Add parallel Print Page Options

11 Evil people are eager for rebellion,
    but they will be severely punished.

Read full chapter

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
    the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Read full chapter

19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
    anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

20 The crooked heart will not prosper;
    the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

Read full chapter

19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

Read full chapter

24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Read full chapter

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

Read full chapter

18 Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
    they lash out at common sense.

Fools have no interest in understanding;
    they only want to air their own opinions.

Read full chapter

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

Read full chapter

14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”
    then brags about getting a bargain!

Read full chapter

14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

Read full chapter

29 The wicked bluff their way through,
    but the virtuous think before they act.

Read full chapter

29 The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.(A)

Read full chapter

10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
    Quarrels and insults will disappear.

Read full chapter

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(A)

Read full chapter

Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
    and their reign of terror will come to an end.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 22:8 The Greek version includes an additional proverb: God blesses a man who gives cheerfully, / but his worthless deeds will come to an end. Compare 2 Cor 9:7.

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,(A)
    and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.(B)

Read full chapter

26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
    or put up security for someone else.

Read full chapter

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge(A)
    or puts up security for debts;

Read full chapter

23 While dining with a ruler,
    pay attention to what is put before you.
If you are a big eater,
    put a knife to your throat;
don’t desire all the delicacies,
    for he might be trying to trick you.

Read full chapter

Saying 7

23 When you sit to dine with a ruler,
    note well what[a] is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies,(A)
    for that food is deceptive.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:1 Or who

Don’t eat with people who are stingy;
    don’t desire their delicacies.
They are always thinking about how much it costs.[a]
    “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.
You will throw up what little you’ve eaten,
    and your compliments will be wasted.

Don’t waste your breath on fools,
    for they will despise the wisest advice.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 23:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

Saying 9

Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
    do not crave his delicacies;(A)
for he is the kind of person
    who is always thinking about the cost.[a]
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
You will vomit up the little you have eaten
    and will have wasted your compliments.

Saying 10

Do not speak to fools,
    for they will scorn your prudent words.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:7 Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is

Trusting a fool to convey a message
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!

Read full chapter

Sending a message by the hands of a fool(A)
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

Read full chapter