27 (A)Do not withhold good from [a]those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
28 (B)Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it to you,”
When you have it with you.
29 (C)Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30 (D)Do not contend with a person for no reason,
If he has done you no harm.
31 (E)Do not envy a violent person,
And do not choose any of his ways.
32 For the (F)devious are an abomination to the Lord;
But [b]He is (G)intimate with the upright.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:27 Lit its owners
  2. Proverbs 3:32 Lit His private counsel is

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
    when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
    “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
    for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
    when no one has done you harm.

31 Don’t envy violent people
    or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
    but he offers his friendship to the godly.

Read full chapter

[a](A)Ill-gotten gains do not benefit,
But righteousness rescues from death.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:2 Lit Treasures of wickedness

Tainted wealth has no lasting value,
    but right living can save your life.

Read full chapter

Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

11 A (A)false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
But a (B)just weight is His delight.

Read full chapter

11 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales,
    but he delights in accurate weights.

Read full chapter

One who (A)guards his mouth protects his life;
One who (B)opens wide his lips [a]comes to ruin.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:3 Lit ruin is his

Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

Read full chapter

11 Wealth obtained from [a]nothing dwindles,
But one who gathers [b]by labor increases it.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 Prob. referring to fraud
  2. Proverbs 13:11 Lit by hand

11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
    wealth from hard work grows over time.

Read full chapter

One who (A)walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
But one who is (B)devious in his ways despises Him.

Read full chapter

Those who follow the right path fear the Lord;
    those who take the wrong path despise him.

Read full chapter

A (A)trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a (B)false witness (C)declares lies.

Read full chapter

An honest witness does not lie;
    a false witness breathes lies.

Read full chapter

27 He who (A)profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who (B)hates bribes will live.

Read full chapter

27 Greed brings grief to the whole family,
    but those who hate bribes will live.

Read full chapter

By (A)mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing,
And by [a]the (B)fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 Or reverence for

Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
    By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

Read full chapter

Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income with injustice.

Read full chapter

Better to have little, with godliness,
    than to be rich and dishonest.

Read full chapter

11 A (A)just balance and scales belong to the Lord;
All the [a]weights of the bag are His [b]concern.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:11 Lit stones
  2. Proverbs 16:11 Lit work

11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;
    he sets the standards for fairness.

Read full chapter

A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

Read full chapter

A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

Read full chapter