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Wise Sayings of Solomon

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise child makes a glad father,
    but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.(A)
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
    but righteousness delivers from death.
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(B)
A slack hand causes poverty,
    but the hand of the diligent makes rich.(C)
A child who gathers in summer is prudent,
    but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.(D)
Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(E)
The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.(F)
The wise of heart will heed commandments,
    but one with foolish lips will come to ruin.(G)
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.(H)
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
    but one who rebukes boldly makes peace.[a](I)
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(J)
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
    but love covers all offenses.(K)
13 On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,
    but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.(L)
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress;
    the poverty of the poor is their ruin.(M)
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
    the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
    but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.
18 Lying lips conceal hatred,
    and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
    but the prudent are restrained in speech.(N)
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
    the mind of the wicked is of little worth.(O)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
    and toil adds nothing to it.(P)
23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool,
    but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.(Q)
24 What the wicked dread will come upon them,
    but the desire of the righteous will be granted.(R)
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more,
    but the righteous are established forever.(S)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so are the lazy to their employers.(T)
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    but the years of the wicked will be short.(U)
28 The hope of the righteous ends in gladness,
    but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright
    but destruction for evildoers.(V)
30 The righteous will never totter,
    but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(W)
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.(X)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
    but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

11 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    but an accurate weight is his delight.(Y)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but wisdom is with the humble.(Z)
The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.(AA)
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
    but righteousness delivers from death.(AB)
The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight,
    but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright saves them,
    but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.(AC)
When the wicked die, hope perishes,
    and the expectation of strength comes to nothing.(AD)
The righteous are delivered from trouble,
    and the wicked come into it instead.(AE)
With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.(AF)
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.(AG)
12 Whoever belittles another lacks sense,
    but an intelligent person remains silent.(AH)
13 A gossip goes about telling secrets,
    but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.(AI)
14 Where there is no guidance, a nation[b] falls,
    but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.(AJ)
15 To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble,
    but there is safety in refusing to do so.
16 A gracious woman gets honor,
    but she who hates virtue is covered with shame.[c]
The timid become destitute,[d]
    but the aggressive gain riches.(AK)
17 Those who are kind reward themselves,
    but the cruel do themselves harm.
18 The wicked earn no real gain,
    but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.(AL)
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,
    but whoever pursues evil will die.
20 Crooked minds are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of blameless ways are his delight.(AM)
21 Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will escape.(AN)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman without good sense.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 Some give freely yet grow all the richer;
    others withhold what is due and only suffer want.(AO)
25 A generous person will be enriched,
    and one who gives water will get water.(AP)
26 The people curse those who hold back grain,
    but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.(AQ)
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but evil comes to the one who searches for it.(AR)
28 Those who trust in their riches will wither,[e]
    but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.(AS)
29 Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and the wise capture souls.(AT)
31 If the righteous are repaid on earth,
    how much more the wicked and the sinner!(AU)

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.(AV)
The good obtain favor from the Lord,
    but those who devise evil he condemns.(AW)
No one finds security by wickedness,
    but the root of the righteous will never be moved.(AX)
A good wife is the crown of her husband,
    but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.(AY)
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
    but the speech of the upright delivers them.(AZ)
The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    but the house of the righteous will stand.(BA)
One is commended for good sense,
    but a perverse mind is despised.
Better to be despised and have produce[f]
    than to be self-important and lack food.
10 The righteous know the needs of their animals,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.(BB)
11 Those who till their land will have plenty of food,
    but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.(BC)
12 The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,[g]
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from trouble.(BD)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
    and manual labor has its reward.(BE)
15 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to advice.(BF)
16 Fools show their anger at once,
    but the prudent ignore an insult.(BG)
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness speaks deceitfully.(BH)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(BI)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.(BJ)
20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
    but those who counsel peace have joy.(BK)
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.(BL)
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.(BM)
23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
    but the mind of a fool[h] broadcasts folly.(BN)
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the lazy will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
    but a good word cheers it up.(BO)
26 The righteous are released from misfortune,[i]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy do not roast[j] their game,
    but the diligent obtain precious wealth.[k]
28 In the path of righteousness there is life;
    in walking its path there is no death.(BP)

13 A wise child loves discipline,[l]
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.(BQ)
From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.
Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
    those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(BR)
The appetite of the lazy craves and gets nothing,
    while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.(BS)
The righteous hate falsehood,
    but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully.
Righteousness guards one whose way is upright,
    but sin overthrows the wicked.(BT)
Some pretend to be rich yet have nothing;
    others pretend to be poor yet have great wealth.(BU)
Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life,
    but a poor person pays no attention to a rebuke.
The light of the righteous rejoices,[m]
    but the lamp of the wicked goes out.(BV)
10 By insolence the empty-headed person makes strife,
    but wisdom is with those who take advice.(BW)
11 Wealth hastily gotten[n] will dwindle,
    but those who gather little by little will increase it.(BX)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Those who despise a word bring destruction on themselves,
    but those who respect a command will be rewarded.(BY)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    so that one may avoid the snares of death.(BZ)
15 Good sense wins favor,
    but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[o](CA)
16 The clever do all things intelligently,
    but the fool displays folly.(CB)
17 A bad messenger brings trouble,
    but a faithful envoy, healing.(CC)
18 Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction,
    but one who heeds reproof is honored.(CD)
19 A desire realized is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools suffers harm.(CE)
21 Misfortune pursues sinners,
    but prosperity rewards the righteous.(CF)
22 The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children,
    but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.(CG)
23 The field of the poor may yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.(CH)
24 Those who spare the rod hate their children,
    but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.(CI)
25 The righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked is empty.(CJ)

14 The wise woman[p] builds her house,
    but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.
Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
    but one who is devious in conduct despises him.(CK)
The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[q]
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.(CL)
Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;
    abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
A faithful witness does not lie,
    but a false witness breathes out lies.(CM)
A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
    but knowledge is easy for one who understands.
Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not find words of knowledge.
It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.(CN)
Fools mock at the guilt offering,[r]
    but the upright enjoy God’s favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked is destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright flourishes.(CO)
12 There is a way that seems right to a person,
    but its end is the way to death.[s](CP)
13 Even in laughter the heart is sad,
    and the end of joy is grief.(CQ)
14 The perverse get what their ways deserve,
    and the good, what their deeds deserve.[t](CR)
15 The simple believe everything,
    but the clever consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
    but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(CS)
17 One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,
    and the schemer is hated.(CT)
18 The simple are adorned with[u] folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.(CU)
19 The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(CV)
20 The poor are disliked even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(CW)
21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
    but happy are those who are kind to the poor.(CX)
22 Do not those who plan evil err?
    Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but folly is the garland[v] of fools.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who utters lies is a betrayer.(CY)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and one’s children will have a refuge.(CZ)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    so that one may avoid the snares of death.(DA)
28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people;
    without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.(DB)
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
    but jealousy makes the bones rot.(DC)
31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
    but those who are kind to the needy honor him.(DD)
32 The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,
    but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.[w](DE)
33 Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
    but it is not[x] known in the heart of fools.(DF)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.(DG)
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.(DH)

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.(DI)
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(DJ)
The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.(DK)
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A fool despises a parent’s instruction,
    but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.(DL)
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the minds of fools.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(DM)
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(DN)
10 There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way;
    one who hates a rebuke will die.(DO)
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more human hearts!(DP)
12 Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;
    they will not go to the wise.(DQ)
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(DR)
14 The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the poor are hard,
    but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.(DS)
17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is
    than a fatted ox and hatred with it.(DT)
18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
    but those who are slow to anger calm contention.(DU)
19 The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a level highway.(DV)
20 A wise child makes a glad father,
    but the foolish despise their mothers.(DW)
21 Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,
    but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.(DX)
22 Without counsel, plans go wrong,
    but with many advisers they succeed.(DY)
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
    and a word in season, how good it is!(DZ)
24 For the wise the path of life leads upward,
    in order to avoid Sheol below.(EA)
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
    but maintains the widow’s boundaries.(EB)
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
    but gracious words are pure.(EC)
27 Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
    but those who hate bribes will live.(ED)
28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.(EE)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(EF)
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the body.
31 The ear that heeds wholesome admonition
    will lodge among the wise.
32 Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,
    but those who heed admonition gain understanding.(EG)
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility goes before honor.(EH)

16 The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.(EI)
Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.(EJ)
The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.(EK)
All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, they will not go unpunished.(EL)
By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.(EM)
When the ways of people please the Lord,
    he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.(EN)
Better is a little with righteousness
    than large income with injustice.
The human mind plans the way,
    but the Lord directs the steps.(EO)
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.(EP)
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.(EQ)
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves those who speak what is right.(ER)
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and whoever is wise will appease it.(ES)
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.(ET)
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.(EU)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their way preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.(EV)
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
    and happy are those who trust in the Lord.(EW)
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
    but folly is the punishment of fools.(EX)
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
    but in the end it is the way to death.(EY)
26 The appetite of workers works for them;
    their hunger urges them on.
27 Scoundrels concoct evil,
    and their speech is like a scorching fire.(EZ)
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.(FA)
29 The violent entice their neighbors
    and lead them in a way that is not good.(FB)
30 One who winks the eyes plans[y] perverse things;
    one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.(FC)
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.(FD)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
    but the decision is the Lord’s alone.

17 Better is a dry morsel with quiet
    than a house full of feasting with strife.(FE)
A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.(FF)
The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
    but the Lord tests the heart.(FG)
An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.
Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
    those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.(FH)
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their parents.(FI)
Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a ruler.[z]
A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;
    wherever they turn they prosper.(FJ)
One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,
    but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.(FK)
10 A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person
    than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 Evil people seek only rebellion,
    but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs
    than to confront a fool immersed in folly.(FL)
13 Evil will not depart from the house
    of one who returns evil for good.(FM)
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so stop before the quarrel breaks out.(FN)
15 One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.(FO)
16 Why should fools have a price in hand
    to buy wisdom when they have no mind to learn?
17 A friend loves at all times,
    and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.(FP)
18 It is senseless to give a pledge,
    to become surety for a neighbor.(FQ)
19 One who loves transgression loves strife;
    one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.(FR)
20 The crooked of mind do not prosper,
    and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.(FS)
21 The one who fathers a fool gets trouble;
    the parent of a fool has no joy.(FT)
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine,
    but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.(FU)
23 The wicked accept a concealed bribe
    to pervert the ways of justice.(FV)
24 The discerning person looks to wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.(FW)
25 Foolish children are a grief to their father
    and bitterness to her who bore them.(FX)
26 To impose a fine on the innocent is not right
    or to flog the noble for their integrity.(FY)
27 One who spares words is knowledgeable;
    one who is cool in spirit has understanding.(FZ)
28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
    when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.(GA)

18 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,
    showing contempt for all sound judgment.[aa]
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing personal opinion.(GB)
When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
    and with dishonor comes disgrace.
The words of the mouth are deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.(GC)
It is not right to be partial to the guilty
    or to subvert the innocent in judgment.(GD)
A fool’s lips bring strife,
    and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.
The mouths of fools are their ruin,
    and their lips a snare to themselves.(GE)
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.(GF)
One who is slack in work
    is close kin to a vandal.(GG)
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
    the righteous run into it and are safe.(GH)
11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city;
    in their imagination it is like a high wall.(GI)
12 Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,
    but humility goes before honor.(GJ)
13 If one gives answer before hearing,
    it is folly and shame.(GK)
14 The human spirit will endure sickness,
    but a broken spirit—who can bear?
15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A gift opens doors;
    it gives access to the great.(GL)
17 The one who first states a case seems right,
    until the other comes and cross-examines.
18 Casting the lot puts an end to disputes
    and decides between powerful contenders.(GM)
19 An ally offended is stronger than a city;[ab]
    such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;
    the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.(GN)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.(GO)
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
    and obtains favor from the Lord.(GP)
23 The poor use entreaties,
    but the rich answer roughly.(GQ)
24 Some[ac] friends play at friendship,[ad]
    but a true friend sticks closer than one’s sibling.(GR)

19 Better the poor walking in integrity
    than one perverse of speech who is a fool.(GS)
Desire without knowledge is not good,
    and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.
One’s own folly leads to ruin,
    yet the heart rages against the Lord.(GT)
Wealth brings many friends,
    but the poor are left friendless.(GU)
A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and a liar will not escape.(GV)
Many seek the favor of the generous,
    and everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.(GW)
If the poor are hated even by their kin,
    how much more are they shunned by their friends!
When they call after them, they are not there.[ae](GX)
To get wisdom is to love oneself;
    to keep understanding is to prosper.(GY)
A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and the liar will perish.
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,
    much less for a slave to rule over princes.(GZ)
11 Those with good sense are slow to anger,
    and it is their glory to overlook an offense.(HA)
12 A king’s anger is like the growling of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.(HB)
13 A stupid child is ruin to a father,
    and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.(HC)
14 House and wealth are inherited from parents,
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(HD)
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep;
    an idle person will suffer hunger.(HE)
16 Those who keep the commandment will live;
    those who are heedless of their ways will die.(HF)
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord
    and will be repaid in full.(HG)
18 Discipline your children while there is hope;
    do not set your heart on their destruction.(HH)
19 A violent-tempered person will pay the penalty;
    if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again.[af]
20 Listen to advice and accept instruction,
    that you may gain wisdom for the future.(HI)
21 The human mind may devise many plans,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.(HJ)
22 What is desirable in a person is loyalty,
    and it is better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord is life indeed;
    filled with it one rests secure
    and suffers no harm.(HK)
24 The lazy person buries a hand in the dish
    and will not even bring it back to the mouth.(HL)
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
    reprove the intelligent, and they will gain knowledge.(HM)
26 Those who do violence to their father and chase away their mother
    are children who cause shame and bring reproach.
27 My child, stop ignoring instruction,
    straying[ag] from words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
    and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.(HN)
29 Punishments are prepared for scoffers
    and flogging for the backs of fools.(HO)

20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
    and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.(HP)
The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
    anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.(HQ)
It is honorable to refrain from strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.(HR)
The lazy person does not plow in season;
    harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.(HS)
The purposes in the human mind are like deep water,
    but the intelligent will draw them out.(HT)
Many proclaim themselves loyal,
    but who can find one worthy of trust?(HU)
The righteous walk in integrity—
    happy are the children who follow them!(HV)
A king who sits on the throne of judgment
    winnows all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, “I have made my heart clean;
    I am pure from my sin”?(HW)
10 Diverse weights and diverse measures
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.(HX)
11 Even children make themselves known by their acts,
    by whether what they do is pure and right.(HY)
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
    the Lord has made them both.(HZ)
13 Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty;
    open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.(IA)
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
    then goes away and boasts.
15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones,
    but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger;
    seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.
17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet,
    but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel.(IB)
18 Plans are established by taking advice;
    wage war by following wise guidance.(IC)
19 A gossip reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with a babbler.(ID)
20 If you curse father or mother,
    your lamp will go out in utter darkness.(IE)
21 An estate quickly acquired in the beginning
    will not be blessed in the end.(IF)
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
    wait for the Lord, and he will help you.(IG)
23 Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,
    and false scales are not good.
24 All our steps are ordered by the Lord;
    how then can we understand our own ways?(IH)
25 It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,”
    and begin to reflect only after making a vow.(II)
26 A wise king winnows the wicked
    and drives the wheel over them.
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord,
    searching every inmost part.(IJ)
28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
    and his throne is upheld by righteousness.[ah](IK)
29 The glory of youths is their strength,
    but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.(IL)
30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    beatings make clean the innermost parts.

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.
All deeds are right in the sight of the doer,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.(IM)
To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(IN)
Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
    the lamp of the wicked—are sin.(IO)
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
    but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.(IP)
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a snare[ai] of death.(IQ)
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away
    because they refuse to do what is just.(IR)
The way of the guilty is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is right.
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a contentious wife.(IS)
10 The souls of the wicked desire evil;
    their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.(IT)
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser;
    when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.(IU)
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
    he casts the wicked down to ruin.(IV)
13 If you close your ear to the cry of the poor,
    you will cry out and not be heard.(IW)
14 A gift in secret averts anger,
    and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.(IX)
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    but dismay to evildoers.
16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding
    will rest in the assembly of the dead.(IY)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want;
    whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous
    and the faithless for the upright.(IZ)
19 It is better to live in a desert land
    than with a contentious and fretful wife.
20 Precious treasure remains[aj] in the house of the wise,
    but the fool devours it.(JA)
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life[ak] and honor.(JB)
22 One wise person went up against a city of warriors
    and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.(JC)
23 To watch over mouth and tongue
    is to keep out of trouble.(JD)
24 The proud, haughty person, named Scoffer,
    acts with arrogant pride.(JE)
25 The craving of the lazy person is fatal,
    for lazy hands refuse to labor.(JF)
26 All day long the wicked covet,[al]
    but the righteous give and do not hold back.(JG)
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when brought with evil intent.(JH)
28 A false witness will perish,
    but a good listener will testify successfully.
29 The wicked put on a bold face,
    but the upright give thought to[am] their ways.(JI)
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.(JJ)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but the victory belongs to the Lord.(JK)

22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
    and favor is better than silver or gold.(JL)
The rich and the poor have this in common:
    the Lord is the maker of them all.
The clever see danger and hide,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
    is riches and honor and life.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
    the cautious will keep far from them.(JM)
Train children in the right way,
    and when old, they will not stray.(JN)
The rich rule over the poor,
    and the borrower is the slave of the lender.(JO)
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
    and the rod of anger will fail.(JP)
Those who are generous are blessed,
    for they share their bread with the poor.(JQ)
10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife goes out;
    quarreling and abuse will cease.(JR)
11 Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech
    will have the king as a friend.(JS)
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he overthrows the words of the faithless.(JT)
13 The lazy person says, “There is a lion outside!
    I shall be killed in the streets!”(JU)
14 The mouth of a loose woman[an] is a deep pit;
    he with whom the Lord is angry falls into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline drives it far away.(JV)
16 Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself,
    and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss.

Footnotes

  1. 10.10 Gk: Heb but one with foolish lips will come to ruin
  2. 11.14 Or an army
  3. 11.16 Compare Gk Syr: Heb lacks but she . . . shame
  4. 11.16 Gk: Heb lacks The timid . . . destitute
  5. 11.28 Cn: Heb fall
  6. 12.9 Cn: Heb servant
  7. 12.12 Or covet the catch of the wicked
  8. 12.23 Heb the heart of fools
  9. 12.26 Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  10. 12.27 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  11. 12.27 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  12. 13.1 Cn: Heb A wise child the discipline of his father
  13. 13.9 Or shines
  14. 13.11 Gk Vg: Heb from vanity
  15. 13.15 Cn Compare Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb is enduring
  16. 14.1 Heb Wisdom of women
  17. 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride
  18. 14.9 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  19. 14.12 Heb ways of death
  20. 14.14 Cn: Heb from upon him
  21. 14.18 Or inherit
  22. 14.24 Cn: Heb is the folly
  23. 14.32 Gk Syr: Heb in their death
  24. 14.33 Gk Syr: Heb lacks not
  25. 16.30 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan
  26. 17.7 Or a noble
  27. 18.1 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  28. 18.19 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  29. 18.24 Syr Tg: Heb A man of
  30. 18.24 Cn Compare Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  31. 19.7 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  32. 19.19 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  33. 19.27 Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  34. 20.28 Gk: Heb loyalty
  35. 21.6 Gk: Heb seekers
  36. 21.20 Gk: Heb and oil
  37. 21.21 Gk: Heb life and righteousness
  38. 21.26 Gk: Heb all day long one covets covetously
  39. 21.29 Or establish
  40. 22.14 Heb strange woman

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)

A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,(D)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(E)

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,(F)
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(G)

Lazy hands make for poverty,(H)
    but diligent hands bring wealth.(I)

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(J)

Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a](K)

The name of the righteous(L) is used in blessings,[b]
    but the name of the wicked(M) will rot.(N)

The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(O)

Whoever walks in integrity(P) walks securely,(Q)
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(R)

10 Whoever winks maliciously(S) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(T)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(U)

12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.(V)

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(W)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(X)

14 The wise store up knowledge,(Y)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(Z)

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,(AA)
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.(AB)

16 The wages of the righteous is life,(AC)
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.(AD)

17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,(AE)
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(AF)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.(AG)

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.(AH)

22 The blessing of the Lord(AI) brings wealth,(AJ)
    without painful toil for it.(AK)

23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(AL)
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dread(AM) will overtake them;(AN)
    what the righteous desire will be granted.(AO)

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm(AP) forever.(AQ)

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke(AR) to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.(AS)

27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(AT)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(AU)

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(AV)

29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.(AW)

30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
    but the wicked will not remain in the land.(AX)

31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,(AY)
    but a perverse tongue(AZ) will be silenced.

32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,(BA)
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.(BB)

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(BC)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(BD)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(BE)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(BF)

The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(BG)

Wealth(BH) is worthless in the day of wrath,(BI)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(BJ)

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

The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(BM)

Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(BN)
    all the promise of[c] their power comes to nothing.(BO)

The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(BP)

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(BQ)

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(BR)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(BS)

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(BT)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(BU)

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(BV)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(BW)

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(BX)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(BY)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(BZ)
    but victory is won through many advisers.(CA)

15 Whoever puts up security(CB) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(CC)

16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(CD)
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(CE)

19 Truly the righteous attain life,(CF)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.(CG)

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(CH)
    but he delights(CI) in those whose ways are blameless.(CJ)

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.(CK)

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

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

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous(CL) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.(CM)

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.(CN)

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(CO)
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(CP)

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.(CQ)

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(CR)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due(CS) on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.(CT)

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

No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(CW)

A wife of noble character(CX) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(CY)

The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(CZ)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(DA)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(DB)

A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped(DC) mind is despised.

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(DD)
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(DE)

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(DF)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(DG)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(DH)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(DI)

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(DJ)
    but the wise listen to advice.(DK)

16 Fools(DL) show their annoyance at once,(DM)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(DN)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(DO)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(DP)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(DQ)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.(DR)

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(DS)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(DT)
    but he delights(DU) in people who are trustworthy.(DV)

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(DW)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(DX)

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

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(DZ)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(EA)

27 The lazy do not roast[d] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(EB)
    along that path is immortality.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(EC)

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

Those who guard their lips(EE) preserve their lives,(EF)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(EG)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(EH)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(EI)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(EJ)

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(EK)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(EL)

A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(EM)

The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(EN)

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(EO)

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(EP)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(EQ)

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(ER)
    but whoever respects(ES) a command is rewarded.(ET)

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(EU)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(EV)

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[e]

16 All who are prudent act with[f] knowledge,
    but fools expose(EW) their folly.(EX)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(EY)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(EZ)

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(FA)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.(FB)

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(FC)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(FD)

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,(FE)
    but the righteous(FF) are rewarded with good things.(FG)

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(FH)

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod(FI) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(FJ) them.(FK)

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(FL)

14 The wise woman builds her house,(FM)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(FN)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(FO)

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox(FP) come abundant harvests.

An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(FQ)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(FR)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(FS)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(FT)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(FU)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(FV)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(FW)
    but in the end it leads to death.(FX)

13 Even in laughter(FY) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(FZ)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(GA)

15 The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.(GB)

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(GC)
    but a fool(GD) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(GE) does foolish things,(GF)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(GG)

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

19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(GH)

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.(GI)

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(GJ)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(GK)

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(GL)
    But those who plan what is good find[g] love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(GM)

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.(GN)

26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(GO)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.(GP)

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,(GQ)
    turning a person from the snares of death.(GR)

28 A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.(GS)

29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(GT)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(GU)

30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(GV)

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

32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(GY)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(GZ)

33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(HA)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[h]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(HB)
    but sin condemns any people.

35 A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(HC)

15 A gentle answer(HD) turns away wrath,(HE)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(HF)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(HG)

The eyes(HH) of the Lord are everywhere,(HI)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.(HJ)

The soothing tongue(HK) is a tree of life,(HL)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(HM)

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(HN)

The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(HO)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(HP)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(HQ)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

The Lord detests the sacrifice(HR) of the wicked,(HS)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(HT)

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

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.(HW)

11 Death and Destruction[i] lie open before the Lord(HX)
    how much more do human hearts!(HY)

12 Mockers resent correction,(HZ)
    so they avoid the wise.

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(IA)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(IB)

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(IC)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(ID)

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(IE)

17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.(IF)

18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(IG)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(IH)

19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(II)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(IJ)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(IK)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(IL)
    but with many advisers(IM) they succeed.(IN)

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(IO)
    and how good is a timely word!(IP)

24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(IQ)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(IR)

26 The Lord detests the thoughts(IS) of the wicked,(IT)
    but gracious words are pure(IU) in his sight.

27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.(IV)

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(IW)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(IX)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(IY)

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(IZ)

31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.(JA)

32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(JB)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(JC)

33 Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,(JD)
    and humility comes before honor.(JE)

16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(JF)

All a person’s ways seem pure to them,(JG)
    but motives are weighed(JH) by the Lord.(JI)

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

The Lord works out everything to its proper end(JK)
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.(JL)

The Lord detests all the proud of heart.(JM)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.(JN)

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(JO) evil is avoided.(JP)

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
    he causes their enemies to make peace(JQ) with them.(JR)

Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain(JS) with injustice.(JT)

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

10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
    and his mouth does not betray justice.(JV)

11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.(JW)

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

13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
    they value the one who speaks what is right.(JY)

14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,(JZ)
    but the wise will appease it.(KA)

15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life;(KB)
    his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.(KC)

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight(KD) rather than silver!(KE)

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(KF)

18 Pride(KG) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit(KH) before a fall.(KI)

19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[j](KJ)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(KK)

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[k](KL)

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(KM)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(KN)
    and their lips promote instruction.[l](KO)

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(KP)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(KQ)

25 There is a way that appears to be right,(KR)
    but in the end it leads to death.(KS)

26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

27 A scoundrel(KT) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(KU)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(KV)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(KW)

29 A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.(KX)

30 Whoever winks(KY) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(KZ)
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast(LA) into the lap,
    but its every decision(LB) is from the Lord.(LC)

17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
    than a house full of feasting, with strife.(LD)

A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(LE)
    but the Lord tests the heart.(LF)

A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
    a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

Whoever mocks the poor(LG) shows contempt for their Maker;(LH)
    whoever gloats over disaster(LI) will not go unpunished.(LJ)

Children’s children(LK) are a crown to the aged,
    and parents are the pride of their children.

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(LL)

A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
    they think success will come at every turn.(LM)

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(LN)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(LO)

10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
    more than a hundred lashes a fool.

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

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
    than a fool bent on folly.(LP)

13 Evil will never leave the house
    of one who pays back evil(LQ) for good.(LR)

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(LS)

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent(LT)
    the Lord detests them both.(LU)

16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
    when they are not able to understand it?(LV)

17 A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(LW)

18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
    and puts up security for a neighbor.(LX)

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.

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(LY)

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(LZ) spirit dries up the bones.(MA)

23 The wicked accept bribes(MB) in secret
    to pervert the course of justice.(MC)

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

25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
    and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(ME)

26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,(MF)
    surely to flog honest officials is not right.

27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(MG)
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(MH)

28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.(MI)

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.(MJ)

When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
    and with shame comes reproach.

The words of the mouth are deep waters,(MK)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked(ML)
    and so deprive the innocent of justice.(MM)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
  2. Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.
  3. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
  4. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  5. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  6. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
  7. Proverbs 14:22 Or show
  8. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
  9. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
  10. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
  11. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  12. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive