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Proverbs 9-13
New King James Version
Proverbs 9-13
New King James Version
The Way of Wisdom
9 Wisdom has (A)built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 (B)She has slaughtered her meat,
(C)She has mixed her wine,
She has also [a]furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
4 “Whoever(D) is simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come,(E) eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 (F)Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
(G)Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, (H)and he will increase in learning.
10 “The(I) fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 (J)For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 (K)If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
The Way of Folly
13 (L)A foolish woman is [b]clamorous;
She is simple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house,
On a seat (M)by the highest places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their way:
16 “Whoever(N) is [c]simple, let him turn in here”;
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen(O) water is sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that (P)the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of [d]hell.
Wise Sayings of Solomon
10 The proverbs of (Q)Solomon:
(R)A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 (S)Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
(T)But righteousness delivers from death.
3 (U)The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
4 (V)He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But (W)the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in (X)summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is (Y)a son who causes shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7 (Z)The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.
9 (AB)He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.
10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble,
But a prating fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But (AC)love covers all sins.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,
But (AD)a rod is for the back of him who [g]is devoid of understanding.
14 Wise people store up knowledge,
But (AE)the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15 The (AF)rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to (AG)life,
The wages of the wicked to sin.
17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction [h]goes astray.
19 (AJ)In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But (AK)he who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of [i]wisdom.
22 (AL)The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.
23 (AM)To do evil is like sport to a fool,
But a man of understanding has wisdom.
24 (AN)The fear of the wicked will come upon him,
And (AO)the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes by, (AP)the wicked is no more,
But (AQ)the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy man to those who send him.
27 (AR)The fear of the Lord prolongs days,
But (AS)the years of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness,
But the (AT)expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the Lord is strength for the upright,
But (AU)destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
30 (AV)The righteous will never be removed,
But the wicked will not inhabit the [j]earth.
31 (AW)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
But the perverse tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.
The Folly of Wickedness
2 When pride comes, then comes (AY)shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright will guide (AZ)them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
4 (BA)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But (BB)righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless will [m]direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own (BC)wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will (BD)perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
8 (BE)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 (BF)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is (BG)exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who [n]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.
14 (BJ)Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
17 (BL)The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But (BM)he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to (BN)life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own (BO)death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 (BP)Though they join [q]forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But (BQ)the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.
22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks [r]discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked (BR)is wrath.
24 There is one who (BS)scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 (BT)The generous soul will be made rich,
(BU)And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse (BV)him who withholds grain,
But (BW)blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
29 He who troubles his own house (CA)will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be (CB)servant to the wise of heart.
31 (CD)If the righteous will be [u]recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
The House of the Righteous Shall Stand
12 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness,
But the (CE)root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4 (CF)An[v] excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is (CG)like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 (CH)The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
(CI)But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 (CJ)The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
(CK)But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9 (CL)Better is the one who is [w]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 (CM)A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 (CN)He who [x]tills his land will be satisfied with (CO)bread,
But he who follows [y]frivolity (CP)is devoid of [z]understanding.
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 (CQ)The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
(CR)But the righteous will come through trouble.
14 (CS)A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
(CT)And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
15 (CU)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16 (CV)A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.
17 (CW)He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 (CX)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,
(CY)But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 (CZ)No grave [aa]trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 (DA)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
23 (DB)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 (DC)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.
28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
Wisdom Loves Righteousness
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
(DF)But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 (DG)A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 (DH)He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 (DI)The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
5 A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
6 (DJ)Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 (DK)There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
(DL)But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but (DM)strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 (DN)Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But (DO)when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who (DP)despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 (DQ)The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from (DR)the snares of death.
15 Good understanding [ab]gains (DS)favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 (DT)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But (DU)a faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who [ac]disdains correction,
But (DV)he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 (DW)Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But (DX)the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 (DY)Much food is in the [ad]fallow ground of the poor,
And for lack of justice there is [ae]waste.
25 (EA)The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:2 arranged
- Proverbs 9:13 boisterous
- Proverbs 9:16 naive
- Proverbs 9:18 Or Sheol
- Proverbs 10:8 Lit. the foolish of lips
- Proverbs 10:8 be thrust down or ruined
- Proverbs 10:13 Lit. lacks heart
- Proverbs 10:17 leads
- Proverbs 10:21 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 10:30 land
- Proverbs 11:1 deceptive
- Proverbs 11:1 Lit. perfect stone
- Proverbs 11:5 Or make smooth or straight
- Proverbs 11:12 Lit. lacks heart
- Proverbs 11:15 guaranty
- Proverbs 11:15 those pledging guaranty, lit. those who strike hands
- Proverbs 11:21 Lit. hand to hand
- Proverbs 11:22 taste
- Proverbs 11:27 Lit. seeks
- Proverbs 11:30 Lit. takes, in the sense of brings, cf. 1 Sam. 16:11
- Proverbs 11:31 rewarded
- Proverbs 12:4 Lit. A wife of valor
- Proverbs 12:9 lightly esteemed
- Proverbs 12:11 works or cultivates
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. vain things
- Proverbs 12:11 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 12:21 harm
- Proverbs 13:15 gives
- Proverbs 13:18 Lit. ignores
- Proverbs 13:23 uncultivated
- Proverbs 13:23 Lit. what is swept away
- Proverbs 13:24 early
Proverbs 9-13
New International Version
Proverbs 9-13
New International Version
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
9 Wisdom has built(A) her house;
she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(B)
she has also set her table.(C)
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls(D)
from the highest point of the city,(E)
4 “Let all who are simple(F) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(G) she says,
5 “Come,(H) eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.(I)
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;(J)
walk in the way of insight.”(K)
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(L)
8 Do not rebuke mockers(M) or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.(N)
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(O)
10 The fear of the Lord(P) is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One(Q) is understanding.(R)
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.(S)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
13 Folly is an unruly woman;(T)
she is simple and knows nothing.(U)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,(V)
15 calling out(W) to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(X) she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!(Y)”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(Z)
Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs(AA) of Solomon:(AB)
A wise son brings joy to his father,(AC)
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(AJ)
6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[c](AK)
7 The name of the righteous(AL) is used in blessings,[d]
but the name of the wicked(AM) will rot.(AN)
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(AO)
9 Whoever walks in integrity(AP) walks securely,(AQ)
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(AR)
10 Whoever winks maliciously(AS) causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(AT)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(AU)
12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.(AV)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(AW)
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(AX)
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,(BE)
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(BF)
and spreads slander is a fool.
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.(BG)
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(BH)
23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(BL)
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(BV)
29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.(BW)
30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.(BX)
31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,(BY)
but a perverse tongue(BZ) will be silenced.
32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,(CA)
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.(CB)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(CG)
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(CK)
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(CL)
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(CM)
7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(CN)
all the promise of[e] their power comes to nothing.(CO)
8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.(CP)
9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.(CQ)
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(CR)
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(CS)
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(CT)
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(CU)
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(CV)
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(CW)
15 Whoever puts up security(DB) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(DC)
16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(DD)
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(DE)
20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(DH)
but he delights(DI) in those whose ways are blameless.(DJ)
21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.(DK)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.(DN)
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(DO)
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(DP)
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.(DQ)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(DR)
and the one who is wise saves lives.
31 If the righteous receive their due(DS) on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.(DT)
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(DW)
4 A wife of noble character(DX) is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(DY)
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(DZ)
8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped(EC) mind is despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(ED)
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(EE)
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(EH)
and the work of their hands brings them reward.(EI)
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.(EO)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(ER)
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(ES)
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.(EY)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(EZ)
but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(FA)
27 The lazy do not roast[f] any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(FB)
along that path is immortality.
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(FC)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(FD)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(FE) preserve their lives,(FF)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(FG)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(FH)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(FI)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(FJ)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(FK)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(FL)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(FM)
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(FN)
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(FO)
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(FP)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(FQ)
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(FR)
but whoever respects(FS) a command is rewarded.(FT)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(FU)
turning a person from the snares of death.(FV)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[g]
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(GA)
but whoever heeds correction is honored.(GB)
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(GC)
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.(GD)
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(GH)
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod(GI) hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(GJ) them.(GK)
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(GL)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
- Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me
- Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
- Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.
- Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.