will not be blotted out.
34
For jealousy enrages the [wronged] husband;
He will not spare [the guilty one] on the day of vengeance.
35
He will not accept any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment];
Nor will he be satisfied though you offer him many gifts (bribes).
The Wiles of the Prostitute
7 My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].
2
Keep my commandments and live,
And keep my teaching and law as the apple of your eye.
3
Bind them [securely] on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4
Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And regard understanding and intelligent insight as your intimate friends;
5
That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.
6
For at the window of my house
I looked out through my lattice.
7
And among the naive [the inexperienced and gullible],
I saw among the youths
A young man lacking [good] sense,
8
Passing through the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house
9
In the twilight, in the evening;
In the black and dark night.
10
And there a woman met him,
Dressed as a prostitute and sly and cunning of heart.
11
She was boisterous and rebellious;
[o]She would not stay at home.
12
At times she was in the streets, at times in the market places,
Lurking and setting her ambush at every corner.
13
So she caught him and kissed him
And with a brazen and impudent face she said to him:
14
“I have peace offerings with me;
Today I have paid my vows.
15
“So I came out to meet you [that you might share with me the feast of my offering],
Diligently I sought your face and I have found you.
16
“I have spread my couch with coverings and cushions of tapestry,
With colored fine linen of Egypt.
17
“I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18
“Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;
Let us console and delight ourselves with love.
19
“For my husband is not at home.
He has gone on a long journey;
20
He has taken a bag of money with him,
And he will come home on the appointed day.”
21
With her many persuasions she caused him to yield;
With her flattering lips she seduced him.
22
Suddenly he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter [not knowing the outcome],
Or as one in stocks going to the correction [to be given] to a fool,
23
Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound];
Like a bird fluttering straight into the net,
He did not know that it would cost him his life.
24
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her [evil, immoral] paths.
26
For she has cast down many [mortally] wounded;
Indeed, all who were killed by her were strong.(AU)
27
Her house is the way to [p]Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.(AV)
The Commendation of Wisdom
8 Does not wisdom call,
And understanding lift up her voice?
2
On the top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;
3
Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
4
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is directed to the sons of men.
5
“O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense;
And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].(AW)
6
“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
7
“For my mouth will utter truth,
And wickedness is repulsive and loathsome to my lips.
8
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God);
There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.
9
“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],
And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
10
“Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver,
And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,
11
“For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.(AX)
12
“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],
And I find knowledge and discretion.(AY)
13
“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
14
“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power and strength are mine.
15
“By me kings reign
And rulers decide and decree justice.(AZ)
16
“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge and govern rightly.
17
“I love those who love me;
And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.(BA)
18
“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God).(BB)
19
“My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
And my yield is better than choicest silver.
20
“I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21
That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches,
And that I may fill their treasuries.
22
“The Lord created and possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old [were accomplished].
23
“From everlasting I was established and ordained,
From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].(BC)
24
“When there were no ocean depths I was born,
When there were no fountains and springs overflowing with water.
25
“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;(BD)
26
While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,
Or the first of the dust of the earth.
27
“When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there;
When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,
28
When He made firm the skies above,
When the fountains and springs of the deep became fixed and strong,
29
When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth—(BE)
30
Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight;
Rejoicing before Him always,(BF)
31
Rejoicing in the world, His inhabited earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.(BG)
32
“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] are they who keep my ways.(BH)
33
“Heed (pay attention to) instruction and be wise,
And do not ignore or neglect it.
34
“Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
35
“For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life
And obtains favor and grace from the Lord.
36
“But he who fails to find me or sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love and court death.”
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house;
She has hewn out and set up her seven pillars.
2
She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table.(BI)
3
She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the highest places of the city:
4
“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says,
5
“Come, eat my food
And drink the wine I have mixed [and accept my gifts].(BJ)
6
“Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live,
And walk in the way of insight and understanding.”
7
He who corrects and instructs a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man gets insults for himself.
8
[q]Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you;
Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you.(BK)
9
Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser;
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
10
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.
11
For by me (wisdom from God) your days will be multiplied,
And years of life shall be increased.
12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit];
If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty.
13
The foolish woman is restless and noisy;
She is naive and easily misled and thoughtless, and knows nothing at all [of eternal value].
14
She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high and conspicuous places of the city,
15
Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:
16
“Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks understanding (common sense), she says,
17
“Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden];
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”(BL)
18
But he does not know that the spirits of the dead are there,
And that her guests are [already] in the depths of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).
Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked
10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.
2
Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.
3
The Lord will not allow the [r]righteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs],
But He will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked.(BM)
4
Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.
5
He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.
6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God],
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7
The [s]memory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessing,
But the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse].(BN)
8
The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction),
But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.
9
He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely,
But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.
10
He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;
And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.
11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.
12
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].
13
On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
14
Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart],
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
15
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress;
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.(BO)
16
The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.(BP)
17
He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing],
But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].
18
He who hides hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.(BQ)
19
When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
20
The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21
The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,
But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.
22
The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].
23
Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],
But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.
24
What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous [for the blessings of God] will be granted.
25
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.(BR)
26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him to work.
27
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect] prolongs one’s life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
28
The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy,
But the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing.
29
The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright,
But it is ruin to those who do evil.
30
The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken,
But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.(BS)
31
The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
32
The lips of the righteous know (speak) what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted).
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
11 A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord,
But an accurate scale is His delight.(BT)
2
When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.
3
The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
4
Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment,
But righteousness rescues from death.(BU)
5
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth their way and keep it straight,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6
The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,
But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.
7
When the wicked man dies, his expectation will perish;
And the hope of [godless] strong men perishes.
8
[t]The righteous is rescued from trouble,
And the wicked takes his place.
9
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge and discernment the righteous will be rescued.
10
When it goes well for the righteous, the city rejoices,
And when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11
By the blessing [of the influence] of the upright the city is exalted,
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
12
He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.
13
He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets,
But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.
14
Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm],
But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.
15
He who puts up security and guarantees a debt for an outsider will surely suffer [for his foolishness],
But he who hates (declines) being a guarantor is secure [from its penalties].
16
A gracious and good woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].
17
The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],
But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.
18
The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness and lives his life with integrity will have a true reward [that is both permanent and satisfying].(BV)
19
He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life,
But he who pursues evil attains his own death.
20
The perverse in heart are repulsive and shamefully vile to the Lord,
But those who are blameless and above reproach in their walk are His delight!
21
Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished,
But the descendants of the righteous will be freed.
22
As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a beautiful woman who is without discretion [her lack of character mocks her beauty].
23
The desire of the righteous brings only good,
But the expectation of the wicked brings wrath.
24
There is the one who [generously] scatters [abroad], and yet increases all the more;
And there is the one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want and poverty.
25
The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched,
And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown].(BW)
26
The people curse him who holds back grain [when the public needs it],
But a blessing [from God and man] is upon the head of him who sells it.
27
He who diligently seeks good seeks favor and grace,
But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.
28
He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall,
But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf.
29
He who troubles (mismanages) his own house will inherit the wind (nothing),
And the foolish will be a servant to the wise-hearted.
30
The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity].(BX)
31
If the righteous will be rewarded on the earth [with godly blessings],
How much more [will] the wicked and the sinner [be repaid with punishment]!
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
12 Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.
2
A good man will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a man who devises evil.
3
A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the [consistently] righteous will not be moved.
4
A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones.(BY)
5
The thoughts and purposes of the [consistently] righteous are just (honest, reliable),
But the counsels and schemes of the wicked are deceitful.
6
The [malevolent] words of the wicked lie in wait for [innocent] blood [to slander],
But the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them.
7
The wicked are overthrown [by their evil] and are no more,
But the house of the [consistently] righteous will stand [securely].
8
A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment,
But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised.
9
[u]Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than he who [boastfully] honors himself [pretending to be what he is not] and lacks bread.
10
A righteous man has kind regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.(BZ)
11
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.
12
The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields richer fruit.
13
An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
14
A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words,
And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest].
15
The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.(CA)
16
The [arrogant] fool’s anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense],
But a prudent man ignores an insult.
17
He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right,
But a false witness utters deceit [in court].
18
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19
Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.
20
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21
No harm befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.(CB)
22
Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.(CC)
23
A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time],
But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness.(CD)
24
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor.
25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.(CE)
26
The righteous man is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27
The lazy man does not catch and roast his prey,
But the precious possession of a [wise] man is diligence [because he recognizes opportunities and seizes them].
28
In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death [but immortality—eternal life].(CF)
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
13 A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.
2
From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3
The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.
4
The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition],
But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied.(CG)
5
A righteous man hates lies,
But a wicked man is loathsome, and he acts shamefully.
6
Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.
7
There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing at all;
Another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(CH)
8
The ransom for a man’s life is his wealth,
But the poor man does not even have to listen to a rebuke or threats [from the envious].
9
The light of the righteous [within him—grows brighter and] rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked [is a temporary light and] goes out.
10
Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,
But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.
11
Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].
12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13
Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself,
But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.
14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain and source of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.
15
Good understanding wins favor [from others],
But the way of the unfaithful is hard [like barren, dry soil].
16
Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge,
But a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].
17
A wicked messenger falls into hardship,
But a faithful ambassador brings healing.
18
Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses instruction and discipline,
But he who accepts and learns from reproof or censure is honored.
19
Desire realized is sweet to the soul;
But it is detestable to fools to turn away from evil [which they have planned].
20
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.(CI)
21
Adversity pursues sinners,
But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.
22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.
23
Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor,
But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice.
24
He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].(CJ)
25
The [consistently] righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need [of bread].
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
14 The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives],
But the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles].
2
He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect],
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.
3
In the mouth of the [arrogant] [v]fool [who rejects God] is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.
4
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
But much revenue [because of good crops] comes by the strength of the ox.
5
A faithful and trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness speaks lies.
6
A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom],
But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].
7
Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool,
For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips.
8
The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.
9
Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools],
But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.(CK)
10
The heart knows its own bitterness,
And no stranger shares its joy.
11
The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will thrive.
12
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
13
Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.
14
The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].
15
The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears,
But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going.
16
A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil,
But the fool is arrogant and careless.
17
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly and without self-control,
And a man of wicked schemes is hated.
18
The naive [are unsophisticated and easy to exploit and] inherit foolishness,
But the sensible [are thoughtful and far-sighted and] are crowned with knowledge.
19
The evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked [will bow down] at the gates of the righteous.
20
The poor man is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.
21
He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.
22
Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.
23
In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
24
The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom],
But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly.
25
A truthful witness saves lives,
But he who speaks lies is treacherous.
26
In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will [always] have a place of refuge.
27
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.(CL)
28
In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin.
29
He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control],
But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].(CM)
30
A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body,
But passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones.
31
He who oppresses the poor taunts and insults his Maker,
But he who is kind and merciful and gracious to the needy honors Him.(CN)
32
The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing,
But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death.
33
Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.(CO)
34
Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
35
The king’s favor and good will are toward a servant who acts wisely and discreetly,
But his anger and wrath are toward him who acts shamefully.(CP)
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
15 A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.(CQ)
2
The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors].(CR)
4
A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.
5
A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction,
But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.
6
Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom],
But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].
7
The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
8
The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight!(CS)
9
The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].
10
There is severe discipline for him who [w]turns from the way [of righteousness];
And he who hates correction will die.
11
Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the Lord—
How much more the hearts and inner motives of the children of men.(CT)
12
A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him;
Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction].
13
A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face,
But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.(CU)
14
The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.(CV)
15
All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].
16
Better is a little with the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and trouble with it.(CW)
17
Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is present
Than a fattened ox served with hatred.(CX)
18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.
19
The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him],
But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway.
20
A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21
Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].(CY)
22
Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they are established and succeed.
23
A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!
24
The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise,
That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.(CZ)
25
The Lord will tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous),
But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow.
26
Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,
But pure words are pleasant words to Him.
27
He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.(DA)
28
The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way],
But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things.(DB)
29
The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],
But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].
30
The light of the eyes rejoices the hearts of others,
And good news puts fat on the bones.
31
The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)
Will remain among the wise.
32
He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself,
But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].
33
The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
16 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2
All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].(DC)
3
[x]Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].
4
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.
5
Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord;
Be assured he will not go unpunished.(DD)
6
By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
7
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice.(DE)
9
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.(DF)
10
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.(DG)
11
A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].
12
It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).
13
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
14
The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
15
In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.
16
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.(DH)
17
The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;
He who guards his way protects his life (soul).
18
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).
20
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.
21
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].
22
Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.
23
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
25
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
26
The appetite of a worker works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
27
A worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.
28
A perverse man spreads strife,
And one who gossips separates intimate friends.(DI)
29
A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30
He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;
And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.
31
The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.(DJ)
32
He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],
And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.
33
The lot is cast into the lap,
[y]But its every decision is from the Lord.
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
17 Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace
Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.
2
A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family]
And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.
3
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.(DK)
4
An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips;
And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue.
5
Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker,
And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished.(DL)
6
Grandchildren are the crown of aged men,
And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives].(DM)
7
Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],
Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.
8
A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,
But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.
10
A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit
Than a hundred lashes into a fool.(DN)
11
A rebellious man seeks only evil;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12
Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs
Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.(DO)
13
Whoever returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.(DP)
14
The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];
Therefore [z]abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.
15
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous
Are both repulsive to the Lord.(DQ)
16
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?
17
A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18
A man lacking common sense gives a pledge
And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.
19
He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome;
He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].
20
He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.(DR)
21
He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.
22
A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.(DS)
23
A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket
To pervert the ways of justice.
24
[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],
But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.
25
A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father
And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.
26
It is also not good to fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27
He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,
And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).(DT)
28
Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.
Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
18 He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.
2
A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].
3
When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,
And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).
4
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].
5
To show respect to the wicked person is not good,
Nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.
6
A fool’s lips bring contention and strife,
And his mouth invites a beating.
7
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8
The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].
9
He who is careless in his work
Is a brother to him who destroys.
10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].
11
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination and conceit.
12
Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance,
But humility comes before honor.
13
He who answers before he hears [the facts]—
It is folly and shame to him.(DU)
14
The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness,
But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?
15
The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.
16
A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him
And brings him before great men.(DV)
17
The first one to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and cross-examines him.
18
[aa]To cast lots puts an end to quarrels
And decides between powerful contenders.
19
A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,
And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.
20
A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.(DW)
22
He who finds a [[ab]true and faithful] wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor and approval from the Lord.(DX)
23
The poor man pleads,
But the rich man answers roughly.
24
The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.
On Life and Conduct
19 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool.
2
Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,
And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark).
3
The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes];
Then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself].
4
Wealth makes many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.(DY)
5
A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes out lies will not escape.(DZ)
6
Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man,
And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts.
7
All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
8
He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.
9
A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes lies will perish.
10
Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11
Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,
And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].
12
The king’s wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is as [refreshing and nourishing as] dew on the grass.(EA)
13
A foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a [quarrelsome] wife are like a constant dripping [of water].
14
House and wealth are the inheritance from fathers,
But a wise, understanding, and sensible wife is [a gift and blessing] from the Lord.(EB)
15
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity],
And the idle person will suffer hunger.
16
He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life,
But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.(EC)
17
He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord,
And the Lord will repay him for his good deed.(ED)
18
Discipline and teach your son while there is hope,
And do not [indulge your anger or resentment by imposing inappropriate punishment nor] desire his destruction.
19
A man of great anger will bear the penalty [for his quick temper and lack of self-control];
For if you rescue him [and do not let him learn from the consequences of his action], you will only have to rescue him over and over again.
20
Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,
That you may be wise in the time to come.
21
Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).(EE)
22
That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,
But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar.
23
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.(EF)
24
The lazy man buries his hand in the [food] dish,
But will not even bring it to his mouth again.
25
Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent;
Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.
26
He who assaults his father and chases away his mother
Is a son who brings shame and disgrace.(EG)
27
Cease listening, my son, to instruction and discipline
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28
A wicked and worthless witness mocks justice,
And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.
29
Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And beatings for the backs of [thickheaded] fools.(EH)
On Life and Conduct
20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler;
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.(EI)
2
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3
It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].
4
The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].
5
A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out.(EJ)
6
Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,
But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?
7
The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—
How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].
8
A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].
9
Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin?”(EK)
10
Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.(EL)
11
Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts,
Whether his conduct is pure and right.
12
The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The [omnipotent] Lord has made both of them.
13
Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.
14
“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].
15
There is gold, and an abundance of pearls,
But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all].(EM)
16
[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.”(EN)
17
Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].
18
Plans are established by counsel;
So make war [only] with wise guidance.
19
He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters].(EO)
20
Whoever curses his father or his mother,
His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness.
21
An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.(EP)
22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you.(EQ)
23
Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the Lord,
And fraudulent scales are not good.
24
Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord.
How then can a man [fully] understand his way?
25
It is a trap for a man to [[ac]speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!”
And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it].
26
A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good]
And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].
27
The [ad]spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being.(ER)
28
Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king,
And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness.
29
The glory of young men is their [physical] strength,
And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].
30
Blows that wound cleanse away evil,
And strokes reach to the innermost parts.
On Life and Conduct
21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it whichever way He wishes.(ES)
2
Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].(ET)
3
To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].(EU)
4
Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].
5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage,
But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.
6
Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
7
The violence of the wicked will [return to them and] drag them away [like fish caught in a net],
Because they refuse to act with justice.
8
The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
9
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather]
Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.
10
The soul of the wicked desires evil [like an addictive substance];
His neighbor finds no compassion in his eyes.(EV)
11
When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise;
But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.(EW)
12
The righteous one keeps an eye on the house of the wicked—
How the wicked are cast down to ruin.
13
Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor
Will cry out himself and not be answered.(EX)
14
A gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath.
15
When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God),
But to the evildoers it is disaster.
16
A man who wanders from the way of understanding (godly wisdom)
Will remain in the assembly of the dead.
17
He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to [ae]wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.
18
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps].
19
It is better to dwell in a desert land
Than with a contentious and troublesome woman.
20
There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future],
But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
21
He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.(EY)
22
A wise man scales the city [walls] of the mighty
And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue
Guards himself from troubles.(EZ)
24
“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names
Who acts with overbearing and insolent pride.
25
The desire of the lazy kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor;
26
He craves all the day long [and does no work],
But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].(FA)
27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable and offensive [to the Lord].
How much more [unacceptable and insulting can it be] when he brings it with evil intention?
28
A false witness will perish,
But a man who listens to the truth will speak forever and go unchallenged.
29
A wicked man puts on a bold face,
But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].
30
There is no [human] wisdom or understanding
Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance and victory belong to the Lord.
On Life and Conduct
22 A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches;
And favor is better than silver and gold.
2
The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all.(FB)
3
A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it],
But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].
4
The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Is riches, honor, and life.(FC)
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them];
He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.(FD)
7
The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8
He who sows injustice will reap [a harvest of] trouble,
And the rod of his wrath [with which he oppresses others] will fail.
9
He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.(FE)
10
Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go away;
Even strife and dishonor will cease.
11
He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.
12
The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and the one who has it,
But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13
The lazy one [manufactures excuses and] says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the streets [if I go out to work]!”
14
The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit [deep and inescapable];
He who is cursed by the Lord [because of his adulterous sin] will fall into it.
15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.
16
He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself
Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.
17
Listen carefully and hear the [af]words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;
18
For it will be pleasant if you keep them in mind [incorporating them as guiding principles];
Let them be ready on your lips [to guide and strengthen yourself and others].
19
So that your trust and reliance and confidence may be in the Lord,
I have taught these things to you today, even to you.
20
Have I not written to you excellent things
In counsels and knowledge,
21
To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?(FF)
22
Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless],
Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held],(FG)
23
For the Lord will plead their case
And take the life of those who rob them.(FH)
24
Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts;
Or go [along] with a hot-tempered man,
25
Or you will learn his [undisciplined] ways
And get yourself trapped [in a situation from which it is hard to escape].
26
Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances],
Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts.
27
If you have nothing with which to pay [another’s debt when he defaults],
Why should his creditor take your bed from under you?
28
Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property]
Which your fathers have set.
29
Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work?
He will stand [in honor] before kings;
He will not stand before obscure men.
On Life and Conduct
23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is [set] before you;
2
For you will put a knife to your throat
If you are a man of great appetite.
3
Do not desire his delicacies,
For it is deceptive food [offered to you with questionable motives].
4
Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth;
Cease from your own understanding of it.(FI)
5
When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.
6
Do not eat the bread of a selfish man,
Or desire his delicacies;
7
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].
He says to you, “Eat and drink,”
Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].
8
The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up,
And you will waste your compliments.
9
Do not speak in the ears of a fool,
For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.(FJ)
10
Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property]
And do not go into the fields of the fatherless [to take what is theirs],(FK)
11
For their Redeemer is strong and mighty;
He will plead their case against you.
12
Apply your heart to discipline
And your ears to words of knowledge.
13
Do not withhold discipline from the child;
If you [ag]swat him with a reed-like rod [applied with godly wisdom], he will not die.
14
You shall [ah]swat him with the reed-like rod
And rescue his life from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).
15
My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will also be glad;
16
Yes, my heart will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.
17
Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation],
But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day.
18
Surely there is a future [and a reward],
And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.
19
Listen, my son, and be wise,
And direct your heart in the way [of the Lord].
20
Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat,(FL)
21
For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,
And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.
22
Listen to your father, who sired you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.
23
[ai]Buy truth, and do not sell it;
Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.
25
Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her who gave birth to you rejoice [in your wise and godly choices].
26
My son, give me your heart
And let your eyes delight in my ways,
27
For a prostitute is a deep pit,
And an immoral woman is a narrow well.
28
She lurks and lies in wait like a robber [who waits for prey],
And she increases the faithless among men.
29
Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Whose eyes are red and dim?
30
Those who linger long over wine,
Those who go to taste mixed wine.(FM)
31
Do not look at wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the glass,
When it goes down smoothly.
32
At the last it bites like a serpent
And stings like a viper.
33
Your [drunken] eyes will see strange things
And your mind will utter perverse things [untrue things, twisted things].
34
And you will be [as unsteady] as one who lies down in the middle of the sea,
And [as vulnerable to disaster] as one who lies down on the top of a ship’s mast, saying,
35
“They struck me, but I was not hurt!
They beat me, but I did not feel it!
When will I wake up?
I will seek more wine.”
Precepts and Warnings
24 Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2
For their minds plot violence,
And their lips talk of trouble [for the innocent].
3
Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built,
And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],
4
And by knowledge its rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
5
A wise man is strong,
And a man of knowledge strengthens his power;(FN)
6
For by wise guidance you can wage your war,
And in an abundance of [wise] counselors there is victory and safety.
7
Wisdom is too exalted for a [hardened, arrogant] [aj]fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate [where the city’s rulers sit in judgment].
8
He who plans to do evil
Will be called a schemer or deviser of evil.
9
The devising of folly is sin,
And the scoffer is repulsive to men.
10
If you are slack (careless) in the day of distress,
Your strength is limited.
11
Rescue those who are being taken away to death,
And those who stagger to the slaughter, Oh hold them back [from their doom]!
12
If you [claim ignorance and] say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He not consider it who weighs and examines the hearts and their motives?
And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul?
And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?
13
My son, eat honey, because it is good,
And the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14
Know that [skillful and godly] wisdom is [so very good] for your life and soul;
If you find wisdom, then there will be a future and a reward,
And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.
15
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not destroy his resting place;
16
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,
But the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse.(FO)
17
Do not rejoice and gloat when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad [in self-righteousness] when he stumbles,
18
Or the Lord will see your gloating and be displeased,
And turn His anger away from your enemy.
19
Do not get upset because of evildoers,
Or be envious of the wicked,
20
For there will be no future for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
22
For their tragedy will rise suddenly,
And who knows the punishment that both [the Lord and the king] will bring on the rebellious?
23
These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Peoples will curse him, nations will denounce him;
25
But to those [honorable judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26
He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of people]
Who gives a right and straightforward answer.
27
Prepare your work outside
And get it ready for yourself in the field;
[ak]Afterward build your house and establish a home.
28
Do not be a witness against your [al]neighbor without cause,
And do not deceive with your lips [speak neither lies nor half-truths].(FP)
29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for his deed.”(FQ)
30
I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man lacking understanding and common sense;
31
And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns,
And nettles were covering its surface,
And its stone wall was broken down.
32
When I saw, I considered it well;
I looked and received instruction.
33
“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest [and daydream],”
34
Then your poverty will come as a robber,
And your want like an armed man.
Similitudes, Instructions
25 These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:(FR)
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.(FS)
3
As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the hearts and minds of kings are [am]unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver,
And there comes out [the pure metal for] a vessel for the silversmith [to shape].(FT)
5
Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
Do not be boastfully ambitious and claim honor in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of great men;
7
For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.(FU)
8
Do not rush out to argue your case [before magistrates or judges];
Otherwise what will you do in the end [when your case is lost and]
When your neighbor (opponent) humiliates you?(FV)
9
Argue your case with your neighbor himself [before you go to court];
And do not reveal another’s secret,(FW)
10
Or he who hears it will shame you
And the rumor about you [and your action in court] will have no end.
11
Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken at the right time.(FX)
12
Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and learns.
13
Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
For he refreshes the life of his masters.
14
Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a man who boasts falsely of gifts [he does not give].(FY)
15
By patience and a calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft and gentle tongue breaks the bone [of resistance].(FZ)
16
Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need,
Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.
17
Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become tired of you and hate you.
18
Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow
Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance).
19
Like a broken tooth or an unsteady foot
Is confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble.
20
Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like [a reactive, useless mixture of] vinegar on soda,
Is he who [thoughtlessly] sings [joyful] songs to a heavy heart.(GA)
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;(GB)
22
For in doing so, you will [an]heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
23
The north wind brings forth rain;
And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
24
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather]
Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.(GC)
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
So is good news from a distant land.
26
Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring
Is a righteous man who yields and compromises his integrity before the wicked.
27
It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.
28
Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected]
Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].(GD)
Similitudes, Instructions
26 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] [ao]fool.(GE)
2
Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,
So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].(GF)
3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].
4
Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,
Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.
5
Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,
Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].(GG)
6
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence].(GH)
7
Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
8
Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],
So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.
9
Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].
10
Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.
11
Like a dog that returns to his vomit
Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
12
Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.(GI)
13
The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road!
A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”(GJ)
14
As the door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy person on his bed [never getting out of it].
15
The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity];
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.(GK)
16
The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer.
17
Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]
Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.
18
Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows, and death,
19
So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)
And then says, “Was I not joking?”(GL)
20
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.
21
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.(GM)
22
The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].(GN)
23
Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]
Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.
24
He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
But he stores up deceit in his heart.
25
When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.
26
Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,
His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.
27
Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.(GO)
28
A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Warnings and Instructions
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring.(GP)
2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
3
Stone is heavy and the sand weighty,
But a fool’s [unreasonable] wrath is heavier and more burdensome than both of them.
4
Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood,
But who is able to endure and stand before [the sin of] jealousy?
5
Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction]
Than love that is hidden.(GQ)
6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern],
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].
7
He who is satisfied loathes honey,
But to the hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet.
8
Like a bird that wanders from her nest [with its comfort and safety],
So is a man who wanders from his home.
9
Oil and perfume make the heart glad;
So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.
10
Do not abandon your own friend and your father’s friend,
And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.
Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
11
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches (reprimands, criticizes) me.(GR)
12
A prudent man sees evil and hides himself and avoids it,
But the naive [who are easily misled] continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].(GS)
13
[The judge tells the creditor,] “Take the garment of one who is surety (guarantees a loan) for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge when he is surety for an immoral woman [for it is unlikely the debt will be repaid].”(GT)
14
He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be counted as a curse to him [for it will either be annoying or his purpose will be suspect].
15
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain
And a contentious (quarrelsome) woman are alike;(GU)
16
Whoever attempts to restrain her [criticism] might as well try to stop the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
17
As iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].
18
He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,
And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored.(GV)
19
As in water face reflects face,
So the heart of man reflects man.
20
Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the underworld) are never satisfied;
Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.(GW)
21
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold [to separate the impurities of the metal],
And each is tested by the praise given to him [and his response to it, whether humble or proud].
22
Even though you pound a [hardened, arrogant] fool [who rejects wisdom] in a mortar with a pestle like grain,
Yet his foolishness will not leave him.
23
Be diligent to know the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
24
For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
25
When the grass is gone, the new growth is seen,
And herbs of the mountain are gathered in,
26
The lambs will supply wool for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field.
27
And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And for the maintenance of your maids.
Warnings and Instructions
28 The wicked flee when no one pursues them,
But the righteous are as bold as a lion.(GX)
2
When a land does wrong, it has many princes,
But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures.
3
A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly
Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.(GY)
4
Those who [ap]set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.(GZ)
5
Evil men do not understand justice,
But they who long for and seek the Lord understand it fully.(HA)
6
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than he who is crooked and two-faced though he is rich.(HB)
7
He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].
8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.(HC)
9
He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],
Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].(HD)
10
He who leads the upright astray on an evil path
Will himself fall into his own pit,
But the blameless will inherit good.
11
The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.
12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration;
But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves.
13
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and [aq]turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy.(HE)
14
Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,
But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.
15
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16
A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],
But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.
17
A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder)
Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge.
18
He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe,
But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.
19
He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20
A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,
But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.(HF)
21
To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22
He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.(HG)
23
He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24
He who robs his father or his mother
And says, “This is no sin,”
Is [not only a thief but also] the companion of a man who destroys.
25
An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.
26
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.(HH)
27
He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.(HI)
28
When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves;
But when the wicked perish, the [consistently] righteous increase and become great.(HJ)
Warnings and Instructions
29 He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized),
Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
2
When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice;
But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.
3
A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful,
But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.
4
The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice,
But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
5
A man who flatters his neighbor [with smooth words intending to do harm]
Is spreading a net for his own feet.
6
By his wicked plan an evil man is trapped,
But the righteous man sings and rejoices [for his plan brings good things to him].
7
The righteous man cares for the rights of the poor,
But the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.(HK)
8
Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble],
But wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment].
9
If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish and arrogant man,
The foolish man [ignores logic and fairness and] only rages or laughs, and there is no peace (rest, agreement).
10
The bloodthirsty hate the blameless [because of his integrity],
But the upright are concerned for his life.(HL)
11
A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger,
But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.
12
If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption],
All his officials will become wicked.
13
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.(HM)
14
If a king faithfully and truthfully judges the poor,
His throne shall be established forever.
15
The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
16
When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,
But the righteous will see the downfall of the wicked.
17
Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
Yes, he will delight your soul.
18
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].(HN)
19
A servant will not be corrected by words alone;
For though he understands, he will not respond [nor pay attention].
20
Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?
There is more hope for a [thickheaded] [ar]fool than for him.
21
He who pampers his slave from childhood
Will find him to be a son in the end.
22
An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions.
23
A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down,
But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.(HO)
24
Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own life;
He hears the curse [when swearing an oath to testify], but discloses nothing [and commits perjury by omission].
25
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.
26
Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.
27
An unjust man is repulsive to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way [of the Lord] is repulsive to the wicked.
The Words of Agur
30 The words of [as]Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle:
The man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal:
2
Surely [at]I am more brutish and stupid than any man,
And I do not have the understanding of a man [for I do not know what I do not know].
3
I have not learned [skillful and godly] wisdom,
Nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One [who is the source of wisdom].
4
Who has ascended 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?
Certainly you know!(HP)
5
Every word of God is tested and refined [like silver];
He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.(HQ)
6
Do not add to His words,
Or He will reprove you, and you will be found a liar.
7
Two things I have asked of You;
Do not deny them to me before I die:
8
Keep deception and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9
So that I will not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or that I will not be poor and steal,
And so profane the name of my God.(HR)
10
Do not slander or malign a servant before his master [stay out of another’s personal life],
Or he will curse you [for your interference], and you will be found guilty.
11
There is a generation (class of people) that curses its father
And does not bless its mother.
12
There is a generation (class of people) that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13
There is a generation (class of people)—oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are raised in arrogance.
14
There is a generation (class of people) whose teeth are like swords
And whose jaw teeth are like knives,
To devour the afflicted from the earth
And the needy from among men.
15
The leech has two daughters,
“Give, give!”
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four that do not say, “It is enough”:
16
[au]Sheol, and the barren womb,
Earth that is never satisfied with water,
And fire that never says, “It is enough.”
17
The eye that mocks a father
And scorns a mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young vultures will devour it.(HS)
18
There are three things which are too astounding and unexpectedly wonderful for me,
Four which I do not understand:
19
The way of an eagle in the air,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the middle of the sea,
And the way of a man with a maid.
20
This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth
And says, “I have done no wrong.”
21
Under three things the earth is disquieted and quakes,
And under four it cannot bear up:
22
Under a servant when he reigns,
Under a [spiritually blind] fool when he is filled with food,
23
Under an unloved woman when she gets married,
And under a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.
24
There are four things that are small on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
25
The ants are not a strong people,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;(HT)
26
The [av]shephanim are not a mighty folk,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;(HU)
27
The locusts have no king,
Yet all of them go out in groups;
28
You may grasp the lizard with your hands,
Yet it is in kings’ palaces.
29
There are three things which are stately in step,
Even four which are stately in their stride:
30
The lion, which is mighty among beasts
And does not turn back before any;
31
The [aw]strutting rooster, the male goat also,
And the king when his army is with him.
32
If you have foolishly exalted yourself,
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.(HV)
33
Surely the churning of milk produces butter,
And wringing the nose produces blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.
The Words of Lemuel
31 The words of [ax]King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:
2
What, O my [ay]son?
And what, O son of my womb?
And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?
3
Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor [az]concubines],
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,(HW)
5
Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,
And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.
6
Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.
7
Let him drink and forget his poverty
And no longer remember his trouble.
8
Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;(HX)
9
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And administer justice for the afflicted and needy.(HY)
Description of a Worthy Woman
10
[ba]An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.(HZ)
11
The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.
12
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13
She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.
14
She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.
15
She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.(IA)
16
She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17
She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.
18
She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].
19
She stretches out her hands to the [bb]distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].
20
She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
21
She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].(IB)
22
She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].(IC)
23
Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.(ID)
24
She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.
25
Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].
26
She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].
27
She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.(IE)
28
Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,
29
“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
[bc]But you excel them all.”
30
Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.
31
Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].(IF)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:7 In Proverbs various kinds of fools are discussed including those who are closed-minded, over-confident, and reject instruction and correction—the unteachable; those who lack spiritual insight—the spiritually blind; and those who are flippant, hardened, and who deliberately choose to reject God and wisdom—the arrogant.
- Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom is personified as a woman in vv 20-33 and speaks, in the first person, of godly wisdom. Read the word “wisdom” as “the wisdom of God” and see the wonderful power of this book.
- Proverbs 1:32 Lit simple ones.
- Proverbs 3:1 Or law.
- Proverbs 3:6 One of the ancient rabbis said that all the essence of the Torah (Law) depends on this verse.
- Proverbs 3:27 Using this verse as a proof text, the ancient rabbis offered the example of an employer who tells his foreman to hire workers at four zuz (small silver coins) each to do a job, and the foreman hires them at three instead. Even though they accepted the terms, the rabbis rule that they have the right to complain. Compare this with the parable of the landowner who hires workers for a denarius each. The difference there is that the first group receives a fair wage, while the last is overpaid as a matter of generosity (Matt 20:15).
- Proverbs 4:2 Lit forsake.
- Proverbs 4:6 Lit forsake.
- Proverbs 5:15 All of the Ten Commandments are reflected in the book of Proverbs; here it is the seventh, “You shall not commit adultery.”
- Proverbs 5:15 Vv 15-18 describe the purity of a man’s relationship in marriage. The cistern and well represent his wife.
- Proverbs 5:16 I.e. children of one’s promiscuity who are fatherless.
- Proverbs 5:19 Lit stagger (with passion).
- Proverbs 6:3 Under the ancient laws governing debt, a man obligated for another’s debt could lose his money, land, bed, and clothing; and if these were not sufficient, he and his wife and children could be sold as slaves, not to be released until the next Year of Jubilee—fifty years after the previous one.
- Proverbs 6:20 Lit forsake.
- Proverbs 7:11 Lit Her feet do not.
- Proverbs 7:27 Hades, the nether world, the place of the dead.
- Proverbs 9:8 The ancient rabbis took this to have the force of a commandment: never give a rebuke that is sure to be ignored.
- Proverbs 10:3 Lit soul of the righteous.
- Proverbs 10:7 Lit mention. In Jewish tradition, “memory” is not just a recollection but implies speaking of the one remembered.
- Proverbs 11:8 The famous eleventh-century rabbi known as Rashi told a fable illustrating this verse. He said that a fox once told a wolf to come with him and he would give him abundant food. It was night, and the fox led the wolf to a well with a bucket at each end of the rope. The fox got into the bucket at the top of the well and rode down to the bottom. When the wolf asked him what he was doing, the fox pointed to the reflection of the moon in the water and said, “There is plenty of cheese and meat down here. Get in the other bucket and come down right away!” The wolf did, and as he went down the fox was pulled up in the first bucket. When the fox got to the top, the wolf said, “How am I supposed to get out?” Thereupon the fox quoted this verse to him.
- Proverbs 12:9 This is the first of many verses in Proverbs that use the “better...than” construction to emphasize contrasting positions.
- Proverbs 14:3 See note 1:7.
- Proverbs 15:10 Lit forsakes.
- Proverbs 16:3 Lit Roll.
- Proverbs 16:33 This is the reason why the casting of lots was sanctioned in Israel for certain cases of decision-making (e.g. Lev 16:8; Josh 18:6, 8; 1 Chr 25:8, etc.). It was understood that the outcomes were controlled by God, and the seemingly random procedure eliminated human influence. The last time the ritual is mentioned in the Bible is in the choice of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:26). Many believe that the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 2 officially put an end to the ritual because it was then replaced by the direct guidance of the Spirit. It was never sanctioned or recommended as a way to determine God’s will in personal decision-making.
- Proverbs 17:14 The ancient rabbis derived from this statement the principle of seeking a settlement before a case comes to court (cf Matt 5:25; Luke 12:58).
- Proverbs 18:18 See note 16:33.
- Proverbs 18:22 In Jewish tradition it is said that in Israel, they used to ask a man who had married, “Matsa or motse?” “Matsa” is the Hebrew for “finds” here, where a good wife is in view, and “motse” is the word for “found” (NASB “discovered”) in Eccl 7:26.
- Proverbs 20:25 Such a vow would single out an item for sacrifice or for the use of the temple or the priests. The classic example of a careless vow was Jephthah’s promise to sacrifice to the Lord whatever came out of his house to meet him on his return from a successful battle (Judg 11:30-35).
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit breath.
- Proverbs 21:17 I.e. items associated with lavish feasting and excessive luxury.
- Proverbs 22:17 These verses (17-21) introduce a special collection of wisdom sayings compiled by Solomon.
- Proverbs 23:13 Lit smite.
- Proverbs 23:14 Lit smite.
- Proverbs 23:23 The ancient rabbis routinely assumed “truth” to refer to the Torah (Law), and they interpreted the first part of this command to mean that a student should pay a teacher to teach him the Torah if he can find no one to teach him for free. As for the second part, they said that if the student had to pay to learn, he should not view this as grounds to charge for teaching others, but should teach the Torah for free.
- Proverbs 24:7 See note 1:7.
- Proverbs 24:27 Establishing your priorities and proceeding in an orderly manner brings its own reward.
- Proverbs 24:28 I.e. anyone who comes into your life, not necessarily one who lives nearby.
- Proverbs 25:3 The ancient rabbis explained this as a reference to the countless details of government that are a king’s responsibility.
- Proverbs 25:22 This expression may refer to an Egyptian custom in which a penitent man carried a pan of coals on his head as a sign of repentance. The message of these verses is the admonition to return good for evil in the hope that your enemy will be moved to repentance.
- Proverbs 26:1 See note 1:7.
- Proverbs 28:4 Lit forsake.
- Proverbs 28:13 Lit forsakes.
- Proverbs 29:20 See note 1:7.
- Proverbs 30:1 The identity of Agur, author of this chapter, is uncertain.
- Proverbs 30:2 This may be viewed as either a sarcastic response to an unknown critic, or simply the sincere reflections of a humble man.
- Proverbs 30:16 Hades, the nether world, the place of the dead.
- Proverbs 30:26 Small, shy, furry animals, (Hyrax syriacus) found in the peninsula of the Sinai, northern Israel, and in the region around the Dead Sea; kjv coney, orig NASB badgers.
- Proverbs 30:31 Lit girt in the loins. The meaning of the Hebrew is unclear. Other translations propose greyhound.
- Proverbs 31:1 The identity of King Lemuel is uncertain; however, ancient Jewish tradition connects Lemuel with Solomon.
- Proverbs 31:2 This chapter consists of two poetic sections. The first (vv 2-9) details the qualities needed to be a wise ruler, and the second (vv 10-31) the qualities describing an excellent wife.
- Proverbs 31:3 See note Gen 22:24.
- Proverbs 31:10 The following verses are written as an acrostic poem (each of the twenty-two verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Aside from the artistry, the acrostic structure also aided memorization.
- Proverbs 31:19 I.e. the staff that holds the textile fibers for spinning.
- Proverbs 31:29 The source of this remarkable woman’s success and competence is revealed in v 30, and it is a source available to everyone. She is wise because she understands and puts into practice the message contained in 9:10.
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