Beginning
Commit Your Heart to Adonai
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the tongue’s answer is from Adonai.
2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes,
but Adonai weighs the motives.
3 Commit whatever you do to Adonai,
and your plans will succeed.
4 Adonai works everything out for his own purpose—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 Adonai abhors all the proud in heart.
Be assured, they will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth is iniquity atoned,
and by the fear of Adonai one avoids evil.
7 When one’s ways are pleasing to Adonai,
he makes even his enemies be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness
than much income without justice.
9 The heart of man plans his course,
but Adonai directs his steps.
The Delights of a Just King
10 An oracle is on the lips of the king—
let his mouth never be treacherous in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are Adonai’s.
All the weights in a bag are His handiwork.
12 Wrongdoing is an abomination to kings,
for a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
He loves those who speak honestly.
14 A king’s fury is like messengers of death,
but a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor like a cloud of spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil.
He who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted
than to share the spoil with the proud.
20 One prudent in a matter will find good
Blessed is the one who trusts in Adonai.
21 The wise in heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of lips increases persuasiveness.
22 Insight is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but folly leads to the discipline of fools.
23 A wise man’s heart teaches his mouth
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are honeycomb—sweet to the soul
and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
26 A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf,
for his hunger drives him on.
Slow to Anger
27 A wicked scoundrel digs up evil,
and on his lips is a scorching fire.[a]
28 A perverse person sows strife,
and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent person lures his neighbor,
leading him down a path that is no good.
30 One who winks his eyes schemes deceit,
one who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory,
found on the path of righteousness.
32 Better to be slow to anger than a mighty warrior.
One who controls his temper is better than one who conquers a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but their very decision is from Adonai.
Beware Bribes and Rebellion
17 Better is dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 A crucible is for silver
and a furnace is for gold,
but Adonai tests the heart.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips;
a liar listens to a malicious tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker.
Whoever rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly
and the glory of children is their parents.
7 Arrogant lips are not fitting for a fool,
much less lying lips for a ruler.
8 A bribe is a charm in the eyes of its owner.
Wherever he turns, he succeeds.
9 Whoever covers up an offense seeks love.[b]
Whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person
than a hundred lashes on a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to deal with a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good—
evil will never leave his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water—
so stop a quarrel before it breaks out.
15 Acquitting the wicked and condemning the righteous:
both are an abomination to Adonai.
16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool
since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking judgment shakes hands on a deal
and puts up financial security for his neighbor.
19 He who loves sin loves strife.
One who builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 A perverse heart finds nothing good
a devious tongue falls into trouble.
21 Whoever fathers a fool gets grief.
There is no joy for the father of a disgraceful son.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 The wicked one receives a bribe in secret
to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is before the person of understanding,
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is grief to his father
and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 Also, to punish a righteous person is not good,
nor to beat up an honorable one for his integrity.
27 One with knowledge restrains his words,
and a discerning person stays calm.
28 Even a fool, who keeps quiet, is considered wise,
discerning, if he seals his lips.
A Fool’s Big Mouth
18 One who isolates oneself seeks his own desire;
he defies all sound judgment.
2 A fool finds no delight in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of one’s mouth are deep waters,
a fountain of wisdom, a flowing brook.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good,
nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of a fool enter into an argument
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are tasty morsels,
going down into one’s innermost being.
9 One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys.
10 The Name of Adonai is a strong tower.
The righteous one runs into it and is set safely up high.
11 A rich person’s wealth is a strong city
or like a high wall—in his imagination.
12 Before ruin a person’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
13 One who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
14 One’s spirit sustains him through illness,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 A discerning heart gains knowledge,
the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Overcoming Opposition and Offenses
16 A man’s gift makes room for him,
and leads him before great men.
17 The first to state his case seems just, until another comes
and cross-examines him.
18 Casting lots ends quarrels
and decides between mighty opponents.
19 An offended brother is more formidable than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled—
with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the control of the tongue.
Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds good,
and receives favor from Adonai.
23 The poor request favor,
but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man with many friends may be harmed by them,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.