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Proverbs 26-31
English Standard Version
Proverbs 26-31
English Standard Version
26 Like snow in summer or (A)rain in harvest,
so (B)honor is (C)not fitting for a fool.
2 Like (D)a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
(E)a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 (F)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and (G)a rod for the back of fools.
4 (H)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
5 (I)Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be (J)wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
cuts off his own feet and (K)drinks violence.
7 Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling
is (L)one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like (M)a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.[a]
11 Like (N)a dog that returns to his vomit
is (O)a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is (P)wise in his own eyes?
(Q)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 (R)The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 (S)The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is (T)wiser in his own eyes
(U)than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who throws (V)firebrands, arrows, and death
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no (W)whisperer, (X)quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is (Y)a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 (Z)The words of (AA)a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 (AB)Like the (AC)glaze[b] covering an earthen vessel
are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
and harbors deceit in his heart;
25 (AD)when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
for there are (AE)seven abominations in his heart;
26 though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 (AF)Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
(AG)for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Let (AH)another praise you, and not your own mouth;
a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but (AI)a fool's provocation is heavier than both.
4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
but who can stand before (AJ)jealousy?
5 (AK)Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Faithful are (AL)the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
7 One who is full loathes (AM)honey,
but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
8 Like (AN)a bird that strays from its nest
is a man who strays from his home.
9 (AO)Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.[c]
10 Do not forsake your friend and (AP)your father's friend,
and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity.
(AQ)Better is a neighbor who is near
than a brother who is far away.
11 (AR)Be wise, (AS)my son, and (AT)make my heart glad,
that I may (AU)answer him who reproaches me.
12 (AV)The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but (AW)the simple go on and suffer for it.
13 (AX)Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.[d]
14 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning,
will be counted as cursing.
15 (AY)A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind
or to grasp[e] oil in one's right hand.
17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.[f]
18 (AZ)Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and he who (BA)guards his master will be honored.
19 As in water face reflects face,
so the heart of man reflects the man.
20 (BB)Sheol and Abaddon are (BC)never satisfied,
and (BD)never satisfied are the eyes of man.
21 (BE)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and a man is tested by his praise.
22 (BF)Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
along with crushed grain,
yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 (BG)Know well the condition of your flocks,
and (BH)give attention to your herds,
24 for (BI)riches do not last forever;
and does a crown endure to all generations?
25 (BJ)When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
26 (BK)the lambs will provide your clothing,
and the goats the price of a field.
27 (BL)There will be enough goats' milk for your food,
for the food of your household
and maintenance for your girls.
28 (BM)The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but (BN)the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 When a land transgresses, (BO)it has many rulers,
but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
3 (BP)A poor man who oppresses the poor
is a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who forsake the law (BQ)praise the wicked,
but those who keep the law (BR)strive against them.
5 Evil men (BS)do not understand justice,
but those who seek the Lord (BT)understand it completely.
6 (BU)Better is a poor man who (BV)walks in his integrity
than a rich man who is (BW)crooked in his ways.
7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but (BX)a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever multiplies his wealth (BY)by interest and profit[g]
(BZ)gathers it for him who is (CA)generous to the poor.
9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
even his (CB)prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way
(CC)will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless (CD)will have a goodly inheritance.
11 A rich man is wise in his (CE)own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding (CF)will find him out.
12 When (CG)the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when (CH)the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever (CI)conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who (CJ)confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who (CK)fears the Lord[h] always,
but whoever (CL)hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like (CM)a roaring lion or (CN)a charging bear
is (CO)a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who (CP)lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with (CQ)the blood of another,
he will be a fugitive until death;[i]
let no one help him.
18 (CR)Whoever (CS)walks in integrity will be delivered,
but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 (CT)Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich (CU)will not go unpunished.
21 To show (CV)partiality is not good,
but for (CW)a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 A (CX)stingy man[j] (CY)hastens after wealth
and does not know that (CZ)poverty will come upon him.
23 Whoever (DA)rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than (DB)he who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother
and says, “That is no transgression,”
is (DC)a companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy man (DD)stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will (DE)be enriched.
26 Whoever (DF)trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever (DG)gives to the poor will not want,
but he who (DH)hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When (DI)the wicked rise, (DJ)people hide themselves,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29 (DK)He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be (DL)broken (DM)beyond healing.
2 When (DN)the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when (DO)the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who (DP)loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but (DQ)a companion of prostitutes (DR)squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king (DS)builds up the land,
but he who exacts gifts[k] tears it down.
5 (DT)A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads (DU)a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is (DV)ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man (DW)sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man (DX)knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not (DY)understand such knowledge.
8 (DZ)Scoffers set a city aflame,
but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is (EA)no quiet.
10 Bloodthirsty men (EB)hate one who is blameless
and seek the life of the upright.[l]
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood,
all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor (EC)meet together;
the Lord (ED)gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king (EE)faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will (EF)be established forever.
15 (EG)The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself (EH)brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but (EI)the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 (EJ)Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.
18 Where (EK)there is no prophetic vision the people (EL)cast off restraint,[m]
but blessed is he who (EM)keeps the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
(EN)There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
will in the end find him his heir.[n]
22 (EO)A man of wrath stirs up strife,
and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23 (EP)One's pride will bring him low,
(EQ)but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief (ER)hates his own life;
(ES)he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25 (ET)The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
26 Many (EU)seek the face of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that a man (EV)gets justice.
27 (EW)An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
The Words of Agur
30 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.[o]
The man declares, I am weary, O God;
I am weary, O God, and worn out.[p]
2 Surely I am too (EX)stupid to be a man.
I have not the understanding of a man.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of (EY)the Holy One.
4 Who has (EZ)ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has (FA)gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has (FB)wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all (FC)the ends of the earth?
(FD)What is his name, and what is his son's name?
Surely you know!
5 (FE)Every word of God proves true;
he is (FF)a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 (FG)Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
7 Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me (FH)before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is (FI)needful for me,
9 lest I be (FJ)full and (FK)deny you
and say, (FL)“Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
(FM)and profane the name of my God.
11 There are those[q] who (FP)curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers.
12 There are those who are (FQ)clean in their own eyes
but are not washed of their filth.
13 There are those—how (FR)lofty are their eyes,
how high their eyelids lift!
14 There are those whose teeth are (FS)swords,
whose (FT)fangs are knives,
to (FU)devour the poor from off the earth,
the needy from among mankind.
15 The leech has two daughters:
Give and Give.[r]
(FV)Three things are never satisfied;
(FW)four never say, “Enough”:
16 (FX)Sheol, (FY)the barren womb,
the land never satisfied with water,
and the fire that never says, “Enough.”
17 The eye that (FZ)mocks a father
and (GA)scorns to obey a mother
will (GB)be picked out by (GC)the ravens of the valley
and eaten by the vultures.
18 (GD)Three things are (GE)too wonderful for me;
(GF)four I do not understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a serpent on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a virgin.
20 This is the way of an adulteress:
she eats and wipes her mouth
and says, “I have done no wrong.”
21 Under (GG)three things (GH)the earth trembles;
under (GI)four it cannot bear up:
22 (GJ)a slave when he becomes king,
and a fool when he is (GK)filled with food;
23 (GL)an unloved woman when she (GM)gets a husband,
and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.
24 (GN)Four things on earth are small,
but they are exceedingly wise:
25 (GO)the ants are a people not strong,
yet they provide their food in the summer;
26 (GP)the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27 the locusts have no (GQ)king,
yet all of them march in (GR)rank;
28 the lizard you can take in your hands,
yet it is in kings' palaces.
29 (GS)Three things are stately in their tread;
(GT)four are stately in their stride:
30 the lion, which is mightiest among beasts
and (GU)does not turn back before any;
31 the (GV)strutting rooster,[s] the he-goat,
and a king whose army is with him.[t]
32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
(GW)put your hand on your mouth.
33 For pressing milk produces curds,
pressing the nose produces blood,
and pressing anger produces strife.
The Words of King Lemuel
31 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son?[u] What are you doing, (GX)son of my womb?
What are you doing, (GY)son of my vows?
3 Do (GZ)not give your strength to women,
your ways to those (HA)who destroy kings.
4 (HB)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings (HC)to drink wine,
or for rulers to take (HD)strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and (HE)pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who (HF)is perishing,
and wine to (HG)those in bitter distress;[v]
7 (HH)let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 (HI)Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.[w]
9 Open your mouth, (HJ)judge righteously,
(HK)defend the rights of (HL)the poor and needy.
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10 [x] (HM)An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than (HN)jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She (HO)seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She (HP)rises while it is yet night
and (HQ)provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She (HR)dresses herself[y] with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She (HS)opens her hand to (HT)the poor
and reaches out her hands to (HU)the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in (HV)scarlet.[z]
22 She makes (HW)bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is (HX)fine linen and (HY)purple.
23 Her husband is known in (HZ)the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes (IA)linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 (IB)Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many (IC)women have done (ID)excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 (IE)Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby
- Proverbs 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross
- Proverbs 27:9 Or and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel
- Proverbs 27:13 Hebrew a foreign woman; a slight emendation yields (compare Vulgate; see also 20:16) foreigners
- Proverbs 27:16 Hebrew to meet with
- Proverbs 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another
- Proverbs 28:8 That is, profit that comes from charging interest to the poor
- Proverbs 28:14 Hebrew lacks the Lord
- Proverbs 28:17 Hebrew until the pit
- Proverbs 28:22 Hebrew A man whose eye is evil
- Proverbs 29:4 Or who taxes heavily
- Proverbs 29:10 Or but the upright seek his soul
- Proverbs 29:18 Or the people are discouraged
- Proverbs 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered his heir is uncertain
- Proverbs 30:1 Or Jakeh, the man of Massa
- Proverbs 30:1 Revocalization; Hebrew The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal
- Proverbs 30:11 Hebrew There is a generation; also verses 12, 13, 14
- Proverbs 30:15 Or “Give, give,” they cry
- Proverbs 30:31 Or the magpie, or the greyhound; Hebrew girt-of-loins
- Proverbs 30:31 Or against whom there is no rising up
- Proverbs 31:2 Hebrew What, my son?
- Proverbs 31:6 Hebrew those bitter in soul
- Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew are sons of passing away
- Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
- Proverbs 31:17 Hebrew She girds her loins
- Proverbs 31:21 Or in double thickness
Proverbs 26-31
New International Version
Proverbs 26-31
New International Version
26 Like snow in summer or rain(A) in harvest,
honor is not fitting for a fool.(B)
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest.(C)
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(D)
and a rod for the backs of fools!(E)
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.(F)
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.(G)
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool(H)
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(I)
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.(J)
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(K)
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,(L)
so fools repeat their folly.(M)
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?(N)
There is more hope for a fool than for them.(O)
13 A sluggard says,(P) “There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”(Q)
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.(R)
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.(S)
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 Like a maniac shooting
flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.(T)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(U)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.(V)
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,(W)
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.(X)
25 Though their speech is charming,(Y) do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.(Z)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit(AA) will fall into it;(AB)
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.(AC)
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth(AD) works ruin.
2 Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
an outsider, and not your own lips.(AG)
3 Stone is heavy and sand(AH) a burden,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?(AI)
5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.(AJ)
7 One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
8 Like a bird that flees its nest(AK)
is anyone who flees from home.
9 Perfume(AL) and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of a friend
springs from their heartfelt advice.
10 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster(AM) strikes you—
better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(AN)
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(AO)
12 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(AP)
13 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.(AQ)
14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
15 A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping(AR)
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;
16 restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,(AS)
and whoever protects their master will be honored.(AT)
19 As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.[b]
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(AW)
but people are tested by their praise.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
grinding them like grain with a pestle,
you will not remove their folly from them.
23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,(AX)
give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,(AY)
and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
and to nourish your female servants.
2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A ruler[d] who oppresses the poor
is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,
but those who heed it resist them.
5 Evildoers do not understand what is right,
but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
6 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than the rich whose ways are perverse.(BC)
7 A discerning son heeds instruction,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.(BD)
8 Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(BE) or profit from the poor
amasses it for another,(BF) who will be kind to the poor.(BG)
9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,
even their prayers are detestable.(BH)
10 Whoever leads the upright along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,(BI)
but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.
11 The rich are wise in their own eyes;
one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;(BJ)
but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.(BK)
13 Whoever conceals their sins(BL) does not prosper,
but the one who confesses(BM) and renounces them finds mercy.(BN)
14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.
16 A tyrannical ruler practices extortion,
but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
17 Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder
will seek refuge(BO) in the grave;
let no one hold them back.
18 The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe,(BP)
but the one whose ways are perverse will fall(BQ) into the pit.[e]
19 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.(BR)
20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(BS)
22 The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.(BW)
23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(BX)
24 Whoever robs their father or mother(BY)
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is partner to one who destroys.(BZ)
27 Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,(CE)
but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.(CF)
28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;(CG)
but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
29 Whoever remains stiff-necked(CH) after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed(CI)—without remedy.(CJ)
2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;(CK)
when the wicked rule,(CL) the people groan.(CM)
3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(CN)
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.(CO)
4 By justice a king gives a country stability,(CP)
but those who are greedy for[f] bribes tear it down.
5 Those who flatter their neighbors
are spreading nets for their feet.(CQ)
6 Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(CR)
but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor,(CS)
but the wicked have no such concern.
8 Mockers stir up a city,
but the wise turn away anger.(CT)
9 If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity
and seek to kill the upright.(CU)
13 The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.(CZ)
14 If a king judges the poor with fairness,
his throne will be established forever.(DA)
15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.(DB)
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.(DC)
17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire.(DD)
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(DE)
19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
though they understand, they will not respond.
20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.(DF)
21 A servant pampered from youth
will turn out to be insolent.
22 An angry person stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.(DG)
24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
they are put under oath and dare not testify.(DJ)
27 The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.(DP)
Sayings of Agur
30 The sayings(DQ) of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance.
This man’s utterance to Ithiel:
“I am weary, God,
but I can prevail.[g]
2 Surely I am only a brute, not a man;
I do not have human understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.(DR)
4 Who has gone up(DS) to heaven and come down?
Whose hands(DT) have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters(DU) in a cloak?(DV)
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name,(DW) and what is the name of his son?
Surely you know!
5 “Every word of God is flawless;(DX)
he is a shield(DY) to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add(DZ) to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
7 “Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.(EA)
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown(EB) you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’(EC)
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.(ED)
10 “Do not slander a servant to their master,
or they will curse you, and you will pay for it.
11 “There are those who curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers;(EE)
12 those who are pure in their own eyes(EF)
and yet are not cleansed of their filth;(EG)
13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty,(EH)
whose glances are so disdainful;
14 those whose teeth(EI) are swords
and whose jaws are set with knives(EJ)
to devour(EK) the poor(EL) from the earth
and the needy from among mankind.(EM)
15 “The leech has two daughters.
‘Give! Give!’ they cry.
“There are three things that are never satisfied,(EN)
four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
16 the grave,(EO) the barren womb,
land, which is never satisfied with water,
and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’
17 “The eye that mocks(EP) a father,
that scorns an aged mother,
will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,
will be eaten by the vultures.(EQ)
18 “There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a young woman.
20 “This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth
and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’(ER)
21 “Under three things the earth trembles,
under four it cannot bear up:
22 a servant who becomes king,(ES)
a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,
23 a contemptible woman who gets married,
and a servant who displaces her mistress.
24 “Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;(ET)
26 hyraxes(EU) are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts(EV) have no king,
yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
yet it is found in kings’ palaces.
29 “There are three things that are stately in their stride,
four that move with stately bearing:
30 a lion, mighty among beasts,
who retreats before nothing;
31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat,
and a king secure against revolt.[h]
32 “If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
or if you plan evil,
clap your hand over your mouth!(EW)
33 For as churning cream produces butter,
and as twisting the nose produces blood,
so stirring up anger produces strife.”
Sayings of King Lemuel
31 The sayings(EX) of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!(EY)
3 Do not spend your strength[i] on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.(EZ)
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,(FA)
not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink(FB) and forget what has been decreed,(FC)
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine(FD) for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink(FE) and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak(FF) up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.(FG)
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [j]A wife of noble character(FH) who can find?(FI)
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband(FJ) has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.(FK)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.(FL)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.(FM)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders(FN) of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.(FO)
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise(FP) at the city gate.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth
- Proverbs 27:19 Or so others reflect your heart back to you
- Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Abaddon
- Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor person
- Proverbs 28:18 Syriac (see Septuagint); Hebrew into one
- Proverbs 29:4 Or who give
- Proverbs 30:1 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text utterance to Ithiel, / to Ithiel and Ukal:
- Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth
- Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Proverbs 26-31
King James Version
Proverbs 26-31
King James Version
26 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
27 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
28 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
30 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
31 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.