Add parallel Print Page Options

He lays up sound wisdom for the upright.
    He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Read full chapter

He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield(A) to those whose walk is blameless,(B)

Read full chapter

Go to the ant, you sluggard.
    Consider her ways, and be wise;
which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
    provides her bread in the summer,
    and gathers her food in the harvest.

Read full chapter

Go to the ant, you sluggard;(A)
    consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer(B)
    and gathers its food at harvest.(C)

Read full chapter

12 “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling.
    Find out knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
    I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine.
    I have understanding and power.
15 By me kings reign,
    and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule,
    nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

Read full chapter

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 To fear the Lord(B) is to hate evil;(C)
    I hate(D) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.(E)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(F) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(G)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way,
    but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Read full chapter

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(A)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(B)

Read full chapter

23 The desire of the righteous is only good.
    The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Read full chapter

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

Read full chapter

24 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
    but laziness ends in slave labor.

Read full chapter

24 Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.(A)

Read full chapter

By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things,
    but the unfaithful crave violence.

Read full chapter

From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(A)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Read full chapter

13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it,
    but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

Read full chapter

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(A)
    but whoever respects(B) a command is rewarded.(C)

Read full chapter

22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail;
    but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

Read full chapter

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(A)
    but with many advisers(B) they succeed.(C)

Read full chapter

Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
    and your plans shall succeed.

Read full chapter

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.(A)

Read full chapter

A man’s heart plans his course,
    but Yahweh directs his steps.

Read full chapter

In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.(A)

Read full chapter

12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.

Read full chapter

12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.(A)

Read full chapter