Bible in 90 Days
The Woman of Adultery
7 My son, ·remember what I say [guard my speech], and ·treasure [store/hide in you] my commands.
2 ·Obey [Guard] my commands, and you will live.
Guard my ·teachings [instructions] ·as you would your own [L like the apple of your] eyes.
3 ·Remind yourself of them [L Bind them on your fingers];
write them on your heart as if on a tablet.
4 ·Treat wisdom as a sister [L Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister”; 1:20–33; 8:1—9:6],
and ·make understanding your closest friend [L call Understanding “Friend”].
5 ·Wisdom and understanding [L She] will ·keep you away [guard you] from ·adultery [L the strange woman],
away from the ·unfaithful wife [L foreign woman] and her ·pleasing [flattering] words.
6 Once while I was at the window of my house
I looked out through the ·shutters [lattice; curtains]
7 and saw some ·foolish [simpleminded; immature; naive], young men.
I noticed one of them ·had no wisdom [had no sense; L lacked heart].
8 He was ·walking down [crossing] the street near the corner
on the road leading to her house.
9 It was the twilight of the evening;
the darkness of the night was just beginning.
10 Then the woman ·approached [or propositioned] him,
dressed like a prostitute
and ·planning to trick him [L with a guarded heart].
11 She was ·loud [boisterous; noisy] and ·stubborn [defiant]
and ·never stayed at [L her feet do not rest in her own] home.
12 ·She was always out [L A foot] in the streets ·or in [L a foot in] the city squares,
·waiting around [lurking] on the corners of the streets.
13 She grabbed him and kissed him.
·Without shame [L Her face was brazen as] she said to him,
14 “I made my fellowship offering [Lev. 3; 7:11–21; C the offerer ate the meat of the offering].
Today I have ·kept [paid back] my ·special promises [vows].
15 So I have come out to meet you;
I have been ·looking for you [L seeking your face] and have found you.
16 I have ·covered [ornamented] my bed
with colored sheets from Egypt.
17 I have ·made my bed smell sweet [L sprinkled my bed]
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s ·make [be intoxicated with] love until morning.
Let’s ·enjoy each other’s [rejoice in] love.
19 My husband is not home;
he has gone on a ·long [faraway] trip.
20 He took a ·lot of money with him [L pouch of money in his hand]
and won’t be home ·for weeks [L until the new moon].”
21 By her clever words she ·made him give in [seduces him];
by ·her pleasing words [L the flattery of her lips] she ·led him into doing wrong [persuades/compels him].
22 All at once he followed her,
like an ox led to the ·butcher [slaughter],
like a ·deer caught in a trap [or fool to the stocks]
23 ·and shot through the liver with an arrow [until an arrow pierces his liver].
Like a bird ·caught in [L hurrying to] a trap,
he didn’t know ·what he did would kill him [it would cost him his life].
24 Now, my sons, listen to me;
pay attention to ·what I say [L the speech of my mouth].
25 Don’t ·let yourself be tricked by such a woman [L turn your heart to her paths];
don’t ·go where she leads you [wander onto her paths].
26 She has ·ruined many good men [L caused many corpses to fall],
and many ·have died because of her [are those she has killed].
27 Her house is on the ·road [path] to ·death [L Sheol; C the grave or the underworld],
·the road that leads down to the grave [L going down to the chambers of death].
Listen to Wisdom
8 ·Wisdom calls to you like someone shouting [L Does not Wisdom call out?];
·understanding raises [Does not Understanding raise…?] her voice.
2 On the ·hilltops [L top of the high places] along the road
and at the crossroads, she ·stands calling [takes her stand].
3 Beside the city gates,
at the entrances into the city, she calls out:
4 “Listen, ·everyone [men], I’m calling out to you;
·I am shouting [my voice goes out] to all ·people [L the sons of humanity].
5 You who are ·uneducated [simpleminded; immature; naive], ·seek wisdom [understand prudence].
You who are foolish, ·get understanding [L take this to heart].
6 Listen, because I have ·important [noble] things to say,
and what I tell you is ·right [virtuous].
7 ·What I say is true [L My mouth utters the truth],
·I refuse to speak evil [L my lips despise wickedness].
8 ·Everything I say is honest [L All the speeches of my mouth are righteous];
nothing I say is ·crooked [twisted] or ·false [perverse].
9 People ·with good sense [who understand] know what I say is ·true [straightforward];
and those ·with [L who seek] knowledge know my words are ·right [virtuous].
10 ·Choose [Take] my ·teachings [instructions; discipline] instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than ·the finest [choice] gold.
11 Wisdom is more precious than ·rubies [or pearls].
Nothing ·you could want is equal to [is more delightful than] it.
12 “I am Wisdom, and I ·have good judgment [dwell with prudence].
I also have knowledge and ·good sense [discretion].
13 ·If you respect the Lord, you will also [L Those who fear/have awe for the Lord] hate evil.
I hate pride and ·bragging [arrogance],
·evil ways [L the path of evil] and ·lies [L a perverse mouth].
14 I have advice and ·good sense [resourcefulness; ability],
and I have understanding and ·power [strength].
15 ·I help kings to govern [L By me kings reign]
and ·rulers [princes] ·to make fair laws [issue just decrees].
16 ·Princes use me to lead [L By me rulers rule],
and ·so do all important people who [nobles] judge fairly [Deut. 34:9; 1 Kin. 3:1–15; Ezra 7:25; Col. 1:16].
17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18 Riches and honor are mine to give.
So are lasting wealth and ·success [or righteousness].
19 What I give is better than gold, even the finest gold,
my ·results [yield] better than the purest silver.
20 I ·do what is right [L walk on the way of righteousness]
·and follow [L in the midst of] the path of justice.
21 I ·give wealth to those who love me [L cause those who love me to inherit substance],
filling their houses with treasures.
22 “The Lord ·begot [or acquired; possessed] me ·when he began his work [L at the beginning of his path],
long before he made anything else.
23 I was ·created [formed; woven; or appointed] in the very beginning,
even before the world began.
24 I was ·born [brought forth] ·before there were oceans [L when there were no deeps],
or springs ·overflowing [heavy] with water,
25 before the hills were ·there [L settled],
before the mountains I was ·born [brought forth].
26 God had not made the earth or ·fields [open country],
not even the first ·dust [mud clods; soil] of the earth.
27 I was there when God ·put the skies in place [established the heavens],
when he ·stretched [decreed] the horizon over the ·oceans [deep],
28 when he ·made [thickened; strengthened] the clouds above
and put the deep underground springs in place.
29 I was there when he ·ordered [decreed] the sea
not to go beyond the borders he had set.
I was there when he ·laid [decreed] the earth’s foundation.
30 I was like a ·child [nursling; or craftsman; architect] by his side.
I was ·delighted [playing] every day,
·enjoying [laughing in] his presence all the time,
31 ·enjoying [laughing with the inhabitants of] the whole world,
and ·delighted [playing] with all its people [John 1:1–3; Col. 1:15; C Jesus is associated with personified Wisdom in that both were present with God during creation].
32 “Now, my ·children [L sons], listen to me,
because those who ·follow my ways [guard my path] are happy.
33 Listen to my ·teaching [instruction], and you will be wise;
do not ·ignore [avoid] it.
34 Happy are those who listen to me,
watching at my door every day,
·waiting at my open doorway [L guarding my doorposts].
35 Those who find me find life,
and ·the Lord will be pleased with them [they gain favor from the Lord].
36 Those who ·do not find [miss; or offend] me hurt themselves.
Those who hate me love death.”
Being Wise or Foolish
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has made its seven ·columns [pillars; C a large house].
2 She has ·prepared her food [L slaughtered her slaughter] and prepared [mixed] her wine;
she has set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls,
and she calls out from the highest place in the city [C the location of the Temple, indicating she symbolizes God].
4 She says to those who are ·uneducated [naive; immature; simpleminded],
“·Come in [Turn aside] here, you ·foolish people [who lack sense]!
5 Come and eat my food
and drink the wine I have ·prepared [mixed].
6 Stop your ·foolish [naive; immature; simpleminded] ways, and you will live;
take the road of understanding.
7 “If you ·correct [instruct; discipline] ·someone who makes fun of wisdom [a mocker], you will be insulted.
If you correct an evil person, you will ·get hurt [L be blemished].
8 Do not correct ·those who make fun of wisdom [mockers], or they will hate you.
But correct the wise, and they will love you.
9 ·Teach [L Give to] the wise, and they will become even wiser;
·teach [inform] ·good people [the righteous], and they will ·learn even more [L add to their learning].
10 “Wisdom begins with ·respect [fear; awe] for the Lord,
and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One.
11 ·If you live wisely [L Through/By me], you will live a long time;
wisdom will add years to your life.
12 The wise person is rewarded by wisdom,
but ·whoever makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it [L mockers will bear it alone].”
13 ·Foolishness is like a loud woman [Woman Folly is boisterous/noisy];
she ·does not have wisdom or knowledge [L is ignorant and does not even know it].
14 She sits at the door of her house
at the highest place in the city [9:3; C her house is built on the highest point of the city, indicating she symbolizes false gods].
15 She ·calls out to [invites] those who are passing by,
who are going along, minding their own business.
16 She says to those who ·are uneducated [lack sense/heart],
“·Come in [Turn aside] here, you ·foolish [naive; immature; simpleminded] people!
17 Stolen water is sweeter,
and food eaten in secret tastes better.”
18 But these people don’t know that ·everyone who goes there dies [the dead/departed/shades are there],
that her guests ·end up deep in the grave [L are in the depths of Sheol].
The Wise Words of Solomon
10 These are the ·wise words [proverbs] of Solomon:
Wise ·children [sons] make their father happy,
but foolish ·children [sons] make their mother sad.
2 ·Riches gotten by doing wrong [L The treasures of the wicked] have no value,
but ·right living [righteousness] will save you from death.
3 The Lord does not let ·good [righteous] people ·go hungry [starve],
but he keeps evil people from getting what they want.
4 A ·lazy person will end up [L slack palm makes a person] poor,
but a ·hard worker will become [L determined hand makes a person] rich.
5 Those who gather crops ·on time [L in the summer] are wise,
but those who sleep through the harvest are a disgrace.
6 ·Good [Righteous] people will have rich blessings,
but the mouth of the wicked ·will be overwhelmed by [or conceals] violence.
7 ·Good [Righteous] people will be remembered as a blessing,
but the name of evil people will soon ·be forgotten [L rot].
8 The wise of heart ·do what they are told [L grasps commands],
but ·a talkative fool [L the lips of a fool] will be ruined.
9 ·The honest person will live [L Those who walk in innocence walk] in safety,
but ·the dishonest [L those who twist their path] will be ·caught [found out].
10 A wink may ·get you into [or cause] trouble,
and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.
11 The ·words [L mouth] of a ·good [righteous] person ·give life, like a fountain of water [L is a fountain of life],
but the ·words [L mouth] of the wicked ·contain nothing but [conceals] violence.
12 Hatred stirs up ·trouble [conflict; fights],
but love ·forgives [covers] all wrongs.
13 ·Wise people speak with understanding [L Wisdom is found on understanding lips],
but ·people without wisdom should be punished [L a rod is for the backs of those who lack sense/heart].
14 The wise ·don’t tell [store up; treasure] everything they know,
but the ·foolish talk too much and are ruined [L mouth of a fool means imminent ruin].
15 ·Having lots of money protects the rich [L The wealth of the rich is their strong city],
but having no money ·destroys [is the ruin of] the poor.
16 ·Good [Righteous] people are rewarded with life,
but evil people are paid with punishment.
17 Whoever ·accepts correction [guards instruction/discipline] is on the way to life,
but whoever ·ignores [abandons] correction ·will lead others away from life [L wanders aimlessly].
18 Whoever ·hides [conceals] hate is a liar.
Whoever ·tells lies [spreads slander] is a fool.
19 ·If you talk a lot [L In an abundance of words], ·you are sure to sin [L wickedness does not cease];
if you are wise, you will ·keep quiet [L restrain your lips].
20 The ·words [L tongue] of a ·good [righteous] person ·are like pure [is choice] silver,
but an evil person’s ·thoughts are [L heart is] worth very little.
21 ·Good [Righteous] people’s ·words [L lips] ·will help [L nourish] many others,
but fools will die because they ·don’t have wisdom [lack sense/heart].
22 The Lord’s blessing brings wealth,
and no ·sorrow [trouble] comes with it.
23 A foolish person ·enjoys [makes a sport of] doing wrong,
but a person with understanding enjoys doing what is wise.
24 Evil people will get what they fear most,
but ·good [righteous] people will get what they want most.
25 A ·storm [whirlwind] will blow the evil person away,
but a ·good [righteous] person will always ·be safe [L have a firm foundation].
26 A lazy person affects the one ·he works for [L who sends him]
like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes [C irritating].
27 Whoever ·respects [fears] the Lord will ·have a long life [L increase his days],
but the ·life [L years] of an evil person will be cut short.
28 A ·good [righteous] person can look forward to happiness,
but ·an evil person can expect nothing [L the hope of an evil person will perish].
29 The path of the Lord ·will protect good people [L is a refuge for the innocent]
but ruin for those who do evil.
30 ·Good [Righteous] people will ·always be safe [L never be shaken],
but evil people will not ·remain [dwell] in the land.
31 ·A good person says wise things [L The mouth of a righteous person flows with wisdom],
but a ·liar’s [perverse person’s] tongue will be ·stopped [L cut off].
32 ·Good people [L The lips of the wise] know the right thing to say,
but [L the mouth of] evil people only tell ·lies [perversities].
11 The Lord ·hates [detests] ·dishonest [fraudulent] scales,
but he is pleased with ·honest [accurate] weights [16:11; Lev. 19:35–37; Deut. 25:13–15; Ezek. 45:10; Hos. 12:7–8].
2 ·Pride [Insolence] leads only to shame;
it is wise to be humble.
3 ·Good people [People with integrity] will be guided by ·honesty [innocence];
dishonesty will ·destroy [devastate] those who are not trustworthy.
4 Riches will not help ·when it’s time to die [L on the day of anger],
but ·right living [righteousness] will save you from death.
5 The ·goodness [righteousness] of the innocent makes ·life easier [L their path straight],
but the wicked will ·be destroyed [L fall] by their wickedness.
6 ·Doing right [Righteousness] brings freedom to ·honest people [people with integrity],
but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.
7 When the wicked die, hope ·dies with them [perishes];
their hope in riches ·will come to nothing [perishes].
8 The ·good [righteous] person is saved from ·trouble [distress];
it comes to the wicked instead.
9 With ·words [L their mouth] an ·evil [godless] person can destroy a neighbor,
but a ·good [righteous] person will escape by ·being resourceful [L their knowledge].
10 When ·good [righteous] people ·succeed [flourish], the city is happy.
When evil people ·die [perish], there are shouts of joy.
11 ·Good [Righteous] people bless and build up their city,
but the wicked can ·destroy [demolish] it with their ·words [L mouth].
12 People ·without good sense [who lack sense/heart] ·find fault with [despise; belittle] their neighbors,
but those with understanding keep quiet.
13 Gossips ·can’t keep [L go/walk around revealing] secrets,
but a trustworthy person ·can [keeps a confidence; L covers up a word].
14 Without ·leadership [guidance] a ·nation [people] falls,
but ·lots of good advice [L an abundance of counselors] will ·save it [bring victory; Eccl. 9:13–15].
15 Whoever guarantees to pay somebody else’s loan will suffer.
It is safer to avoid such promises.
16 A ·kind [gracious] woman gets ·respect [honor],
but ·cruel [violent] men get only wealth.
17 ·Kind [or Loyal] people ·do themselves a favor [benefit themselves],
but cruel people ·bring trouble on themselves [L harm their own bodies].
18 An evil person ·really earns nothing [gets false/deceptive wages],
but a ·good [righteous] person will surely be rewarded.
19 Those who are ·truly good [righteous] will live,
but those who chase after evil will die.
20 The Lord ·hates [detests] those with ·evil [crooked] hearts
but is pleased with those who are innocent on the path.
21 Evil people will certainly be punished,
but ·those who do right [L the children of the righteous] will be set free.
22 A beautiful woman without ·good sense [discretion]
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 Those who do right only wish for good,
but the wicked can ·expect to be defeated by God’s [L hope only for] anger.
24 Some people give much but get back even more.
Others don’t give what they should and end up poor.
25 Whoever ·gives to others will get richer [or blesses others will be refreshed];
those who ·help [satisfy] others will themselves be ·helped [satisfied].
26 People curse those who keep all the grain,
but they bless the one who is willing to sell it.
27 Whoever looks for good will find ·kindness [favor],
but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28 Those who trust in riches will ·be ruined [L fall],
but a good person will ·be healthy [flourish] like a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble to his family
will ·be left with nothing but the [L inherit the] wind.
A fool will be a servant to the wise of heart.
30 ·A good person gives life to others [L The fruit of the righteous is the tree of life];
the wise person ·teaches others how to live [gathers lives/souls].
31 If ·good [righteous] people will get their due on earth,
How much more the wicked and the sinners.
12 Anyone who loves ·learning [knowledge] ·accepts [L loves] ·correction [instruction; discipline],
but a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
2 The Lord ·is pleased with [favors] a good person,
but he will ·punish [condemn] ·anyone who plans evil [schemers].
3 Doing evil brings no safety at all,
but ·a good person has safety and security [L the root of the righteous will not be disturbed].
4 A ·good [noble] wife is like a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful wife is like ·a disease [rot] in his bones.
5 The plans that ·good [righteous] people make are ·fair [just],
but the ·advice [guidance] of the wicked will ·trick [deceive; defraud] you.
6 The ·wicked talk about killing people [L words of the wicked are a murderous ambush/ambush of blood],
but the ·words [mouth] of ·good [righteous] people will save them.
7 Wicked people ·die [are overturned] and they are no more,
but a ·good [righteous] person’s ·family [L house] ·continues [endures].
8 The ·wisdom [insight] of the wise wins praise,
but there is ·no respect [shame] for the ·stupid [warped; distressed mind/heart].
9 A person who is ·not important [belittled; of low regard; ordinary] but has a servant is better off
than someone who ·acts [or is thought] ·important [honorable] but has no food.
10 ·Good [Righteous] people ·take care [L know the desires] of their animals,
but even the ·kindest [most compassionate] acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases ·empty dreams [emptiness] ·is not wise [lacks sense/heart].
12 The wicked ·want [covet; desire] ·what other evil people have stolen [or the catch/prey of the evil],
but ·good [L the root of righteous] people ·want to give what they have to others [or endures].
13 Evil people are trapped by their ·evil [offensive] talk,
but ·good [righteous] people ·stay out of trouble [escape from distress].
14 People will be rewarded for ·what they say [L the fruit of their mouth],
and they will also be rewarded for ·what they do [L the work of their hands].
15 ·Fools think they are doing right [L The path of fools is virtuous/right in their own eyes],
but the wise listen to advice.
16 Fools quickly show that they are upset,
but the ·wise [prudent] ·ignore [conceal; hide] ·insults [contempt].
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 ·Careless [Chattering] words stab like a sword,
but ·wise words bring [L a wise tongue brings] healing.
19 ·Truth [L Truthful lips] will continue forever,
but ·lies are [L a lying tongue lasts] only for a moment.
20 Those who plan evil are full of ·lies [deceit],
but those who ·plan [advise] peace are happy.
21 No harm comes to a ·good [righteous] person,
but an evil person’s life is full of trouble.
22 The Lord ·hates [detests] ·those who tell lies [false lips]
but ·is pleased with [favors] those who ·keep their promises [do what is true].
23 ·Wise [Prudent] people ·keep what they know to themselves [L conceal/hide their knowledge],
but ·fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are [L the heart of fools proclaim their stupidity].
24 Hard workers will ·become leaders [be in charge],
but those who are lazy will be ·slaves [put to forced labor].
25 ·Worry [Anxiety] ·is a heavy load [leads to depression],
but a ·kind [good] word cheers you up.
26 ·Good [Righteous] people ·take advice from their friends [or show the way to their friends/neighbors],
but ·an evil person is easily led to do wrong [or the path of the evil person makes them wander].
27 The lazy ·catch no food to cook [L do not roast their prey],
but a hard worker will have great wealth.
28 Doing what is right is the way to life,
but there is another way that leads to death.
13 Wise ·children take their parents’ advice [L sons listen to their father’s discipline/instruction],
but ·whoever makes fun of wisdom [mockers] won’t listen to ·correction [a rebuke].
2 People will ·be rewarded for what they say [L eat well from the fruit of their mouth],
but ·those who can’t be trusted [the faithless] ·want only [L have an appetite for] violence.
3 Those who ·are careful about what they say [L watch/guard their mouth] protect their lives,
but whoever ·speaks without thinking [L spreads their lips wide] will be ruined.
4 The desire of the lazy is strong, but they get nothing,
but desire of those who work hard will be satisfied.
5 ·Good [Righteous] people hate what is false,
but the wicked do shameful and disgraceful things.
6 ·Doing what is right [Righteousness] protects the honest person on the path,
but doing evil ·ruins [or misleads] the sinner.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but really have nothing.
Others pretend to be poor but really are wealthy.
8 The rich may have to pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor will face no ·such danger [threats].
9 ·Good people can look forward to a bright future [L The light of the righteous rejoices],
but the ·future of the wicked is like a flame going [L lamp of the wicked goes] out.
10 Pride only leads to arguments [or The empty-headed cause arguments out of pride],
but those who take advice are wise.
11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly,
but money that is gathered little by little will grow.
12 ·It is sad not to get what you hoped for [L Hope delayed makes the heart sick].
But ·wishes that come true are like eating fruit from [longing fulfilled is] the tree of life.
13 Those who ·reject what they are taught [despise a word] will pay for it,
but those who ·obey what they are told [respect/fear the commandment] will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person ·gives life [L is a fountain of life]
·and can save people from death [L turning people aside from death traps/snares].
15 People with good ·understanding [insight; sense] will ·be well liked [receive favor],
but the ·lives of those who are not trustworthy are [L way of the faithless is] hard.
16 Every ·wise [prudent] person acts ·with good sense [knowledgeably],
but fools ·show how foolish they are [display stupidity].
17 A wicked messenger ·brings nothing but trouble [or will fall into evil],
but a ·trustworthy [reliable] ·one [envoy] ·makes everything right [L brings healing].
18 A person who ·refuses [neglects] ·correction [instruction; discipline] will end up poor and disgraced,
but the one who ·accepts [L guards] correction will be honored.
19 ·It is so good when wishes come true [L A realized longing/desire is pleasant],
but fools ·hate [detest] ·to stop doing [turning from] evil.
20 ·Spend time [L Walk; Go] with the wise and you will become wise,
but the friends of fools will ·suffer [or get into trouble].
21 Trouble ·always comes to [L pursues] sinners,
but ·good [righteous] people ·enjoy success [get a good reward].
22 Good people leave their wealth to their grandchildren,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for ·good [righteous] people.
23 A poor person’s ·field [soil] might produce plenty of food,
but ·others often steal it away [L it is unjustly swept away].
24 If you ·do not punish your children [L withhold/T spare the rod], you ·don’t love them [hate your children/son],
but if you love your children, you will ·correct [discipline] them.
25 ·Good [Righteous] people ·have enough to eat [eat till they are full/satisfied],
but the ·wicked will go hungry [L stomachs of the wicked will be empty].
14 A wise woman ·strengthens her family [builds her house],
but a foolish woman ·destroys hers by what she does [tears hers down with her own hands].
2 People who ·live good lives [walk in virtue/integrity] ·respect [fear] the Lord,
but those who ·live evil lives don’t [L go the wrong way on their paths despise him].
3 ·Fools will be punished for their proud words [The talk of fools is a rod for their back; or In the mouth of fools is a sprig of pride],
but the ·words [L lips] of the wise will protect them.
4 When there are no oxen, ·no food is in the barn [or the barn is empty].
But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown.
5 A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness tells nothing but lies.
6 ·Those who make fun of wisdom look for it [Mockers seek wisdom] and do not find it,
but knowledge comes ·easily [or quickly] to those with understanding.
7 Stay away from fools,
because they ·can’t teach you anything [L don’t have knowledgeable lips].
8 The wisdom of a ·wise [prudent] person will understand ·what to do [L his path],
but the folly of a foolish person is ·dishonest [deceptive].
9 Fools ·don’t care if they sin [L mock a penalty/guilt/reparation offering; Lev. 5:14—6:7],
but ·honest people work at being right [those with integrity/virtue are favored].
10 ·No one else can know your sadness [L A heart knows its emotional distress],
and strangers cannot share your joy.
11 The wicked person’s house will be ·destroyed [annihilated],
but a good person’s tent will ·still be standing [flourish].
12 ·Some people think they are doing right [L There is a path that seems straight to a person],
but in the end it ·leads [L is the path] to death.
13 ·Someone who is laughing may be sad inside [L Even in laughter the heart may feel pain],
and joy may end in sadness.
14 ·Evil people [L Rebellious hearts] will be paid back for their evil ·ways [paths],
and good people will be rewarded for their ·good ones [deeds].
15 ·Fools [The naive] will believe anything,
but the ·wise [prudent] ·think about what they do [understand their steps].
16 Wise people ·are careful [fear] and stay ·out of trouble [away from evil],
but fools ·are careless [or get mad] and ·quick to act [or feel safe].
17 Someone with a quick temper ·does foolish things [makes stupid mistakes],
but ·someone with understanding remains calm [or schemers are hated].
18 ·Fools [Naive people] ·are rewarded with nothing but more foolishness [L inherit stupidity],
but the wise ·are rewarded with knowledge [L wear knowledge as an ornament].
19 Evil people will bow down to those who are good;
the wicked will bow down at the ·door of those who do right [L gates of the righteous].
20 The poor are ·rejected [hated], even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends [C perhaps an ironic reference to fair-weather friends].
21 It is a sin to ·hate [despise] your neighbor,
but being ·kind [gracious] to the needy brings ·happiness [a blessing].
22 ·Those [L Do not those…?] who make evil plans ·will be ruined [L wander aimlessly],
but those who plan to do good will ·be loved and trusted [receive loyalty and faithfulness].
23 Those who work hard make a profit,
but ·those who only talk will be poor [L the word of the lips leads only to lack].
24 Wise people are ·rewarded [crowned] with wealth,
but fools only get more foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a ·false witness is a traitor [deceptive person proclaims lies].
26 Those who ·respect [fear] the Lord will have ·security [or confidence],
and their children will ·be protected [have a refuge].
27 ·Respect for [Fear of] the Lord ·gives life [L is a fountain of life]
·and can save people from death [L turning people aside from death traps/snares].
28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule,
but a prince is ruined if he has none.
29 ·Patient people have great [Patience leads to] understanding,
but ·people with quick tempers show their foolishness [impatience leads to stupid mistakes].
30 ·Peace of mind [L A healthy mind/heart] means a healthy body,
but jealousy will rot your bones.
31 Whoever ·mistreats [oppresses] the poor insults their Maker,
but whoever ·is kind [shows grace] to the needy honors God.
32 The wicked are ·ruined [thrown down] by their own evil,
but those who ·do right [are righteous] ·are protected [find refuge] even in death.
33 Wisdom lives in ·those with understanding [an understanding heart/mind],
and ·even fools recognize it [or it is not known in the innards of a fool].
34 ·Doing what is right [Righteousness] makes a nation great,
but sin will ·bring disgrace to any [diminish a] people.
35 A king is pleased with a ·wise [insightful] servant,
but he will become angry with one who causes him shame.
15 A ·gentle [soft; tender] answer ·will calm a person’s anger [L turns back/T away wrath],
but an ·unkind [painful; sharp] answer ·will cause more [raises] anger.
2 Wise people use knowledge when they speak,
but fools ·pour out [bubble forth with] foolishness.
3 The Lord’s eyes ·see everything [L are everywhere];
he watches both evil and good people.
4 ·As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life [L A healthy/healing tongue is a tree of life],
but ·dishonest [deceitful; perverse] words crush the spirit.
5 Fools ·reject [disdain] their ·parents’ [father’s] ·correction [discipline],
but anyone who ·accepts [guards] correction is wise.
6 Much ·wealth [treasure] is in the houses of ·good [righteous] people,
but evil people get nothing but trouble.
7 Wise people use their ·words [L lips] to ·spread [scatter; disperse] knowledge,
but there is no knowledge in the ·thoughts [hearts; minds] of fools.
8 The Lord ·hates [detests] the sacrifice that the wicked offer,
but he ·likes [favors] the prayers of ·honest people [people with integrity].
9 The Lord ·hates [detests] ·what evil people do [L the path of the wicked],
but he ·loves [favors] those who ·do what is right [pursue righteousness].
10 The person who ·quits doing what is right [L abandons the way] will be punished,
and the one who hates to be corrected will die.
11 ·The Lord knows what is happening in the world of the dead [L Sheol and Abaddon/Destruction are before the Lord],
so he surely knows the ·thoughts of the living [L human heart].
12 ·Those who make fun of wisdom [L Mockers] don’t like to be corrected;
they will not ·ask the wise for advice [L go to the wise].
13 ·Happiness makes a person smile [L A joyful heart brightens one’s face],
but ·sadness [L a troubled heart] can break a person’s spirit.
14 ·People with understanding want more [L Understanding hearts seek] knowledge,
but fools ·just want more [L feed on] foolishness.
15 Every day is hard for ·those who suffer [or the poor],
but a happy heart is like a continual feast.
16 It is better to ·be poor [have little] and ·respect [fear] the Lord
than to ·be wealthy [have great treasure] and ·have much trouble [turmoil].
17 It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you
than ·to eat meat [L an ox of the stall] with those who hate you.
18 People with quick tempers cause ·trouble [conflict],
but ·those who control their tempers [patient people] stop ·a quarrel [accusations].
19 A lazy person’s ·life [L path] is like a patch of thorns,
but an ·honest [virtuous] person’s ·life [path] is like a smooth highway.
20 Wise ·children [sons] make their father happy,
but foolish ·children [L people] disrespect their mother.
21 A person without ·wisdom [sense/heart] enjoys being foolish,
but someone with understanding ·does what is right [walks straight ahead].
22 Plans fail without good advice,
but they succeed with the advice of many others.
23 People enjoy giving ·good advice [L a right reply].
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.
24 ·Wise [Insightful] people’s ·lives [L way] ·get better and better [move upward].
They ·avoid whatever would cause their death [L turn aside from Sheol/the grave below].
25 The Lord will ·tear down [uproot] the proud person’s house,
but he will ·protect [establish] the widow’s ·property [boundaries].
26 The Lord ·hates [detests] evil ·thoughts [or plans]
but ·is pleased with kind words [L pleasing words are pure].
27 ·Greedy people [L Those who get unjust gain] bring trouble to their ·families [L house],
but the person who ·can’t be paid to do wrong [L hates gifts/bribes] will live.
28 ·Good people [L The heart/mind of the righteous] ·think [reflect; meditate] before they answer,
but the wicked simply ·pour [blurt] out evil.
29 The Lord ·does not listen to [L is far from] the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of ·those who do right [the righteous].
30 Good news ·makes you feel better [L refreshes the bone].
·Your happiness will show in your eyes [L The light of the eyes give joy to the heart].
31 ·If you listen to correction to improve your life,
you [L The ear that listens to correction] will ·live [lodge] among the wise.
32 Those who ·refuse [neglect] ·correction [discipline] hate themselves,
but those who ·accept [listen to] correction ·gain understanding [L acquire heart/mind].
33 ·Respect [Fear] for the Lord ·will teach you wisdom [is wise instruction/discipline].
·If you want to be honored, you must be humble [L Humility comes before glory].
16 People may make plans in their ·minds [hearts],
but ·only the Lord can make them come true [L from the Lord comes a responding tongue].
2 ·You may believe you are doing right [L All paths of people are pure in their eyes],
but the Lord will ·judge your reasons [measure your motives; L weigh the spirits].
3 ·Depend on the Lord in whatever you do [Commit your acts/deeds to the Lord],
and your plans will ·succeed [be established].
4 The Lord makes everything ·go as he pleases [for a purpose].
He has even prepared a day of ·disaster [evil; harm; trouble] for evil people.
5 The Lord ·hates [detests] those who are proud.
They will surely be punished.
6 ·Love [Loyalty] and ·truth [faithfulness] bring ·forgiveness of sin [atonement for guilt].
By ·respecting [fearing] the Lord you will avoid evil.
7 When ·people live so that they please the Lord [L people’s paths draw the Lord’s favor]
even their enemies will make peace with them.
8 It is better to ·be poor [have little] and ·right [righteousness]
than ·to be wealthy [much gain] and ·dishonest [injustice].
9 ·People may make plans in their minds [L Human hearts plan their path],
but the Lord ·decides what they will do [L establishes their step].
10 The words of a king are like a ·message from God [oracle],
so ·his decisions should be fair [L he should not betray justice with his mouth].
11 The Lord wants honest balances and scales;
·all the weights are his work [L he concerns himself with the weights in the pouch].
12 Kings ·hate [detest] those who do wrong,
because ·governments only continue if they are fair [L in righteousness the throne is established].
13 Kings ·like [favor] ·honest people [L righteous lips];
they ·value [love] ·someone who speaks the truth [L those who speak with integrity].
14 An angry king ·can put someone to [L is a messenger of] death,
so a wise person will ·try to make him happy [appease/calm him].
15 ·A smiling king can give people [L In the light of the face of the king there is] life;
his ·kindness [favor] is like a ·spring shower [L cloud that brings late rain].
16 It is better to get wisdom than gold,
and to choose understanding rather than silver!
17 ·Good people stay [L The highway of those with integrity turns] away from evil.
By ·watching what they do [protecting their path], they ·protect [guard] their lives.
18 Pride ·leads to destruction [comes before a disaster];
·a proud attitude brings ruin [T pride comes before a fall].
19 It is better to be humble and ·be with those who suffer [with the needy]
than ·to share stolen property [dividing plunder/spoil] with the proud.
20 Whoever ·listens to what is taught [has insight] will ·succeed [prosper],
and whoever trusts the Lord will be ·happy [blessed].
21 The wise of heart ·are known for their [L will be called] understanding.
Their ·pleasant [sweet] words ·make them better teachers [enhance their teaching].
22 ·Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it [L One who possesses insight is a fountain of life],
but ·foolishness brings punishment to fools [or the instruction of foolish people is folly].
23 Wise people’s ·minds [hearts] ·tell them what to say [L provide insight to their mouth],
and that ·helps them be better teachers [enhances their teaching].
24 Pleasant words are like ·a honeycomb [liquid honey],
·making people happy and healthy [L sweet to the taste and healing to the bones].
25 ·Some people think they are doing right [L There is a path that is straight before a person/T seems right to a man],
but in the end it ·leads [L is the path] to death.
26 The workers’ hunger ·helps [L works for] them,
·because their desire to eat makes them work [L and their mouths press/urge them on].
27 ·Useless [Worthless] people ·make evil plans [L dig up evil],
and their ·words [L lips] are like a burning fire.
28 A ·useless [perverse] person causes ·trouble [conflicts],
and a gossip ruins close friendships.
29 ·Cruel [Violent] people ·trick [entice] their neighbors
and ·lead them to do wrong [L make them walk on a path that is not good].
30 Someone who winks their eye is planning ·evil [perverse things],
and the one who ·grins [L purses/narrows their lips] is ·planning something wrong [concealing evil].
31 Gray hair is like a crown of honor;
it is ·earned by living a good life [L found on the path of righteousness].
32 Patience is better than strength [or A patient person is better than a warrior].
Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.
33 People throw lots ·to make a decision [L into the lap],
but the ·answer [decision] comes from the Lord.
17 It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in ·peace [quiet]
than to have a feast where there is ·quarreling [strife; contention].
2 A ·wise [insightful] servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful child
and will even ·inherit a share of what the master leaves his children [L divide an inheritance with the brothers/relatives].
3 A crucible ·tests [or refines] silver and a furnace gold,
but the Lord ·tests [or refines] hearts.
4 Evil people listen to ·evil words [L guilty lips].
Liars pay attention to ·cruel words [L a destructive tongue].
5 Whoever ·mistreats [ridicules; mocks] the poor insults their Maker;
whoever enjoys someone’s trouble will ·be punished [L not go unpunished].
6 ·Old people are proud of their grandchildren [L Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly],
and ·children are proud of [L the glory/splendor of children are] their parents.
7 ·Fools should not be proud [or It is not right for fools to be good speakers],
and ·rulers [honorable people] should not ·be liars [L have lying lips].
8 ·Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask [L A bribe is a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it].
·They think it will work every time [L It grants success to all who use it].
9 ·Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend [L One who seeks love conceals an offense],
but ·gossiping about the sin [repeating a thing] breaks up friendships.
10 A wise person will learn more from a ·warning [rebuke]
than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings.
11 Disobedient ·people look only for trouble [L seek only rebellion],
so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
12 It is ·better [safer] to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to meet a fool doing foolish things.
13 Whoever gives evil in return for good
will always have trouble at home.
14 Starting a quarrel is like ·a leak in a dam [L letting out water],
so ·stop it [hold back an accusation] before a fight breaks out.
15 The Lord hates both of these things:
·freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent [L judging the righteous wicked and the wicked righteous].
16 It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom,
because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.
17 A friend loves you all the time,
and a brother ·helps in [L is born for a] time of trouble.
18 ·It is not wise to promise
to pay what your neighbor owes [L A person lacks sense/heart who shakes hands in agreement, who secures a loan for a friend/neighbor].
19 Whoever loves to argue loves to sin.
Whoever ·brags a lot is asking for trouble [L builds a high doorway is seeking a collapse].
20 A person with an ·evil [crooked] heart will find no success,
and the person ·whose words are evil [L who twists matters with their tongue] will get into trouble.
21 It is sad to have a foolish child;
there is no joy in being the parent of a fool.
22 A happy heart ·is like good medicine [L brings healing],
but a broken spirit ·drains your strength [L dries up bone].
23 When the wicked ·accept money to do wrong [take a secret bribe/L bribe from the chest/bosom]
·there can be no [it stretches] justice.
24 The person with understanding is always ·looking for [focused on] wisdom,
but the mind of a fool wanders ·everywhere [L to the ends of the earth].
25 Foolish children make their father sad
and cause their mother great ·sorrow [bitterness].
26 It is not good to punish the ·innocent [righteous]
or to beat leaders for being honest.
27 The wise ·say very little [restrain/hold back their talk],
and those with understanding stay ·calm [coolheaded].
28 Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet;
if they ·don’t speak [L keep their lips shut], they appear to understand.
18 ·Unfriendly [Antisocial; Lonely] people ·are selfish [L seek their own longings/desires]
and ·hate [L break out against] all good sense.
2 Fools do not ·want to understand anything [L delight in understanding].
They only want to ·tell others what they think [L reveal/disclose their heart].
3 Do something evil, and people won’t like you.
Do something shameful, and they will ·make fun of [insult] you.
4 ·Spoken words [L The words of a person’s mouth] can be like deep water,
·but [or and] the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to ·honor [or show favor to] the wicked
or to be unfair to the innocent.
6 The ·words [L lips] of fools ·start quarrels [or make accusations].
·They make people want to beat them [L Their mouth invites a beating].
7 The ·words [L mouth] of fools will ruin them;
their own ·words [L lips] will trap them.
8 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
·People like to gobble them up [L They go down to one’s inmost parts].
9 A person who doesn’t work hard
is ·just like someone who destroys things [L a brother to a destroyer].
10 The name of the Lord is like a strong tower;
·those who do right [the righteous] can run to him for ·safety [refuge].
11 Rich people trust their wealth like a strong city.
They think it is like the high walls.
12 Proud people will be ruined,
but ·the humble will be honored [humility comes before glory].
13 Anyone who answers without listening
is foolish and ·confused [or a disgrace].
14 The ·will to live [L human spirit] can get you through sickness,
but ·no one can live with [L who can bear…?] a broken spirit.
15 The ·mind [heart] of a person with understanding gets knowledge;
the ·wise person listens to learn more [L ear of the wise seeks knowledge].
16 Taking gifts to important people
will help get you in to see them.
17 The person who ·tells one side of [first tells] a story seems right,
until ·someone else [his friend/neighbor] comes and asks questions.
18 Throwing lots can settle arguments
and ·keep the two sides from fighting [is decisive against powerful people].
19 A brother who has been ·insulted [offended] is harder to win back than a walled city,
and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.
20 ·People will be rewarded for what they say [L From the fruit of the mouth of a person is their stomach satisfied];
·they will be rewarded by how they speak [L the yield/gain of their lips satisfies].
21 ·What you say can mean [L In the power of the tongue are] life or death.
Those who ·speak with care [love it] will ·be rewarded [L eat its fruit].
22 When a man finds a wife, he finds something good.
It shows that the Lord ·is pleased with [favors] him.
23 The poor beg for mercy,
but the rich give ·rude [harsh] answers.
24 Some friends may ruin you,
but a real friend will ·be more loyal [cling closer] than a brother.
19 It is better to be poor and ·honest [L walking in innocence]
than to be foolish and ·tell lies [L have crooked lips].
2 ·Enthusiasm [Desire; Zeal; Passion] without knowledge is not good.
·If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake [L Rushing feet make mistakes].
3 People’s own foolishness ·ruins their lives [L frustrates their path],
but in their ·minds [L hearts] they ·blame [rage at] the Lord.
4 Wealthy people are always finding more friends,
but the poor lose all theirs.
5 A witness who lies will not go ·free [unpunished];
liars will never escape.
6 Many people ·want to please [L seek the face of] a leader,
and everyone is friends with those who give gifts.
7 Poor people’s relatives ·avoid [L hate] them;
·even [L how much more do] their friends stay far away.
They run after them, begging,
but they are gone.
8 Those who ·get wisdom [L acquire heart] ·do themselves a favor [L love themselves],
and those who ·love learning [guard understanding] will succeed.
9 A witness who lies will not go ·free [unpunished],
liars will ·die [perish].
10 A fool should not live in luxury.
A slave should not rule over princes [Eccl. 10:5–7].
11 The ·wise [insightful] ·are patient [L hold in their anger];
they will be ·honored [praised; glorified] if they ignore ·insults [offenses].
12 An angry king is like a ·roaring [growling] lion,
but his ·kindness [favor] is like the dew on the grass.
13 A foolish ·child [son] ·brings [is a] disaster to a father,
and a ·quarreling [contentious] wife is like ·dripping water [constant dripping].
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a ·wise [insightful] wife is a gift from the Lord.
15 Lazy people ·sleep a lot [L fall into a deep sleep],
and idle people will go hungry.
16 Those who ·obey [guard] the commands ·protect [guard] themselves,
but those who ·are careless [L despise their way] will die.
17 Being ·kind [gracious; generous] to the poor is like lending to the Lord;
he will ·reward you for what you have done [fully repay you].
18 ·Correct [Discipline] your children while there is still hope;
do not ·let them destroy themselves [or be intent to kill them].
19 People with quick tempers will have to pay for it.
If you ·help them out once [rescue them], you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to advice and accept correction,
and in the ·end [future] you will be wise.
21 People can make all kinds of plans,
but only the Lord’s ·plan [purpose; advice] will ·happen [succeed].
22 People ·want [desire] others to be loyal,
so it is better to be poor than to be a liar.
23 Those who ·respect [fear] the Lord will live
and be satisfied, ·unbothered by trouble [sleep well and not experience harm].
24 Though the lazy person ·puts [L buries] his hand in the dish,
he won’t lift the food to his mouth.
25 ·Whip those who make fun of wisdom [L Hit/Strike a mocker], and perhaps ·foolish [naive; immature; simpleminded] people will gain some ·wisdom [prudence].
Correct those with understanding, and they will gain knowledge.
26 A child who ·robs [devastates] his father and ·sends [drives] away his mother
brings shame and disgrace on himself.
27 Don’t stop listening to correction, my child,
or you will ·forget what you have already learned [L wander from knowledgeable speeches/words].
28 An ·evil [worthless] witness ·makes fun of fairness [mocks justice],
and ·wicked people love what is evil [L the mouth of the wicked conveys guilt].
29 ·People who make fun of wisdom will be punished [L Punishments were made for mockers],
and ·the backs of foolish people will be beaten [L blows for the backs of fools].
20 Wine and ·beer [T strong drink; C an alcoholic beverage made from grain] make people ·loud [mockers] and ·uncontrolled [carousers; brawlers];
it is not wise to ·get drunk on [L be led astray by] them.
2 An angry king is like a ·roaring [growling] lion.
Making him angry may cost you your life.
3 Foolish people are always fighting,
but ·avoiding quarrels [backing away from an accusation] will bring you ·honor [glory; praise].
4 Lazy farmers don’t plow ·when they should [L in the winter];
they ·expect [look for] a harvest, but there is none.
5 People’s ·thoughts [advice; purpose] can be like a deep ·well [L waters],
but someone with understanding can ·find the wisdom there [draw it out].
6 Many people claim to be loyal,
but it is hard to find a ·trustworthy [reliable] person.
7 The ·good [righteous] people who ·live honest lives [walk about in innocence]
will be a blessing to their children.
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he ·knows evil when he sees it [or scatters evil with his eyes].
9 No one can say, “I am innocent;
I ·have never done anything wrong [am cleansed from my sin].”
10 The Lord hates both these things:
·dishonest weights and dishonest measures [L stone and stone, ephah and ephah].
11 Even children are known by their behavior;
their actions show if they are ·innocent [pure] and ·good [upright].
12 The Lord has made both these things:
ears to hear and eyes to see.
13 ·If you love to sleep, you [L Do not love to sleep, or you] will be poor.
·If you stay awake [L Keep your eyes open, and], you will have plenty of food.
14 Buyers say, “·This is bad. It’s no good [L Bad, bad].”
Then they go away and brag about what they bought.
15 There is gold and plenty of ·rubies [or pearls],
but ·only a few people speak with knowledge [L the most precious jewels are knowledgeable lips].
16 Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger’s debts,
and keep it until he pays what the ·stranger [L foreigner] owes.
17 ·Stolen [Fraudulent; False] food may taste sweet at first,
but later it will feel like a mouth full of gravel.
18 Get advice if you want your plans to ·work [be firm].
If you go to war, get ·the advice of others [guidance].
19 Gossips ·can’t keep [reveal] secrets,
so avoid people who ·talk too much [L are foolish with their lips].
20 Those who curse their father or mother
will be like a light going out in darkness [Job 18:6; 21:17].
21 Wealth inherited quickly in the beginning
will ·do you no good [not bless you] in the end.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.