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]
17 I love those who love me,(H)
    and those who seek me find me.(I)
18 With me are riches and honor,(J)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.(K)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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

12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of Yahweh is hatred of evil,
    pride, and arrogance and an evil way.
    And I hate a mouth of perversity.
14 Advice and sound judgment[a] are mine;
    I am understanding, strength is mine.[b]
15 By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree righteousness.
16 By me rulers rule,
    and nobles—all judges of righteousness.
17 I love those who love me,[c]
    and those who seek me diligently shall find me.
18 Fortune and glory are with me,
    enduring wealth and righteousness.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:14 Literally “To/for me are advice and sound judgment”
  2. Proverbs 8:14 Literally “to/for me is strength”
  3. Proverbs 8:17 Literally “her lovers”

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(A)
    but he delights(B) in those whose ways are blameless.(C)

Read full chapter

20 An abomination of Yahweh are the crooked of heart,[a]
    but his delight are those with blameless ways.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:20 Literally “crooked ones of heart”; “heart” may also be translated “mind”
  2. Proverbs 11:20 Literally “blameless ones of ways”

Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(A)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(B)

Read full chapter

The good obtains favor from Yahweh,
    but anyone who schemes, he condemns.

Read full chapter

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(A)
    but he delights(B) in people who are trustworthy.(C)

Read full chapter

22 An abomination of Yahweh are lips of deceit,
    but they who act faithfully are his delight.

Read full chapter

31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(A)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(B)

Read full chapter

31 He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him,
    but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.

Read full chapter

The Lord detests the sacrifice(A) of the wicked,(B)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(C)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(D)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(E)

Read full chapter

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of Yahweh,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
An abomination of Yahweh is the way of the wicked,
    but he who pursues righteousness he will love.

Read full chapter

30 Blows and wounds scrub(A) away evil,
    and beatings(B) purge the inmost being.

Read full chapter

30 The blows of a wound will cleanse evil,
    as will[a] beatings of the innermost part.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 Hebrew “and”
  2. Proverbs 20:30 Literally “parts of the inmost”

To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

Read full chapter

Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable
    to Yahweh than sacrifice.

Read full chapter

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[a](A) and honor.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness

21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Read full chapter

Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor(A) and life.(B)

Read full chapter

The reward of humility is the fear of Yahweh—
    wealth and honor and life.

Read full chapter