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Proverbs 15-22
New International Version
Proverbs 15-22
New International Version
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(K)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(L)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(M)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(N)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(T)
12 Mockers resent correction,(W)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(Z)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(AA)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(AB)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(AC)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(AF)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(AG)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(AH)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(AN)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(AO)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(AP) of the wicked,(AQ)
but gracious words are pure(AR) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(AS)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(AV)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(AW)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(AX)
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(AY)
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(AZ)
16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(BC)
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.(BG)
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord(BL) evil is avoided.(BM)
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace(BN) with them.(BO)
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.(BR)
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.(BS)
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.(BT)
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.(BU)
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.(BV)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(CC)
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[b](CG)
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(CH)
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(CJ)
but folly brings punishment to fools.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.(CU)
30 Whoever winks(CV) with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(CW)
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.(DA)
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor(DD) shows contempt for their Maker;(DE)
whoever gloats over disaster(DF) will not go unpunished.(DG)
6 Children’s children(DH) are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(DI)
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.(DJ)
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(DK)
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(DL)
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.(DM)
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(DP)
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?(DS)
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(DT)
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.(DU)
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(DV)
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes(EA) wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(EB)
26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,(EC)
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(ED)
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(EE)
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.(EF)
18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.(EG)
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(EH)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife,
and their mouths invite a beating.(EK)
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(EN)
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.(EO)
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;(ER)
they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.(ES)
13 To answer before listening—
that is folly and shame.(ET)
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?(EU)
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(EV)
for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A gift(EW) opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes(EX)
and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother wronged(EY) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(EZ)
23 The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(FE)
19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.(FF)
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!(FG)
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.(FJ)
7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
how much more do their friends avoid them!(FP)
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.[e](FQ)
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(FR)
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will perish.(FS)
10 It is not fitting for a fool(FT) to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!(FU)
11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;(FV)
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(FZ)
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(GA)
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless go hungry.(GD)
16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.(GE)
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,(GF)
and he will reward them for what they have done.(GG)
18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to their death.(GH)
19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,(GI)
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.(GJ)
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.(GK)
22 What a person desires is unfailing love[f];
better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(GL)
24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth!(GM)
25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke the discerning,(GN) and they will gain knowledge.(GO)
26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother(GP)
is a child who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Stop listening to instruction, my son,(GQ)
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.(GR)
29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.(GS)
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(GX)
those who anger him forfeit their lives.(GY)
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(HD)
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?(HE)
10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.(HL)
11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure(HM) and upright?
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.(HN)
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(HO)
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge(HP) if it is done for an outsider.(HQ)
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(HT)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(HU)
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,(HV)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(HW)
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(HX)
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(HY)
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(HZ)
24 A person’s steps are directed(IA) by the Lord.(IB)
How then can anyone understand their own way?(IC)
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.(ID)
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.(IE)
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.(IJ)
21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.(IM)
2 A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.(IN)
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(IO)
4 Haughty eyes(IP) and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit(IQ)
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(IS)
for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious,(IT)
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(IU)
10 The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(IV)
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(IZ)
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.(JA)
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.(JB)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(JC)
18 The wicked become a ransom(JD) for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(JE)
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(JH)
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
24 The proud and arrogant person(JK)—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(JL)
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous(JM) give without sparing.(JN)
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(JO)—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!(JP)
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.(JS)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.(JV)
22 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.(JW)
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all.(JX)
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,(KC)
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6 Start(KD) children off on the way they should go,(KE)
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.(KF)
7 The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender.
10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.(KK)
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend.(KL)
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!(KM)
I’ll be killed in the public square!”
14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;(KN)
a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.(KO)
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.(KP)
16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying 1
17 Pay attention(KQ) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(KR)
apply your heart to what I teach,(KS)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(KT)
so that you bring back truthful reports
to those you serve?
Saying 2
22 Do not exploit the poor(KU) because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,(KV)
23 for the Lord will take up their case(KW)
and will exact life for life.(KX)
Saying 3
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
and get yourself ensnared.(KY)
Saying 4
26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge(KZ)
or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.(LA)
Saying 5
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone(LB)
set up by your ancestors.
Saying 6
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
- Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
- Proverbs 19:22 Or Greed is a person’s shame
- Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
- Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
- Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
- Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness
Proverbs 15-22
New King James Version
Proverbs 15-22
New King James Version
A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath
15 A (A)soft answer turns away wrath,
But (B)a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
(C)But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 (D)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A [a]wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise [c]disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
8 (G)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 to the Lord,
But He loves him who (H)follows righteousness.
11 (K)Hell[d] and [e]Destruction are before the Lord;
So how much more (L)the hearts of the sons of men.
12 (M)A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
13 (N)A merry heart makes a cheerful [f]countenance,
But (O)by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
(P)But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.
16 (Q)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
Than great treasure with trouble.
17 (R)Better is a dinner of [g]herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
18 (S)A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
19 (T)The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns,
But the way of the upright is a highway.
20 (U)A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (V)Folly is joy to him who is destitute of [h]discernment,
(W)But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
22 (X)Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
25 (AB)The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,
But (AC)He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 (AD)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
(AE)But the words of the pure are pleasant.
27 (AF)He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (AG)studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones [k]healthy.
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life
Will abide among the wise.
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
33 (AJ)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,
And (AK)before honor is humility.
Wisdom Is Better Than Gold
16 The (AL)preparations[l] of the heart belong to man,
(AM)But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own (AN)eyes,
But the Lord weighs the spirits.
5 (AR)Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
Though they join [o]forces, none will go unpunished.
6 (AS)In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And (AT)by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (AU)Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
10 Divination is on the lips of the king;
His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 (AX)Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights in the bag are His [p]work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For (AY)a throne is established by righteousness.
13 (AZ)Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath,
But a wise man will (BA)appease it.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a (BB)cloud of the latter rain.
16 (BC)How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before [q]a fall.
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the [r]spoil with the proud.
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever (BD)trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of (BE)death.
26 The person who labors, labors for himself,
For his hungry mouth drives (BF)him on.
27 [s]An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning (BG)fire.
28 A perverse man sows strife,
And (BH)a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He [t]purses his lips and brings about evil.
31 (BI)The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 (BJ)He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.
The Lord Tests Hearts
2 A wise servant will rule over (BL)a son who causes shame,
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
(BM)But the Lord tests the hearts.
4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips;
A liar listens eagerly to a [v]spiteful tongue.
5 (BN)He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
(BO)He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 (BP)Children’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.
7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.
8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
10 (BS)Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet (BT)a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever (BU)rewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore (BV)stop contention before a quarrel starts.
15 (BW)He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?
17 (BX)A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
18 (BY)A man devoid of [w]understanding [x]shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes [y]surety for his friend.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And (BZ)he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
20 He who has a [z]deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has (CA)a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe [ab]behind the back
To pervert the ways of justice.
24 (CC)Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A (CD)foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good,
Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
27 (CE)He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
28 (CF)Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower
18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all [ac]wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his (CG)own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in (CJ)judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 (CK)A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his (CL)soul.
8 (CM)The words of a [ad]talebearer are like [ae]tasty trifles,
And they go down into the [af]inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong (CN)tower;
The righteous run to it and are [ag]safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 (CO)Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 (CP)A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting (CQ)lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 (CR)A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 (CS)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 (CT)He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers (CU)roughly.
24 A man who has friends [ah]must himself be friendly,
(CV)But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life
19 Better (CW)is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
And he sins who hastens with his feet.
3 The foolishness of a man twists his way,
And his heart frets against the Lord.
4 (CX)Wealth makes many friends,
But the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A (CY)false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies will not escape.
6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
7 (CZ)All the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go (DA)far from him!
He may pursue them with words, yet they [ai]abandon him.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies shall perish.
10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
Much less (DC)for a servant to rule over princes.
11 (DD)The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
(DE)And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
13 (DH)A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
(DI)And the contentions of a wife are a continual [ak]dripping.
17 (DO)He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise (DQ)in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
(DR)Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is [an]kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.
23 (DS)The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
24 (DT)A lazy man buries his hand in the [ao]bowl,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple (DU)will become wary;
(DV)Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is (DW)a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
(DY)And beatings for the backs of fools.
Wine Is a Mocker
20 Wine (DZ)is a mocker,
Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
2 The [aq]wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.
3 (EA)It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim each his own [ar]goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment
Scatters all evil with his eyes.
9 (EF)Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin”?
10 (EG)Diverse weights and diverse measures,
They are both alike, an abomination to the Lord.
11 Even a child is (EH)known by his deeds,
Whether what he does is pure and right.
12 (EI)The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made them both.
13 (EJ)Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.
14 “It is [as]good for nothing,” cries the buyer;
But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies,
But (EK)the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 (EL)Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.
17 (EM)Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
19 (EP)He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with one (EQ)who flatters with his lips.
23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord,
And dishonest scales are not good.
24 A man’s steps are of the Lord;
How then can a man understand his own way?
25 It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy,
And afterward to reconsider his vows.
26 (EX)A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And (FA)the splendor of old men is their gray head.
30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the [aw]inner depths of the heart.
The Lord Considers the Heart
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the [ax]rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
3 (FD)To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
5 (FF)The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will [ba]destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of [bb]a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with (FH)a contentious woman.
10 (FI)The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the (FJ)wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 (FK)Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe [bc]behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the (FL)dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell [bd]in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 (FM)There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21 (FN)He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
23 (FP)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25 The (FQ)desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous (FR)gives and does not spare.
27 (FS)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he [bf]establishes his way.
30 (FT)There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But (FU)deliverance is of the Lord.
The Value of a Good Name
22 A (FV)good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are (FY)punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches and honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards his soul will be far from them.
7 The (GA)rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
10 (GE)Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave;
Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
11 (GF)He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the faithless.
13 (GG)The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be slain in the streets!”
14 (GH)The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
(GI)He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
(GJ)The rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,
And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.
Sayings of the Wise
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord;
I have instructed you today, even you.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
21 (GK)That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
(GL)That you may answer words of truth
To those who [bj]send to you?
22 Do not rob the (GM)poor because he is poor,
Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
23 (GN)For the Lord will plead their cause,
And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a (GO)furious man do not go,
25 Lest you learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.
26 (GP)Do not be one of those who [bk]shakes hands in a pledge,
One of those who is [bl]surety for debts;
27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
Why should he take away your bed from under you?
29 Do you see a man who [bn]excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before [bo]unknown men.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit. healing
- Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps
- Proverbs 15:7 spread
- Proverbs 15:11 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:11 Heb. Abaddon
- Proverbs 15:13 face
- Proverbs 15:17 Or vegetables
- Proverbs 15:21 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit. in its time
- Proverbs 15:24 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit. fat
- Proverbs 16:1 plans
- Proverbs 16:3 Lit. Roll
- Proverbs 16:4 Lit. evil
- Proverbs 16:5 Lit. hand to hand
- Proverbs 16:11 concern
- Proverbs 16:18 stumbling
- Proverbs 16:19 plunder
- Proverbs 16:27 Lit. A man of Belial
- Proverbs 16:30 Lit. compresses
- Proverbs 17:1 Or sacrificial meals
- Proverbs 17:4 Lit. destructive
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit. strikes the hands
- Proverbs 17:18 guaranty or collateral
- Proverbs 17:20 crooked
- Proverbs 17:22 Or makes medicine even better
- Proverbs 17:23 Under cover, lit. from the bosom
- Proverbs 18:1 sound wisdom
- Proverbs 18:8 gossip or slanderer
- Proverbs 18:8 A Jewish tradition wounds
- Proverbs 18:8 Lit. rooms of the belly
- Proverbs 18:10 secure, lit. set on high
- Proverbs 18:24 So with Gr. mss., Syr., Tg., Vg.; MT may come to ruin
- Proverbs 19:7 Lit. are not
- Proverbs 19:8 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 19:13 Irritation
- Proverbs 19:16 Is reckless, lit. despises
- Proverbs 19:18 Lit. to put him to death; a Jewish tradition on his crying
- Proverbs 19:22 Lit. lovingkindness
- Proverbs 19:24 LXX, Syr. bosom; Tg., Vg. armpit
- Proverbs 19:28 Lit. witness of Belial, worthless witness
- Proverbs 20:2 Lit. fear or terror, produced by the king’s wrath
- Proverbs 20:6 Lit. mercy
- Proverbs 20:14 Lit. evil, evil
- Proverbs 20:22 repay
- Proverbs 20:27 Lit. rooms of the belly
- Proverbs 20:28 mercy
- Proverbs 20:30 Lit. rooms of the belly
- Proverbs 21:1 channels
- Proverbs 21:4 Or lamp
- Proverbs 21:6 LXX Pursue vanity on the snares of death; Vg. Is vain and foolish, and shall stumble on the snares of death; Tg. They shall be destroyed, and they shall fall who seek death
- Proverbs 21:7 Lit. drag them away
- Proverbs 21:8 Or The way of a man is perverse and strange;
- Proverbs 21:14 Under cover, lit. in the bosom
- Proverbs 21:19 Lit. in the land of the desert
- Proverbs 21:22 Climbs over the walls of
- Proverbs 21:29 Qr., LXX understands
- Proverbs 22:6 Even
- Proverbs 22:8 trouble
- Proverbs 22:9 Lit. good
- Proverbs 22:21 Or send you
- Proverbs 22:26 Lit. strikes
- Proverbs 22:26 guaranty
- Proverbs 22:28 boundary
- Proverbs 22:29 is prompt in his business
- Proverbs 22:29 obscure
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.