Beginning
Do Not Boast
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.[a]
2 Let another praise you and not your own mouth,
a stranger and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
but excessive the kisses of an enemy.
7 One who is full loathes honeycomb,
but to one who is hungry every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man that wanders from his home.
Iron Sharpens Iron
9 As ointment and perfume gladden the heart,
so the sweetness of one’s friend comes from his sincere counsel.
10 Do not forsake your friend, or your father’s friend,
nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster—
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far off.
11 Be wise, my son, make my heart glad,
so I may answer anyone who taunts me.
12 The prudent see danger and hide,
but the naïve keep going and pay the penalty.
13 Take a man’s garment, who puts up security for a stranger,
and hold it in pledge, as security for a seductive woman.
14 If someone blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
15 Continual dripping on a day of steady rain
and a contentious wife are alike—
16 hiding her is like hiding the wind or grasping oil with the right hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a person sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
19 As water reflects the face,
so a person’s heart reflects the person.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man.
21 A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold,
but a person is proved by the praise he receives.
22 Even if you pound the fool along with the grain in a mortar with a pestle,
his foolishness would never leave him.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
pay attention to your herds,
24 for riches are not forever,
nor a crown from generation to generation.
25 When hay is removed and grass appears,
and grain from the hills is gathered in,
26 lambs will provide you with clothing,
and goats with the price of a field.
27 There will be enough goats’ milk for food
and food for your household,
and sustenance for your maidservants.
Confidence, Discernment, Integrity
28 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers,
but a man of discernment and knowledge maintains order.
3 A poor man who oppresses the weak
is like pounding rain without food.
4 Those who forsake Torah praise the wicked,
but those who keep Torah stir them up.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
but those who seek Adonai understand it fully.
6 Better the poor who walks in his integrity
than the rich whose ways are crooked.
7 He who keeps Torah is a discerning son,
but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
8 Whoever increases his wealth by exorbitant interest,
gathers it for one kinder to the poor.
9 One who turns his ear from hearing Torah
—even his prayer is an abomination.
10 One who leads the upright astray along an evil path
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will inherit good.
11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes,
but a discerning poor person sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise to power, people hide.
13 One who covers up his transgressions will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and forsakes them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is one who is always cautious,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 Like a roaring lion or a prowling bear
is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 An oppressive leader lacks judgment.
One who hates unjust gain will prolong his life.
17 A man tormented by the guilt of murder
flees to the Pit—let no one support him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be safe,
but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall suddenly.
Wisdom About Finances
19 Whoever works his land will be satisfied with food,
but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man will have many blessings,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good—
yet for a piece of bread a man may do wrong.
22 A stingy man[b] chases after riches,
but does not know that poverty will overtake him.
23 One who rebukes a man will in the end find more favor
than one with a flattering tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, “It’s not a crime,”
is a partner to him who destroys.
25 A greedy soul stirs up strife,
but one who trusts in Adonai prospers.
26 Whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will escape.
27 One who gives to the poor will not lack,
but one who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, people hide,
but when they perish, the righteous increase.
29 One who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
2 When the righteous thrive, people rejoice.
When the wicked rule, people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king brings stability to a land,
but one who takes bribes brings it ruin.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6 In an evil man’s wrongdoing is a trap,
but the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous person considers justice for the poor.
The wicked one has no such concern.
8 Mockers incite a city,
but wise men turn away anger.
9 If a wise man argues with a foolish man,
he rants or laughs, with no resolution.
10 Bloodthirsty people hate a man of integrity
and seek the soul of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his temper,
but a wise man holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to lies,
all his servants will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
Adonai gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king judges the poor with truth,
his throne will always be secure.
15 A rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
16 When the wicked thrive, wrongdoing increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17 Correct your son and he will give you rest.
He will bring delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no divine vision people cast off restraint,
but blessed is the one who keeps Torah.
19 A servant cannot be corrected by words,
for though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see someone hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than him.
21 If someone pampers his slave from childhood
in the end he will be ungrateful.
22 An angry man stirs up dissention,
and a hotheaded one commits many transgressions.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low,
but a humble spirit will gain honor.
24 An accomplice of a thief is his own enemy.
He hears the oath but says nothing.
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but one who trusts in Adonai will be kept safe.
26 Many seek an audience with a ruler,
but from Adonai one receives justice.
27 The righteous detest the unjust,
and the wicked detest the upright.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.