Proverbs 10-19
Holman Christian Standard Bible
A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs
10 Solomon’s proverbs:(A)
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.(B)
2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,
but righteousness rescues from death.(C)
4 Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(F)
5 The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(G)
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(H)
7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(I)
8 A wise heart accepts commands,(J)
but foolish lips will be destroyed.
9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely,(K)
but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.(L)
10 A sly wink of the eye(M) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(N)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(O)
12 Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.(P)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(Q)
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(R)
15 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;(S)
the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life;
the activity of the wicked leads to sin.(T)
17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,
but the one who rejects correction goes astray.(U)
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.(V)
19 When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is wise.(W)
20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little value.(X)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(Y)
23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,(AB)
so wisdom is for a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come to him,(AC)
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.(AD)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,(AG)
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,
but destruction awaits the malicious.(AL)
30 The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(AM)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,(AP)
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.(AQ)
2 When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(AT)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,(AU)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.(AV)
4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(AW)
5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(AX)
7 When the wicked man dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth[c][d] vanishes.(AY)
8 The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(AZ)
9 With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,(BA)
and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.
11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(BB)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(BC)
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man with understanding keeps silent.(BD)
13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(BE)
14 Without guidance, people fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(BF)
15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(BG)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[e] men gain only riches.
18 The wicked man earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(BJ)
20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.(BM)
21 Be assured[f] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,(BN)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.(BO)
24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;(BR)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.(BS)
25 A generous person will be enriched,(BT)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.(BU)
26 People will curse(BV) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.(BW)
27 The one who searches for what is good(BX) finds favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.(BY)
29 The one who brings ruin on his household(CB)
will inherit the wind,(CC)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.
31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.(CE)
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(CF)
3 Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(CI)
4 A capable wife[h] is her husband’s crown,(CJ)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(CK)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(CP)
10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,(CQ)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(CR)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(CS)
12 The wicked desire what evil men have,[i]
but the root of the righteous produces fruit.
13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,(CT)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.(CU)
14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(CV)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(CW)
15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(CX)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(CY)
17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(CZ)
18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(DA)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(DB)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(DC)
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(DD)
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(DE)
but the wicked are full of misery.
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(DH)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(DI)
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(DJ)
26 A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[j]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(DK)
13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 From the words of his mouth,
a man will enjoy good things,(DO)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.(DP)
3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(DQ)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(DR)
4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(DS)
5 The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked act disgustingly and disgracefully.
7 One man pretends to be rich but has nothing;(DU)
another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.(DV)
8 Riches are a ransom for a man’s life,(DW)
but a poor man hears no threat.
10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,(DZ)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.
11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(EA)
but whoever earns it through labor[m] will multiply it.(EB)
12 Delayed hope makes the heart sick,
but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.(EC)
13 The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,(ED)
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.(EE)
14 A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life,(EF)
turning people away from the snares of death.(EG)
16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.(EI)
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.(EJ)
18 Poverty and disgrace come to those
who ignore discipline,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.(EK)
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,
but to turn from evil(EL)
is an abomination to fools.
20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.(EM)
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his[o] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(EN)
23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.
24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son,(EO)
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.(EP)
25 A righteous man eats until he is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is empty.(EQ)
2 Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,(ET)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.(EU)
3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[p]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(EV)
4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[q]
but an abundant harvest comes
through the strength of an ox.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.(EW)
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.
7 Stay away from a foolish man;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.(EX)
8 The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
9 Fools mock at making restitution,[r]
but there is goodwill among the upright.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.
13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.(FB)
14 The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good man, what his deeds deserve.(FC)
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man who schemes is hated.(FF)
18 The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before those who are good,
the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,(FI)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.(FJ)
22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray?(FK)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.(FL)
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.
25 A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.(FN)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(FO)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.(FP)
28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.
29 A patient person shows great understanding,(FQ)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.
31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,(FT)
but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.(FU)
32 The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,(FV)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.(FW)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.(FY)
35 A king favors a wise servant,(FZ)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(GC)
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.(GD)
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(GF)
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(GG)
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.(GH)
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.(GI)
10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(GL)
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(GM)
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(GP)
19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(GU)
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.(GV)
21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.(GW)
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.(GX)
24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,
but He protects the widow’s territory.(GZ)
26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,
but pleasant words are pure.(HA)
27 The one who profits dishonestly(HB) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(HC)
28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(HD)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(HE)
32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(HJ)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[ab](HK)
33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(HL)
16 The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.(HM)
3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.(HO)
4 The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.(HP)
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;(HQ)
be assured,[ad] he will not go unpunished.(HR)
6 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(HS)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(HT)
8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.(HV)
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.(HW)
12 Wicked behavior[ah] is detestable to kings,(IA)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(IB)
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise man appeases it.(IC)
15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(ID)
18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.(IG)
20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(IJ)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(IK)
22 Insight is a fountain of life(IM) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.(IQ)
26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger[an] urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(IR)
28 A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(IS)
30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(IV)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.(IZ)
17 Better a dry crust with peace
than a house full of feasting with strife.(JA)
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share an inheritance among brothers.
4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;[ap]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,(JD)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.(JE)
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,
and the pride of sons is their fathers.
7 Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.
10 A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person
more than a hundred lashes into a fool.
12 Better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs(JK)
than a fool in his foolishness.
14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.(JN)
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just(JO)—
both are detestable to the Lord.
16 Why does a fool have money in his hand
with no intention of buying wisdom?(JP)
17 A friend loves at all times,(JQ)
and a brother is born for a difficult time.
19 One who loves to offend loves strife;(JS)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.
20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(JT)
21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;
the father of a fool has no joy.(JU)
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(JV)
24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(JY) roam to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is grief to his father
and bitterness to the one who bore him.(JZ)
27 The intelligent person restrains his words,(KB)
and one who keeps a cool head[at]
is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.(KC)
18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty(KF)
by perverting the justice due the innocent.(KG)
6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(KH)
7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(KI)
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(KN)
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(KQ)
14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(KR)
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(KS)
17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(KU)
18 Casting the lot(KV) ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to reach[ba]
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(KW)
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(KX)
24 A man with many friends may be harmed,[bb]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(LC)
19 Better a poor man who lives with integrity(LD)
than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.
3 A man’s own foolishness leads him astray,
yet his heart rages against the Lord.(LG)
4 Wealth attracts many friends,(LH)
but a poor man is separated from his friend.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;(LM)
how much more do his friends
keep their distance from him!
He may pursue them with words,(LN)
but they are not there.[bd]
8 The one who acquires good sense[be] loves himself;
one who safeguards understanding finds success.(LO)
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and one who utters lies perishes.(LP)
14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,(LY)
but a sensible wife is from the Lord.
15 Laziness induces deep sleep,
and a lazy person will go hungry.(LZ)
19 A person with great anger bears the penalty;
if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.(MF)
21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,
but the Lord’s decree will prevail.(MH)
22 What is desirable in a man is his fidelity;
better to be a poor man than a liar.(MI)
24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;
he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth.(MK)
25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson;(ML)
rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.(MM)
26 The one who assaults his father and evicts his mother
is a disgraceful and shameful son.
27 If you stop listening to correction, my son,
you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks justice,
and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.(MN)
29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.(MO)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:22 Or and He adds no trouble to it
- Proverbs 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days
- Proverbs 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly
- Proverbs 11:7 Or strength
- Proverbs 11:16 Or ruthless
- Proverbs 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
- Proverbs 11:30 LXX, Syr; MT reads but a wise one
- Proverbs 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
- Proverbs 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
- Proverbs 12:26 Or man guides his neighbor
- Proverbs 12:28 Or righteousness, and in its path there is no death
- Proverbs 13:6 Lit guards integrity of way
- Proverbs 13:11 Lit whoever gathers upon [his] hand
- Proverbs 13:15 LXX, Syr, Tg read treacherous will perish
- Proverbs 13:22 Or inheritance: his
- Proverbs 14:3 Some emend to In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his back
- Proverbs 14:4 Or clean
- Proverbs 14:9 Or at guilt offerings
- Proverbs 14:11 Lit flourish
- Proverbs 14:15 Lit the prudent understand
- Proverbs 14:16 Or and falls
- Proverbs 14:23 Lit but word of lips
- Proverbs 14:33 LXX reads unknown
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it
- Proverbs 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth
- Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat
- Proverbs 15:31 Lit An ear that
- Proverbs 15:32 Lit acquires a heart
- Proverbs 16:2 Lit weighs spirits
- Proverbs 16:5 Lit hand to hand
- Proverbs 16:7 Or he
- Proverbs 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king
- Proverbs 16:11 Merchants kept the stones for their scales in a bag.
- Proverbs 16:12 Either the king’s or someone else’s behavior
- Proverbs 16:19 Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
- Proverbs 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips
- Proverbs 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
- Proverbs 16:24 Lit throat
- Proverbs 16:24 Lit bones
- Proverbs 16:26 Lit mouth
- Proverbs 16:32 Lit and ruling over one’s spirit
- Proverbs 17:4 Lit to lips of iniquity
- Proverbs 17:11 Or a merciless angel
- Proverbs 17:18 Lit sense shakes hands
- Proverbs 17:26 Or noble unfairly
- Proverbs 17:27 Lit spirit
- Proverbs 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart
- Proverbs 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river.
- Proverbs 18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly
- Proverbs 18:9 Lit master of destruction
- Proverbs 18:10 Lit raised high
- Proverbs 18:16 Lit gift makes room
- Proverbs 18:19 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read is stronger
- Proverbs 18:24 Some LXX mss, Syr, Tg, Vg read friends must be friendly
- Proverbs 19:2 Lit who is hasty with feet
- Proverbs 19:7 Hb uncertain
- Proverbs 19:8 Lit acquires a heart
- Proverbs 19:16 Or despises, or treats lightly
- Proverbs 19:17 Lit to him
- Proverbs 19:18 Lit don’t lift up your soul to his death
- Proverbs 19:20 Lit in your end
- Proverbs 19:23 Lit will spend the night satisfied
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