Proverbs 1-17
Christian Standard Bible
The Purpose of Proverbs
1 The proverbs of Solomon(A) son of David, king of Israel:
2 For learning wisdom and discipline;
for understanding insightful sayings;
3 for receiving prudent instruction
in righteousness, justice, and integrity;(B)
4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,[a](C)
knowledge and discretion(D) to a young man—
5 let a wise person listen and increase learning,(E)
and let a discerning person obtain guidance—
6 for understanding a proverb or a parable,[b]
the words of the wise, and their riddles.(F)
Avoid the Path of the Violent
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,
and don’t reject your mother’s teaching,(I)
9 for they will be a garland(J) of favor on your head
and pendants[c] around your neck.(K)
10 My son, if sinners entice you,(L)
don’t be persuaded.(M)
11 If they say—“Come with us!
Let’s set an ambush(N) and kill someone.[d]
Let’s attack some innocent person(O) just for fun![e]
12 Let’s swallow them alive,(P) like Sheol,
whole, like those who go down to the Pit.(Q)
13 We’ll find all kinds of valuable property
and fill our houses with plunder.(R)
14 Throw in your lot with us,
and we’ll all share the loot”[f]—
15 my son, don’t travel that road with them(S)
or set foot on their path,(T)
16 because their feet run toward evil
and they hurry to shed blood.(U)
17 It is useless to spread a net
where any bird can see it,
18 but they set an ambush to kill themselves;[g]
they attack their own lives.
19 Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly;(V)
it takes the lives of those who receive it.[h]
Wisdom’s Plea
20 Wisdom calls out in the street;
she makes her voice heard in the public squares.(W)
21 She cries out above[i] the commotion;
she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
22 “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance?
How long will you mockers(X) enjoy mocking
and you fools hate knowledge?(Y)
23 If you respond to my warning,[j](Z)
then I will pour out my spirit on you(AA)
and teach you my words.
24 Since I called out and you refused,(AB)
extended my hand and no one paid attention,(AC)
25 since you neglected all my counsel(AD)
and did not accept my correction,
26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.(AE)
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when trouble and stress overcome you.
28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;
they will search for me, but won’t find me.(AF)
29 Because they hated knowledge,
didn’t choose to fear the Lord,(AG)
30 were not interested in my counsel,
and rejected all my correction,(AH)
31 they will eat the fruit of their way(AI)
and be glutted with their own schemes.(AJ)
32 For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them,(AK)
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever listens to me will live securely
and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.”(AL)
Wisdom’s Worth
2 My son, if you accept my words(AM)
and store up my commands within you,
2 listening closely[k] to wisdom
and directing your heart to understanding;
3 furthermore, if you call out to insight
and lift your voice to understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,(AN)
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(AO)
7 He stores up success[l] for the upright;
He is a shield for those who live with integrity(AP)
8 so that he may guard the paths of justice
and protect the way of his faithful followers.(AQ)
9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice,
and integrity—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will delight you.
11 Discretion will watch over you,
and understanding will guard you.(AR)
12 It will rescue you from the way of evil—
from anyone who says perverse things,
13 from those who abandon the right paths
to walk in ways of darkness,(AS)
14 from those who enjoy doing evil(AT)
and celebrate perversion,
15 whose paths are crooked,(AU)
and whose ways are devious.(AV)
16 It will rescue you from a forbidden woman,(AW)
from a wayward woman with her flattering talk,(AX)
17 who abandons the companion of her youth(AY)
and forgets the covenant of her God;
18 for her house sinks down to death
and her ways to the land of the departed spirits.(AZ)
19 None return who go to her;
none reach the paths of life.(BA)
20 So follow the way of the good,(BB)
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will inhabit the land,
and those of integrity will remain in it;(BC)
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,(BD)
and the treacherous ripped out of it.(BE)
Trust the Lord
3 My son, don’t forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands;(BF)
2 for they will bring you
many days, a full life,[m](BG) and well-being.(BH)
3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(BI)
4 Then you will find favor and high regard
with God and people.(BJ)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,(BK)
and do not rely on your own understanding;(BL)
6 in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.(BM)
7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes;(BN)
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(BO)
8 This will be healing for your body[n](BP)
and strengthening for your bones.(BQ)
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions
and with the first produce of your entire harvest;(BR)
10 then your barns will be completely filled,
and your vats will overflow with new wine.(BS)
11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe his discipline;(BT)
12 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.(BU)
Wisdom Brings Happiness
13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(BV)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(BW)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(BX)
nothing you desire can equal her.(BY)
16 Long life[o] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(BZ)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(CA)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(CB) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.
19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom(CC)
and established the heavens by understanding.
20 By his knowledge the watery depths broke open,(CD)
and the clouds dripped with dew.(CE)
21 Maintain sound wisdom and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them.(CF)
22 They will be life for you[p](CG)
and adornment[q] for your neck.
23 Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble.(CH)
24 When you lie[r] down, you will not be afraid;(CI)
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,(CJ)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence[s]
and will keep your foot from a snare.(CK)
Treat Others Fairly
27 When it is in your power,[t]
don’t withhold good(CL) from the one to whom it belongs.
28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.
I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.(CM)
29 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor,(CN)
for he trusts you and lives near you.
30 Don’t accuse anyone without cause,(CO)
when he has done you no harm.
31 Don’t envy a violent man(CP)
or choose any of his ways;
32 for the devious are detestable to the Lord,
but he is a friend[u] to the upright.(CQ)
33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,(CR)
but he blesses the home of the righteous;
34 He mocks those who mock
but gives grace to the humble.(CS)
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but he holds up fools to dishonor.[v]
A Father’s Example
4 Listen, sons, to a father’s discipline,(CT)
and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,
2 for I am giving you good instruction.(CU)
Don’t abandon my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender and precious to my mother,
4 he taught me and said,
“Your heart must hold on to my words.
Keep my commands and live.(CV)
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;(CW)
don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth.
6 Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her,(CX) and she will guard you.
7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding.(CY)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you.(CZ)
9 She will place a garland of favor on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty.”(DA)
Two Ways of Life
10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(DB)
and you will live many years.(DC)
11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths.(DD)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;(DE)
when you run, you will not stumble.(DF)
13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go.(DG)
Guard it, for it is your life.
14 Keep off the path of the wicked;(DH)
don’t proceed on the way of evil ones.
15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it.
Turn away from it, and pass it by.
16 For they can’t sleep
unless they have done what is evil;
they are robbed of sleep
unless they make someone stumble.(DI)
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,(DJ)
shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom;(DK)
they don’t know what makes them stumble.(DL)
The Straight Path
20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.(DM)
21 Don’t lose sight of them;(DN)
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else,[w]
for it is the source of life.(DO)
24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,(DP)
and don’t let your lips talk deviously.
25 Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze[x] straight ahead.(DQ)
26 Carefully consider the path[y] for your feet,(DR)
and all your ways will be established.
27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left;(DS)
keep your feet away from evil.
Avoid Seduction
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
listen closely[z] to my understanding(DT)
2 so that you may maintain discretion
and your lips safeguard knowledge.(DU)
3 Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey
and her words are[aa] smoother than oil,
4 in the end she’s as bitter as wormwood(DV)
and as sharp as a double-edged sword.(DW)
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps head straight for Sheol.(DX)
6 She doesn’t consider the path of life;
she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable.
7 So now, sons, listen to me,
and don’t turn away from the words from my mouth.(DY)
8 Keep your way far from her.
Don’t go near the door of her house.(DZ)
9 Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others
and your years to someone cruel;
10 strangers will drain your resources,
and your hard-earned pay will end up in a foreigner’s house.
11 At the end of your life, you will lament
when your physical body has been consumed,
12 and you will say, “How I hated discipline,
and how my heart despised correction.(EA)
13 I didn’t obey my teachers
or listen closely[ab] to my instructors.
14 I am on the verge of complete ruin
before the entire community.”
Enjoy Marriage
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
water flowing from your own well.(EB)
16 Should your springs flow in the streets,
streams in the public squares?(EC)
17 They should be for you alone
and not for you to share with strangers.
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
and take pleasure in the wife of your youth.(ED)
19 A loving deer, a graceful doe[ac]—
let her breasts always satisfy you;(EE)
be lost in her love forever.
20 Why, my son, would you lose yourself
with a forbidden woman
or embrace a wayward woman?(EF)
21 For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes,(EG)
and he considers all his paths.(EH)
22 A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him;(EI)
he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin.(EJ)
23 He will die because there is no discipline,(EK)
and be lost because of his great stupidity.
Financial Entanglements
6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor[ad]
or entered into an agreement with[ae] a stranger,(EL)
2 you have been snared by the words of your mouth—
trapped by the words from your mouth.
3 Do this, then, my son, and free yourself,
for you have put yourself in your neighbor’s power:
Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor.
4 Don’t give sleep to your eyes
or slumber to your eyelids.(EM)
5 Escape like a gazelle from a hunter,[af]
like a bird from a hunter’s trap.[ag](EN)
Laziness
6 Go to the ant,(EO) you slacker!(EP)
Observe its ways and become wise.
7 Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
8 it prepares its provisions in summer;
it gathers its food during harvest.(EQ)
9 How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
11 and your poverty will come like a robber,
your need, like a bandit.(ER)
The Malicious Man
12 A worthless person,(ES) a wicked man
goes around speaking dishonestly,(ET)
13 winking(EU) his eyes, signaling with his feet,
and gesturing with his fingers.
14 He always plots evil(EV) with perversity in his heart;
he stirs up trouble.(EW)
15 Therefore calamity will strike him suddenly;
he will be shattered instantly, beyond recovery.(EX)
What the Lord Hates
16 The Lord hates six things;
in fact, seven are detestable to him:
17 arrogant eyes,(EY) a lying tongue,(EZ)
hands that shed innocent blood,(FA)
18 a heart that plots wicked schemes,(FB)
feet eager to run to evil,(FC)
19 a lying witness who gives false testimony,(FD)
and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.(FE)
Warning against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father’s command,
and don’t reject your mother’s teaching.(FF)
21 Always bind them to your heart;
tie them around your neck.(FG)
22 When you walk here and there, they will guide you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
when you wake up, they will talk to you.
23 For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light,(FH)
and corrective discipline is the way to life.(FI)
24 They will protect you from an evil woman,[ah]
from the flattering tongue of a wayward woman.(FJ)
25 Don’t lust in your heart for her beauty(FK)
or let her captivate you with her eyelashes.(FL)
26 For a prostitute’s fee is only a loaf of bread,[ai]
but the wife of another man[aj] goes after a precious life.(FM)
27 Can a man embrace fire
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can a man walk on burning coals
without scorching his feet?
29 So it is with the one who sleeps with
another man’s wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished.(FN)
30 People don’t despise the thief if he steals
to satisfy himself when he is hungry.(FO)
31 Still, if caught, he must pay seven times as much;(FP)
he must give up all the wealth in his house.
32 The one who commits adultery[ak] lacks sense;
whoever does so destroys himself.(FQ)
33 He will get a beating[al] and dishonor,
and his disgrace will never be removed.
34 For jealousy enrages a husband,(FR)
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not be appeased by anything
or be persuaded by lavish bribes.
7 My son, obey my words,
and treasure my commands.(FS)
2 Keep my commands and live,(FT)
and guard my instructions
as you would the pupil of your eye.(FU)
3 Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(FV)
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”(FW)
and call understanding your relative.
5 She will keep you from a forbidden woman,
a wayward woman with her flattering talk.(FX)
A Story of Seduction
6 At the window of my house
I looked through my lattice.(FY)
7 I saw among the inexperienced,[am]
I noticed among the youths,
a young man lacking sense.
8 Crossing the street near her corner,
he strolled down the road to her house
9 at twilight, in the evening,
in the dark of the night.(FZ)
10 A woman came to meet him
dressed like a prostitute,(GA)
having a hidden agenda.[an]
11 She is loud and defiant;(GB)
her feet do not stay at home.(GC)
12 Now in the street, now in the squares,(GD)
she lurks at every corner.(GE)
13 She grabs him and kisses him;
she brazenly says[ao] to him,
14 “I’ve made fellowship offerings;
today I’ve fulfilled my vows.(GF)
15 So I came out to meet you,
to search for you, and I’ve found you.
16 I’ve spread coverings on my bed(GG)—
richly colored linen from Egypt.(GH)
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.(GI)
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning.(GJ)
Let’s feast on each other’s love!
19 My husband isn’t home;
he went on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of silver with him
and will come home at the time of the full moon.”
21 She seduces him with her persistent pleading;
she lures with her flattering talk.
22 He follows her impulsively
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer bounding toward a trap[ap]
23 until an arrow pierces its[aq] liver,(GK)
like a bird darting into a snare(GL)—
he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.
24 Now, sons, listen to me,
and pay attention to the words from my mouth.
25 Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways;
don’t stray onto her paths.(GM)
26 For she has brought many down to death;
her victims are countless.[ar]
27 Her house is the road to Sheol,
descending to the chambers of death.(GN)
Wisdom’s Appeal
8 Doesn’t wisdom(GO) call out?
Doesn’t understanding make her voice heard?
2 At the heights overlooking the road,
at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
3 Beside the gates(GP) leading into the city,
at the main entrance, she cries out:
4 “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to the children of Adam.
5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
6 Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
7 For my mouth tells the truth,(GQ)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 All the words from my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.(GR)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,(GS)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
10 Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.(GT)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,(GU)
and nothing desirable can equal it.(GV)
12 I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(GW)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(GX)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and sound wisdom;[as]
I have understanding and strength.(GY)
15 It is by me that kings reign(GZ)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[at]
17 I love those who love me,(HA)
and those who search for me find me.(HB)
18 With me are riches and honor,(HC)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(HD)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.(HE)
20 I walk in the ways of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 “The Lord acquired[au] me
at the beginning of his creation,[av]
before his works of long ago.(HF)
23 I was formed[aw] before ancient times,
from the beginning, before the earth began.(HG)
24 I was born
when there were no watery depths(HH)
and no springs filled with water.
25 Before the mountains were established,
prior to the hills,(HI) I was given birth—
26 before he made the land, the fields,
or the first soil on earth.
27 I was there when he established the heavens,(HJ)
when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,(HK)
28 when he placed the skies above,
when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,
29 when he set a limit for the sea
so that the waters would not violate his command,(HL)
when he laid out the foundations of the earth.(HM)
30 I was a skilled craftsman[ax] beside him.(HN)
I was his[ay] delight every day,
always rejoicing before him.
31 I was rejoicing in his inhabited world,(HO)
delighting in the children of Adam.(HP)
32 “And now, sons, listen to me;
those who keep my ways are happy.(HQ)
33 Listen to instruction and be wise;(HR)
don’t ignore it.
34 Anyone who listens to me is happy,(HS)
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35 For the one who finds me finds life(HT)
and obtains favor from the Lord,(HU)
36 but the one who misses me[az] harms himself;(HV)
all who hate me love death.”(HW)
Wisdom versus Foolishness
9 Wisdom has built her house;(HX)
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat;(HY) she has mixed her wine;(HZ)
she has also set her table.(IA)
3 She has sent out her female servants;(IB)
she calls out from the highest points of the city:(IC)
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense,(ID) she says,
5 “Come, eat my bread,(IE)
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.
7 The one who corrects a mocker
will bring abuse on himself;
the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.[ba]
8 Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;(IF)
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.(IG)
9 Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still;
teach the righteous, and he will learn more.(IH)
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,(II)
and the knowledge of the Holy One(IJ) is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;(IK)
if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”
13 Folly is a rowdy woman;(IL)
she is gullible and knows nothing.(IM)
14 She sits by the doorway of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who go straight ahead on their paths:(IN)
16 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense, she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten secretly is tasty!” (IO)
18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,(IP)
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.(IQ)
A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs
10 Solomon’s proverbs:(IR)
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.(IS)
2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,
but righteousness rescues from death.(IT)
4 Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(IW)
5 The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(IX)
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(IY)
7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(IZ)
8 A wise heart accepts commands,(JA)
but foolish lips will be destroyed.
9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely,(JB)
but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.(JC)
10 A sly wink of the eye(JD) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(JE)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(JF)
12 Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.(JG)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(JH)
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(JI)
15 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city;(JJ)
the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The reward of the righteous is life;
the wages of the wicked is punishment.(JK)
17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,
but the one who rejects correction goes astray.(JL)
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.(JM)
19 When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is prudent.(JN)
20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little value.(JO)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(JP)
23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,(JS)
so wisdom is for a person of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come to him,(JT)
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.(JU)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,(JX)
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,
but destruction awaits evildoers.(KC)
30 The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(KD)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,(KG)
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.(KH)
2 When arrogance comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(KK)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,(KL)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.(KM)
4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(KN)
5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(KO)
7 When the wicked person dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth[bd][be] vanishes.(KP)
8 The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(KQ)
9 With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices;(KR)
when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.(KS)
11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(KT)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(KU)
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a person with understanding keeps silent.(KV)
13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(KW)
14 Without guidance, a people will fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(KX)
15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(KY)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[bf] people gain only riches.
18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(LB)
20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are his delight.(LE)
21 Be assured[bg] that a wicked person
will not go unpunished,(LF)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.(LG)
24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;(LJ)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.(LK)
25 A generous person will be enriched,(LL)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.(LM)
26 People will curse(LN) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.(LO)
27 The one who searches for what is good(LP) seeks favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.(LQ)
29 The one who brings ruin on his household(LT)
will inherit the wind,(LU)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.
31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.(LX)
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(LY)
3 No one can be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(MB)
4 A wife of noble character[bh] is her husband’s crown,(MC)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(MD)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked is deceitful.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be disregarded, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(MI)
10 The righteous cares about his animal’s health,(MJ)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(MK)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(ML)
12 The wicked desire what evil people have caught,[bi]
but the root of the righteous is productive.
13 By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,(MM)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.(MN)
14 A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,(MO)
and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.(MP)
15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(MQ)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(MR)
17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.(MS)
18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(MT)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(MU)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(MV)
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(MW)
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(MX)
but the wicked are full of misery.
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(NA)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(NB)
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(NC)
26 A righteous person is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[bj]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(ND)
13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth,
a person will enjoy good things,(NH)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.(NI)
3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(NJ)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(NK)
4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(NL)
5 The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked bring disgust and shame.
7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing;(NN)
another pretends to be poor but has abundant wealth.(NO)
8 Riches are a ransom for a person’s life,(NP)
but a poor person hears no threat.
10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,(NS)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.
11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(NT)
but whoever earns it through labor[bm] will multiply it.(NU)
12 Hope delayed makes the heart sick,
but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.(NV)
13 The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,(NW)
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.(NX)
14 A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life,(NY)
turning people away from the snares of death.(NZ)
16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.(OB)
17 A wicked envoy falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.(OC)
18 Poverty and disgrace come to those
who ignore discipline,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.(OD)
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,
but to turn from evil is detestable to fools.(OE)
20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.(OF)
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his[bo] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(OG)
23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.
24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son,(OH)
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.(OI)
25 A righteous person eats until he is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is empty.(OJ)
2 Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,(OM)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises him.(ON)
3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[bp]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(OO)
4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[bq]
but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.(OP)
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.
7 Stay away from a foolish person;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.(OQ)
8 The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
9 Fools mock at making reparation,[br]
but there is goodwill among the upright.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.(OR)
13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.(OU)
14 The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good one, what his deeds deserve.(OV)
16 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,(OX)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.[bt]
17 A quick-tempered person acts foolishly,
and one who schemes is hated.(OY)
18 The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before those who are good,
and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,(PB)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.(PC)
22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray?(PD)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.(PE)
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.
25 A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.(PG)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(PH)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.(PI)
28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.
29 A patient person shows great understanding,(PJ)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.
31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,(PM)
but one who is kind to the needy honors him.(PN)
32 The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,(PO)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.(PP)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.(PR)
35 A king favors a prudent servant,(PS)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(PV)
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.(PW)
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(PY)
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(PZ)
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(QA)
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(QB)
10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(QE)
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(QF)
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(QI)
19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(QN)
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.(QO)
21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a person with understanding walks a straight path.(QP)
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.(QQ)
24 For the prudent the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25 The Lord tears apart the house of the proud,
but he protects the widow’s territory.(QS)
26 The Lord detests the plans of the one who is evil,
but pleasant words are pure.(QT)
27 The one who profits dishonestly(QU) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(QV)
28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(QW)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(QX)
32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(RC)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[ca](RD)
33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(RE)
16 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.(RF)
3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.(RH)
4 The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.(RI)
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;(RJ)
be assured,[cc] he will not go unpunished.(RK)
6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(RL)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(RM)
7 When a person’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.(RN)
8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.(RO)
9 A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.(RP)
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his concern.(RS)
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,(RT)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(RU)
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.(RV)
15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(RW)
18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.(RZ)
20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(SC)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(SD)
22 Insight is a fountain of life(SF) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
25 There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.(SJ)
26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger[cj] urges him on.
27 A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(SK)
28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(SL)
30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(SO)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.(SS)
17 Better a dry crust with peace
than a house full of feasting with strife.(ST)
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share an inheritance among brothers.
4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;[cl]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,(SW)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.(SX)
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,
and the pride of children is their fathers.
7 Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.
10 A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person
more than a hundred lashes into a fool.
12 Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs(TD)
than a fool in his foolishness.
14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.(TG)
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just(TH)—
both are detestable to the Lord.
16 Why does a fool have money in his hand
with no intention of buying wisdom?(TI)
17 A friend loves at all times,(TJ)
and a brother is born for a difficult time.
19 One who loves to offend loves strife;(TL)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.
20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(TM)
21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;
the father of a fool has no joy.(TN)
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(TO)
24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(TR) roam to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is grief to his father
and bitterness to the one who bore him.(TS)
27 The one who has knowledge restrains his words,(TU)
and one who keeps a cool head[cp]
is a person of understanding.
Footnotes
- 1:4 Or simple, or gullible
- 1:6 Or an enigma
- 1:9 Lit chains
- 1:11 Lit Let’s ambush for blood
- 1:11 Lit person for no reason
- 1:14 Lit us; one bag will be for all of us
- 1:18 Lit they ambush for their blood
- 1:19 Lit takes the life of its masters
- 1:21 Lit at the head of
- 1:23 Lit you turn back to my reprimand
- 2:2 Lit you, stretching out your ear
- 2:7 Or resourcefulness
- 3:2 Lit days, years of life
- 3:8 Lit navel
- 3:16 Lit Length of days
- 3:22 Or be your throat
- 3:22 Or grace
- 3:24 LXX reads sit
- 3:26 Or be at your side
- 3:27 Lit in the power of your hands
- 3:32 Or confidential counsel
- 3:35 Or but haughty fools dishonor, or but fools exalt dishonor
- 4:23 Or heart with all diligence
- 4:25 Lit eyelids
- 4:26 Or Clear a path
- 5:1 Lit wisdom; stretch out your ear
- 5:3 Lit her palate is
- 5:13 Lit or turn my ear
- 5:19 Or graceful mountain goat
- 6:1 Or friend
- 6:1 Lit or slapped hands for
- 6:5 Lit hand
- 6:5 Lit hand
- 6:24 LXX reads from a married woman
- 6:26 Or On account of a prostitute, one is left with only a loaf of bread
- 6:26 Lit but a wife of a man
- 6:32 Lit commits adultery with a woman
- 6:33 Or plague
- 7:7 Or simple, or gullible, or naive
- 7:10 Or prostitute with a guarded heart
- 7:13 Lit she makes her face strong and says
- 7:22 Text emended; MT reads like a shackle to the discipline of a fool; Hb obscure
- 7:23 Or his
- 7:26 Or and powerful men are all her victims
- 8:14 Or resourcefulness
- 8:16 Some Hb mss, LXX read nobles who judge the earth
- 8:22 Or possessed, or made
- 8:22 Lit way
- 8:23 Or consecrated
- 8:30 Or a confidant, or a child, or was constantly
- 8:30 LXX; MT omits his
- 8:36 Or who sins against me
- 9:7 Lit man: his blemish
- 10:22 Or and painful effort adds nothing to it
- 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days
- 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly
- 11:7 Or strength
- 11:16 Or ruthless
- 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
- 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
- 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
- 12:26 Or person guides his neighbor
- 12:28 Or righteousness, but the crooked way leads to death
- 13:6 Lit guards integrity of way
- 13:11 Lit whoever gathers upon his hand
- 13:15 LXX, Syr, Tg read treacherous will perish
- 13:22 Or inheritance: his
- 14:3 Some emend to In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his back
- 14:4 Or clean
- 14:9 Or at guilt offerings
- 14:15 Lit the prudent understands
- 14:16 Or and falls
- 14:23 Lit but word of lips
- 14:33 LXX reads unknown
- 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it
- 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth
- 15:30 Lit makes fat
- 15:31 Lit An ear that
- 15:32 Lit acquires a heart
- 16:2 Lit spirits
- 16:5 Lit hand to hand
- 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king
- 16:19 Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
- 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips
- 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
- 16:24 Lit throat
- 16:24 Lit bones
- 16:26 Lit mouth
- 16:32 Lit and ruling over one’s spirit
- 17:4 Lit to lips of iniquity
- 17:11 Or a merciless angel
- 17:18 Lit sense slaps hands
- 17:26 Or noble unfairly
- 17:27 Lit spirit
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
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