Proverbs 10-26

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

10 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.

² Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death.

³ The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked.^(A)

⁴ He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

⁵ He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

⁶ Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

⁷ The memory of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot.^(B)

⁸ The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong.

⁹ He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished.

¹⁰ He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but ^[a]he who boldly reproves makes peace.

¹¹ The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

¹² Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.

¹³ On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly ^[b]Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding.

¹⁴ Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

¹⁵ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.^(C)

¹⁶ The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.^(D)

¹⁷ He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.

¹⁸ He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.^(E)

¹⁹ In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.

²⁰ The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value.

²¹ The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.

²² The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].

²³ It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful and godly Wisdom is pleasure and relaxation to a man of understanding.

²⁴ The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted.

²⁵ When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation.^(F)

²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ and send him.

²⁷ The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one’s days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short.

²⁸ The hope of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing.

²⁹ The way of the Lord is strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.

³⁰ The [consistently] righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth [eventually].^(G)

³¹ The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].

³² The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful and contrary.

11 A false balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.^(H)

² When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.

³ The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

⁴ Riches provide no security in any day of wrath and judgment, but righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) delivers from death.^(I)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless shall rectify and make plain their way and keep it straight, but the wicked shall fall by their own wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright [their rectitude in every area and relation] shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity and greedy desire.

⁷ When the wicked man dies, his hope [for the future] perishes; and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing.

⁸ The [uncompromisingly] righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked gets into it instead.

⁹ With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge and superior discernment shall the righteous be delivered.

¹⁰ When it goes well with the [uncompromisingly] righteous, the city rejoices, but when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

¹¹ By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God’s favor [because of them] the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

¹² He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.

¹³ He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden.

¹⁴ Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

¹⁵ He who becomes security for an outsider shall smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure [from its penalties].

¹⁶ A gracious and good woman wins honor [for her husband], and violent men win riches but ^[c]a woman who hates righteousness is a throne of dishonor for him.

¹⁷ The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself [for his deeds return to bless him], but he who is cruel and callous [to the wants of others] brings on himself retribution.

¹⁸ The wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) shall have a sure reward [permanent and satisfying].^(J)

¹⁹ He who is steadfast in righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) attains to life, but he who pursues evil does it to his own death.

²⁰ They who are willfully contrary in heart are extremely disgusting and shamefully vile in the eyes of the Lord, but such as are blameless and wholehearted in their ways are His delight!

²¹ Assuredly [I pledge it] the wicked shall not go unpunished, but the multitude of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be delivered.

²² As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman who is without discretion.

²³ The desire of the [consistently] righteous brings only good, but the expectation of the wicked brings wrath.

²⁴ There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want.

²⁵ The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered.^(K)

²⁶ The people curse him who holds back grain [when the public needs it], but a blessing [from God and man] is upon the head of him who sells it.

²⁷ He who diligently seeks good seeks [God’s] favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come upon him.

²⁸ He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident in his riches shall fall, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like a green bough.

²⁹ He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind, and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

³⁰ The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men—he gathers and receives them for eternity].^(L)

³¹ Behold, the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be recompensed on earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner! And ^[d]if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and wicked?^(M)

12 Whoever loves instruction and correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating.

² A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked devices He condemns.

³ A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall never be moved.

⁴ A virtuous and worthy wife [earnest and strong in character] is a crowning joy to her husband, but she who makes him ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.^(N)

⁵ The thoughts and purposes of the [consistently] righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous.

⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them and the innocent ones [thus endangered].

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are not, but the house of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall stand.

⁸ A man shall be commended according to his Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God], but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

⁹ Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread.

¹⁰ A [consistently] righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.^(O)

¹¹ He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits is lacking in sense and is without understanding.

¹² The wicked desire the booty of evil men, but the root of the [uncompromisingly] righteous yields [richer fruitage].

¹³ The wicked is [dangerously] snared by the transgression of his lips, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall come out of trouble.

¹⁴ From the fruit of his words a man shall be satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hands shall come back to him [as a harvest].

¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.^(P)

¹⁶ A fool’s wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult.

¹⁷ He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), but a false witness utters deceit.

¹⁸ There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹ Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is [credited] but for a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but for the counselors of peace there is joy.

²¹ No [actual] evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity.^(Q)

²² Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight.^(R)

²³ A prudent man is reluctant to display his knowledge, but the heart of [self-confident] fools proclaims their folly.^(S)

²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slothful will be put to forced labor.

²⁵ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.^(T)

²⁶ The [consistently] righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes others to go astray.

²⁷ The slothful man does not catch his game or roast it once he kills it, but the diligent man gets precious possessions.

²⁸ Life is in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), and in its pathway there is no death but immortality (perpetual, eternal life).^(U)

13 A wise son heeds [and is the fruit of] his father’s instruction and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.

² A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.

³ He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

⁴ The appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied.^(V)

⁵ A [consistently] righteous man hates lying and deceit, but a wicked man is loathsome [his very breath spreads pollution] and he comes [surely] to shame.

⁶ Righteousness (rightness and justice in every area and relation) guards him who is upright in the way, but wickedness plunges into sin and overthrows the sinner.

⁷ One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing [to keep permanently]; another man considers himself poor, yet has great [and indestructible] riches.^(W)

⁸ A rich man can buy his way out of threatened death by paying a ransom, but the poor man does not even have to listen to threats [from the envious].

⁹ The light of the [uncompromisingly] righteous [is within him—it grows brighter and] rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked [furnishes only a derived, temporary light and] shall be put out shortly.

¹⁰ By pride and insolence comes only contention, but with the well-advised is skillful and godly Wisdom.

¹¹ Wealth [not earned but] won in haste or unjustly or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use [such riches] will dwindle away, but he who gathers little by little will increase [his riches].

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

¹³ Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] is rewarded.

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.

¹⁵ Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the transgressor is hard [like the barren, dry soil or the impassable swamp].

¹⁶ Every prudent man deals with knowledge, but a [self-confident] fool exposes and flaunts his folly.

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing.

¹⁸ Poverty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.

¹⁹ Satisfied desire is sweet to a person; therefore it is hateful and exceedingly offensive to [self-confident] fools to give up evil [upon which they have set their hearts].

²⁰ He who walks [as a companion] with wise men is wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools is [a fool himself and] shall smart for it.^(X)

²¹ Evil pursues sinners, but the consistently upright and in right standing with God is recompensed with good.

²² A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up.

²³ Much food is in the tilled land of the poor, but there are those who are destroyed because of injustice.

²⁴ He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early.^(Y)

²⁵ The [uncompromisingly] righteous eats to his own satisfaction, but the stomach of the wicked is in want.

14 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

² He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him.

³ In the ^[e]fool’s own mouth is a rod [to shame] his pride, but the wise men’s lips preserve them.

⁴ Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase [of crops] comes by the strength of the ox.

⁵ A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods.

⁶ A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands.

⁷ Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips.

⁸ The Wisdom [godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of [self-confident] fools is to deceive.

⁹ Fools make a mock of sin and sin mocks the fools [who are its victims; a sin offering made by them only mocks them, bringing them disappointment and disfavor], but among the upright there is the favor of God.^(Z)

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish.

¹² There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

¹³ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness and grief.

¹⁴ The backslider in heart [from God and from fearing God] shall be filled with [the fruit of] his own ways, and a good man shall be satisfied with [the fruit of] his ways [with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts and in which he delights].

¹⁵ The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going.

¹⁶ A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident.

¹⁷ He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated.

¹⁸ The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil men bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliantly] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous.

²⁰ The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends.

²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor.

²² Do they not err who devise evil and wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good.

²³ In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth of Wisdom, but the foolishness of [self-confident] fools is [nothing but] folly.

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives].

²⁶ In the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children shall always have a place of refuge.

²⁷ Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.^(AA)

²⁸ In a multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in a lack of people is the prince’s ruin.

²⁹ He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly.^(AB)

³⁰ A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.

³¹ He who oppresses the poor reproaches, mocks, and insults his Maker, but he who is kind and merciful to the needy honors Him.^(AC)

³² The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence even in death.

³³ Wisdom rests [silently] in the mind and heart of him who has understanding, but that which is in the inward part of [self-confident] fools is made known.^(AD)

³⁴ Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

³⁵ The king’s favor is toward a wise and discreet servant, but his wrath is against him who does shamefully.^(AE)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.^(AF)

² The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool pours out folly.

³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.^(AG)

⁴ A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.

⁵ A fool despises his father’s instruction and correction, but he who regards reproof acquires prudence.

⁶ In the house of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is great [priceless] treasure, but with the income of the wicked is trouble and vexation.

⁷ The lips of the wise disperse knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; not so the minds and hearts of the self-confident and foolish.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight!^(AH)

⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

¹⁰ There is severe discipline for him who forsakes God’s way; and he who hates reproof will die [physically, morally, and spiritually].

¹¹ Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the final place of the accuser Satan) are both before the Lord—how much more, then, the hearts of the children of men?^(AI)

¹² A scorner has no love for one who rebukes him; neither will he go to the wise [for counsel].

¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.^(AJ)

¹⁴ The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after and craves it, but the mouth of the [self-confident] fool feeds on folly.^(AK)

¹⁵ All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].

¹⁶ Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it.^(AL)

¹⁷ Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.^(AM)

¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger appeases contention.

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is overgrown with thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him], but the way of the righteous is plain and raised like a highway.

²⁰ A wise son makes a glad father, but a self-confident and foolish man despises his mother and puts her to shame.

²¹ Folly is pleasure to him who is without heart and sense, but a man of understanding walks uprightly [making straight his course].^(AN)

²² Where there is no counsel, purposes are frustrated, but with many counselors they are accomplished.

²³ A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

²⁴ The path of the wise leads upward to life, that he may avoid [the gloom] in the depths of Sheol (Hades, the place of the dead).^(AO)

²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but He makes secure the boundaries of the [consecrated] widow.

²⁶ The thoughts of the wicked are shamefully vile and exceedingly offensive to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasing words to Him.

²⁷ He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.^(AP)

²⁸ The mind of the [uncompromisingly] righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.^(AQ)

²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous (the upright, in right standing with Him).

³⁰ The light in the eyes [of him whose heart is joyful] rejoices the hearts of others, and good news nourishes the bones.

³¹ The ear that listens to the reproof [that leads to or gives] life will remain among the wise.

³² He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding.

³³ The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord brings instruction in Wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

16 The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue.

² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).^(AR)

³ Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

⁴ The Lord has made everything [to accommodate itself and contribute] to its own end and His own purpose—even the wicked [are fitted for their role] for the day of calamity and evil.

⁵ Everyone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured [I pledge it] they will not go unpunished.^(AS)

⁶ By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man—not by sacrificial offerings], iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.

⁷ When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation and right standing with God) than great revenues with injustice.^(AT)

⁹ A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.^(AU)

¹⁰ Divinely directed decisions are on the lips of the king; his mouth should not transgress in judgment.

¹¹ A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are His work [established on His eternal principles].

¹² It is an abomination [to God and men] for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established and made secure by righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

¹³ Right and just lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

¹⁴ The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

¹⁵ In the light of the king’s countenance is life, and his favor is as a cloud bringing the spring rain.

¹⁶ How much better it is to get skillful and godly Wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.^(AV)

¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the meek and poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ He who deals wisely and heeds [God’s] word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord—happy, blessed, and fortunate is he.

²¹ The wise in heart are called prudent, understanding, and knowing, and winsome speech increases learning [in both speaker and listener].

²² Understanding is a wellspring of life to those who have it, but to give instruction to fools is folly.

²³ The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

²⁶ The appetite of the laborer works for him, for [the need of] his mouth urges him on.

²⁷ A worthless man devises and digs up mischief, and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

²⁸ A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.^(AW)

²⁹ The exceedingly grasping, covetous, and violent man entices his neighbor, leading him in a way that is not good.

³⁰ He who shuts his eyes to devise perverse things and who compresses his lips [as if in concealment] brings evil to pass.

³¹ The hoary head is a crown of beauty and glory if it is found in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).^(AX)

³² He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord [even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him].

17 Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting [on offered sacrifices] with strife.

² A wise servant shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall share in the inheritance among the brothers.

³ The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tries the hearts.^(AY)

⁴ An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips; and a liar listens to a mischievous tongue.

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, and he who is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent or go unpunished.^(AZ)

⁶ Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers.^(BA)

⁷ Fine or arrogant speech does not befit [an empty-headed] fool—much less do lying lips befit a prince.

⁸ A bribe is like a bright, precious stone that dazzles the eyes and affects the mind of him who gives it; [as if by magic] he prospers, whichever way he turns.

⁹ He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.

¹⁰ A reproof enters deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred lashes into a [self-confident] fool.^(BB)

¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a stern and pitiless messenger shall be sent against him.

¹² Let [the brute ferocity of] a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a [self-confident] fool in his folly [when he is in a rage].^(BC)

¹³ Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.^(BD)

¹⁴ The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out.

¹⁵ He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both an abomination [exceedingly disgusting and hateful] to the Lord.^(BE)

¹⁶ Of what use is money in the hand of a [self-confident] fool to buy skillful and godly Wisdom—when he has no understanding or heart for it?

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.

¹⁸ A man void of good sense gives a pledge and becomes security for another in the presence of his neighbor.

¹⁹ He who loves strife and is quarrelsome loves transgression and involves himself in guilt; he who raises high his gateway and is boastful and arrogant invites destruction.

²⁰ He who has a wayward and crooked mind finds no good, and he who has a willful and contrary tongue will fall into calamity.^(BF)

²¹ He who becomes the parent of a [self-confident] fool does it to his sorrow, and the father of [an empty-headed] fool has no joy [in him].

²² A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.^(BG)

²³ A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom (pocket) to pervert the ways of justice.

²⁴ A man of understanding sets skillful and godly Wisdom before his face, but the eyes of a [self-confident] fool are on the ends of the earth.

²⁵ A self-confident and foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

²⁶ Also, to punish or fine the righteous is not good, nor to smite the noble for their uprightness.

²⁷ He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding has a cool spirit.^(BH)

²⁸ Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise; when he closes his lips he is esteemed a man of understanding.

18 He who willfully separates and estranges himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment.

² A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.

³ When the wicked comes in [to the depth of evil], he becomes a contemptuous despiser [of all that is pure and good], and with inner baseness comes outer shame and reproach.

⁴ The words of a [discreet and wise] man’s mouth are like deep waters [plenteous and difficult to fathom], and the fountain of skillful and godly Wisdom is like a gushing stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

⁵ To respect the person of the wicked and be partial to him, so as to deprive the [consistently] righteous of justice, is not good.

⁶ A [self-confident] fool’s lips bring contention, and his mouth invites a beating.

⁷ A [self-confident] fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.

⁸ The words of a whisperer or talebearer are as dainty morsels; they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

⁹ He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and ^[f]he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong.

¹¹ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high protecting wall in his own imagination and conceit.

¹² Haughtiness comes before disaster, but humility before honor.

¹³ He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.^(BI)

¹⁴ The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?

¹⁵ The mind of the prudent is ever getting knowledge, and the ear of the wise is ever seeking (inquiring for and craving) knowledge.

¹⁶ A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.^(BJ)

¹⁷ He who states his case first seems right, until his rival comes and cross-examines him.

¹⁸ To cast lots puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won over than a strong city, and [their] contentions separate them like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].^(BK)

²² He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.^(BL)

²³ The poor man uses entreaties, but the rich answers roughly.

²⁴ The man of many friends [a friend of all the world] will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his speech and is a [self-confident] fool.

² Desire without knowledge is not good, and to be overhasty is to sin and miss the mark.

³ The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord.

⁴ Wealth makes many friends, but the poor man is avoided by his neighbor.^(BM)

⁵ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who breathes out lies shall not escape.^(BN)

⁶ Many will entreat the favor of a liberal man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

⁷ All the brothers of a poor man detest him—how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

⁸ He who gains Wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding shall prosper and find good.

⁹ A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who breathes forth lies shall perish.

¹⁰ Luxury is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool—much less for a slave to rule over princes.

¹¹ Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.

¹² The king’s wrath is as terrifying as the roaring of a lion, but his favor is as [refreshing as] dew upon the grass.^(BO)

¹³ A self-confident and foolish son is the [multiplied] calamity of his father, and the contentions of a wife are like a continual dripping [of water through a chink in the roof].

¹⁴ House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but a wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord.^(BP)

¹⁵ Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep, and the idle person shall suffer hunger.

¹⁶ He who keeps the commandment [of the Lord] keeps his own life, but he who despises His ways shall die.^(BQ)

¹⁷ He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him.^(BR)

¹⁸ Discipline your son while there is hope, but do not [indulge your angry resentments by undue chastisements and] set yourself to his ruin.

¹⁹ A man of great wrath shall suffer the penalty; for if you deliver him [from the consequences], he will [feel free to] cause you to do it again.

²⁰ Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come.

²¹ Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.^(BS)

²² That which is desired in a man is loyalty and kindness [and his glory and delight are his giving], but a poor man is better than a liar.

²³ The reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with [actual] evil.^(BT)

²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will increase in knowledge.

²⁶ He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

²⁷ Cease, my son, to hear instruction only to ignore it and stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A worthless witness scoffs at justice, and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.

²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and stripes for the backs of [self-confident] fools.^(BU)

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise.^(BV)

² The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger or angers himself against him sins against his own life.

³ It is an honor for a man to cease from strife and keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel.

⁴ The sluggard does not plow when winter sets in; therefore he begs in harvest and has nothing.

⁵ Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding draws it out.^(BW)

⁶ Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a faithful man who can find?

⁷ The righteous man walks in his integrity; blessed (happy, fortunate, enviable) are his children after him.

⁸ A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows out all evil [like chaff] with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?^(BX)

¹⁰ Diverse weights [one for buying and another for selling] and diverse measures—both of them are exceedingly offensive and abhorrent to the Lord.^(BY)

¹¹ Even a child is known by his acts, whether [or not] what he does is pure and right.

¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye—the Lord has made both of them.

¹³ Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread.

¹⁴ It is worthless, it is worthless! says the buyer; but when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].

¹⁵ There is gold, and a multitude of pearls, but the lips of knowledge are a vase of preciousness [the most precious of all].^(BZ)

¹⁶ [The judge tells the creditor] Take the garment of one who is security for a stranger; and hold him in pledge when he is security for foreigners.

¹⁷ Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

¹⁸ Purposes and plans are established by counsel; and [only] with good advice make or carry on war.

¹⁹ He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore associate not with him who talks too freely.^(CA)

²⁰ Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in complete darkness.

²¹ An inheritance hastily gotten [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning, in the end it will not be blessed.^(CB)

²² Do not say, I will repay evil; wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue you.^(CC)

²³ Diverse and deceitful weights are shamefully vile and abhorrent to the Lord, and false scales are not good.

²⁴ Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?

²⁵ It is a snare to a man to utter a vow [of consecration] rashly and [not until] afterward inquire [whether he can fulfill it].

²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked [from among the good] and brings the threshing wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].

²⁷ The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.^(CD)

²⁸ Loving-kindness and mercy, truth and faithfulness, preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by [the people’s] loyalty.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is their gray head [suggesting wisdom and experience].

³⁰ Blows that wound cleanse away evil, and strokes [for correction] reach to the innermost parts.

21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.

² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.^(CE)

³ To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.^(CF)

⁴ Haughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp [of joy] to them [whatever it may be], are sin [in the eyes of God].

⁵ The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.

⁶ Securing treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro; those who seek them seek death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.

⁸ The way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his work is right and his conduct is straight.

⁹ It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.

¹⁰ The soul or life of the wicked craves and seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.^(CG)

¹¹ When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of [godly] Wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed.

¹² The [uncompromisingly] righteous man considers well the house of the wicked—how the wicked are cast down to ruin.

¹³ Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard.^(CH)

¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies and turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath.

¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, and ruin.

¹⁶ A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead).

¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked become a ransom for the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and the treacherous for the upright [because the wicked themselves fall into the traps and pits they have dug for the good].

¹⁹ It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.

²⁰ There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

²¹ He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor.^(CI)

²² A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

²³ He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles.^(CJ)

²⁴ The proud and haughty man—Scoffer is his name—deals and acts with overbearing pride.

²⁵ The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

²⁶ He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold.^(CK)

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent [to the Lord]—how much more when he brings it with evil intention?

²⁸ A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged.

²⁹ A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face [of guilt], but as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].

³⁰ There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.

³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.

22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

² The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.^(CL)

³ A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].

⁴ The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them.

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.^(CM)

⁷ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸ He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail.

⁹ He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.^(CN)

¹⁰ Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease.

¹¹ He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech—because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend.

¹² The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

¹³ The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!

¹⁴ The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it.

¹⁵ Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

¹⁶ He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich—both will surely come to want.

¹⁷ Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;

¹⁸ For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.

¹⁹ So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.

²⁰ Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

²¹ To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?^(CO)

²² Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held],^(CP)

²³ For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted].^(CQ)

²⁴ Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,

²⁵ Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare.

²⁶ Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another’s debts.

²⁷ If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?

²⁸ Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up.

²⁹ Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider who and what are before you;

² For you will put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to desire.

³ Be not desirous of his dainties, for it is deceitful food [offered with questionable motives].

⁴ Weary not yourself to be rich; cease from your own [human] wisdom.^(CR)

⁵ Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

⁶ Eat not the bread of him who has a hard, grudging, and envious eye, neither desire his dainty foods;

⁷ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. As one who reckons, he says to you, eat and drink, yet his heart is not with you [but is grudging the cost].

⁸ The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up, and your complimentary words will be wasted.

⁹ Speak not in the ears of a [self-confident] fool, for he will despise the [godly] Wisdom of your words.^(CS)

¹⁰ Remove not the ancient landmark and enter not into the fields of the fatherless,^(CT)

¹¹ For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.

¹² Apply your mind to instruction and correction and your ears to words of knowledge.

¹³ Withhold not discipline from the child; for if you strike and punish him with the [reedlike] rod, he will not die.

¹⁴ You shall whip him with the rod and deliver his life from Sheol (Hades, the place of the dead).

¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad, even mine;

¹⁶ Yes, my heart will rejoice when your lips speak right things.

¹⁷ Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long.

¹⁸ For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.

¹⁹ Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way [of the Lord].

²⁰ Do not associate with winebibbers; be not among them nor among gluttonous eaters of meat,^(CU)

²¹ For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

²² Hearken to your father, who begot you, and despise not your mother when she is old.

²³ Buy the truth and sell it not; not only that, but also get discernment and judgment, instruction and understanding.

²⁴ The father of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall greatly rejoice, and he who becomes the father of a wise child shall have joy in him.

²⁵ Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.

²⁶ My son, give me your heart and let your eyes observe and delight in my ways,

²⁷ For a harlot is a deep ditch, and a loose woman is a narrow pit.

²⁸ She also lies in wait as a robber or as one waits for prey, and she increases the treacherous among men.

²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness and dimness of eyes?

³⁰ Those who tarry long at the wine, those who go to seek and try mixed wine.^(CV)

³¹ Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the wineglass, when it goes down smoothly.

³² At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.

³³ [Under the influence of wine] your eyes will behold strange things [and loose women] and your mind will utter things turned the wrong way [untrue, incorrect, and petulant].

³⁴ Yes, you will be [as unsteady] as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, and [as open to disaster] as he who lies upon the top of a mast.

³⁵ You will say, They struck me, but I was not hurt! They beat me [as with a hammer], but I did not feel it! When shall I awake? I will crave and seek more wine again [and escape reality].

24 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them;

² For their minds plot oppression and devise violence, and their lips talk of causing trouble and vexation.

³ Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

⁴ And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

⁵ A wise man is strong and ^[g]is better than a strong man, and a man of knowledge increases and strengthens his power;^(CW)

⁶ For by wise counsel you can wage your war, and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.

⁷ Wisdom is too high for a ^[h]fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate [where the city’s rulers sit in judgment].

⁸ He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.

⁹ The plans of the foolish and the thought of foolishness are sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.

¹⁰ If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

¹¹ Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter to the slaughter, hold them back [from their doom].

¹² If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs and ponders the heart perceive and consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?

¹³ My son, eat honey, because it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

¹⁴ So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.

¹⁵ Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God); destroy not his resting-place;

¹⁶ For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.^(CX)

¹⁷ Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown,

¹⁸ Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].

¹⁹ Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked,

²⁰ For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

²¹ My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],

²² For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]?

²³ These also are sayings of the wise: To discriminate and show partiality, having respect of persons in judging, is not good.

²⁴ He who says to the wicked, You are righteous and innocent—peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him.

²⁵ But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them.

²⁶ He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer.

²⁷ [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.

²⁸ Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips.^(CY)

²⁹ Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed.^(CZ)

³⁰ I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

³¹ And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down.

³² Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction.

³³ Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—

³⁴ So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.

25 These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:^(DA)

² It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.^(DB)

³ As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up].^(DC)

⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

⁶ Be not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

⁷ For better it is that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whose eyes have seen you.^(DD)

⁸ Rush not forth soon to quarrel [before magistrates or elsewhere], lest you know not what to do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame.^(DE)

⁹ Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another’s secret,^(DF)

¹⁰ Lest he who hears you revile you and bring shame upon you and your ill repute have no end.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.^(DG)

¹² Like an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.

¹³ Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.

¹⁴ Whoever falsely boasts of gifts [he does not give] is like clouds and wind without rain.^(DH)

¹⁵ By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.^(DI)

¹⁶ Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest, being filled with it, you vomit it.

¹⁷ Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house, lest he become tired of you and hate you.

¹⁸ A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a heavy sledgehammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.

²⁰ He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda.^(DJ)

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;^(DK)

²² For in doing so, you will ^[i]heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain; so does a backbiting tongue bring forth an angry countenance.

²⁴ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman.^(DL)

²⁵ Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far [home] country.

²⁶ Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek glory, their own glory, causes suffering and is not glory.

²⁸ He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.^(DM)

26 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool.^(DN)

² Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight.^(DO)

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools.

⁴ Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.^(DP)

⁶ He who sends a message by the hand of a ^[j]fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage.^(DQ)

⁷ Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.

⁸ Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool.

⁹ Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool.

¹⁰ [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.

¹¹ As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.^(DR)

¹³ The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets!^(DS)

¹⁴ As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed.

¹⁵ The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.^(DT)