Proverbs 8-14

New International Version

¹² “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.^(J)
13 To fear the Lord^(K) is to hate evil;^(L)
    I hate^(M) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
¹⁴ Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.^(N)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers^(O) issue decrees that are just;
¹⁶ by me princes govern,^(P)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.^[b]
17 I love those who love me,^(Q)
    and those who seek me find me.^(R)
18 With me are riches and honor,^(S)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.^(T)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;^(U)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.^(V)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,^(W)
    along the paths of justice,
²¹ bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.^(X)

²² “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,^[c][d]
    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;^(Y)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,^(Z)
    before the hills, I was given birth,^(AA)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.^(AB)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,^(AC)
    when he marked out the horizon^(AD) on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he established the clouds above^(AE)
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,^(AF)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary^(AG)
    so the waters would not overstep his command,^(AH)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.^(AI)
30     Then I was constantly^[e] at his side.^(AJ)
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
³¹ rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.^(AK)

³² “Now then, my children, listen^(AL) to me;
    blessed are^(AM) those who keep my ways.^(AN)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
³⁴ Blessed are those who listen^(AO) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
³⁵ For those who find me^(AP) find life^(AQ)
    and receive favor from the Lord.^(AR)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;^(AS)
    all who hate me love death.”^(AT)

⁷ Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.^(BF)
8 Do not rebuke mockers^(BG) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.^(BH)
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.^(BI)

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord^(BJ) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One^(BK) is understanding.^(BL)
11 For through wisdom^[g] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.^(BM)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

¹³ Folly is an unruly woman;^(BN)
    she is simple and knows nothing.^(BO)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,^(BP)
15 calling out^(BQ) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
¹⁶     “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense^(BR) she says,
¹⁷     “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!^(BS)”
¹⁸ But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.^(BT)

A wise son brings joy to his father,^(BW)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

² Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,^(BX)
    but righteousness delivers from death.^(BY)

³ The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,^(BZ)
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.^(CA)

⁴ Lazy hands make for poverty,^(CB)
    but diligent hands bring wealth.^(CC)

⁵ He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.^(CD)

⁶ Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.^[h](CE)

⁷ The name of the righteous^(CF) is used in blessings,^[i]
    but the name of the wicked^(CG) will rot.^(CH)

⁸ The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.^(CI)

⁹ Whoever walks in integrity^(CJ) walks securely,^(CK)
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.^(CL)

¹⁰ Whoever winks maliciously^(CM) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,^(CN)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.^(CO)

¹² Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.^(CP)

¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,^(CQ)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.^(CR)

¹⁴ The wise store up knowledge,^(CS)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.^(CT)

¹⁵ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,^(CU)
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.^(CV)

¹⁶ The wages of the righteous is life,^(CW)
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.^(CX)

¹⁷ Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,^(CY)
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

¹⁸ Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips^(CZ)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

¹⁹ Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.^(DA)

²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

²¹ The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.^(DB)

²² The blessing of the Lord^(DC) brings wealth,^(DD)
    without painful toil for it.^(DE)

²³ A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,^(DF)
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

²⁴ What the wicked dread^(DG) will overtake them;^(DH)
    what the righteous desire will be granted.^(DI)

²⁵ When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm^(DJ) forever.^(DK)

²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth and smoke^(DL) to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.^(DM)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord adds length to life,^(DN)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.^(DO)

²⁸ The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.^(DP)

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.^(DQ)

³⁰ The righteous will never be uprooted,
    but the wicked will not remain in the land.^(DR)

³¹ From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,^(DS)
    but a perverse tongue^(DT) will be silenced.

³² The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,^(DU)
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.^(DV)

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,^(DW)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.^(DX)

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,^(DY)
    but with humility comes wisdom.^(DZ)

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.^(EA)

⁴ Wealth^(EB) is worthless in the day of wrath,^(EC)
    but righteousness delivers from death.^(ED)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,^(EE)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.^(EF)

⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.^(EG)

⁷ Hopes placed in mortals die with them;^(EH)
    all the promise of^[j] their power comes to nothing.^(EI)

⁸ The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.^(EJ)

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.^(EK)

¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;^(EL)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.^(EM)

¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,^(EN)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.^(EO)

¹² Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,^(EP)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.^(EQ)

¹³ A gossip betrays a confidence,^(ER)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.^(ES)

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,^(ET)
    but victory is won through many advisers.^(EU)

¹⁵ Whoever puts up security^(EV) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.^(EW)

¹⁶ A kindhearted woman gains honor,^(EX)
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

¹⁷ Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.^(EY)

¹⁹ Truly the righteous attain life,^(EZ)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.^(FA)

²⁰ The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,^(FB)
    but he delights^(FC) in those whose ways are blameless.^(FD)

²¹ Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.^(FE)

²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

²⁴ One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

²⁵ A generous^(FF) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.^(FG)

²⁶ People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

²⁷ Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.^(FH)

²⁸ Those who trust in their riches will fall,^(FI)
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.^(FJ)

²⁹ Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.^(FK)

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,^(FL)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

³¹ If the righteous receive their due^(FM) on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.^(FN)

² Good people obtain favor from the Lord,^(FO)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.^(FP)

³ No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.^(FQ)

⁴ A wife of noble character^(FR) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.^(FS)

⁵ The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.^(FT)

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more,^(FU)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.^(FV)

⁸ A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped^(FW) mind is despised.

⁹ Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

¹⁰ The righteous care for the needs of their animals,^(FX)
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.^(FY)

¹² The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

¹³ Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,^(FZ)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.^(GA)

¹⁴ From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,^(GB)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.^(GC)

¹⁵ The way of fools seems right to them,^(GD)
    but the wise listen to advice.^(GE)

¹⁶ Fools^(GF) show their annoyance at once,^(GG)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.^(GH)

¹⁷ An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.^(GI)

¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords,^(GJ)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(GK)

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.^(GL)

²¹ No harm overtakes the righteous,^(GM)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

²² The Lord detests lying lips,^(GN)
    but he delights^(GO) in people who are trustworthy.^(GP)

²³ The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,^(GQ)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.^(GR)

²⁴ Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.^(GS)

²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the heart,^(GT)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

²⁶ The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.^(GU)

²⁷ The lazy do not roast^[k] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

²⁸ In the way of righteousness there is life;^(GV)
    along that path is immortality.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.^(GW)

² From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,^(GX)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

³ Those who guard their lips^(GY) preserve their lives,^(GZ)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.^(HA)

⁴ A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,^(HB)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

⁵ The righteous hate what is false,^(HC)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

⁶ Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.^(HD)

⁷ One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;^(HE)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.^(HF)

⁸ A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.^(HG)

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.^(HH)

¹⁰ Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.^(HI)

¹¹ Dishonest money dwindles away,^(HJ)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.^(HK)

¹³ Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,^(HL)
    but whoever respects^(HM) a command is rewarded.^(HN)

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,^(HO)
    turning a person from the snares of death.^(HP)

¹⁵ Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.^[l]

¹⁶ All who are prudent act with^[m] knowledge,
    but fools expose^(HQ) their folly.^(HR)

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,^(HS)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.^(HT)

¹⁸ Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,^(HU)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.^(HV)

¹⁹ A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,^(HW)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.^(HX)

²¹ Trouble pursues the sinner,^(HY)
    but the righteous^(HZ) are rewarded with good things.^(IA)

²² A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.^(IB)

²³ An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴ Whoever spares the rod^(IC) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline^(ID) them.^(IE)

²⁵ The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.^(IF)

14 The wise woman builds her house,^(IG)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

² Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

³ A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,^(IH)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.^(II)

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox^(IJ) come abundant harvests.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.^(IK)

⁶ The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.^(IL)

⁷ Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,^(IM)
    but the folly of fools is deception.^(IN)

⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,^(IO)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.^(IP)

¹² There is a way that appears to be right,^(IQ)
    but in the end it leads to death.^(IR)

¹³ Even in laughter^(IS) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

¹⁴ The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,^(IT)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.^(IU)

¹⁵ The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.^(IV)

¹⁶ The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,^(IW)
    but a fool^(IX) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

¹⁷ A quick-tempered person^(IY) does foolish things,^(IZ)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.^(JA)

¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.^(JB)

²⁰ The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.^(JC)

²¹ It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,^(JD)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.^(JE)

²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?^(JF)
    But those who plan what is good find^[n] love and faithfulness.

²³ All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.^(JG)

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.^(JH)

²⁶ Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,^(JI)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.^(JJ)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,^(JK)
    turning a person from the snares of death.^(JL)

²⁸ A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.^(JM)

²⁹ Whoever is patient has great understanding,^(JN)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.^(JO)

³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.^(JP)

³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,^(JQ)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.^(JR)

³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,^(JS)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.^(JT)

³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning^(JU)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.^[o]

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,^(JV)
    but sin condemns any people.

³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.^(JW)