The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 1
1: The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2: That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of
insight,
3: receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice,
and equity;
4: that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and
discretion to the youth --
5: the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the
man of understanding acquire skill,
6: to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise
and their riddles.
7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge; fools
despise wisdom and instruction.
8: Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and reject not your
mother's teaching;
9: for they are a fair garland for your head, and pendants for
your neck.
10: My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
11: If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for
blood, let us wantonly ambush the innocent;
12: like Sheol let us swallow them alive and whole, like those
who go down to the Pit;
13: we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses
with spoil;
14: throw in your lot among us, we will all have one purse"
--
15: my son, do not walk in the way with them, hold back your foot
from their paths;
16: for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed
blood.
17: For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird;
18: but these men lie in wait for their own blood, they set an
ambush for their own lives.
19: Such are the ways of all who get gain by violence; it takes
away the life of its possessors.
20: Wisdom cries aloud in the street; in the markets she raises
her voice;
21: on the top of the walls she cries out; at the entrance of the
city gates she speaks:
22: "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate
knowledge?
23: Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts
to you; I will make my words known to you.
24: Because I have called and you refused to listen, have
stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25: and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my
reproof,
26: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic
strikes you,
27: when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes
like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28: Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will
seek me diligently but will not find me.
29: Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of
the Lord,
30: would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof,
31: therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated
with their own devices.
32: For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the
complacence of fools destroys them;
33: but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at
ease, without dread of evil."
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 2
1: My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my
commandments with you,
2: making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart
to understanding;
3: yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for
understanding,
4: if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden
treasures;
5: then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the
knowledge of God.
6: For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and
understanding;
7: He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to
those who walk in integrity,
8: guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his
saints.
9: Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity,
every good path;
10: for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be
pleasant to your soul;
11: discretion will watch over you; understanding will guard you;
12: delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted
speech,
13: who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of
darkness,
14: who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of
evil;
15: men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their
ways.
16: You will be saved from the loose woman, from the adventuress
with her smooth words,
17: who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the
covenant of her God;
18: for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the
shades;
19: none who go to her come back nor do they regain the paths of
life.
20: So you will walk in the way of good men and keep to the paths
of the righteous.
21: For the upright will inhabit the land, and men of integrity
will remain in it;
22: but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the
treacherous will be rooted out of it.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 3
1: My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my
commandments;
2: for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will
they give you.
3: Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about
your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4: So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and
man.
5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your
own insight.
6: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight
your paths.
7: Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away
from evil.
8: It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your
bones.
9: Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits
of all your produce;
10: then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats
will be bursting with wine.
11: My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of
his reproof,
12: for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son
in whom He delights.
13: Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets
understanding,
14: for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its
profit better than gold.
15: She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can
compare with her.
16: Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches
and honor.
17: Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace.
18: She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who
hold her fast are called happy.
19: The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He
established the heavens;
20: by his knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop
down the dew.
21: My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape
from your sight,
22: and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your
neck.
23: Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will
not stumble.
24: If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down,
your sleep will be sweet.
25: Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the
wicked, when it comes;
26: for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot
from being caught.
27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is
in your power to do it.
28: Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it" -- when you have it with you.
29: Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly
beside you.
30: Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you
no harm.
31: Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his
ways;
32: for the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord, but the
upright are in his confidence.
33: The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but He
blesses the abode of the righteous.
34: Toward the scorners He is scornful, but to the humble He
shows favor.
35: The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 4
1: Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that
you may gain insight;
2: for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.
3: When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the
sight of my mother,
4: He taught me, and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast
my words; keep my commandments, and live;
5: do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my
mouth. Get wisdom; get insight.
6: Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she
will guard you.
7: The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you
get, get insight.
8: Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you
if you embrace her.
9: She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on
you a beautiful crown."
10: Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your
life may be many.
11: I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the
paths of uprightness.
12: When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you
run, you will not stumble.
13: Keep hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she
is your life.
14: Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the
way of evil men.
15: Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
16: For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are
robbed of sleep unless they have made some one stumble.
17: For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of
violence.
18: But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
19: The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know
over what they stumble.
20: My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my
sayings.
21: Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your
heart.
22: For they are life to him who finds them, and healing to all
his flesh.
23: Keep your heart with all vigilance; for from it flow the
springs of life.
24: Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far
from you.
25: Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be
straight before you.
26: Take heed to the path of your feet, then all your ways will
be sure.
27: Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot
away from evil.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 5
1: My son, be attentive to my wisdom, incline your ear to my
understanding;
2: that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard
knowledge.
3: For the lips of a loose woman drip honey, and her speech is
smoother than oil;
4: but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged
sword.
5: Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol;
6: she does not take heed to the path of life; her ways wander,
and she does not know it.
7: And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the
words of my mouth.
8: Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her
house;
9: lest you give your honor to others and your years to the
merciless;
10: lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your
labors go to the house of an alien;
11: and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and
body are consumed,
12: and you say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart
despised reproof!
13: I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my
ear to my instructors.
14: I was at the point of utter ruin in the assembled
congregation."
15: Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your
own well.
16: Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in
the streets?
17: Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with
you.
18: Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your
youth,
19: a lovely hind, a graceful doe. Let her affection fill you at
all times with delight, be infatuated always with her love.
20: Why should you be infatuated, my son, with a loose woman and
embrace the bosom of an adventuress?
21: For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He
watches all his paths.
22: The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is caught in
the toils of his sin.
23: He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great
folly he is lost.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 6
1: My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, have
given your pledge for a stranger;
2: if you are snared in the utterance of your lips, caught in the
words of your mouth;
3: then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come
into your neighbor's power: go, hasten, and importune your neighbor.
4: Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber;
5: save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter, like a bird from
the hand of the fowler.
6: Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
7: Without having any chief, officer or ruler,
8: she prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in
harvest.
9: How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise
from your sleep?
10: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to rest,
11: and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond, and want like
an armed man.
12: A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked
speech,
13: winks with his eyes, scrapes with his feet, points with his
finger,
14: with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing
discord;
15: therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment
he will be broken beyond healing.
16: There are six things which the Lord hates, seven which are an
abomination to Him:
17: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent
blood,
18: a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to
run to evil,
19: a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows
discord among brothers.
20: My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your
mother's teaching.
21: Bind them upon your heart always; tie them about your neck.
22: When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they
will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
23: For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and
the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24: to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue
of the adventuress.
25: Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her
capture you with her eyelashes;
26: for a harlot may be hired for a loaf of bread, but an
adulteress stalks a man's very life.
27: Can a man carry fire in his bosom and his clothes not be
burned?
28: Or can one walk upon hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
29: So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches
her will go unpunished.
30: Do not men despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his
appetite when he is hungry?
31: And if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all
the goods of his house.
32: He who commits adultery has no sense; he who does it destroys
himself.
33: Wounds and dishonor will he get, and his disgrace will not be
wiped away.
34: For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when
he takes revenge.
35: He will accept no compensation, nor be appeased though you
multiply gifts.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 7
1: My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with
you;
2: keep my commandments and live, keep my teachings as the apple
of your eye;
3: bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your
heart.
4: Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call insight
your intimate friend;
5: to preserve you from the loose woman, from the adventuress
with her smooth words.
6: For at the window of my house I have looked out through my
lattice,
7: and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the
youths, a young man without sense,
8: passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to
her house
9: in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and
darkness.
10: And lo, a woman meets him, dressed as a harlot, wily of
heart.
11: She is loud and wayward, her feet do not stay at home;
12: now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she
lies in wait.
13: She seizes him and kisses him, and with impudent face she
says to him:
14: "I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my
vows;
15: so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and
I have found you.
16: I have decked my couch with coverings, colored spreads of
Egyptian linen;
17: I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18: Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; let us
delight ourselves with love.
19: For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey;
20: he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come
home."
21: With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth
talk she compels him.
22: All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast
23: till an arrow pierces its entrails; as a bird rushes into a
snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24: And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words
of my mouth.
25: Let not your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into
her paths;
26: for many a victim has she laid low; yea, all her slain are a
mighty host.
27: Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of
death.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 8
1: Does not wisdom call, does not understanding raise her voice?
2: On the heights beside the way, in the paths she takes her
stand;
3: beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the
portals she cries aloud:
4: "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the sons of men.
5: O simple ones, learn prudence; O foolish men, pay attention.
6: Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will
come what is right;
7: for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to
my lips.
8: All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing
twisted or crooked in them.
9: They are all straight to him who understands and right to
those who finds knowledge.
10: Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather
than choice gold;
11: for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire
cannot compare with her.
12: I, wisdom, dwell in prudence, and I find knowledge and
discretion.
13: The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance
and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
14: I have counsel and sound wisdom, I have insight, I have
strength.
15: By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;
16: by me princes rule, and nobles govern the earth.
17: I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently
find me.
18: Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19: My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield
than choice silver.
20: I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
21: endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their
treasuries.
22: The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first
of his acts of old.
23: Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of
the earth.
24: When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there
were no springs abounding with water.
25: Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was
brought forth;
26: before He had made the earth with its fields, or the first of
the dust of the world.
27: When He established the heavens, I was there, when He drew a
circle on the face of the deep,
28: when He made firm the skies above, when He established the
fountains of the deep,
29: when He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters
might not transgress his command, when He marked out the foundations of
the earth,
30: then I was beside him, like a master workman; and I was daily
his delight, rejoicing before Him always,
31: rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the sons
of men.
32: And now, my sons, listen to me: happy are those who keep my
ways.
33: Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
34: Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my
gates, waiting beside my doors.
35: For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the
Lord;
36: but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love
death."
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 9
1: Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven pillars.
2: She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, she
has also set her table.
3: She has sent out her maids to call from the highest places in
the town,
4: "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him
who is without sense she says,
5: "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have
mixed.
6: Leave simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of
insight."
7: He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who
reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8: Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise
man, and he will love you.
9: Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the
knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11: For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be
added to your life.
12: If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you
alone will bear it.
13: A foolish woman is noisy; she is wanton and knows no shame.
14: She sits at the door of her house, she takes a seat on the
high places of the town,
15: calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their
way,
16: "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to
him who is without sense she says,
17: "Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is
pleasant."
18: But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests
are in the depths of Sheol.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 10
1: The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a
foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2: Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but
righteousness delivers from death.
3: The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but He thwarts
the craving of the wicked.
4: A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent
makes rich.
5: A son who gathers in summer is prudent, but a son who sleeps
in harvest brings shame.
6: Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of
the wicked conceals violence.
7: The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the
wicked will rot.
8: The wise of heart will heed commandments, but a prating fool
will come to ruin.
9: He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts
his ways will be found out.
10: He who winks the eye causes trouble, but he who boldly
reproves makes peace.
11: The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the
mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12: Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
13: On the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found, but
a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14: Wise men lay up knowledge, but the babbling of a fool brings
ruin near.
15: A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the
poor is their ruin.
16: The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the
wicked to sin.
17: He who heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who
rejects reproof goes astray.
18: He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who utters
slander is a fool.
19: When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who
restrains his lips is prudent.
20: The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the mind of the
wicked is of little worth.
21: The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack
of sense.
22: The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow
with it.
23: It is like sport to a fool to do wrong, but wise conduct is
pleasure to a man of understanding.
24: What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of
the righteous will be granted.
25: When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the
righteous is established for ever.
26: Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so is the
sluggard to those who send him.
27: The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the
wicked will be short.
28: The hope of the righteous ends in gladness, but the
expectation of the wicked comes to naught.
29: The Lord is a stronghold to him whose way is upright, but
destruction to evildoers.
30: The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not
dwell in the land.
31: The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the
perverse tongue will be cut off.
32: The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the
mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 11
1: A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just
weight is his delight.
2: When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is
wisdom.
3: The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness
of the treacherous destroys them.
4: Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness
delivers from death.
5: The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but
the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6: The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the
treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
7: When the wicked dies, his hope perishes, and the expectation
of the godless comes to naught.
8: The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked gets
into it instead.
9: With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but
by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10: When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and
when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11: By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but it is
overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12: He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of
understanding remains silent.
13: He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who
is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing hidden.
14: Where there is no guidance, a people falls; but in an
abundance of counselors there is safety.
15: He who gives surety for a stranger will smart for it, but he
who hates surety-ship is secure.
16: A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.
17: A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts
himself.
18: A wicked man earns deceptive wages, but one who sows
righteousness gets a sure reward.
19: He who is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who
pursues evil will die.
20: Men of perverse mind are an abomination to the Lord, but
those of blameless ways are his delight.
21: Be assured, an evil man will not go unpunished, but those who
are righteous will be delivered.
22: Like a gold ring in a swine's snout is a beautiful woman
without discretion.
23: The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the
expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24: One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another
withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25: A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will
himself be watered.
26: The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is
on the head of him who sells it.
27: He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to
him who searches for it.
28: He who trusts in his riches will wither, but the righteous
will flourish like a green leaf.
29: He who troubles his household will inherit wind, and the fool
will be servant to the wise.
30: The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but lawlessness
takes away lives.
31: If the righteous is requited on earth, how much more the
wicked and the sinner!
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 12
1: Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates
reproof is stupid.
2: A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil
devices he condemns.
3: A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the
righteous will never be moved.
4: A good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings
shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5: The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the
wicked are treacherous.
6: The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth
of the upright delivers men.
7: The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of
the righteous will stand.
8: A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of
perverse mind is despised.
9: Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself than
one who plays the great man but lacks bread.
10: A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the
mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11: He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who
follows worthless pursuits has no sense.
12: The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin, but the root of
the righteous stands firm.
13: An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but
the righteous escapes from trouble.
14: From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good, and
the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man
listens to advice.
16: The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man
ignores an insult.
17: He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false
witness utters deceit.
18: There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the
tongue of the wise brings healing.
19: Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue is but for
a moment.
20: Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those
who plan good have joy.
21: No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with
trouble.
22: Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act
faithfully are his delight.
23: A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but fools proclaim
their folly.
24: The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will
be put to forced labor.
25: Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word
makes him glad.
26: A righteous man turns away from evil, but the way of the
wicked leads them astray.
27: A slothful man will not catch his prey, but the diligent man
will get precious wealth.
28: In the path of righteousness is life, but the way of error
leads to death.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 13
1: A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does
not listen to rebuke.
2: From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good, but the
desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3: He who guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide
his lips comes to ruin.
4: The soul of the sluggard craves, and gets nothing, while the
soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
5: A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts
shamefully and disgracefully.
6: Righteousness guards him whose way is upright, but sin
overthrows the wicked.
7: One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends
to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8: The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man has
no means of redemption.
9: The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the
wicked will be put out.
10: By insolence the heedless make strife, but with those who
take advice is wisdom.
11: Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but he who gathers little
by little will increase it.
12: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is
a tree of life.
13: He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but
he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
14: The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may
avoid the snares of death.
15: Good sense wins favor, but the way of the faithless is their
ruin.
16: In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool
flaunts his folly.
17: A bad messenger plunges men into trouble, but a faithful
envoy brings healing.
18: Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but
he who heeds reproof is honored.
19: A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul; but to turn away
from evil is an abomination to fools.
20: He who walks with wise men becomes wise, but the companion of
fools will suffer harm.
21: Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the
righteous.
22: A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23: The fallow ground of the poor yields much food, but it is
swept away through injustice.
24: He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is
diligent to discipline him.
25: The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the
belly of the wicked suffers want.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 14
1: Wisdom builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it
down.
2: He who walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is
devious in his ways despises him.
3: The talk of a fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the
wise will preserve them.
4: Where there are no oxen, there is no grain; but abundant crops
come by the strength of the ox.
5: A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes
out lies.
6: A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a
man of understanding.
7: Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words
of knowledge.
8: The wisdom of a prudent man is to discern his way, but the
folly of fools is deceiving.
9: God scorns the wicked, but the upright enjoy his favor.
10: The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares
its joy.
11: The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of
the upright will flourish.
12: There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the
way to death.
13: Even in laughter the heart is sad, and the end of joy is
grief.
14: A perverse man will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and
a good man with the fruit of his deeds.
15: The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where
he is going.
16: A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool
throws off restraint and is careless.
17: A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion
is patient.
18: The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with
knowledge.
19: The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of
the righteous.
20: The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has
many friends.
21: He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but happy is he who
is kind to the poor.
22: Do they not err that devise evil? Those who devise good meet
loyalty and faithfulness.
23: In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to
want.
24: The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the
garland of fools.
25: A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a
betrayer.
26: In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his
children will have a refuge.
27: The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may
avoid the snares of death.
28: In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without
people a prince is ruined.
29: He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who
has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30: A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes
the bones rot.
31: He who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is
kind to the needy honors him.
32: The wicked is overthrown through his evil-doing, but the
righteous finds refuge through his integrity.
33: Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding, but it
is not known in the heart of fools.
34: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any
people.
35: A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his
wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 15
1: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up
anger.
2: The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of
fools pour out folly.
3: The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the
evil and the good.
4: A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it
breaks the spirit.
5: A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who heeds
admonition is prudent.
6: In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but
trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7: The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of
fools.
8: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but
the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9: The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he
loves him who pursues righteousness.
10: There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; he
who hates reproof will die.
11: Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more the
hearts of men!
12: A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the
wise.
13: A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of
heart the spirit is broken.
14: The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but
the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15: All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart
has a continual feast.
16: Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great
treasure and trouble with it.
17: Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fatted ox
and hatred with it.
18: A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to
anger quiets contention.
19: The way of a sluggard is overgrown with thorns, but the path
of the upright is a level highway.
20: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises
his mother.
21: Folly is a joy to him who has no sense, but a man of
understanding walks aright.
22: Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisers they
succeed.
23: To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in
season, how good it is!
24: The wise man's path leads upward to life, that he may avoid
Sheol beneath.
25: The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but maintains the
widow's boundaries.
26: The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
the words of the pure are pleasing to him.
27: He who is greedy for unjust gain makes trouble for his
household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28: The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the
mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29: The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of
the righteous.
30: The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news
refreshes the bones.
31: He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will abide among the
wise.
32: He who ignores instruction despises himself, but he who heeds
admonition gains understanding.
33: The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility
goes before honor
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 16
1: The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the
tongue is from the Lord.
2: All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord
weighs the spirit.
3: Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be
established.
4: The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked
for the day of trouble.
5: Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the Lord; be
assured, he will not go unpunished.
6: By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the
fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
7: When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies
to be at peace with him.
8: Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with
injustice.
9: A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
10: Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does
not sin in judgment.
11: A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in
the bag are his work.
12: It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is
established by righteousness.
13: Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and He loves him
who speaks what is right.
14: A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will
appease it.
15: In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is
like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16: To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to
be chosen rather than silver.
17: The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who
guards his way preserves his life.
18: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a
fall.
19: It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to
divide the spoil with the proud.
20: He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he
who trusts in the Lord.
21: The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and
pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
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22:
Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it, but folly is the
chastisement of fools.
23: The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds
persuasiveness to his lips.
24: Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul
and health to the body.
25: There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the
way to death.
26: A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
27: A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a
scorching fire.
28:
A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
29: A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way
that is not good.
30: He who winks his eyes plans perverse things, he who
compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
31: A hoary head is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous
life.
32: He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who
rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33: The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from
the Lord.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 17
1: Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of
feasting with strife.
2: A slave who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts
shamefully, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3: The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and
the Lord tries hearts.
4: An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a
mischievous tongue.
5: He who mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at
calamity will not go unpunished.
6: Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of sons
is their fathers.
7: Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false
speech to a prince.
8: A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
wherever he turns he prospers.
9: He who forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a
matter alienates a friend.
10: A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a
hundred blows into a fool.
11: An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will
be sent against him.
12: Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a
fool in his folly.
13: If a man returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his
house.
14: The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so quit
before the quarrel breaks out.
15: He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
16: Why should a fool have a price in his hand to buy wisdom,
when he has no mind?
17: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for
adversity.
18: A man without sense gives a pledge, and becomes surety in the
presence of his neighbor.
19: He who loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his
door high seeks destruction.
20: A man of crooked mind does not prosper, and one with a
perverse tongue falls into calamity.
21: A stupid son is a grief to a father; and the father of a fool
has no joy.
22: A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit
dries up the bones.
23: A wicked man accepts a bribe from the bosom to pervert the
ways of justice.
24: A man of understanding sets his face toward wisdom, but the
eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25: A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her
who bore him.
26: To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good; to flog
noble men is wrong.
27: He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a
cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28: Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he
closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 18
1: He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all
sound judgment.
2: A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in
expressing his opinion.
3: When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor
comes disgrace.
4: The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of
wisdom is a gushing stream.
5: It is not good to be partial to a wicked man, or to deprive a
righteous man of justice.
6: A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.
7: A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to
himself.
8: The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go
down into the inner parts of the body.
9: He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man
runs into it and is safe.
11: A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall
protecting him.
12: Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility
goes before honor.
13: If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and
shame.
14: A man's spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit who
can bear?
15: An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the
wise seeks knowledge.
16: A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great
men.
17: He who states his case first seems right, until the other
comes and examines him.
18: The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful
contenders.
19: A brother helped is like a strong city, but quarreling is
like the bars of a castle.
20: From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied; he is
satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who
love it will eat its fruits.
22: He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor
from the Lord.
23: The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24: There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a
friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 19
1: Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a man who
is perverse in speech, and is a fool.
2: It is not good for a man to be without knowledge, and he who
makes haste with his feet misses his way.
3: When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages
against the Lord.
4: Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by
his friend.
5: A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who utters lies
will not escape.
6: Many seek the favor of a generous man, and every one is a
friend to a man who gives gifts.
7: All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his
friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have
them.
8: He who gets wisdom loves himself; he who keeps understanding
will prosper.
9: A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who utters lies
will perish.
10: It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for
a slave to rule over princes.
11: Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to
overlook an offense.
12: A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor
is like dew upon the grass.
13: A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling
is a continual dripping of rain.
14: House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent
wife is from the Lord.
15: Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will
suffer hunger.
16: He who keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises
the word will die.
17: He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will
repay him for his deed.
18: Discipline your son while there is hope; do not set your
heart on his destruction.
19: A man of great wrath will pay the penalty; for if you deliver
him, you will only have to do it again.
20: Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain
wisdom for the future.
21: Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the
purpose of the Lord that will be established.
22: What is desired in a man is loyalty, and a poor man is better
than a liar.
23: The fear of the Lord leads to life; and he who has it rests
satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
24: The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not even
bring it back to his mouth.
25: Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove
a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26: He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27: Cease, my son, to hear instruction only to stray from the
words of knowledge.
28: A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the
wicked devours iniquity.
29: Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and flogging for the
backs of fools.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 20
1: Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led
astray by it is not wise.
2: The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion; he
who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
3: It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every
fool will be quarreling.
4: The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at
harvest and have nothing.
5: The purpose in a man's mind is like deep water, but a man of
understanding will draw it out.
6: Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but a faithful man who
can find?
7: A righteous man who walks in his integrity -- blessed are his
sons after him!
8: A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil
with his eyes.
9: Who can say, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from
my sin"?
10: Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an
abomination to the Lord.
11: Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he
does is pure and right.
12: The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them
both.
13: Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and
you will have plenty of bread.
14: "It is bad, it is bad," says the buyer; but when he
goes away, then he boasts.
15: There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips
of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16: Take a man's garment when he has given surety for a stranger,
and hold him in pledge when he gives surety for foreigners.
17: Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his
mouth will be full of gravel.
18: Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.
19: He who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not
associate with one who speaks foolishly.
20: If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put
out in utter darkness.
21: An inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning will in the
end not be blessed.
22: Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord,
and he will help you.
23: Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false
scales are not good.
24: A man's steps are ordered by the Lord; how then can man
understand his way?
25: It is a snare for a man to say rashly, "It is
holy," and to reflect only after making his vows.
26: A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the wheel over
them.
27: The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his
innermost parts.
28: Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king, and his throne is
upheld by righteousness.
29: The glory of young men is their strength, but the beauty of
old men is their gray hair.
30: Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the
innermost parts.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 21
1: The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.
2: Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord
weighs the heart.
3: To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord
than sacrifice.
4: Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are
sin.
5: The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every
one who is hasty comes only to want.
6: The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor
and a snare of death.
7: The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they
refuse to do what is just.
8: The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure
is right.
9: It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a
house shared with a contentious woman.
10: The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no
mercy in his eyes.
11: When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a
wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12: The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked
are cast down to ruin.
13: He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry
out and not be heard.
14: A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom,
strong wrath.
15: When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but
dismay to evildoers.
16: A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in
the assembly of the dead.
17: He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine
and oil will not be rich.
18: The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless
for the upright.
19: It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious
and fretful woman.
20: Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a
foolish man devours it.
21: He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and
honor.
22: A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the
stronghold in which they trust.
23: He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of
trouble.
24: "Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who
acts with arrogant pride.
25: The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refuse to
labor.
26: All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and
does not hold back.
27: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more
when he brings it with evil intent.
28: A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears
will endure.
29: A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man
considers his ways.
30: No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against
the Lord.
31: The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the
victory belongs to the Lord.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 22
1: A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and
favor is better than silver or gold.
2: The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of
them all.
3: A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go
on, and suffer for it.
4: The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and
honor and life.
5: Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who
guards himself will keep far from them.
6: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old
he will not depart from it.
7: The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of
the lender.
8: He who sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his
fury will fail.
9: He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his
bread with the poor.
10: Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling
and abuse will cease.
11: He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious,
will have the king as his friend.
12: The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but He
overthrows the words of the faithless.
13: The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be
slain in the streets!"
14: The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit; he with whom the
Lord is angry will fall into it.
15: Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of
discipline drives it far from him.
16: He who oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or
gives to the rich, will only come to want.
17: Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply
your mind to my knowledge;
18: for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all
of them are ready on your lips.
19: That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to
you today, even to you.
20: Have I not written for you thirty sayings of admonition and
knowledge,
21: to show you what is right and true, that you may give a true
answer to those who sent you?
22: Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the
afflicted at the gate;
23: for the Lord will plead their cause and despoil of life those
who despoil them.
24: Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a
wrathful man,
25: lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26: Be not one of those who give pledges, who become surety for
debts.
27: If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be
taken from under you?
28: Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.
29: Do you see a man skilful in his work? he will stand before
kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 23
1: When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what
is before you;
2: and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to
appetite.
3: Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
4: Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist.
5: When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it
takes to itself wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
6: Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his
delicacies;
7: for he is like one who is inwardly reckoning. "Eat and
drink!" he says to you; but his heart is not with you.
8: You will vomit up the morsels which you have eaten, and waste
your pleasant words.
9: Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the
wisdom of your words.
10: Do not remove an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the
fatherless;
11: for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause
against you.
12: Apply your mind to instruction and your ear to words of
knowledge.
13: Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you beat him with
a rod, he will not die.
14: If you beat him with the rod you will save his life from
Sheol.
15: My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.
16: My soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
17: Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of
the Lord all the day.
18: Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
19: Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way.
20: Be not among winebibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat;
21: for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and
drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
22: Hearken to your father who begot you, and do not despise your
mother when she is old.
23: Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and
understanding.
24: The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who
begets a wise son will be glad in him.
25: Let your father and mother be glad, let her who bore you
rejoice.
26: My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes observe my
ways.
27: For a harlot is a deep pit; an adventuress is a narrow well.
28: She lies in wait like a robber and increases the faithless
among men.
29: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has
complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30: Those who tarry long over wine, those who go to try mixed
wine.
31: Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the
cup and goes down smoothly.
32: At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an
adder.
33: Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind utter
perverse things.
34: You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35: "They struck me," you will say, "but I was not
hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I will
seek another drink."
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 24
1: Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them;
2: for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of
mischief.
3: By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is
established;
4: by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and
pleasant riches.
5: A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of
knowledge than he who has strength;
6: for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance
of counselors there is victory.
7: Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open
his mouth.
8: He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.
9: The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an
abomination to men.
10: If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
11: Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back
those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12: If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does
not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who keeps watch
over your soul know it, and will He not requite man according to his
work?
13: My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the
honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14: Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there
will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15: Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the
righteous; do not violence to his home;
16: for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again; but
the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17: Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart
be glad when he stumbles;
18: lest the Lord see it, and be displeased, and turn away his
anger from him.
19: Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of
the wicked;
20: for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will
be put out.
21: My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not disobey either
of them;
22: for disaster from them will rise suddenly, and who knows the
ruin that will come from them both?
23: These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is
not good.
24: He who says to the wicked, "You are innocent," will
be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;
25: but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good
blessing will be upon them.
26: He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
27: Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in
the field; and after that build your house.
28: Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do
not deceive with your lips.
29: Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I
will pay the man back for what he has done."
30: I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man
without sense;
31: and lo, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was
covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32: Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received
instruction.
33: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the
hands to rest,
34: and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like
an armed man.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 25
1: These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezeki'ah
king of Judah copied.
2: It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of
kings is to search things out.
3: As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the
mind of kings is unsearchable.
4: Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has
material for a vessel;
5: take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his
throne will be established in righteousness.
6: Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in
the place of the great;
7: for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to
be put lower in the presence of the prince. What your eyes have seen
8: do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the
end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9: Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not
disclose another's secret;
10: lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill
repute have no end.
11: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of
silver.
12: Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprove to
a listening ear.
13: Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful
messenger to those who send him, he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
14: Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a
gift he does not give.
15: With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue
will break a bone.
16: If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you be
sated with it and vomit it.
17: Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he
become weary of you and hate you.
18: A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a
war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19: Trust in a faithless man in time of trouble is like a bad
tooth or a foot that slips.
20: He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off
a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on a wound.
21: If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is
thirsty, give him water to drink;
22: for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord
will reward you.
23: The north wind brings forth rain; and a backbiting tongue,
angry looks.
24: It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a
house shared with a contentious woman.
25: Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far
country.
26: Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous
man who gives way before the wicked.
27: It is not good to eat much honey, so be sparing of
complimentary words.
28: A man without self-control is like a city broken into and
left without walls.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 26
1: Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not
fitting for a fool.
2: Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the
back of fools.
4: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him
yourself.
5: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his
own eyes.
6: He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own
feet and drinks violence.
7: Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in
the mouth of fools.
8: Like one who binds the stone in the sling is he who gives
honor to a fool.
9: Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a
proverb in the mouth of fools.
10: Like an archer who wounds everybody is he who hires a passing
fool or drunkard.
11: Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool that repeats
his folly.
12: Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more
hope for a fool than for him.
13: The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! There
is a lion in the streets!"
14: As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15: The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to
bring it back to his mouth.
16: The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can
answer discreetly.
17: He who meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes
a passing dog by the ears.
18: Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19: is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am
only joking!"
20: For lack of wood the fire goes out; and where there is no
whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21: As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a
quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22: The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go
down into the inner parts of the body.
23: Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are smooth lips
with an evil heart.
24: He who hates, dissembles with his lips and harbors deceit in
his heart;
25: when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are
seven abominations in his heart;
26: though his hatred be covered with guile, his wickedness will
be exposed in the assembly.
27: He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come
back upon him who starts it rolling.
28: A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth
works ruin.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 27
1: Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day
may bring forth.
2: Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger,
and not your own lips.
3: A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's
provocation is heavier than both.
4: Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming; but who can stand
before jealousy?
5: Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of
an enemy.
7: He who is sated loathes honey, but to one who is hungry
everything bitter is sweet.
8: Like a bird that strays from its nest, is a man who strays
from his home.
9: Oil and perfume make the heart glad, but the soul is torn by
trouble.
10: Your friend, and your father's friend, do not forsake; and do
not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a
neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer
him who reproaches me.
12: A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple
go on, and suffer for it.
13: Take a man's garment when he has given surety for a stranger,
and hold him in pledge when he gives surety for foreigners.
14: He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early
in the morning, will be counted as cursing.
15: A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman
are alike;
16: to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in
his right hand.
17: Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
18: He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards
his master will be honored.
19: As in water face answers to face, so the mind of man reflects
the man.
20: Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied
are the eyes of man.
21: The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and
a man is judged by his praise.
22: Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed
grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23: Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to
your herds;
24: for riches do not last for ever; and does a crown endure to
all generations?
25: When the grass is gone, and the new growth appears, and the
herbage of the mountains is gathered,
26: the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price
of a field;
27: there will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food
of your household and maintenance for your maidens.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 28
1: The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are
bold as a lion.
2: When a land transgresses it has many rulers; but with men of
understanding and knowledge its stability will long continue.
3: A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that
leaves no food.
4: Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who
keep the law strive against them.
5: Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the
Lord understand it completely.
6: Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich
man who is perverse in his ways.
7: He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of
gluttons shames his father.
8: He who augments his wealth by interest and increase gathers it
for him who is kind to the poor.
9: If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his
prayer is an abomination.
10: He who misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into
his own pit; but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.
11: A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has
understanding will find him out.
12: When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when
the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13: He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he
who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14: Blessed is the man who fears the Lord always; but he who
hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15: Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over
a poor people.
16: A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but he
who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17: If a man is burdened with the blood of another, let him be a
fugitive until death; let no one help him.
18: He who walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is
perverse in his ways will fall into a pit.
19: He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who
follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20: A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens
to be rich will not go unpunished.
21: To show partiality is not good; but for a piece of bread a
man will do wrong.
22: A miserly man hastens after wealth, and does not know that
want will come upon him.
23: He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he
who flatters with his tongue.
24: He who robs his father or his mother and says, "That is
no transgression," is the companion of a man who destroys.
25: A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord
will be enriched.
26: He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in
wisdom will be delivered.
27: He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his
eyes will get many a curse.
28: When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they
perish, the righteous increase.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 29
1: He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck will suddenly
be broken beyond healing.
2: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but
when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3: He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but one who keeps
company with harlots squanders his substance.
4: By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who
exacts gifts ruins it.
5: A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6: An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous
man sings and rejoices.
7: A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man
does not understand such knowledge.
8: Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath.
9: If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages
and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10: Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless, and the wicked
seek his life.
11: A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man quietly
holds it back.
12: If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be
wicked.
13: The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the Lord gives
light to the eyes of both.
14: If a king judges the poor with equity his throne will be
established for ever.
15: The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself
brings shame to his mother.
16: When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases;
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17: Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give
delight to your heart.
18: Where there is no prophecy the people cast off restraint, but
blessed is he who keeps the law.
19: By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he
understands, he will not give heed.
20: Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more
hope for a fool than for him.
21: He who pampers his servant from childhood, will in the end
find him his heir.
22: A man of wrath stirs up strife, and a man given to anger
causes much transgression.
23: A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in
spirit will obtain honor.
24: The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the
curse, but discloses nothing.
25: The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord
is safe.
26: Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the Lord a man gets
justice.
27: An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but he
whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 30
1: The words of Agur son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ith'i-el,
to Ith'i-el and Ucal:
2: Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the
understanding of a man.
3: I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy
One.
4: Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the
wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has
established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his
son's name? Surely you know!
5: Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who
take refuge in Him.
6: Do not add to his words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found
a liar.
7: Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die:
8: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither
poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9: lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, "Who is the
Lord?" or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my
God.
10: Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you,
and you be held guilty.
11: There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless
their mothers.
12: There are those who are pure in their own eyes but are not
cleansed of their filth.
13: There are those -- how lofty are their eyes, how high their
eyelids lift!
14: There are those whose teeth are swords, whose teeth are
knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among men.
15: The leech has two daughters; "Give, give," they
cry. Three things are never satisfied; four never say,
"Enough":
16: Sheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and
the fire which never says, "Enough."
17: The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will
be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.
18: Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not
understand:
19: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a
rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a
maiden.
20: This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her
mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong."
21: Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot
bear up:
22: a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled
with food;
23: an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maid when she
succeeds her mistress.
24: Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly
wise:
25: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food
in the summer;
26: the badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their
homes in the rocks;
27: the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank;
28: the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings'
palaces.
29: Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in
their stride:
30: the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn
back before any;
31: the strutting cock, the he-goat, and a king striding before
his people.
32: If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have
been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
33: For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces
blood, and pressing anger produces strife.
The Books of
Proverbs, chapter 31
1: The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught
him:
2: What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
3: Give not your strength to women, your ways to those who
destroy kings.
4: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink
wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;
5: lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert
the rights of all the afflicted.
6: Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those
in bitter distress;
7: let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their
misery no more.
8: Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are
left desolate.
9: Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the
poor and needy.
10: A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than
jewels.
11: The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no
lack of gain.
12: She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13: She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14: She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food
from afar.
15: She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her
household and tasks for her maidens.
16: She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her
hands she plants a vineyard.
17: She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
18: She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp
does not go out at night.
19: She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the
spindle.
20: She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to
the needy.
21: She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her
household are clothed in scarlet.
22: She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and
purple.
23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the
elders of the land.
24: She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles
to the merchant.
25: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the
time to come.
26: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness
is on her tongue.
27: She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat
the bread of idleness.
28: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also,
and he praises her:
29: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them
all."
30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears
the Lord is to be praised.
31: Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise
her in the gates
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