Bible in 90 Days
Tenth Address to a Son:
Wisdom Protects You From Adultery and Death
7 My son, guard what I say.
Keep my commands with you.
2 Obey my commands so that you may live.
Protect my teachings like the pupil of your eye.
3 Tie them to your fingers.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call Understanding your relative.[a]
5 She will keep you safe from an immoral woman,
from an unfaithful woman and her seductive words.
Wisdom’s Warning
6 At a window of my house, I looked out through the lattice.
7 I was watching the gullible[b] people.
Among the young men I noticed a youth without sense.
8 He was crossing the street near her corner,
strolling along the road to her house,
9 in the twilight, in the evening of the day,
when the darkness of the night was coming.[c]
10 Suddenly a woman meets him.
She is dressed like a prostitute with a scheming heart!
11 She is loud and rebellious.
Her feet will not stay home.
12 One moment she is in the street.
The next moment she is in the public square.
She is on the prowl near every corner.
13 She grabs him and kisses him.
With a brazen face she says,
14 “I have food from fellowship offerings.
Today I fulfilled my vows.
15 That is why I came out to meet you.
I came eagerly to seek you,
and now I have found you!
16 I have covered my couch with a bedspread,
with colored cloth made of Egyptian yarn.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love[d] until morning.
Let’s enjoy making love.
19 Look, my husband isn’t home.
He has gone on a long trip.
20 He took a bag of silver with him.
He will not come home till the next full moon.”
21 She deceives him with enticing words.
With smooth lips she seduces him.
22 He follows right after her,
like a steer going to slaughter,
like a deer prancing into a noose,[e]
23 until an arrow pierces its liver,
like a bird darting into a trap.
He does not realize this will cost him his life.
24 Now, you sons, listen to me.
Pay attention to the words from my mouth.
25 Do not let your heart turn in her direction.
Do not wander on her pathways,
26 because she has brought down many victims.
Those she has killed are countless.
27 Her house is on the road to the grave.[f]
It goes down to the chambers of death.
Wisdom’s Invitation
8 Do you hear Wisdom calling out?
Do you hear Understanding raising her voice?
2 On the hills above the roads,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 Beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrance to the doorways, she cries out:
4 I call to you men,
and I raise my voice to the people.
5 You gullible people, get good judgment.[g]
You fools, take this to heart.
6 Listen, because I am speaking noble thoughts.
I open my lips to speak upright things,
7 for my mouth declares truth,
but wickedness is disgusting[h] to my lips.
8 All the words from my mouth are righteous.
There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9 All of them are clear to those who have understanding,
and they are upright to those who find knowledge.
10 Accept my discipline instead of silver.
Accept knowledge rather than fine gold,
11 because Wisdom is better than gems,[i]
and anything you may desire cannot equal her.
Wisdom’s Benefit
12 I, Wisdom, dwell with good judgment.[j]
I discover knowledge and foresight.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
I hate haughtiness, arrogance, an evil way, and a perverse mouth.
14 Good advice and sound judgment are mine.
I, Understanding, have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
and rulers administer justice.
16 By me officials govern,
as well as nobles and all just judges.
17 I certainly love those who love me,
and those who eagerly look for me find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
as well as enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, better than pure gold,
and what I produce is better than fine silver.
20 I walk on the path of righteousness,
down the middle of the pathways of justice,
21 so I can provide a rich inheritance to those who love me,
and I can fill their treasuries.
Wisdom Is the Craftsman of Creation
22 The Lord possessed[k] me at the beginning of his way,
before his works of long ago.
23 From eternity I was appointed,
from the beginning, from before the origin of the earth.
24 When there were no deep waters, I was brought forth,[l]
when there were no springs filled with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 when he had not yet made land or fields
or the first dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there.
When he drew the horizon around the surface of the deep,
28 when he placed the clouds in the sky above,
when the fountains of the deep gushed out,
29 when he established his decree for the sea,
so that the waters could not go beyond the limit set by his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 I was beside him as a master craftsman.
I was his joy day after day.
I rejoiced in his presence at all times.
31 I rejoiced in his inhabited world.
I was delighted with the children of Adam.[m]
Wisdom Is the Giver of Life
32 So now, you children, listen to me,
because those who keep my ways are blessed.
33 Listen to discipline and become wise.
Do not neglect it.
34 How blessed is the person who listens to me,
so that he can watch at my doors day after day,
so that he can stand guard beside my front door,
35 because whoever finds me finds life,
and he obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but whoever sins against me harms himself.
All who hate me love death.
Lady Wisdom’s Banquet
9 Wisdom has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has already set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls.
She calls from the highest point in the city,
4 “Whoever is naïve,[n] let him turn in here.”
To someone who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food,
and drink the wine that I have mixed.
6 Abandon your naïve ways and live.
Travel the road to understanding.”
Lady Wisdom’s Proverbs
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults,
and whoever warns a wicked person invites abuse.
8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you.
Warn a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser.
Teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning[o] of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,
11 because through me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage.
But if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
Lady Folly’s Banquet
13 The woman Folly is boisterous.
She is deluded. She knows nothing.
14 She sits at the doorway of her house,
on a throne on the heights of the city,
15 in order to call to those who pass by on the street,
those who are simply going along on their way,
16 “Whoever is gullible, let him turn in here.”
To someone who lacks sense she says,
17 “Stolen waters are sweet,
and food eaten in secret is delicious.”
18 But he does not know that the souls of the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of hell.[p]
The Collected Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs of Solomon.
Introduction to Wisdom and Righteousness
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2 Treasures gained by wickedness produce no profit,
but righteousness saves from death.
3 The Lord will not allow the righteous to starve,
but he frustrates the greed of the wicked.
4 Lazy hands produce poverty,
but hardworking hands bring riches.
5 Whoever gathers crops in summer is a sensible[q] son.
Whoever sleeps at harvest time is a disgraceful[r] son.
Wise Words and Wise Ways
6 Blessings crown the head of a righteous person,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.[s]
7 To remember a righteous person is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 A wise heart accepts commands,
but a babbling fool will be ruined.
9 Whoever walks with integrity walks safely,
but whoever follows crooked ways will be found out.
10 Whoever winks at evil causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will be ruined.
11 The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.[t]
12 Hatred stirs up a quarrel,
but love covers all sins.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a discerning person,
but a rod is appropriate for the back of one who lacks sense.
14 Wise people store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a stubborn fool brings ruin.
15 A rich person’s wealth is his strong city.
Poverty is the ruin of poor people.
16 The work of a righteous person leads to life.
The income of a wicked person leads to sin.
17 Whoever practices discipline is on the path to life,
but whoever rejects a warning goes astray.
18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads gossip is a fool.
19 When there are many words, sin never stops,[u]
but a person who restrains his lips acts wisely.
20 The tongue of a righteous person is fine silver.
The heart of a wicked person has little value.
21 The lips of a righteous person shepherd many,
but stubborn fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person wealthy,
and he adds no sorrow to it.[v]
23 Carrying out a wicked scheme is a game for the fool,
but wisdom gives pleasure to a person with understanding.
Contrasts Between the Righteous and the Wicked
24 What the wicked person dreads will come upon him,
but the Lord will grant what the righteous desire.
25 When the storm has passed, the wicked person is no more,
but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes,
so is a lazy person to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord will add days to a person’s life,
but the years of wicked people will be cut short.
28 The confident hope of the righteous is joy,
but the ambitions of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the Lord is a fortress for a person who has integrity,
but it brings destruction for evildoers.
30 A righteous person will never be toppled,[w]
but wicked people will not dwell on earth.
31 The mouth of a righteous person produces the fruit of wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,[x]
but the mouth of the wicked produces depraved words.
Righteous Behavior
11 Dishonest scales are disgusting[y] to the Lord
but an accurate weight wins his approval.
2 When arrogance comes, shame follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the dishonesty of the treacherous destroys them.
4 Riches are of no help on the day of fury,
but righteousness saves from death.
5 The righteousness of honest people makes their way smooth,
but because of his wickedness a wicked person falls.
6 The righteousness of upright people rescues them,
but treacherous people are trapped by their own desire.
7 At the death of a wicked man, his hope will perish,
and his confidence in his strength[z] perishes.
8 A righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and a wicked person takes his place.
9 With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor,
but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.
10 When the righteous prosper, a city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish, there is a shout of joy.
11 Through the blessing of upright citizens, a city is raised up,
but by the mouth of the wicked, it is torn down.
12 A person who lacks sense despises his neighbor,
but an understanding person keeps silent.
13 A gossip goes around betraying secrets,
but a trustworthy spirit keeps a matter confidential.
14 Without guidance people fall,
but in many advisors there is safety.
15 Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger leads to trouble,
but one who hates to shake hands[aa] remains secure.
16 A gracious woman takes hold of honor,
but ruthless men take hold of riches.[ab]
17 A merciful man benefits his own soul,
but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.
19 Just as righteousness leads to life,
pursuing evil leads to death.
20 Perverted hearts are disgusting to the Lord,
but his favor rests on those whose way has integrity.
21 Be sure of this: An evil person will not go unpunished,
but the children of the righteous will escape.
22 The beauty of a woman who lacks moral judgment
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good.
The hope of the wicked leads to fury.
24 One person scatters his wealth, but it still increases.
Another hoards it unjustly, but this leads only to poverty.
25 A person who spreads blessings will be enriched.
One who gives a refreshing drink will be refreshed.
26 People curse the person who hoards grain,
but a blessing rests on the head of one who sells it.
27 Whoever searches for good seeks favor,
but whoever pursues evil will find it.
28 Whoever trusts his wealth will fall,
but righteous people will flourish like green plants.
29 Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind,
and a stubborn fool will be a slave to a person with a wise heart.
30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life,
and one who harvests souls is wise.
31 If a righteous person is paid back on earth,
how much more a wicked person or a sinner!
More Examples of Righteous Behavior
12 A person who loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
but he will condemn a schemer.
3 A person cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the roots of the righteous will never be uprooted.
4 A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband,
but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouths of the upright will save them.
7 Wicked people are overthrown, and they are no more,
but the house of the righteous continues to stand.
8 A person is praised for the good sense that he speaks,
but a person with a twisted heart will be despised.
9 Better to be underestimated and have a servant
than to pretend to be wealthy and lack bread.
10 A righteous person understands the needs of his livestock,
but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 A person who works his land will have enough food,
but whoever pursues fantasies lacks sense.
12 A wicked man covets the fortress[ac] of evil people,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person,
but a righteous person gets out of trouble.
14 From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good,
and the labor of a person’s hands returns to him.
15 The way of a stubborn fool seems correct to him,
but whoever listens to advice is wise.
16 A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known,
but a sensible person overlooks an insult.
17 Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness,
but a lying witness is deceitful.
18 Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips are established forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit lies in the heart of those who plot evil,
but for those who promote peace there will be joy.
21 No disaster will strike a righteous person,
but wicked people are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord,
but those who act truthfully gain his favor.
23 A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge,
but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity.
24 Hardworking hands will rule,
but laziness results in forced labor.[ad]
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word brings him joy.
26 A righteous person guides his neighbor,[ae]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 A lazy person does not roast his game,
but a diligent person uses his wealth wisely.
28 In the path of righteousness there is life,
and there is no death in following this path.[af]
Wise Ways to Live
13 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
but a scornful son does not listen to a reprimand.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life.
Whoever opens his lips carelessly ruins himself.
4 The appetite of a lazy person craves things, but he gets nothing.
The appetite of hardworking people is fully satisfied.
5 A righteous person hates everything false,
but a wicked person causes disgrace and shame.
6 Righteousness guards a person who has integrity,
but wickedness perverts a sinner.
7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing.
Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.
8 A man’s riches may ransom his life,
but a poor man does not hear a threat.
9 The light of the righteous brings joy,
but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 Insolence produces only strife,
but wisdom resides with those who take advice.
11 Wealth gained out of thin air[ag] shrinks,
but wealth accumulated by steady work grows.
12 Hope delayed makes a heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price,
but the person who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life.
It can turn someone away from the snares of death.
15 Good sense yields grace,
but the way of the treacherous is unchanging.[ah]
16 Every sensible person acts with knowledge,
but a fool displays stupidity.
17 A wicked[ai] messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 A person who ignores discipline ends up with poverty and shame,
but one who conforms to correction will be honored.
19 A desire that is fulfilled tastes sweet to the soul,
but to fools it is disgusting[aj] to turn from evil.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Trouble pursues sinners,
but goodness repays the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 The farmland of the poor may produce much food,
but it may be swept away by injustice.
24 A person who withholds his rod hates his son,
but one who loves him administers discipline promptly.
25 A righteous person eats until his appetite is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is always empty.
More Wise Ways to Live
14 A wise woman builds her house,
but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
2 Whoever walks in the right way fears the Lord,
but a person who is devious in his ways despises him.
3 In the mouth of a stubborn fool there is a proud rod,[ak]
but the lips of the wise protect them.
4 Without cattle the manger is empty,
but a great harvest is gained by the strength of an ox.
5 A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
7 Keep away from a foolish person,
since you will not learn anything from his lips.
8 The wisdom of a sensible[al] person is that he understands his way,
but the stupidity of fools is deceptive.[am]
9 Fools scoff at the idea of guilt,[an]
but favor is found among the upright.
10 A heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger can share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will thrive.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it is the road to death.
13 Even in laughter a heart can ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.
14 A backslider[ao] will be satisfied with his ways,[ap]
and a good man will be satisfied with his.
15 A gullible person trusts anything,
but a sensible person considers his steps.
16 A wise person fears and turns from evil,
but a fool is rash and overconfident.
17 A short-tempered person acts foolishly,
and a schemer is hated.
18 Gullible people inherit stupidity,
but sensible people embrace knowledge.
19 Evil people will bow down to good people,
and wicked people will bow at the gates of the righteous.
20 A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,
but those who love a rich person are many.
21 A person who despises his neighbor is sinning,
but one who is kind to the oppressed is blessed.
22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray?
But those who plan to do good find mercy and truth.
23 In all hard work there is gain,
but empty talk leads only to poverty.
24 Their wealth is a crown for the wise,
but the stupidity of fools is just stupidity.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a liar breathes deceit.
26 In the fear of the Lord a person gains strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.
It turns a person away from the snares of death.
28 A large population brings glory to a king.
Without people a ruler is ruined.
29 A patient person has great understanding,
but an impatient person exalts foolishness.
30 A contented heart[aq] gives life to the flesh,
but envy rots the bones.
31 A person who oppresses the poor insults his Maker,
but one who is gracious to the needy honors him.
32 A wicked person is brought down by his own evil,
but a righteous person finds refuge even at his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning.
It can be recognized even among fools.
34 Righteousness lifts up a nation,
but sin brings shame to a people.
35 A king favors a servant who acts wisely,
but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.
More Wise Ways to Live
15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge,
but the mouths of fools spout stupidity.
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
watching evil people as well as the good.
4 A healing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse tongue shatters the spirit.
5 A stubborn fool despises his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction is sensible.
6 The house of the righteous contains great wealth,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the heart of fools—not so.
8 A sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination[ar] to the Lord,
but a prayer of the upright gains his favor.
9 The way of a wicked person is repulsive[as] to the Lord,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline waits for anyone who leaves the path,
and a person who hates correction will die.
11 Death and Destruction[at] lie open before the Lord—
how much more human hearts!
12 A scoffer does not love anyone who corrects him.
He will not go to wise people.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,
but a sorrowful heart crushes the spirit.
14 The heart of a discerning person seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.
15 All the days of an oppressed person are evil,
but a cheerful heart enjoys a continuous celebration.[au]
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A hothead stirs up a fight,
but a patient person calms a dispute.
19 The way of a lazy person is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of upright people is a highway.
Advice for a Wise Son
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person despises his mother.
21 Stupidity delights a person who lacks sense,
but one who has understanding stays on course.
22 Plans fail without advice,
but where there are many advisors they succeed.
23 Giving an apt response with his own mouth makes a person happy,
and a word at the right time—oh how good!
24 The path of life leads upward for a person with insight,
so that he may turn away from hell[av] below.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the arrogant,
but he maintains the property line of a widow.
26 The plans of the wicked are disgusting[aw] to the Lord,
but pleasant words are pure to him.
27 Someone who is greedy for gain brings trouble to his own household,
but a person who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of a righteous person ponders his answer,
but the mouth of a wicked person gushes evil.
29 The Lord is far away from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 A twinkle in the eyes delights the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
31 An ear that listens to a life-giving warning
will find a home among the wise.
32 A person who ignores discipline despises himself,
but a person who listens to a warning acquires good sense.
33 The fear of the Lord gives discipline and wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
More Advice for a Wise Son
16 A person may have thought things through in his heart,
but an apt answer from his tongue comes from the Lord.
2 All of a person’s ways are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs motives.
3 Commit what you do to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for his[ax] own purpose,
even a wicked person for a day of trouble.
5 Anyone with an arrogant attitude is disgusting to the Lord.
Be sure of this: That person will not go unpunished.
6 Through mercy and truth, guilt is atoned for,
and through the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
7 When the Lord is pleased with a man’s ways,
he causes even his enemies to live at peace with him.
Wisdom for a King and His Subjects
8 Better a little with righteousness
than a large income without justice.
9 A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord makes his steps secure.
10 The king’s lips speak for God,
so his mouth should not betray justice.
11 An accurate balance and scales belong to the Lord.
He has made all the weights in the bag.
12 It is disgusting for kings to commit wickedness,
because a throne is established by righteousness.
13 Kings approve of righteous lips.
They love a person who speaks upright things.
14 The king’s anger is a messenger of death,
but a wise person can appease it.
15 There is life in the light from a king’s face,
and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom rather than gold,
and to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 The highway followed by upright people turns away from evil.
The person who guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit precedes a fall.
19 Better to share a humble spirit with the oppressed
than to share stolen goods with the haughty.
20 Whoever gives careful consideration to a matter[ay] will succeed,
and the person who trusts the Lord will be blessed.
21 A wise heart will be called discerning,
and appealing speech increases learning.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life for the person who possesses it,
but the instruction given by stubborn fools is stupidity.
23 A wise heart produces edifying speech.
It makes a person’s lips more persuasive.
24 Pleasant speech is honey from a honeycomb,
sweet to the spirit and healing for the bones.
Advice for a Wise Son
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but it ends up being the road to death.
26 A laborer’s appetite labors for him,
because the hunger of his mouth drives him on.
27 A worthless scoundrel constantly plots evil,
and from his lips comes a scorching fire.
28 A perverse[az] man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates intimate friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor.
He leads him on a way that is not good.
30 A person who squints his eyes is plotting something perverse.
One who purses his lips has completed some evil plot.
31 Gray hair is a beautiful crown.
It is found on the way to righteousness.
32 Better to be patient than to be a hero,
better to control your temper than to capture a city.
33 Lots are cast into the pouch,[ba]
but the Lord determines all their decisions.
More Advice for a Son
17 Better a piece of dry bread with peace
than a house full of feasting with quarreling.
2 A wise slave will rule over a shameful son.
He will share the inheritance with the brothers.
3 There is a crucible for refining silver and a smelter for gold.
In the same way the Lord examines hearts.
4 An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips.
A liar feeds upon[bb] a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks a poor person insults his Maker.
A person who rejoices over calamity will not escape.
6 Grandchildren are a crown for the elderly,
and parents are a source of pride for their children.
Introduction to Fools and Foolishness:
The Consequences of Being a Fool
7 Eloquent lips are[bc] not fitting for a fool.
How much less lying lips for a ruler!
8 A bribe works like a charm for the person who gives it.
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 A person who covers an offense pursues love,
but one who repeats the matter separates friends.
10 A reprimand impresses a discerning person
more than receiving a hundred lashes impresses a fool.
11 An evil person promotes only rebellion,
and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to meet a fool in his stupidity.
13 A person who repays evil for good—
evil will never leave his house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop the dispute before it gets started.
15 Acquitting a guilty person
and convicting an innocent person—
both of these are disgusting[bd] to the Lord.
16 Why hand a fool money to buy wisdom,
since he has no aptitude for using it?
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of trouble.
18 A person without sense shakes hands
to guarantee a loan for his neighbor.
19 A person who loves sin loves conflict.
A person who builds his gate high invites destruction.
20 A crooked mind does not find good.
A perverted tongue will fall into disaster.
21 The man who fathers a fool has grief,
and the father of an arrogant fool will have no joy.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe
to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is right in front of a discerning person,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the end of the earth.
Avoiding Fools and Foolishness
25 A foolish son is an aggravation to his father
and bitterness to the woman who bore him.
26 It is not good to impose a fine on a righteous person
nor to flog officials because of their uprightness.
27 A person with knowledge restrains his words.
A person with understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even a stubborn fool who keeps silent will be considered wise.
He is considered to be perceptive if he keeps his lips shut.
18 A person who is a loner seeks his own desires.
He fights against all sound judgment.
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding,
but only in revealing his own opinions.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words from a man’s mouth are deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to show favoritism to a wicked person
in order to deprive a righteous person of justice.
6 A fool’s lips enter a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
and his lips are a trap for his soul.[be]
8 The words of a gossip are like delicious food.
People gobble them right down.[bf]
9 A person who fails to do his work
is a brother to a vandal.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
A righteous person runs inside and is protected.
11 A rich person’s wealth is his strong city.
In his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.
13 If a person answers before he listens,
that is foolishness that brings disgrace.
14 A man’s spirit can endure illness,
but who can bear a broken spirit?
15 A discerning heart acquires knowledge,
and the ears of the wise seek knowledge.
16 A person’s gift opens doors[bg] for him.
It leads him into the presence of great people.
17 The first person to state his case appears to be right.
Then his neighbor comes and cross-examines him.
18 Casting lots[bh] ends disputes and decides between powerful people.
19 A brother who has been wronged is harder to regain than a strong city,
and disputes are like a bar across the gate of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth, his stomach is satisfied.
He is satisfied with the harvest of his lips.
21 Life and death lie in the power of a tongue,
and those who love to use it will eat its fruit.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a good thing,
and he obtains favor from the Lord.
23 A poor man pleads for mercy,
but a rich man answers harshly.
24 A man with many acquaintances may suffer harm,
but there is a loving friend who sticks closer than a brother.
19 Better to be a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one with perverse lips who is a fool.
2 Zeal without knowledge is certainly not good,
and a person who acts hastily sins.[bi]
3 A person’s own foolishness undermines his way,
but his heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth adds many friends,
but a poor person is deserted by his friend.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished.
He breathes lies and will not escape.
6 Many seek the goodwill of a ruler,
and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.
7 A poor person’s brothers all hate him.
Even his friends keep their distance from him!
Though he pursues them with words, they are not there.
8 A person who acquires intelligence[bj] loves his life.[bk]
A person who guards understanding finds a good thing.
9 A false witness will not go unpunished.
He breathes lies, and he will perish.
10 A life of luxury is not appropriate for a fool.
How much less appropriate for a slave to rule over princes.
11 Good sense makes a person slow to anger,
and it is to his credit when he overlooks an offense.
12 The king’s anger is like a lion’s growl,
but his favor is refreshing like dew on the grass.
Dealing With Fools
13 A foolish son is a disaster to his father,
and a nagging wife is like constantly dripping water.
14 Home and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.
15 Laziness makes a person fall into a deep sleep,
and an idle person will go hungry.
16 A person who keeps a command preserves his life.
One who despises his ways will die.
17 A person who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord.
He will repay him in full.
18 Discipline your son while there is hope.
Do not make yourself responsible for his death.
19 Someone who has a lot of anger pays the penalty.
If you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
so that you will be wise in the future.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.
22 A desirable trait in a person is loyalty.[bl]
It is better to be poor than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life.
One who has it rests content.
He will not be disturbed by trouble.
24 A lazy person buries his hand in the dish,
but he does not even bring the food up to his mouth.
25 Strike a scoffer, and an undisciplined[bm] person may learn caution.
Warn a person with understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 A son who attacks his father and chases away his mother
brings shame and disgrace.
27 If you stop listening to discipline, my son,
you will stray from the sayings that give knowledge.
28 A malicious witness mocks justice,
and the mouth of the wicked swallows evil.
29 Punishments have been prepared for scoffers
and beatings for the backs of fools.
More Dealing With Fools
20 Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler.
Whoever is intoxicated by them is not wise.
2 The king’s rage is like a lion’s growl.
Whoever intrudes on him endangers his life.
3 Avoiding strife brings honor to a man,
but every stubborn fool is always fighting.
4 A lazy person fails to plow when it is the season for planting.[bn]
He expects something in the harvest, but nothing will be there.
5 The intentions in a person’s heart are deep water,
but a person with understanding can draw them out.
6 Many people claim to be loyal,[bo]
but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 A righteous person walks in his integrity.
How blessed are his children after him!
8 When a king sits on his throne as judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have purified my heart.
I am cleansed from my sinfulness”?
10 Differing weights and differing measures—
both of them are disgusting to the Lord.
11 Even a youth makes himself known by his acts,
by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 An ear that hears and an eye that sees—
the Lord has made both of them.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will become poor.
Keep your eyes open, and you will have enough to eat.
14 “It’s no good! It’s no good!” says the buyer,
but then he goes away and brags.
15 There is gold, and there are many gems,[bp]
but lips that have knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Take the garment from someone who guarantees a loan for a stranger.
Hold on to it when he offers it as collateral for a foreigner.
17 Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person,
but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Plans are strengthened by obtaining advice,
so do not wage war without consultation.
19 A person who goes around spreading gossip reveals secrets,
so do not associate with anyone whose lips are always open.
20 The person who curses his father and his mother—
his lamp will be snuffed out in total darkness.
21 An inheritance easily obtained[bq] in the beginning
will not be blessed in the end.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.