Proverbs 7-12
New Living Translation
Another Warning about Immoral Women
7 Follow my advice, my son;
always treasure my commands.
2 Obey my commands and live!
Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.[a]
3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
4 Love wisdom like a sister;
make insight a beloved member of your family.
5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.
6 While I was at the window of my house,
looking through the curtain,
7 I saw some naive young men,
and one in particular who lacked common sense.
8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,
strolling down the path by her house.
9 It was at twilight, in the evening,
as deep darkness fell.
10 The woman approached him,
seductively dressed and sly of heart.
11 She was the brash, rebellious type,
never content to stay at home.
12 She is often in the streets and markets,
soliciting at every corner.
13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him,
and with a brazen look she said,
14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings
and fulfilled my vows.
15 You’re the one I was looking for!
I came out to find you, and here you are!
16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets,
with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning.
Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,
19 for my husband is not home.
He’s away on a long trip.
20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him
and won’t return until later this month.[b]”
21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech
and enticed him with her flattery.
22 He followed her at once,
like an ox going to the slaughter.
He was like a stag caught in a trap,[c]
23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart.
He was like a bird flying into a snare,
little knowing it would cost him his life.
24 So listen to me, my sons,
and pay attention to my words.
25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
Don’t wander down her wayward path.
26 For she has been the ruin of many;
many men have been her victims.
27 Her house is the road to the grave.[d]
Her bedroom is the den of death.
Wisdom Calls for a Hearing
8 Listen as Wisdom calls out!
Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2 On the hilltop along the road,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,
on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 “I call to you, to all of you!
I raise my voice to all people.
5 You simple people, use good judgment.
You foolish people, show some understanding.
6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
Everything I say is right,
7 for I speak the truth
and detest every kind of deception.
8 My advice is wholesome.
There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
clear to those with knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
Nothing you desire can compare with it.
12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.
14 Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.
15 Because of me, kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees.
16 Rulers lead with my help,
and nobles make righteous judgments.[e]
17 “I love all who love me.
Those who search will surely find me.
18 I have riches and honor,
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
my wages better than sterling silver!
20 I walk in righteousness,
in paths of justice.
21 Those who love me inherit wealth.
I will fill their treasuries.
22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning,
before he created anything else.
23 I was appointed in ages past,
at the very first, before the earth began.
24 I was born before the oceans were created,
before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
25 Before the mountains were formed,
before the hills, I was born—
26 before he had made the earth and fields
and the first handfuls of soil.
27 I was there when he established the heavens,
when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
28 I was there when he set the clouds above,
when he established springs deep in the earth.
29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas,
so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.
And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,
30 I was the architect at his side.
I was his constant delight,
rejoicing always in his presence.
31 And how happy I was with the world he created;
how I rejoiced with the human family!
32 “And so, my children,[f] listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
34 Joyful are those who listen to me,
watching for me daily at my gates,
waiting for me outside my home!
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.
36 But those who miss me injure themselves.
All who hate me love death.”
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has carved its seven columns.
2 She has prepared a great banquet,
mixed the wines, and set the table.
3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.
She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.
4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
5 “Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;
learn to use good judgment.”
7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
8 So don’t bother correcting mockers;
they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise,
and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
and they will learn even more.
10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
11 Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life.
12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.
If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Folly Calls for a Hearing
13 The woman named Folly is brash.
She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.
14 She sits in her doorway
on the heights overlooking the city.
15 She calls out to men going by
who are minding their own business.
16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
17 “Stolen water is refreshing;
food eaten in secret tastes the best!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there.
Her guests are in the depths of the grave.[g]
The Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child[h] brings joy to a father;
a foolish child brings grief to a mother.
2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value,
but right living can save your life.
3 The Lord will not let the godly go hungry,
but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
4 Lazy people are soon poor;
hard workers get rich.
5 A wise youth harvests in the summer,
but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
6 The godly are showered with blessings;
the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
7 We have happy memories of the godly,
but the name of a wicked person rots away.
8 The wise are glad to be instructed,
but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
9 People with integrity walk safely,
but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.
10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble,
but a bold reproof promotes peace.[i]
11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
12 Hatred stirs up quarrels,
but love makes up for all offenses.
13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding,
but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
14 Wise people treasure knowledge,
but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress;
the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives,
but evil people squander their money on sin.
17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life,
but those who ignore correction will go astray.
18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar;
slandering others makes you a fool.
19 Too much talk leads to sin.
Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver;
the heart of a fool is worthless.
21 The words of the godly encourage many,
but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool,
but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled;
the hopes of the godly will be granted.
25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation.
26 Lazy people irritate their employers,
like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness,
but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity,
but it destroys the wicked.
30 The godly will never be disturbed,
but the wicked will be removed from the land.
31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice,
but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words,
but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.
11 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales,
but he delights in accurate weights.
2 Pride leads to disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
3 Honesty guides good people;
dishonesty destroys treacherous people.
4 Riches won’t help on the day of judgment,
but right living can save you from death.
5 The godly are directed by honesty;
the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
6 The godliness of good people rescues them;
the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
7 When the wicked die, their hopes die with them,
for they rely on their own feeble strength.
8 The godly are rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.
9 With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
but knowledge will rescue the righteous.
10 The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed;
they shout for joy when the wicked die.
11 Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper,
but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.
12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;
a sensible person keeps quiet.
13 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.
15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt;
it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.
16 A gracious woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 Your kindness will reward you,
but your cruelty will destroy you.
18 Evil people get rich for the moment,
but the reward of the godly will last.
19 Godly people find life;
evil people find death.
20 The Lord detests people with crooked hearts,
but he delights in those with integrity.
21 Evil people will surely be punished,
but the children of the godly will go free.
22 A beautiful woman who lacks discretion
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 The godly can look forward to a reward,
while the wicked can expect only judgment.
24 Give freely and become more wealthy;
be stingy and lose everything.
25 The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
26 People curse those who hoard their grain,
but they bless the one who sells in time of need.
27 If you search for good, you will find favor;
but if you search for evil, it will find you!
28 Trust in your money and down you go!
But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.
The fool will be a servant to the wise.
30 The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life;
a wise person wins friends.[j]
31 If the righteous are rewarded here on earth,
what will happen to wicked sinners?[k]
12 To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.
2 The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3 Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.
4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5 The plans of the godly are just;
the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6 The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
but the words of the godly save lives.
7 The wicked die and disappear,
but the family of the godly stands firm.
8 A sensible person wins admiration,
but a warped mind is despised.
9 Better to be an ordinary person with a servant
than to be self-important but have no food.
10 The godly care for their animals,
but the wicked are always cruel.
11 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
but the godly escape such trouble.
14 Wise words bring many benefits,
and hard work brings rewards.
15 Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others.
16 A fool is quick-tempered,
but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17 An honest witness tells the truth;
a false witness tells lies.
18 Some people make cutting remarks,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
19 Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.
20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21 No harm comes to the godly,
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth.
23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
but fools broadcast their foolishness.
24 Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave.
25 Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26 The godly give good advice to their friends;[l]
the wicked lead them astray.
27 Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch,
but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28 The way of the godly leads to life;
that path does not lead to death.
Footnotes
- 7:2 Hebrew as the pupil of your eye.
- 7:20 Hebrew until the moon is full.
- 7:22 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads slaughter, as shackles are for the discipline of a fool.
- 7:27 Hebrew to Sheol.
- 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek version read and nobles are judges over the earth.
- 8:32 Hebrew my sons.
- 9:18 Hebrew in Sheol.
- 10:1 Hebrew son; also in 10:1b.
- 10:10 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
- 11:30 Or and those who win souls are wise.
- 11:31 Greek version reads If the righteous are barely saved, / what will happen to godless sinners? Compare 1 Pet 4:18.
- 12:26 Or The godly are cautious in friendship; or The godly are freed from evil. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
Proverbs 7-12
Holman Christian Standard Bible
7 My son, obey my words,
and treasure my commands.(A)
2 Keep my commands and live;(B)
protect my teachings
as the pupil of your eye.(C)
3 Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(D)
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”(E)
and call understanding your relative.
5 She will keep you from a forbidden woman,
a stranger with her flattering talk.(F)
A Story of Seduction
6 At the window of my house
I looked through my lattice.(G)
7 I saw among the inexperienced,[a]
I noticed among the youths,
a young man lacking sense.
8 Crossing the street near her corner,
he strolled down the road to her house
9 at twilight, in the evening,
in the dark of the night.(H)
10 A woman came to meet him
dressed like a prostitute,(I)
having a hidden agenda.[b]
11 She is loud and defiant;(J)
her feet do not stay at home.(K)
12 Now in the street, now in the squares,(L)
she lurks at every corner.(M)
13 She grabs him and kisses him;
she brazenly says[c] to him,
14 “I’ve made fellowship offerings;[d]
today I’ve fulfilled my vows.(N)
15 So I came out to meet you,
to search for you, and I’ve found you.
16 I’ve spread coverings on my bed(O)—
richly colored linen from Egypt.(P)
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.(Q)
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning.(R)
Let’s feast on each other’s love!
19 My husband isn’t home;
he went on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him
and will come home at the time of the full moon.”
21 She seduces him with her persistent pleading;
she lures with her flattering[e] talk.
22 He follows her impulsively
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer bounding toward a trap[f]
23 until an arrow pierces its[g] liver,(S)
like a bird darting into a snare(T)—
he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.
24 Now, my sons, listen to me,
and pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways;
don’t stray onto her paths.(U)
26 For she has brought many down to death;
her victims are countless.[h]
27 Her house is the road to Sheol,
descending to the chambers of death.(V)
Wisdom’s Appeal
8 Doesn’t Wisdom(W) call out?
Doesn’t Understanding make her voice heard?
2 At the heights overlooking the road,
at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
3 Beside the gates(X) at the entry to[i] the city,
at the main entrance, she cries out:
4 “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to mankind.
5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
6 Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
7 For my mouth tells the truth,(Y)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.(Z)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,(AA)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
10 Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.(AB)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,(AC)
and nothing desirable can compare with it.(AD)
12 I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(AE)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(AF)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and competence;[j]
I have understanding and strength.(AG)
15 It is by me that kings reign(AH)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[k]
17 I love those who love me,(AI)
and those who search for me find me.(AJ)
18 With me are riches and honor,(AK)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(AL)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.(AM)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 “The Lord made[l] me
at the beginning of His creation,[m]
before His works of long ago.(AN)
23 I was formed before ancient times,
from the beginning, before the earth began.(AO)
24 I was born
when there were no watery depths(AP)
and no springs filled with water.
25 I was delivered
before the mountains and hills were established,(AQ)
26 before He made the land, the fields,
or the first soil on earth.
27 I was there when He established the heavens,(AR)
when He laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,(AS)
28 when He placed the skies above,
when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,
29 when He set a limit for the sea
so that the waters would not violate His command,(AT)
when He laid out the foundations of the earth.(AU)
30 I was a skilled craftsman[n] beside Him.(AV)
I was His[o] delight every day,
always rejoicing before Him.
31 I was rejoicing in His inhabited world,(AW)
delighting in the human race.(AX)
32 “And now, my sons, listen to me;
those who keep my ways are happy.(AY)
33 Listen to instruction and be wise;(AZ)
don’t ignore it.
34 Anyone who listens to me is happy,(BA)
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35 For the one who finds me finds life(BB)
and obtains favor from the Lord,(BC)
36 but the one who misses me[p] harms himself;(BD)
all who hate me love death.”(BE)
Wisdom versus Foolishness
9 Wisdom has built her house;(BF)
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat;(BG) she has mixed her wine;(BH)
she has also set her table.(BI)
3 She has sent out her female servants;(BJ)
she calls out from the highest points of the city:(BK)
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense,(BL) she says,
5 “Come, eat my bread,(BM)
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.
7 The one who corrects a mocker
will bring dishonor on himself;
the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.[q]
8 Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;(BN)
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.(BO)
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.(BP)
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,(BQ)
and the knowledge of the Holy One(BR) is understanding.
11 For by Wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;(BS)
if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”
13 The woman Folly is rowdy;(BT)
she is gullible and knows nothing.(BU)
14 She sits by the doorway of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who go straight ahead on their paths:(BV)
16 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense, she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten secretly is tasty!”(BW)
18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,(BX)
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.(BY)
A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs
10 Solomon’s proverbs:(BZ)
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.(CA)
2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,
but righteousness rescues from death.(CB)
4 Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(CE)
5 The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(CF)
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(CG)
7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(CH)
8 A wise heart accepts commands,(CI)
but foolish lips will be destroyed.
9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely,(CJ)
but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.(CK)
10 A sly wink of the eye(CL) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(CM)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(CN)
12 Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.(CO)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(CP)
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(CQ)
15 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;(CR)
the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life;
the activity of the wicked leads to sin.(CS)
17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,
but the one who rejects correction goes astray.(CT)
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.(CU)
19 When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is wise.(CV)
20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little value.(CW)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(CX)
23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,(DA)
so wisdom is for a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come to him,(DB)
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.(DC)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,(DF)
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,
but destruction awaits the malicious.(DK)
30 The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(DL)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,(DO)
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.(DP)
2 When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(DS)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,(DT)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.(DU)
4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(DV)
5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(DW)
7 When the wicked man dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth[t][u] vanishes.(DX)
8 The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(DY)
9 With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,(DZ)
and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.
11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(EA)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(EB)
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man with understanding keeps silent.(EC)
13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(ED)
14 Without guidance, people fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(EE)
15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(EF)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[v] men gain only riches.
18 The wicked man earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(EI)
20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.(EL)
21 Be assured[w] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,(EM)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.(EN)
24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;(EQ)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.(ER)
25 A generous person will be enriched,(ES)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.(ET)
26 People will curse(EU) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.(EV)
27 The one who searches for what is good(EW) finds favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.(EX)
29 The one who brings ruin on his household(FA)
will inherit the wind,(FB)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.
31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.(FD)
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(FE)
3 Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(FH)
4 A capable wife[y] is her husband’s crown,(FI)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(FJ)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(FO)
10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,(FP)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(FQ)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(FR)
12 The wicked desire what evil men have,[z]
but the root of the righteous produces fruit.
13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,(FS)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.(FT)
14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(FU)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(FV)
15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(FW)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(FX)
17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(FY)
18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(FZ)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(GA)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(GB)
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(GC)
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(GD)
but the wicked are full of misery.
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(GG)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(GH)
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(GI)
26 A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[aa]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(GJ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:7 Or simple, or gullible, or naive
- Proverbs 7:10 Or prostitute with a guarded heart
- Proverbs 7:13 Lit she makes her face strong and says
- Proverbs 7:14 Meat from a fellowship offering had to be eaten on the day it was offered; therefore she is inviting him to a feast at her house.
- Proverbs 7:21 Lit smooth
- Proverbs 7:22 Text emended; MT reads like a shackle to the discipline of a fool; Hb obscure
- Proverbs 7:23 Or his
- Proverbs 7:26 Or and powerful men are all her victims
- Proverbs 8:3 Lit the mouth of
- Proverbs 8:14 Or resourcefulness
- Proverbs 8:16 Some Hb mss, LXX read nobles who judge the earth
- Proverbs 8:22 Or possessed, or begot
- Proverbs 8:22 Lit way
- Proverbs 8:30 Or a confidant, or a child, or was constantly
- Proverbs 8:30 LXX; MT omits His
- Proverbs 8:36 Or who sins against me
- Proverbs 9:7 Lit man his blemish
- Proverbs 10:22 Or and He adds no trouble to it
- Proverbs 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days
- Proverbs 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly
- Proverbs 11:7 Or strength
- Proverbs 11:16 Or ruthless
- Proverbs 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
- Proverbs 11:30 LXX, Syr; MT reads but a wise one
- Proverbs 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
- Proverbs 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
- Proverbs 12:26 Or man guides his neighbor
- Proverbs 12:28 Or righteousness, and in its path there is no death
Proverbs 7-12
English Standard Version
Warning Against the Adulteress
7 (A)My son, keep my words
and (B)treasure up my commandments with you;
2 (C)keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as (D)the apple of your eye;
3 (E)bind them on your fingers;
(F)write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend,
5 to keep you from (G)the forbidden[a] woman,
from (H)the adulteress[b] with her smooth words.
6 For at (I)the window of my house
I have looked out through my lattice,
7 and I have seen among (J)the simple,
I have perceived among the youths,
a young man (K)lacking sense,
8 passing along the street (L)near her corner,
taking the road to her house
9 in (M)the twilight, in the evening,
at (N)the time of night and darkness.
10 And behold, the woman meets him,
(O)dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.[c]
11 She is (P)loud and (Q)wayward;
(R)her feet do not stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the market,
and (S)at every corner she (T)lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
and with (U)bold face she says to him,
14 “I had to (V)offer sacrifices,[d]
and today I have (W)paid my vows;
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with (X)coverings,
colored linens from (Y)Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with (Z)myrrh,
aloes, and (AA)cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For (AB)my husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey;
20 he took a bag of money with him;
at full moon he will come home.”
21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with (AC)her smooth talk she compels him.
22 All at once he follows her,
as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast[e]
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
as (AD)a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24 And (AE)now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are (AF)a mighty throng.
27 Her house is (AG)the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.
The Blessings of Wisdom
8 Does not (AH)wisdom call?
Does not (AI)understanding raise her voice?
2 On (AJ)the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside (AK)the gates in front of (AL)the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O (AM)men, I call,
and my cry is to (AN)the children of man.
5 O (AO)simple ones, learn (AP)prudence;
O (AQ)fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak (AR)noble things,
and from my lips will come (AS)what is right,
7 for my (AT)mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing (AU)twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all (AV)straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
10 (AW)Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 (AX)for wisdom is better than jewels,
and (AY)all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and (AZ)discretion.
13 (BA)The fear of the Lord is (BB)hatred of evil.
(BC)Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and (BD)perverted speech I hate.
14 I have (BE)counsel and (BF)sound wisdom;
I have insight; (BG)I have strength.
15 By me (BH)kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.[f]
17 (BI)I love those who love me,
and (BJ)those who seek me diligently find me.
18 (BK)Riches and honor are with me,
(BL)enduring wealth and (BM)righteousness.
19 My fruit is (BN)better than (BO)gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than (BP)choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 (BQ)“The Lord (BR)possessed[g] me at the beginning of his work,[h]
the first of his acts (BS)of old.
23 Ages ago I was (BT)set up,
at the first, (BU)before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no (BV)depths I was (BW)brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains (BX)had been shaped,
(BY)before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he (BZ)established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew (CA)a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he (CB)made firm the skies above,
when he established[i] the fountains of the deep,
29 when he (CC)assigned to the sea its (CD)limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out (CE)the foundations of the earth,
30 then (CF)I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his[j] (CG)delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 (CH)rejoicing in his (CI)inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.
32 “And now, (CJ)O sons, listen to me:
(CK)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 (CL)Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 (CM)Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35 For (CN)whoever finds me (CO)finds life
and (CP)obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me (CQ)injures himself;
all who (CR)hate me (CS)love death.”
The Way of Wisdom
9 (CT)Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her (CU)seven (CV)pillars.
2 She has (CW)slaughtered her beasts; she has (CX)mixed her wine;
she has also (CY)set her table.
3 She has (CZ)sent out her young women to (DA)call
from (DB)the highest places in the town,
4 (DC)“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
(DD)To him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, (DE)eat of my bread
and (DF)drink of (DG)the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave (DH)your simple ways,[k] and (DI)live,
(DJ)and walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 (DK)Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
(DL)reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction[l] to a wise man, and he will be (DM)still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will (DN)increase in learning.
10 (DO)The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and (DP)the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me (DQ)your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12 (DR)If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
The Way of Folly
13 (DS)The woman Folly is (DT)loud;
she is seductive[m] and (DU)knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on (DV)the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are (DW)going straight on their way,
16 (DX)“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 (DY)“Stolen water is sweet,
and (DZ)bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know (EA)that the dead[n] are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
The Proverbs of Solomon
10 (EB)The proverbs of Solomon.
(EC)A wise son makes a glad father,
(ED)but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 (EE)Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
(EF)but righteousness delivers from death.
3 (EG)The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
(EH)but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 A slack hand (EI)causes poverty,
(EJ)but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who (EK)gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is (EL)a son who brings shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but (EM)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.[o]
7 (EN)The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but (EO)the name of the wicked will rot.
8 (EP)The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9 (EQ)Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked (ER)will be found out.
10 Whoever (ES)winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 (ET)The mouth of the righteous is (EU)a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked (EV)conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but (EW)love covers all offenses.
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but (EX)a rod is for the back of him who (EY)lacks sense.
14 The wise (EZ)lay up knowledge,
but (FA)the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 (FB)A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads (FC)to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on (FD)the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 (FE)When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
(FF)but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is (FG)choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for (FH)lack of sense.
22 (FI)The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.[p]
23 Doing wrong is (FJ)like a joke to a fool,
but (FK)wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 (FL)What the wicked dreads (FM)will come upon him,
but (FN)the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When (FO)the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but (FP)the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 (FQ)The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
(FR)but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 (FS)The hope of the righteous brings joy,
(FT)but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 (FU)The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers.
30 (FV)The righteous will never be removed,
but (FW)the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 (FX)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous (FY)know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, (FZ)what is perverse.
11 (GA)A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
(GB)but a just weight is his delight.
2 (GC)When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with (GD)the humble is wisdom.
3 (GE)The integrity of the upright guides them,
(GF)but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 (GG)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
(GH)but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless (GI)keeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 (GJ)The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous (GK)are taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his (GL)hope will perish,
and (GM)the expectation of wealth[q] perishes too.
8 (GN)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 (GO)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but (GP)by the mouth of the wicked (GQ)it is overthrown.
12 Whoever (GR)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever (GS)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is (GT)no guidance, a people falls,
(GU)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 (GV)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 (GW)A gracious woman gets honor,
and (GX)violent men get riches.
17 (GY)A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who (GZ)sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness (HA)will live,
but (HB)he who pursues evil will die.
20 Those of (HC)crooked heart are (HD)an abomination to the Lord,
but those of (HE)blameless ways are (HF)his delight.
21 (HG)Be assured, (HH)an evil person will not go unpunished,
but (HI)the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like (HJ)a gold ring in a pig's snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
(HK)the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 (HL)One gives (HM)freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 (HN)Whoever brings blessing (HO)will be enriched,
and (HP)one who waters will himself be watered.
26 (HQ)The people curse him who holds back grain,
but (HR)a blessing is on the head of him who (HS)sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,[r]
but evil comes to (HT)him who searches for it.
28 Whoever (HU)trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will (HV)flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever (HW)troubles his own household will (HX)inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is (HY)a tree of life,
and whoever (HZ)captures souls is wise.
31 If (IA)the righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who (IB)hates reproof is (IC)stupid.
2 A good man (ID)obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of (IE)the righteous will never be moved.
4 (IF)An excellent wife is (IG)the crown of her husband,
but she who (IH)brings shame is like (II)rottenness in his bones.
5 (IJ)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked (IK)lie in wait for blood,
but (IL)the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 (IM)The wicked are (IN)overthrown and are no more,
(IO)but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is (IP)despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 (IQ)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 (IR)Whoever works his land (IS)will have plenty of bread,
(IT)but he who follows (IU)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets (IV)the spoil of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared (IW)by the transgression of his lips,[s]
(IX)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (IY)a man is satisfied with good,
(IZ)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 (JA)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 (JB)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 (JC)Whoever speaks[t] the truth gives honest evidence,
but (JD)a false witness utters deceit.
18 (JE)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings (JF)healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but (JG)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of (JH)those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21 (JI)No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (JJ)Lying lips are (JK)an abomination to the Lord,
(JL)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 (JM)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
(JN)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 (JO)The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be (JP)put to forced labor.
25 (JQ)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[u]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 (JR)Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[v]
28 (JS)In the path of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:5 Hebrew strange
- Proverbs 7:5 Hebrew the foreign woman
- Proverbs 7:10 Hebrew guarded in heart
- Proverbs 7:14 Hebrew peace offerings
- Proverbs 7:22 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool
- Proverbs 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth
- Proverbs 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created
- Proverbs 8:22 Hebrew way
- Proverbs 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
- Proverbs 8:30 Or daily filled with
- Proverbs 9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple
- Proverbs 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction
- Proverbs 9:13 Or full of simpleness
- Proverbs 9:18 Hebrew Rephaim
- Proverbs 10:6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11
- Proverbs 10:22 Or and toil adds nothing to it
- Proverbs 11:7 Or of his strength, or of iniquity
- Proverbs 11:27 Or acceptance
- Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
- Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out
- Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
- Proverbs 12:27 Or but diligence is precious wealth
Proverbs 7-12
New American Standard Bible
The Lures of the Prostitute
7 My son, (A)keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.
2 (B)Keep my commandments and live,
And my [a]teaching (C)as the [b]apple of your eye.
3 (D)Bind them on your fingers;
(E)Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding your intimate friend,
5 So that they may keep you from an [c]adulteress,
From the foreigner who flatters with her words.
6 For (F)at the window of my house
I looked out (G)through my lattice,
7 And I saw among the (H)naive,
And discerned among the [d]youths
A young man (I)lacking [e]sense,
8 Passing through the street near (J)her corner;
And he walks along the way to (K)her house,
9 In the (L)twilight, in the [f]evening,
In the [g]middle of the night and the darkness.
10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him,
(M)Dressed as a prostitute and cunning of heart.
11 She is (N)boisterous and rebellious,
Her (O)feet do not remain at home;
12 She is now in the streets, now (P)in the public squares,
And (Q)lurks by every corner.
13 So she seizes him and kisses him,
[h]And with a (R)brazen face she says to him:
14 “[i]I was due to offer (S)peace offerings;
Today I have (T)paid my vows.
15 Therefore I have come out to meet you,
To seek your presence diligently, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with (U)coverings,
With colored (V)linens of Egypt.
17 I have sprinkled my bed
With (W)myrrh, aloes, and (X)cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning;
Let’s delight ourselves with caresses.
19 For [j]my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a long journey.
20 He has taken a (Y)bag of money [k]with him.
At the full moon he will come home.”
21 With her many persuasions she entices him;
With her [l](Z)flattering lips she seduces him.
22 Suddenly he follows her
As an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as [m]one walks in ankle bracelets to the discipline of a fool,
23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver;
As a (AA)bird hurries to the snare,
So he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24 Now therefore, my sons, (AB)listen to me,
And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Do not let your heart (AC)turn aside to her ways,
Do not stray into her paths.
26 For many are the [n]victims she has brought to ruin,
And (AD)numerous are all those slaughtered by her.
27 Her (AE)house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.
The Commendation of Wisdom
8 Does not (AF)wisdom call,
And understanding [o]raise her voice?
2 On top of (AG)the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 Beside the (AH)gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
4 “To you, people, I call,
And my voice is to [p]mankind.
5 You (AI)naive ones, understand prudence;
And, you (AJ)fools, understand [q]wisdom!
6 Listen, for I will speak (AK)noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal (AL)right things.
7 For my (AM)mouth will proclaim truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing (AN)crooked or perverted in them.
9 They are all (AO)straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who (AP)find knowledge.
10 Accept my (AQ)instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is (AR)better than [r]jewels;
And (AS)all desirable things cannot compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, (AT)dwell with prudence,
And I find (AU)knowledge and discretion.
13 The (AV)fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
(AW)Pride, arrogance, (AX)the evil way,
And the (AY)perverted mouth, I hate.
14 (AZ)Advice is mine and (BA)sound wisdom;
I am understanding, (BB)power is mine.
15 By me (BC)kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
17 I (BD)love those who love me;
And (BE)those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 (BF)Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring (BG)wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is (BH)better than gold, even pure gold;
And my yield better than (BI)choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may (BJ)fill their treasuries.
22 “The Lord [s]created me (BK)at the beginning of His way,
Before His works [t]of old.
23 From eternity I was [u](BL)established,
From the beginning, (BM)from the earliest times of the earth.
24 When there were no (BN)ocean depths, I was born,
When there were no springs abounding with water.
25 (BO)Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;
26 While He had not yet made the earth and the [v]fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.
27 When He (BP)established the heavens, I was there;
When (BQ)He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became [w]fixed,
29 When (BR)He set a boundary for the sea
So that the water would not violate His [x]command,
When He marked out (BS)the foundations of the earth;
30 Then (BT)I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was His delight daily,
[y]Rejoicing always before Him,
31 [z]Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having (BU)my delight in the sons of mankind.
32 “Now then, sons, (BV)listen to me,
For (BW)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 (BX)Listen to instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.
34 (BY)Blessed is the person who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
35 For (BZ)one who finds me finds life,
And (CA)obtains favor from the Lord.
36 But one who [aa]sins against me (CB)injures himself;
All those who (CC)hate me (CD)love death.”
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom has (CE)built her house,
She has carved out her seven pillars;
2 She has [ab](CF)prepared her food, she has (CG)mixed her wine;
She has also (CH)set her table;
3 She has (CI)sent out her attendants, she (CJ)calls out
From the (CK)tops of the heights of the city:
4 “(CL)Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”
To him who (CM)lacks [ac]understanding she says,
5 “Come, (CN)eat of my food
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 [ad]Abandon your foolishness and (CO)live,
And (CP)proceed in the way of understanding.”
7 One who (CQ)corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And one who rebukes a wicked person gets [ae]insults for himself.
8 (CR)Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you;
(CS)Rebuke a wise person and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser;
Teach a righteous person and he will (CT)increase his insight.
10 The (CU)fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For (CV)by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise (CW)for yourself,
And if you (CX)scoff, you alone will [af]suffer from it.
13 [ag]A woman of foolishness is (CY)boisterous,
She has a lack of understanding and (CZ)knows nothing.
14 She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by (DA)the high places of the city,
15 Calling to those who pass by,
Who are going straight on their paths:
16 “(DB)Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
And to him who lacks [ah]understanding she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
And (DC)bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the [ai]dead are there,
That her guests are in the (DD)depths of Sheol.
Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked
10 The (DE)proverbs of Solomon.
(DF)A wise son makes a father glad,
But (DG)a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
2 [aj](DH)Ill-gotten gains do not benefit,
But righteousness rescues from death.
3 The Lord (DI)will not allow the [ak]righteous to hunger,
But He (DJ)will [al]reject the craving of the wicked.
4 Poor is one who works with [am]a lazy hand,
But the (DK)hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.
6 (DL)Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But (DM)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The (DN)mentioning of the righteous is a blessing,
But (DO)the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The (DP)wise of heart will receive commands,
But [an]a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9 One (DQ)who walks in integrity walks securely,
But (DR)one who perverts his ways will be found out.
10 He (DS)who winks the eye causes trouble,
And [ao](DT)a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 The (DU)mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But (DV)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But (DW)love covers all offenses.
13 On (DX)the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But (DY)a rod is for the back of him who has no [ap]sense.
14 Wise people (DZ)store up knowledge,
But with (EA)the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
15 The (EB)rich person’s wealth is his [aq]fortress,
The (EC)ruin of the poor is their poverty.
16 The [ar](ED)wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.
17 One who (EE)is on the path of life follows instruction,
But one who ignores a rebuke goes astray.
18 One (EF)who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And one who spreads slander is a fool.
19 When there are (EG)many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable,
But (EH)one who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is like (EI)choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The (EJ)lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools (EK)die for lack of [as]understanding.
22 It is the (EL)blessing of the Lord that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.
23 Doing wickedness is like (EM)sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a person of understanding.
24 What (EN)the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the (EO)desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the (EP)whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the (EQ)righteous has an everlasting foundation.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the [at](ER)lazy one to those who send him.
27 The (ES)fear of the Lord prolongs [au]life,
But the (ET)years of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The (EU)hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the (EV)expectation of the wicked perishes.
29 The (EW)way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright,
But (EX)ruin to the workers of injustice.
30 The (EY)righteous will never be shaken,
But (EZ)the wicked will not live in the land.
31 The (FA)mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the (FB)perverted tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know (FC)what is acceptable,
But the (FD)mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.
Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked
11 A (FE)false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
But a (FF)just weight is His delight.
2 When (FG)pride comes, then comes dishonor;
But with the humble there is wisdom.
3 The (FH)integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the (FI)perversity of the treacherous will destroy them.
4 (FJ)Riches do not benefit on the day of wrath,
But (FK)righteousness rescues from death.
5 The (FL)righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,
But (FM)the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,
But the treacherous will (FN)be caught by their own greed.
7 When a wicked person dies, his (FO)expectation will perish,
And the (FP)hope of strong people perishes.
8 The righteous is rescued from trouble,
But the wicked [av]takes his place.
9 With his (FQ)mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the (FR)righteous will be rescued.
10 When things (FS)go well for the righteous, the city rejoices,
And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
But by the mouth of the wicked, it is torn down.
12 One who despises his neighbor lacks [aw]sense,
But a person of understanding keeps silent.
13 One (FT)who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
But one who is [ax]trustworthy (FU)conceals a matter.
14 Where there is no (FV)guidance the people fall,
But in an abundance of counselors there is [ay]victory.
15 One who is a (FW)guarantor for a stranger will certainly suffer for it,
But one who hates [az]being a guarantor is secure.
16 A (FX)gracious woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches.
17 A (FY)merciful person does [ba]himself good,
But the cruel person [bb]does himself harm.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
But one who (FZ)sows righteousness gets a true reward.
19 One who is steadfast in (GA)righteousness attains life,
But (GB)one who pursues evil attains his own death.
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the (GC)blameless in their [bc]walk are His (GD)delight.
21 [bd]Be assured, the evil person will not go unpunished,
But the [be]descendants of the righteous will be rescued.
22 As a (GE)ring of gold in a pig’s snout
So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the (GF)expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in poverty.
25 A [bf](GG)generous person will be [bg]prosperous,
And one who (GH)gives others plenty of water will himself be given plenty.
26 One who withholds grain, the (GI)people will curse him,
But (GJ)blessing will be on the head of him who (GK)sells it.
27 One who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
But (GL)one who seeks evil, evil will come to him.
28 One who (GM)trusts in his riches will fall,
But (GN)the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
29 One who (GO)troubles his own house will (GP)inherit wind,
And (GQ)the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted.
30 The fruit of the righteous is (GR)a tree of life,
And (GS)one who is wise [bh]gains souls.
31 If (GT)the righteous will be repaid on the earth,
How much more the wicked and the sinner!
Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked
12 One who loves [bi]discipline loves knowledge,
But one who hates rebuke is stupid.
2 A (GU)good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a person [bj]who devises evil.
3 A person will (GV)not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the (GW)righteous will not be moved.
4 An [bk](GX)excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like (GY)rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The (GZ)words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood,
But the (HA)mouth of the upright will rescue them.
7 The (HB)wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the (HC)house of the righteous will stand.
8 A person will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse [bl]mind will be despised.
9 Better is one who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than one who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 A (HD)righteous person has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 One (HE)who works his land will have plenty of bread,
But one who pursues worthless things lacks [bm]sense.
12 The (HF)wicked person desires the [bn]plunder of evil people,
But the root of the righteous (HG)yields fruit.
13 [bo]An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the (HH)righteous will escape from trouble.
14 A person will be (HI)satisfied with good by the fruit of his [bp]words,
And the (HJ)deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.
15 The (HK)way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 A (HL)fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
17 One who declares truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who (HM)speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the (HN)tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will endure forever,
But a (HO)lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 (HP)No harm happens to the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (HQ)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A (HR)prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the [bq]lazy hand will be (HS)put to forced labor.
25 (HT)Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
But a (HU)good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous person is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 [br]A lazy person does not [bs]roast his prey,
But the (HV)precious possession of a person is diligence.
28 (HW)In the way of righteousness there is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 7:2 Or law
- Proverbs 7:2 Lit pupil
- Proverbs 7:5 Lit strange woman
- Proverbs 7:7 Lit sons
- Proverbs 7:7 Lit heart
- Proverbs 7:9 Lit evening of the day
- Proverbs 7:9 Lit pupil (of the eye)
- Proverbs 7:13 Lit She makes bold her face and says
- Proverbs 7:14 Lit Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me
- Proverbs 7:19 Lit the man
- Proverbs 7:20 Lit in his hand
- Proverbs 7:21 Lit smooth
- Proverbs 7:22 Or as a stag goes into a trap; as in some ancient versions, Heb is uncertain
- Proverbs 7:26 Lit wounded
- Proverbs 8:1 Lit give
- Proverbs 8:4 Lit sons of mankind
- Proverbs 8:5 Lit heart
- Proverbs 8:11 Lit corals
- Proverbs 8:22 Or possessed
- Proverbs 8:22 Lit from then
- Proverbs 8:23 Or consecrated
- Proverbs 8:26 Lit outside places
- Proverbs 8:28 Lit strong
- Proverbs 8:29 Lit mouth
- Proverbs 8:30 Or Playing
- Proverbs 8:31 Or Playing
- Proverbs 8:36 Or misses me
- Proverbs 9:2 Lit slaughtered her slaughter
- Proverbs 9:4 Lit heart
- Proverbs 9:6 Or Abandon the naive
- Proverbs 9:7 Lit a blemish
- Proverbs 9:12 Lit bear
- Proverbs 9:13 Or A foolish woman
- Proverbs 9:16 Lit heart
- Proverbs 9:18 Lit departed spirits
- Proverbs 10:2 Lit Treasures of wickedness
- Proverbs 10:3 Lit soul of the righteous
- Proverbs 10:3 Lit thrust away
- Proverbs 10:4 Lit an idle hand
- Proverbs 10:8 Lit the foolish of lips
- Proverbs 10:10 Lit the foolish of lips
- Proverbs 10:13 Lit heart
- Proverbs 10:15 Lit strong city
- Proverbs 10:16 Or work
- Proverbs 10:21 Lit heart
- Proverbs 10:26 Lit idle one
- Proverbs 10:27 Lit days
- Proverbs 11:8 Lit enters
- Proverbs 11:12 Lit heart
- Proverbs 11:13 Lit faithful of spirit
- Proverbs 11:14 Lit deliverance
- Proverbs 11:15 Lit those who strike hands
- Proverbs 11:17 Lit his soul
- Proverbs 11:17 Lit ruins his flesh
- Proverbs 11:20 Lit way
- Proverbs 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
- Proverbs 11:21 Lit seed
- Proverbs 11:25 Lit soul of blessing
- Proverbs 11:25 Lit made fat
- Proverbs 11:30 Lit takes
- Proverbs 12:1 Or instruction
- Proverbs 12:2 Lit of evil devices
- Proverbs 12:4 Or virtuous
- Proverbs 12:8 Lit heart
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit heart
- Proverbs 12:12 Lit net (for trapping prey); another reading is mountain stronghold
- Proverbs 12:13 Lit In the offense of the lips is an evil snare
- Proverbs 12:14 Lit mouth
- Proverbs 12:24 Lit idle
- Proverbs 12:27 Lit An indolent
- Proverbs 12:27 Or catch
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
