Add parallel Print Page Options

24 Hard workers will become leaders,
    but those who are lazy will be slaves.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter

10 A wise person will learn more from a warning
    than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings.

11 Disobedient people look only for trouble,
    so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

Many people claim to be loyal,
    but it is hard to find a trustworthy person.

Read full chapter

Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?(A)

Read full chapter

When a king sits on his throne to judge,
    he knows evil when he sees it.

Read full chapter

When a king sits on his throne to judge,(A)
    he winnows out all evil with his eyes.(B)

Read full chapter

30 Hard punishment will get rid of evil,
    and whippings can change an evil heart.

Read full chapter

30 Blows and wounds scrub(A) away evil,
    and beatings(B) purge the inmost being.

Read full chapter

11 Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words
    will have even the king as a friend.

Read full chapter

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.(A)

Read full chapter

God is honored for what he keeps secret.
    Kings are honored for what they can discover.

Read full chapter

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(A)

Read full chapter

Remove wicked people from the king’s presence;
    then his government will be honest and last a long time.

Read full chapter

remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,(A)
    and his throne will be established(B) through righteousness.(C)

Read full chapter

21 It is not good for a judge to take sides,
    but some will sin for only a piece of bread.

Read full chapter

21 To show partiality(A) is not good(B)
    yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.(C)

Read full chapter

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies,
    all his officers will become wicked.

Read full chapter

12 If a ruler(A) listens to lies,
    all his officials become wicked.(B)

Read full chapter

19 Words alone cannot correct a servant,
    because even if they understand, they won’t respond.

Read full chapter

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

Read full chapter

21 If you spoil your servants when they are young,
    they will bring you grief later on.

Read full chapter

21 A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

Read full chapter