Proverbs
To Know Wisdom
2To know awisdom and discipline,To understand the sayings of bunderstanding,3To areceive discipline 1that leads to insight,bRighteousness, justice, and equity,4To give aprudence to the 1,bsimple,To the youth cknowledge and discretion;5Let the wise man hear and aincrease in learning,And a bman of understanding will acquire guidance,6To understand a proverb and an enigma,The words of the wise and their ariddles.7aThe fear of 1Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;2Ignorant fools despise wisdom and discipline.The Enticement of Sinners
8aHear, my son, your father’s disciplineAnd bdo not abandon your mother’s 1instruction;9For they are a agarland of grace for your headAnd 1,bornaments about your neck.10My son, if sinners aentice you,bDo not be willing.11If they say, “Come with us,Let us alie in wait for blood,Let us bambush the innocent without cause;12Let us aswallow them alive like Sheol,And whole, as those who bgo down to the pit;13We will find all kinds of precious wealth,We will fill our houses with spoil;14Cast in your lot 1with us,We shall all have one purse,”15My son, ado not walk in the way with them.bWithhold your feet from their pathway,16For atheir feet run to evilAnd they hasten to shed blood.17For it is 1no use that a net is spreadIn the sight of any 2bird;18But they alie in wait for their own blood;They ambush their own 1lives.19So are the paths of everyone who is agreedy for gain;It takes away the 1life of its possessors.The Call of Wisdom
20aWisdom shouts in the street,She gives forth her voice in the square;21At the head of the noisy streets she calls out;At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:22“How long, O asimple ones, will you love simplicity?And bscoffers delight in scoffingAnd 1fools chate knowledge?23“Turn to my reproof,Behold, I will apour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you.24“Because aI called and you brefused,I cstretched out my hand and no one paid attention;25And you aneglected all my counselAnd were not bwilling to accept my reproof;26I will also alaugh at your bdisaster;I will mock when your cdread comes,27When your dread comes like a stormAnd your disaster comes like a awhirlwind,When distress and anguish come upon you.28“Then they will acall on me, but I will not answer;They will bseek me earnestly but they will not find me,29Because they ahated knowledgeAnd did not choose the fear of Yahweh.30“They awere not willing to accept my counsel,They spurned all my reproof.31“So they shall aeat of the fruit of their wayAnd be bsatisfied with their own devices.32“For the aturning away of the simple will kill them,And the complacency of fools will destroy them.33“But ahe who listens to me shall dwell securelyAnd will be at ease from the dread of evil.”Yahweh Gives Wisdom
2My son, if you will areceive my wordsAnd btreasure my commandments within you,2aTo make your ear pay attention to wisdom,Incline your heart to discernment;3For if you call out for understanding,Give your voice for discernment;4If you seek her as asilverAnd search for her as for bhidden treasures;5Then you will understand the afear of YahwehAnd find the knowledge of God.6For aYahweh gives wisdom;From His mouth come knowledge and discernment.7He stores up sound wisdom for the upright,A ashield to those who walk in integrity,8To guard the paths of justice,And He akeeps the way of His holy ones.9Then you will understand arighteousness and justiceAnd equity—every bgood track.10For awisdom will enter your heartAnd bknowledge will be pleasant to your soul;11Discretion will akeep you,Discernment will guard you,12To adeliver you from the way of evil,From the man who speaks bperverse things;13From those who aforsake the paths of uprightnessTo walk in the bways of darkness;14Who are aglad to do evilAnd they rejoice in the perversity of evil;15Whose paths are acrooked,And who are devious in their tracks;16To deliver you from the 1,astrange woman,From the 2,bforeign woman who flatters with her words;17Who forsakes the close acompanion of her youthAnd forgets the bcovenant of her God;18For aher house 1sinks down to deathAnd her tracks descend to the 2dead;19All awho go to her will not return,And they will not reach the bpaths of life.20So that you will awalk in the way of good menAnd keep to the bpaths of the righteous.21For athe upright will dwell in the landAnd bthe blameless will remain in it;22But athe wicked will be cut off from the landAnd bthe treacherous will be ctorn away from it.Trust, Fear, and Honor Yahweh
3My son, ado not forget my 1law,But let your heart bguard my commandments;2For alength of days and years of lifeAnd peace they will add to you.3Do not let alovingkindness and truth forsake you;bBind them around your neck,cWrite them on the tablet of your heart.4So you will afind favor and bgood insightIn the eyes of God and man.5aTrust in Yahweh with all your heartAnd bdo not lean on your own understanding.6In all your ways 1,aacknowledge Him,And He will bmake your paths straight.7aDo not be wise in your own eyes;bFear Yahweh and turn away from evil.8It will be ahealing to your 1bodyAnd brefreshment to your bones.9aHonor Yahweh from your wealthAnd from the bfirst of all your produce;10So your abarns will be filled with plentyAnd your bvats will burst with new wine.11aMy son, do not reject the 1discipline of YahwehOr loathe His reproof,12For awhom Yahweh loves He reproves,Even bas a father reproves the son in whom he delights.13aHow blessed is the man who finds wisdomAnd the man who obtains discernment.14For her aprofit is better than the profit of silverAnd her produce better than fine gold.15She is amore precious than 1pearls;And nothing you desire compares with her.16aLength of days is in her right hand;In her left hand are briches and glory.17Her aways are pleasant waysAnd all her pathways are bpeace.18She is a atree of life to those who seize her,And all those who hold her fast are blessed.19Yahweh aby wisdom founded the earth,By discernment He bestablished the heavens.20By His knowledge the adeeps were split upAnd the bskies drip with dew.21My son, alet them not deviate from your eyes;Guard sound wisdom and discretion,22So they will be alife for your soulAnd bgrace for your neck.23Then you will awalk in your way securelyAnd your foot will not bstumble.24When you alie down, you will not be in dread;You will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.25aDo not be afraid of sudden dreadNor of the bstorm of the wicked when it comes;26For Yahweh will be 1your confidenceAnd will akeep your foot from being caught.27aDo not withhold good from 1those to whom it is due,When it is in your hand to do it.28aDo not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,And tomorrow I will give it,”When it is there with you.29aDo not devise 1harm against your neighbor,While he lives securely beside you.30aDo not contend with a man without cause,If he has dealt you no 1harm.31aDo not envy a man of violenceAnd do not choose any of his ways.32For the adevious one is an abomination to Yahweh;But His bsecret council is with the upright.33The acurse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked one,But He bblesses the abode of the righteous.34Though aHe scoffs at the scoffers,Yet bHe gives grace to the humble.35aThe wise will inherit glory,But 1fools raise up disgrace.A Father’s Wise Instruction
4Hear, O sons, the adiscipline of a father,And bpay attention that you may know understanding,2For I give you 1sound alearning;bDo not forsake my 2instruction.3When I was a son to my father,aTender and bthe only son before my mother,4Then he ainstructed me and said to me,“Let your heart bhold fast my words;cKeep my commandments and live;5aAcquire wisdom! bAcquire understanding!Do not forget and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.6“Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;aLove her, and she will guard you.7“1,aThe beginning of wisdom is: bAcquire wisdom;And with all your acquiring, acquire understanding.8“aPrize her, and she will exalt you;She will honor you if you embrace her.9“She will give afor your head a garland of grace;She will present you with a crown of beauty.”10Hear, my son, and areceive my sayingsAnd the byears of your life will be many.11I have ainstructed you in the way of wisdom;I have led you in upright tracks.12When you walk, your asteps will not be impeded;And if you run, you bwill not stumble.13aSeize discipline; do not let go.Guard her, for she is your blife.14aDo not enter the path of wicked menAnd do not step into the way of evil men.15Avoid it, do not pass by it;aStray from it and pass on.16For they ado not sleep unless they do evil;And 1they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.17For they aeat the bread of wickednessAnd drink the wine of violence.18But the apath of the righteous is like the blight of dawn,That cshines brighter and brighter until the dfullness of day.19The away of the wicked is like thick darkness;They do not know over what they 1,bstumble.20My son, apay attention to my words;bIncline your ear to my sayings.21aDo not let them deviate from your eyes;bKeep them in the midst of your heart.22For they are alife to those who find themAnd bhealing to all his flesh.23Guard your heart with all diligence,For afrom it flow the springs of life.24Put away from you a aperverse mouthAnd bput devious lips far from you.25Let your eyes look directly aheadAnd even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you.26aWatch the track of your feetAnd all your bways will be established.27aDo not turn to the right nor to the left;bTurn your foot from evil.Warning Against Adultery
5My son, apay attention to my wisdom,bIncline your ear to my discernment;2That you may akeep discretionAnd that your blips may guard knowledge.3For the lips of a astrange woman bdrip honeyAnd csmoother than oil is her 1speech;4But her end is abitter as wormwood,bSharp as a two-edged sword.5Her feet ago down to death,Her steps take hold of Sheol,6Lest she watch the apath of life;Her tracks are bunstable, she cdoes not know it.7aSo now, my sons, listen to meAnd bdo not turn away from the words of my mouth.8aKeep your way far from herAnd do not go near the bdoor of her house,9Lest you give your splendor to othersAnd your years to the cruel one;10Lest strangers be satisfied by your strengthAnd by your painful labor, those in the house of a foreigner;11And you groan at your 1end,When your flesh and your body are consumed;12And you say, “How I have ahated discipline!And my heart bspurned reproof!13“I have not listened to the voice of my ainstructors,And I have not inclined my ear to my teachers!14“I was almost in utter ruinIn the midst of the assembly and congregation.”15Drink water from your own cisternAnd 1fresh water from your own well.16Should your asprings be dispersed abroad,Streams of water in the streets?17Let them be for you alone,And not for strangers with you.18Let your afountain be blessed,And bbe glad in the cwife of your youth.19As a loving ahind and a graceful doe,Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;Be 1intoxicated always with her love.20So why should you, my son, be intoxicated with a astrange womanAnd embrace the bosom of a bforeign woman?21For the aways of a man are before the eyes of Yahweh,And He bwatches all his tracks.22His aown iniquities will capture him who is the wicked one,And with the cords of his sin he will be held fast.23He will adie for lack of discipline,And in the abundance of his 1folly he will 2stumble in intoxication.Practical Warnings
6My son, if you have become a aguarantor for your neighbor,Have struck your 1hands in pledge for a stranger,2If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,Have been caught with the words of your mouth,3Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;Since you have come into the 1hand of your neighbor,Go, humble yourself, and badger your neighbor.4Give no asleep to your eyes,Nor slumber to your eyelids;5Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s handAnd like a abird from the hand of the fowler.6Go to the aant, O bsluggard,Observe her ways and be wise,7Which, having ano chief,Officer or ruler,8Prepares her food ain the summerAnd gathers her provision in the harvest.9How long will you lie down, O sluggard?When will you arise from your sleep?10“aA little sleep, a little slumber,A little folding of the hands to 1rest”—11aYour poverty will come in like 1a vagabondAnd your want like 2an armed man.12A avile person, a wicked man,Is the one who walks with a bperverse mouth,13Who awinks with his eyes, who 1signals with his feet,Who 2points with his fingers;14Who with aperversity in his heart continually bdevises evil,Who 1,cspreads contentions.15Therefore ahis disaster will come suddenly;bInstantly he will be broken and there will be cno healing.16There are six things which Yahweh hates,Even seven which are an abomination 1to Him:17aHaughty eyes, a blying tongue,And hands that cshed innocent blood,18A heart that devises awicked thoughts,bFeet that hasten to run to evil,19A afalse witness who breathes out lies,And one who 1,bspreads strife among brothers.Warning Against Adultery
20aMy son, observe the commandment of your fatherAnd do not abandon the 1law of your mother;21aBind them continually on your heart;Tie them around your neck.22When you awalk about, 1they will lead you;When you sleep, 2they will keep watch over you;And when you awake, 3they will speak to you.23For athe commandment is a lamp and the 1law is light;And reproofs for discipline are the way of life24To akeep you from the evil woman,From the smooth tongue of the foreign woman.25aDo not desire her beauty in your heart,Nor let her capture you with her beyelids.26For aon account of 1a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread,And 2an adulteress bhunts for the precious 3life.27Can a man 1take fire in his bosomAnd his clothes not be burned?28Or can a man walk on hot coalsAnd his feet not be scorched?29So is the one who agoes in to his neighbor’s wife;Whoever touches her bwill not 1go unpunished.301Men do not despise a thief if he stealsTo afill 2himself when he is hungry;31But when he is found, he must arepay sevenfold;He must give all the 1substance of his house.32The one who commits adultery with a woman is alacking a heart of wisdom;He who would bdestroy his soul does it.33Wounds and disgrace he will find,And his reproach will not be blotted out.34For ajealousy 1enrages a man,And he will not spare in the bday of vengeance.35He will not 1accept any ransom,He will not be willing though you give many bribes.The Adulteress’ Trap
7My son, akeep my wordsAnd treasure my commandments within you.2aKeep my commandments and live,And my 1law bas the 2apple of your eye.3aBind them on your fingers;bWrite them on the tablet of your heart.4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”And call understanding your intimate friend;5In order to keep you from the strange woman,From the foreign woman who 1flatters with her words.6For aat the window of my houseI looked out bthrough my lattice,7And I saw among the asimple,And discerned among the 1sonsA young man blacking a heart of wisdom,8Passing through the street near aher corner;And he strides along the way to bher house,9In the atwilight, in the evening of that day,In the 1middle of the night, and in the thick darkness.10And behold, a woman comes to meet him,aDressed as a harlot and 1cunning of heart.11She is aboisterous and rebellious,Her bfeet do not dwell at home;12Stepping in the streets, stepping ain the squares,And near every corner she blies in wait.13So she seizes him and kisses him1And with a abrazen face she says to him:14“The sacrifices of apeace offerings are with me;Today I bpaid my vows.15“Therefore I have come out to meet you,To seek your face earnestly, and I have found you.16“I have spread my couch with acoverings,With colored blinens of Egypt.17“I have sprinkled my bedWith amyrrh, aloes, and bcinnamon.18“Come, then, let us drink our fill as lovers until morning;Let us delight ourselves with the pleasures of love.19“For 1my husband is not at home,He has gone on a journey far away;20He took a abag of silver in his hand,On the day of the full moon he will come home.”21With her abundant 1persuasions she entices him;With her aflattering lips she drives him to herself.22He suddenly follows herAs an ox goes to the slaughter,Or 1as one in fetters to the discipline of an ignorant fool,23Until an arrow pierces through his liver;As a abird hastens to the snare,And he does not know that it will cost him his 1soul.24So now, my sons, alisten to me,And pay attention to the words of my mouth.25Do not let your heart ago astray into her ways,Do not wander into her pathways.26For many are the slain whom she has cast down,And anumerous are all those killed by her.27The ways to Sheol are in her ahouse,Descending to the chambers of death.The Blessing of Wisdom
8Does not awisdom call,And discernment give forth her voice?2At the top of athe heights upon the way,Where the pathways meet, she takes her stand;3Beside the agates, at the opening to the city,At the entrance of the doors, she makes a shout:4“To you, O men, I call,And my voice is to the sons of men.5“O asimple ones, understand prudence;And, O bfools, understand a heart of wisdom.6“Listen, for I will speak anoble things;And the opening of my lips will reveal bupright things.7“For my amouth will utter truth;And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.8“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;There is nothing atwisted or crooked in them.9“They are all astraightforward to him who understands,And right to those who bfind knowledge.10“Take my adiscipline and not silver,And knowledge rather than choicest fine gold.11“For wisdom is abetter than pearls;And ball desirable things cannot compare with her.12“I, wisdom, adwell with prudence,And I find bknowledge and discretion.13“The afear of Yahweh is to hate evil;bPride and arrogance and cthe evil wayAnd the mouth of 1,dperverted words, I hate.14“aCounsel is mine and bsound wisdom;I am understanding, cmight is mine.15“By me akings reign,And rulers mark out righteousness.16“By me princes rule, and nobles,All who judge rightly.17“I alove those who love me;And bthose who earnestly seek me will find me.18“aRiches and glory are with me,Enduring bwealth and righteousness.19“My fruit is abetter than fine gold, even pure gold,And my produce better than bchoice silver.20“I walk in the path of righteousness,In the midst of the pathways of justice,21To give those who love me an inheritance of wealth,That I may afill their treasuries.22“Yahweh possessed me aat the beginning of His way,Before His deeds 1of old.23“From everlasting I was 1,ainstalled,From the beginning, bfrom the earliest times of the earth.24“When there were no adepths I was 1brought forth,When there were no springs heavy with water.25“aBefore the mountains were settled,Before the hills I was 1brought forth;26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields outside,Nor the first dust of the world.27“When He aestablished the heavens, I was there,When bHe marked out a circle on the face of the deep,28When He made firm the skies above,When the springs of the deep became strong,29When aHe set for the sea its boundarySo that the water would not pass over His 1command,When He marked out bthe foundations of the earth;30Then aI was beside Him, as a master workman;And I was a daily delight,1Rejoicing always before Him,311Rejoicing in the world, His earth,aMy delight is in the sons of men.32“So now, O sons, alisten to me,For bblessed are they who keep my ways.33“aHear discipline and be wise,And do not neglect it.34“aHow blessed is the man who hears me,To watch daily at my doors,To keep watch at my doorposts.35“For ahe who finds me finds lifeAnd bobtains favor from Yahweh.36“But he who 1sins against me adoes violence to his own soul;All those who bhate me clove death.”Wisdom and Foolishness Call Out
9Wisdom has abuilt her house,She has hewn out her seven pillars;2She has 1,aslaughtered her cattle, she has bmixed her wine;She has also cprepared her table;3She has asent out her maidens, she bcallsFrom the ctops of the heights of the city:4“aWhoever is simple, let him turn in here!”To him who blacks a heart of wisdom she says,5“Come, aeat of my breadAnd drink of the wine I have mixed.6“1Forsake your simplicity and alive,And bstep into the way of understanding.”7He who adisciplines a scoffer receives disgrace for himself,And he who reproves a wicked man receives injury for himself.8aDo not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you,bReprove a wise man and he will love you.9Give knowledge to a wise man and he will be still wiser,Make a righteous man know it and he will aincrease his learning.10The afear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom,And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.11For aby me your days will become many,And years of life will be added to you.12If you are wise, you are wise afor yourself,And if you bscoff, you alone will bear it.13The woman of 1foolishness is aboisterous,A woman of simplicity, and bdoes not know anything.14She sits at the doorway of her house,On a seat by athe high places of the city,15To call to those who pass by that way,Who are making their paths straight:16“aWhoever is simple, let him turn in here,”And to him who lacks a heart of wisdom she says,17“Stolen water is sweet;And abread eaten in secret is pleasant.”18But he does not know that the 1dead are there,That those she called are in the adepths of Sheol.Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked
10The aproverbs of Solomon. bA wise son makes a father glad,But ca foolish son is a grief to his mother.
2aTreasures gained by wickedness do not profit,But righteousness delivers from death.3Yahweh awill not allow the soul of the righteous to hunger,But He bwill push away the craving of the wicked.4Poor is he who works with a slack 1hand,But the ahand of the diligent makes rich.5He who gathers in summer is a son who acts insightfully,But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.6aBlessings are on the head of the righteous,But bthe mouth of the wicked covers up violence.7The aremembrance of the righteous is blessed,But bthe name of the wicked will rot.8The awise of heart will receive commandments,But an ignorant fool of loose lips will be 1ruined.9He awho walks in integrity walks securely,But bhe who makes his ways crooked will be found out.10He awho winks the eye causes pain,And ban ignorant fool of loose lips will be 1ruined.11The amouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,But bthe mouth of the wicked covers up violence.12Hatred stirs up strife,But alove covers all transgressions.13On athe lips of the one who has understanding, wisdom is found,But ba rod is for the back of him who lacks a heart of wisdom.14Wise men astore up knowledge,But bthe mouth of the ignorant fool draws ruin near.15The arich man’s wealth is his strong city,The bruin of the poor is their poverty.16The 1,awages of the righteous is life,The income of the wicked, punishment.17He ais on the path of life who keeps discipline,But he who forsakes reproof makes 1himself wander about.18He awho covers up hatred has lying lips,And he who spreads a bad report is a fool.19When there are amany words, transgression is unavoidable,But bhe who holds back his lips has insight.20The tongue of the righteous is as achoice silver,The heart of the wicked is worth little.21The alips of the righteous feed many,But ignorant fools bdie for lack of a heart of wisdom.22It is the ablessing of Yahweh that makes rich,And He adds no pain with it.23Doing wickedness is like alaughing to a fool,And so is wisdom to a man of discernment.24What athe wicked dreads will come upon him,But the bdesire of the righteous will be granted.25When the awhirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,But the brighteous has an everlasting foundation.26Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes,So is the asluggard to those who send him.27The afear of Yahweh prolongs 1life,But the byears of the wicked will be shortened.28The aexpectation of the righteous is gladness,But the bhope of the wicked will perish.29The away of Yahweh is a stronghold to the one with integrity,But bruin to the workers of iniquity.30The arighteous will never be shaken,But bthe wicked will not dwell in the land.31The amouth of the righteous bears wisdom,But the tongue of bperversions will be cut out.32The lips of the righteous know awhat is acceptable,But the bmouth of the wicked 1what is perverse.11A adeceptive balance is an abomination to Yahweh,But a bjust weight is His delight.2When aarrogance comes, then comes disgrace,But with the meek is wisdom.3The aintegrity of the upright will lead them,But the bcrookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.4aWealth will not profit in the day of wrath,But brighteousness will deliver from death.5The arighteousness of the blameless will make his way straight,But bthe wicked will fall by his own wickedness.6The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,But the treacherous will abe captured by their own desire.7When a wicked man dies, his ahope will perish,And the bexpectation of vigorous men perishes.8The righteous is rescued from 1distress,But the wicked 2takes his place.9With his amouth the godless man corrupts his neighbor,But through knowledge the brighteous will be rescued.10When it agoes well with the righteous, the city exults,And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.11By the blessing of the upright a city is raised up,But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.12He who despises his neighbor lacks a heart of wisdom,But a man of discernment keeps silent.13He awho goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,But he who is faithful in spirit bconceals a matter.14Where there is no aguidance the people fall,But in abundance of counselors there is salvation.15If one becomes a aguarantor for a stranger, he will surely suffer,But he who hates 1striking hands in pledge is secure.16A agracious woman holds fast to glory,But ruthless men hold fast to riches.17The man of alovingkindness deals bountifully with his soul,But the cruel man brings trouble on his flesh.18The wicked earns deceptive wages,But he who asows righteousness gets a true reward.19He who is steadfast in arighteousness will attain to life,And bhe who pursues evil will bring about his own death.20Those with a crooked heart are an abomination to Yahweh,But those of a ablameless way are His bdelight.211Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished,But the seed of the righteous will escape.22As a aring of gold in a swine’s snoutSo is a beautiful woman who turns away from 1discretion.23The desire of the righteous is only good,But the ahope of the wicked is wrath.24There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,And there is one who holds back what is rightly due, and yet results only in want.25The soul 1that ablesses will be 2enriched,And he who bwaters will himself be watered.26He who withholds grain, the apeople will curse him,But bblessing will be on the head of him who csells it.27He who earnestly seeks good seeks favor,But ahe who searches for evil, evil will come to him.28He who atrusts in his riches will fall,But bthe righteous will flourish like the green leaf.29He who atroubles his own house will binherit wind,And cthe ignorant fool will be a slave to the wise of heart.30The fruit of the righteous is aa tree of life,And bhe who is wise 1wins souls.31If athe righteous will be repaid in the earth,How much more the wicked and the sinner!12Whoever loves 1discipline loves knowledge,But he who hates reproof is senseless.2A agood man will obtain favor from Yahweh,But a man of evil schemes He will condemn.3A man will anot be established by wickedness,But the root of the brighteous will not be shaken.41An aexcellent wife is the crown of her husband,But she who causes shame is like brottenness in his bones.5The thoughts of the righteous are just,But the guidance of the wicked is deceitful.6The awords of the wicked lie in wait for blood,But the bmouth of the upright will deliver them.7The awicked are overthrown and are no more,But the bhouse of the righteous will stand.8A man will be praised according to his insight,But one of perverse heart will be despised.9Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servantThan he who honors himself and lacks bread.10A arighteous man knows the value of the life of his animal,But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.11He awho cultivates his land will be satisfied with bread,But he who pursues empty things lacks a heart of wisdom.12The awicked man desires a stronghold of evil men,But the root of the righteous bgives fruit.13The snare of an evil man is in the transgression of his lips,But the arighteous man will come out from distress.14A man will be asatisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,And the good bdeed of a man’s hands will return to him.15The away of an ignorant fool is right in his own eyes,But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.16An aignorant fool’s 1anger is known at once,But a prudent man conceals disgrace.17He who breathes out truth declares what is right,But a false witness, deceit.18There is one who aspeaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,But the btongue of the wise brings healing.19Truthful lips will be established forever,But a alying tongue is only for a moment.20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,But counselors of peace have gladness.21aNo misfortune befalls the righteous,But the wicked are filled with calamity.22aLying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,But doers of faithfulness are His delight.23A aprudent man conceals knowledge,But the heart of fools proclaims folly.24The hand of the diligent will rule,But 1the slack hand will be aput to forced labor.25aAnxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,But a bgood word makes it glad.26The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,But the way of the wicked makes them wander about.27A slack handed man does not 1roast his prey,But the wealth of a man is aprecious for the diligent.28aIn the path of righteousness is life,And in its pathway there is no death.13A awise son accepts his father’s discipline,But a bscoffer does not listen to rebuke.2From the fruit of a man’s mouth he aeats what is good,But the soul of the treacherous desires bviolence.3The one who aguards his mouth keeps his soul;The one who bopens wide his lips 1comes to ruin.4The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,But the soul of the diligent is enriched.5A righteous man ahates a lying word,But a wicked man 1,bacts odiously and is humiliated.6Righteousness aguards the 1one whose way is blameless,But wickedness subverts the 2sinner.7There is one who apretends to be rich, but has nothing;Another 1pretends to be bpoor, but has great wealth.8The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth,But the poor hears no rebuke.9The alight of the righteous is glad,But the blamp of the wicked goes out.10With arrogance 1comes only quarreling,But with those who receive counsel is wisdom.11Wealth obtained from empty effort dwindles,But the one who gathers 1with his hand abounds.121Hope deferred makes the heart sick,But desire 2fulfilled is a tree of life.13The one who adespises the word will be 1in debt to it,But the one who fears the commandment will be brewarded.14The 1instruction of the wise is a afountain of life,To turn aside from the bsnares of death.15aGood insight gives grace,But the way of the treacherous is 1unrelenting.16Every aprudent man acts with knowledge,But a fool spreads out folly.17A wicked messenger falls into evil,But aa faithful envoy brings healing.18Poverty and disgrace come to him who aneglects 1discipline,But he who keeps reproof will be honored.19Desire realized is pleasant to the soul,But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.20aHe who walks with the wise will be wise,But the friend of fools will suffer harm.21aEvil pursues sinners,But the brighteous are repaid with good.22A good man aleaves an inheritance to his 1children’s children,And the bwealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.23aAbundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor,But 1it is swept away by injustice.24He who aholds back his 1rod hates his son,But he who loves him 2,bdisciplines him diligently.25The arighteous eats to the satisfaction of his soul,But the stomach of the bwicked lacks.14The 1,awise woman builds her house,But the woman of folly tears it down with her own hands.2He who awalks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,But he who is bdevious in his ways despises Him.3In the mouth of the ignorant fool is a rod of lofty pride,But athe lips of the wise will keep them.4Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.5A afaithful witness will not lie,But a bfalse witness cbreathes out lies.6A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.7Leave the apresence of a fool,As you have not known lips of knowledge there.8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,But athe folly of fools is deceit.9Ignorant fools scoff at guilt,But aamong the upright there is favor.10The heart knows its own abitterness,And a stranger does not share its gladness.11The ahouse of the wicked will be destroyed,But the tent of the upright will flourish.12There ais a way which seems right to a man,But its bend is the way of death.13Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,And the aend of joy may be grief.14The one who turns back in his heart will be satisfied with his aways,But a good man will bbe satisfied 1with his.15The simple believes everything,But the prudent one discerns his steps.16A wise man fears and aturns away from evil,But a fool gets angry and feels secure.17A quick-tempered man acts in folly,And a man of evil schemes is hated.18The simple inherit folly,But the prudent are 1crowned with knowledge.19The aevil will bow down before the good,And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.20The apoor is hated even by his neighbor,But those who love the rich are many.21He who adespises his neighbor sins,But how bblessed is he who is gracious to the 1poor.22Will they not wander in error who adevise evil?But lovingkindness and truth will be to those who devise good.23In all painful labor there is profit,But mere words from the lips lead only to want.24The acrown of the wise is their riches,But the folly of fools is folly.25A truthful witness delivers souls,But he who abreathes out lies is deceitful.26In the 1,afear of Yahweh there is strong security,And 2his children will have refuge.27The 1fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,To turn aside from the snares of death.28In a multitude of people is a king’s splendor,But in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin.29He who is aslow to anger has great discernment,But he who is 1quick-tempered raises up folly.30A 1,atranquil heart is life to the body,But jealousy is brottenness to the bones.31He awho oppresses the poor reproaches bhis Maker,But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.32The wicked is athrust down by his own evil,But the brighteous takes refuge even in his death.33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,But in the midst of fools it is merely made known.34Righteousness exalts a nation,But sin is a disgrace to any people.35The king’s favor is toward a aservant who acts insightfully,But his fury is toward him who acts shamefully.15A agentle answer turns away wrath,But a 1,bharsh word stirs up anger.2The atongue of the wise makes knowledge look good,But the bmouth of 1fools pours forth 2folly.3The aeyes of Yahweh are in every place,Watching the evil and the good.4A tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,But perversion in it breaks the spirit.5An ignorant fool spurns his father’s discipline,But he who keeps reproof is prudent.6The house of the arighteous has much treasure,But in the income of the wicked there is trouble.7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,But the hearts of fools are not so.8The asacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,But bthe prayer of the upright is His delight.9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,But He loves one who apursues righteousness.10Grievous discipline is for him who forsakes the way;He who hates reproof will die.11aSheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh,How much more the bhearts of the sons of men!12A ascoffer does not love one who reproves him,He will not go to the wise.13A aglad heart makes a face look good,But 1when the heart is bpained, the cspirit is broken.14The aheart of the one who has understanding seeks knowledge,But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.15All the days of the afflicted are evil,But a good heart has a continual feast.16aBetter is a little with the 1fear of YahwehThan great treasure and turmoil with it.17aBetter is a 1dish of 2vegetables where there is loveThan a bfattened ox and hatred in it.18A ahot-tempered man stirs up strife,But the bslow to anger cquiets a dispute.19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns,But the path of the upright is a highway.20A awise son makes a father glad,But a foolish man bdespises his mother.21Folly is gladness to him who lacks a heart of wisdom,But a man of discernment awalks straight.22Without consultation, 1plans are frustrated,But with many counselors they 2succeed.23A aman has gladness in an 1apt answer,And how good is a timely bword!24The apath of life leads upward for the one who has insightThat he may turn away from Sheol below.25Yahweh will atear down the house of the proud,But He will bcause the boundary of the cwidow to stand.26Evil thoughts are an abomination to Yahweh,But pleasant words are pure.27He who is agreedy for gain troubles his own house,But he who bhates gifts of bribery will live.28The heart of the righteous aponders how to answer,But the bmouth of the wicked pours forth evil things.29Yahweh is afar from the wicked,But He bhears the prayer of the righteous.301Bright eyes gladden the heart;A good report puts fat on the bones.31He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproofWill lodge among the wise.32He who aneglects discipline bdespises his soul,But he who clistens to reproof acquires a heart of wisdom.33The 1fear of Yahweh is the discipline 2leading to wisdom,And before glory comes humility.16The 1,aplans of the heart belong to man,But the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.2All the ways of a man are pure in his own sight,But aYahweh weighs the 1motives.31,aCommit your works to YahwehAnd your 2plans will be established.4Yahweh ahas made everything for 1its own purpose,Even the bwicked for the day of evil.5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh;Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.6By alovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,And by the 1,bfear of Yahweh one turns away from evil.7When a man’s ways are pleasing to Yahweh,He amakes even his enemies to be at peace with him.8Better is a little with righteousnessThan great produce with injustice.9The heart of aman 1plans his way,But bYahweh 2directs his steps.10A divine adecision is in the lips of the king;His mouth should not 1err in judgment.11A ajust balance and scales belong to Yahweh;All the 1weights of the bag are His 2work.12It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,For in righteousness a athrone is established.13Righteous lips are the delight of kings,And he who speaks uprightly is loved.14The wrath of a king is like messengers of death,But a wise man will atone for it.15In the light of a king’s face is life,And his favor is like a cloud with the 1,alate rain.16How much abetter it is to acquire wisdom than fine gold!And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver.17The ahighway of the upright is to turn away from evil;He who guards his way keeps his 1soul.18aPride goes before destruction,And a haughty spirit before stumbling.19It is better to be ahumble in spirit with the lowlyThan to bdivide the spoil with the proud.20He who considers the word will afind good,And how bblessed is he who trusts in Yahweh.21The awise in heart will be called understanding,And sweetness of 1lips bincreases learning.22Insight is a fountain of life to one who has it,But the discipline of ignorant fools is 1folly.23The aheart of the wise gives insight to his mouthAnd increases learning to his lips.24aPleasant words are a honeycomb,Sweet to the soul and bhealing to the bones.25aThere is a way which seems right to a man,But its end is the way of death.26A worker’s appetite works for him,For his mouth urges him on.27A avile man digs up evil,And the words on his lips are like bscorching fire.28A perverse man spreads strife,And a whisperer separates close companions.29A man of violence aentices his neighborAnd leads him in a way that is not good.30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things;He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.31aGray hair is a crown of beauty;It bis found in the way of righteousness.32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,And he who rules his own spirit, than he who captures a city.33The alot is cast into the lap,But its every bjudgment is from Yahweh.17aBetter is a dry morsel and tranquility with itThan a house full of 1feasting with strife.2A slave who acts insightfully will rule over a son who acts shamefully,And will share in the inheritance among brothers.3The arefining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,But bYahweh tests hearts.4An aevildoer gives heed to lips of wickedness;1A liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.5He who mocks the apoor reproaches his Maker;He who is bglad at disaster will not go unpunished.61,aGrandchildren are the crown of old men,And the bbeauty of sons is their fathers.7aExcellent lips are not fitting for a 1wicked fool,Even less are blying lips for a noble man.8A abribe is a 1charm in the eyes of its owner;Wherever he turns, he prospers.9He who acovers a transgression seeks love,But he who repeats a matter bseparates close companions.10A rebuke goes deeper into one who understandsThan a hundred blows into a fool.11A rebellious man seeks only evil,So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.12Let a aman meet a bbear robbed of her cubs,Rather than a fool in his folly.13He who areturns evil for good,bEvil will not depart from his house.14The beginning of strife is like letting out water,So aabandon the dispute before it breaks out.15He who ajustifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.16Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to aacquire wisdom,When 1he has no heart of wisdom?17A afriend loves at all times,And a brother is born for adversity.18A man lacking a heart of wisdom astrikes his 1hands in pledgeAnd becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.19He who aloves transgression loves quarreling;He who bmakes his doorway high seeks destruction.20He who has a crooked heart afinds no good,And he who is bperverted in his tongue falls into evil.21He who abegets a fool does so to his grief,And the father of a wicked fool is not glad.22A aglad heart 1is good medicine,But a broken spirit bdries up the bones.23A wicked man receives a abribe from the bosomTo bthrust aside the paths of justice.24Wisdom is in the presence of the one who understands,But the aeyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.25A afoolish son is a vexation to his fatherAnd bbitterness to her who gave birth to him.26It is also not good to apunish the righteous,Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.27He who aholds back his words 1has knowledge,And he who has a bcool spirit is a man of discernment.28Even an ignorant fool, when he akeeps silent, is considered wise;When he closes his lips, he is considered understanding.18He who separates himself seeks his own desire,He abreaks out in dispute against all sound wisdom.2A fool does not delight in discernment,But only ain revealing his own heart.3When a wicked man comes, despising also comes,And with disgrace comes reproach.4The words of a man’s mouth are adeep waters;1The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.5To ashow partiality to the wicked is not good,Nor to bthrust aside the righteous in judgment.6A fool’s lips come with strife,And his mouth calls for abeatings.7A afool’s mouth is his ruin,And his lips are the snare of his soul.8The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,And they go down into the 1innermost parts of the stomach.9He also who is aslack in his workbIs brother to him who destroys.10The aname of Yahweh is a bstrong tower;The righteous runs into it and is cset securely on high.11A arich man’s wealth is his strong city,And like a high wall in his own delusion.12aBefore destruction the heart of man is haughty,But bhumility goes before glory.13He who aresponds with a word before he hears,It is folly and shame to him.14The aspirit of a man can endure his sickness,But as for a bbroken spirit, who can bear it?15The aheart of the understanding acquires knowledge,And the bear of the wise seeks knowledge.16A man’s agift makes room for himAnd leads him into the presence of great men.17The first 1to plead his case seems right,Until 2another comes and examines him.18The cast alot puts an end to contentionsAnd 1decides between the mighty ones.19A brother offended is harder to win over than a strong city,And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.20From the 1,afruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;bWith the produce of his lips he will be satisfied.21aDeath and life are in the 1power of the tongue,And those who love it will eat its bfruit.22He who finds a awife finds a good thingAnd bobtains favor from Yahweh.23The apoor man speaks supplications,But the brich man canswers with strong words.24A man of too many friends comes to 1ruin,But there is aa 2friend who sticks closer than a brother.The Counsel of Yahweh Will Stand
19aBetter is a poor man who bwalks in his integrityThan he who is crooked in lips and is a fool.2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge,And he who hurries 1,ahis footsteps sins.3The afolly of man subverts his way,But his heart brages against Yahweh.4aWealth adds many friends,But a poor man is separated from his friend.5A 1,afalse witness will not go unpunished,And he who bbreathes out lies will not escape.6aMany will seek the favor of a noble man,And everyone is a friend to a man who bgives gifts.7All the brothers of a poor man hate him;How much more do his afriends distance themselves from him!He bpursues them with words, but they are no more.8He who acquires a heart of wisdom loves his own soul;He who keeps discernment will afind good.9A 1,afalse witness will not go unpunished,And he who breathes out lies will perish.10Luxury is anot fitting for a fool;Much less for a bslave to rule over princes.11A man’s ainsight makes him slow to anger,And it is his honor bto overlook a transgression.12The aking’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,But his favor is like bdew on the grass.13A afoolish son is destruction to his father,And the bcontentions of a wife are a constant dripping.14House and wealth are an ainheritance from fathers,But a wife who has insight is from Yahweh.15aLaziness casts into a deep sleep,And a slack-handed soul will suffer hunger.16He who akeeps the commandment keeps his soul,But he who despises his way will die.17He who ais gracious to a poor man lends to Yahweh,And He will repay him for his bbountiful deed.18aDiscipline your son while there is hope,And do not 1direct your soul to put him to death.19A man of great wrath will bear the penalty,For if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.20aListen to counsel and receive discipline,That you may be wise in 1the end of your days.21Many 1,athoughts are in a man’s heart,But it is the bcounsel of Yahweh that will stand.22What is desirable in a man is his lovingkindness,And better is a poor man than a man of falsehood.23The 1,afear of Yahweh leads to life,So that one may sleep bsatisfied, not cvisited by evil.24The asluggard buries his hand bin the dish,But will not even bring it back to his mouth.25aStrike a scoffer and the simple may become prudent,But breprove one who has understanding and he will understand knowledge.26He awho assaults his father and causes his mother to fleeIs a son who brings shame and humiliation.27Cease listening, my son, to discipline,And you will stray from the words of knowledge.28A vile witness scoffs at justice,And the mouth of the wicked aswallows up iniquity.291Judgments are established for ascoffers,And bbeatings for the back of fools.Hope in Yahweh and He Will Save You
20aWine is a mocker, bstrong drink a brawler,And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.2The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion;He who provokes him to anger asins against his own soul.3It is a glory for a man to acease quarreling,But any ignorant fool will break out in dispute.4The asluggard does not plow from winter on,So he 1begs during the harvest and has nothing.5Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water,But a man of discernment draws it out.6Many a man will acall out his own lovingkindness,But a bfaithful man, who can find?7A righteous man who awalks in his integrity—bHow blessed are his sons after him.8aA king who sits on the throne of justice1Disperses all evil with his eyes.9aWho can say, “I have kept my heart pure,I am clean from my sin”?101,aDiffering weights and differing measures,Both of them are an abomination to Yahweh.11It is by his deeds that a young man amakes himself knownIf his conduct is pure and right.12The hearing aear and the seeing eye,Yahweh has made both of them.13aDo not love sleep, lest you become poor;Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with 1food.14“Bad, bad,” says the buyer,But when he goes his way, then he boasts.15There is gold, and an abundance of pearls;But the lips of knowledge are a more precious vessel.16Take his garment when he becomes a guarantor for a stranger;And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.17aBread obtained by lying is sweet to a man,But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.181,aThoughts are established by counsel,So bmake war by guidance.19He who agoes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,Therefore do not associate with 1,bone of loose lips.20He who acurses his father or his mother,His blamp will go out in the 1midst of darkness.21An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginningIn the end will not be blessed.22aDo not say, “I will repay evil”;bHope in Yahweh, and He will save you.231,aDiffering weights are an abomination to Yahweh,And a bdeceitful balance is not good.24aThe steps of a man are from Yahweh,How then can man understand his way?25It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!”And aafter the vows to make inquiry.26A awise king winnows the wicked,And turns the bthreshing wheel over them.27The 1,abreath of man is the lamp of Yahweh,Searching all the 2innermost parts of his body.28Lovingkindness and atruth will guard the king,And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness.29The honor of young men is their strength,And the 1,amajesty of old men is their gray hair.30aStripes that wound scour away evil,And strokes reach the 1innermost parts of the body.Salvation Belongs to Yahweh
21The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of Yahweh;He aturns it wherever He pleases.2aEvery man’s way is right in his own eyes,But Yahweh bweighs the hearts.3To do arighteousness and justiceIs chosen by Yahweh over sacrifice.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—The afallow ground of the wicked—are sin.5The 1thoughts of the adiligent lead surely to profit,But everyone bwho is hasty comes surely to poverty.6aWorking for treasures by a lying tongueIs a fleeting breath, by those who pursue bdeath.7The destruction of the wicked will drag them away,Because they arefuse to do justice.8The way of a guilty man is aperverse,But as for the pure, his work is upright.9It is better to live in a corner of a roofThan 1in a house shared with a contentious woman.10The soul of the wicked craves evil;His aneighbor finds no favor in his eyes.11When the ascoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;And when one considers wisdom, he receives knowledge.12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked,Turning the awicked to ruin.13He who ashuts his ear to the outcry of the poorWill himself also call and not be banswered.14A agift in secret subdues anger,And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.15To do justice is 1pleasure for the righteous,But is aruin to the workers of iniquity.16A man who wanders from the way of insightWill arest in the assembly of the 1dead.17He who aloves 1pleasure will become a poor man;He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.18The wicked is a aransom for the righteous,And the btreacherous is in the place of the upright.19aIt is better to live in a desert landThan with a contentious and vexing woman.20There is desirable atreasure and oil in the abode of the wise,But a foolish man bswallows it up.21He who apursues righteousness and lovingkindnessFinds life, righteousness, and glory.22A awise man goes up to the city of the mightyAnd brings down the 1stronghold in which they trust.23He who akeeps his mouth and his tongue,Keeps his soul from troubles.24“Arrogant,” “Haughty,” “aScoffer,” are his names,Who acts with barrogant fury.25The adesire of the sluggard puts him to death,For his hands refuse to work;26All day long he 1is insatiably craving,While the righteous agives and does not hold back.27The asacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,How much more when he brings it with a wicked scheme!28A afalse witness will perish,But the man who listens will speak forever.29A wicked man 1,adisplays a brazen face,But as for the bupright, he establishes his way.30There is ano wisdom, there is no discernmentAnd there is no counsel against Yahweh.31The ahorse is set for the day of battle,But bsalvation belongs to Yahweh.Yahweh Is the Maker of All
22A agood name is to be chosen over great wealth,Favor is better than silver and gold.2The rich and the poor meet together in this—Yahweh is the aMaker of them all.3A aprudent man sees evil and hides,But the simple pass on, and are punished.4The reward of humility—the 1fear of Yahweh—Is riches, glory, and life.5aThorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;He who keeps his soul will be far from them.61,aTrain up a child 2according to his way,Even when he is old he will not 3depart from it.7The arich rules over the poor,And the borrower is the slave of the lender.8He who asows unrighteousness will reap iniquity,And the brod of his fury will end.9He who 1is agenerous will be blessed,For he bgives from his food to the poor.10aDrive out the scoffer, and strife will go out,Even contention and disgrace will cease.11He who loves apurity of heartAnd bgrace on his lips, the king is his friend.12The eyes of Yahweh guard knowledge,But He subverts the words of the treacherous one.13The asluggard says, “There is a lion outside;I will be killed in the streets!”14The mouth of astrange women is a deep pit;He who is bcursed of Yahweh will fall 1into it.15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child;The arod of discipline will remove it far from him.16He awho oppresses the poor to make 1more for himselfOr who gives to the rich bwill only come to lack.17aIncline your ear and hear the words of the wise,And set your heart on my knowledge;18For it will be apleasant if you keep them within you,1That they may be established on your lips.19So that your atrust may be in Yahweh,I have made you know today, even you.20Have I not written to you 1,aexcellent thingsOf counsels and knowledge,21To make you aknow the veracity of the words of truthThat you may 1,brespond with the words of truth to him who sent you?22aDo not rob the poor because he is poor,And do not bcrush the afflicted at the gate;23For Yahweh will aplead their caseAnd rob the soul of those who rob them.24Do not befriend a man of anger;And do not come along with a man of agreat wrath,25Lest you alearn his waysAnd take on a snare against your soul.26Do not be among those who astrike 1hands in pledge,Among those who become guarantors for debts.27If you have nothing with which to pay,Why should he atake your bed from under you?28aDo not move the ancient boundaryWhich your fathers made.29Do you see a man skilled in his work?He will astand before kings;He will not stand before obscure men.The Fear of Yahweh
23When you sit down to dine with a ruler,Understand well 1what is before you,2So you should put a knife to your throatIf you are a aman of appetite.3Do not adesire his delicacies,For it is bread of falsehood.4aDo not weary yourself to gain wealth,bBecause of your understanding, cease!5Do you make your eyes fly up to see it? But it is not there!Because ait certainly makes itself wingsLike an eagle that flies toward the heavens.6aDo not eat the bread of 1a bselfish man,And do not desire his delicacies;7For as he 1calculates in his soul, so he is.“Eat and drink!” he says to you,But ahis heart is not with you.8You will avomit up 1the morsel you have eaten,And you will corrupt your pleasant words.9aDo not speak in the 1hearing of a fool,For he will bdespise the insight of your speech.10Do not move the ancient boundaryAnd do not acome into the fields of the orphans,11For their aRedeemer is strong;bHe will plead their case against you.12Bring your heart to disciplineAnd your ears to 1words of knowledge.13aDo not withhold discipline from the child,Although you 1strike him with the rod, he will not die.14You shall 1strike him with the rodAnd adeliver his soul from Sheol.15My son, if your heart is awise,My own heart also will be glad;16And my 1inmost being will exultWhen your lips speak aupright things.17aDo not let your heart be jealous of sinners,But be zealous in the 1,bfear of Yahweh 2always.18Surely there is a 1,afuture,And your bhope will not be cut off.19You, my son, listen and abe wise,And bdirect your heart in the way.20Do not be with aheavy drinkers of wine,Or with bgluttonous eaters of meat;21For the aheavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,And bdrowsiness will clothe them with rags.22aListen to your father who begot you,And bdo not despise your mother when she is old.23aBuy truth, and do not sell it,Get wisdom and discipline and understanding.24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,And ahe who begets a wise son will be glad in him.25Let your afather and your mother be glad,And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.26aGive your heart to me, my son,And let your eyes 1,bdelight in my ways.27For a harlot is a adeep pitAnd 1a bforeign woman is a narrow well.28Surely she alies in wait as a robber,And adds to the treacherous among men.29Who has awoe? Who has sorrow?Who has contentions? Who has complaining?Who has wounds without cause?Who has redness of eyes?30Those who alinger long over wine,Those who go to search out bmixed wine.31Do not look on the wine when it glistens red,When it 1sparkles in the cup,When it agoes down smoothly;32At the end—like a serpent it abites,And like a bviper it stings.33Your eyes will see strange thingsAnd your heart will aspeak perverse things.34And you will be like one who lies down in the heart of the sea,Or like one who lies down on the top of a 1mast.35“They astruck me, but I did not become 1ill;They beat me, but I did not know it.When shall I awake?I will bseek yet another.”My Son, Fear Yahweh
24Do not be ajealous of evil men,And do not desire to bbe with them;2For their heart meditates on adestruction,And their lips btalk of mischief.3aBy wisdom a house is built,And by discernment it is firmly established;4And by knowledge the rooms are afilledWith all precious and pleasant riches.5A awise man is 1strong,And a man of knowledge strengthens his power.6For aby guidance you will make war,And bin abundance of counselors there is salvation.7Wisdom is atoo exalted for an ignorant fool,He does not open his mouth bin the gate.8One who adeliberately thinks to do evil,Men will call a 1schemer.9The ascheming of folly is sin,And the scoffer is an abomination to men.10If you aare slack in the day of trouble,Your strength is in trouble.11aDeliver those who are being taken away to death,And those who are stumbling to the slaughter, Oh hold them back.12If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”Does not He awho weighs the hearts bunderstand?And cdoes not He who dguards your soul know?And will not He 1,erender to man according to his work?13Eat ahoney, my son, for it is good,Indeed, the bhoney from the comb is sweet to your taste;14Know that awisdom is thus for your soul;If you find it, then there will be a 1,bfuture,And your hope will not be cut off.15aDo not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the abode of the righteous;Do not destroy his resting place;16For a arighteous man falls seven times, and rises again,But the bwicked will stumble in 1calamity.17When your enemy falls, ado not be glad,And when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice;18Lest Yahweh see it and it be evil in His eyes,And turn His anger away from him.19aDo not fret because of evildoersDo not be bjealous of the wicked;20For athere will be no 1,bfuture for the evil one;The clamp of the wicked will go out.21My son, 1,afear Yahweh and the king;Do not associate with those who change,22For suddenly their adisaster will rise,And who knows the upheaval that comes from both of them?23These also are asayings of the wise.To 1,bshow partiality in judgment is not good.24He awho says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”bPeoples will curse him, nations will be indignant with him;25But ato those who reprove the wicked, it will be pleasant,And a good blessing will come upon them.26He kisses the lipsWho responds with right words.27Establish your work outsideAnd amake it ready for yourself in the field;And afterwards, you shall build your house.28Do not be a awitness against your neighbor without cause,Nor bdeceive with your lips.29aDo not say, “As he did to me so I shall do to him;I will 1render to the man according to his work.”30I passed by the field of the sluggardAnd by the vineyard of the man alacking a heart of wisdom,31And behold, it was completely 1,aovergrown with thistles;2,bNettles have covered its surface,And its stone cwall has been torn down.32And I beheld, I set my heart upon it;I saw, I received discipline.33“aA little sleep, a little slumber,A little folding of the hands to rest,”34Then your poverty will come as 1a robberAnd your want like 2an armed man.Analogies of Wisdom
25These also are aproverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2It is the glory of God to aconceal a matter,But the glory of bkings is to search out a matter.3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,So the heart of kings is unsearchable.4Take away the adross from the silver,And there comes out a vessel for the bsmith;5Take away the awicked before the king,And his bthrone will be established in righteousness.6Do not promote your majesty in the presence of the king,And in the place of great men do not stand;7For ait is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of a noble,Whom your eyes have seen.8Do not go out ahastily to plead your case;Lest, what will you do in 1the end,When your neighbor humiliates you?9aPlead your case with your neighbor,And bdo not reveal the secret of another,10Lest he who hears it bring disgrace upon you,And the bad report about you will not turn away.11Like apples of gold in settings of silverIs a aword spoken in 1right circumstances.12Like 1an aearring of gold and an bornament of cfine goldIs a wise reprover to a dlistening ear.13Like the cold of snow in the 1time of harvestIs a afaithful envoy to those who send him,For he refreshes the soul of his masters.14Like aclouds and bwind without rainIs a man who boasts 1of his gifts falsely.15aWhen one is slow to anger, a ruler may be persuaded,And a soft tongue breaks the bone.16Have you afound honey? Eat only enough for you,Lest you have more than your fill and vomit it.17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,Lest he have more than his fill of you and hate you.18Like a club and a asword and a sharp barrowIs a man who bears 1,cfalse witness against his neighbor.19Like 1an aching tooth and a slipping footIs trust in a atreacherous man in a day of distress.20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on 1soda,Is he who sings songs to 2an aching heart.21aIf 1your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;22For you will 1heap burning coals on his head,And aYahweh will repay you.23The north wind brings forth rain,And a atongue of secrets, an indignant face.24It is abetter to live in a corner of the roofThan 1in a house shared with a contentious woman.25Like cold water to a weary soul,So is a agood report from a distant land.26Like a amuddied spring and a corrupted wellIs a righteous man shaking before the wicked.27To eat too much honey is not good,Nor is it glory to asearch out 1one’s own glory.28Like a acity that is broken into and without a wallIs a man bwithout restraint over his spirit.26Like snow in summer and like arain in harvest,So glory is not bfitting for a fool.2Like a asparrow in its 1flitting, like a swallow in flying,So a bcurse without cause does not come to pass.3A awhip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,And a brod for the back of fools.4aDo not answer a fool according to his folly,Lest you yourself also be like him.5aAnswer a fool according to his folly,Lest he be bwise in his own eyes.6He cuts off his own feet and drinks violenceWho sends words by the hand of a fool.7Like the legs which hang limp on the lame,So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.8Like 1one who binds a stone in a sling,So is he who gives glory to a fool.9Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a drunkard,So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.101Like an archer who wounds everyone,So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.11Like aa dog that returns to its vomitIs a fool who brepeats 1his folly.12Do you see a man awise in his own eyes?bThere is more hope for a fool than for him.13The asluggard says, “There is a fierce lion in the road!A lion is 1among the streets!”14As the door turns on its hinges,So does the asluggard on his bed.15The asluggard buries his hand in the dish;He is too weary to return it to his mouth.16The sluggard is awiser in his own eyesThan seven men who can respond with a discreet answer.17Like one who seizes a dog by the earsIs he who passes by and becomes passionate about astrife not belonging to him.18Like a madman who shootsaFirebrands, arrows, and death,19So is the man who adeceives his neighbor,And says, “bAm I not joking?”20With no wood the fire goes out,And where there is no awhisperer, bstrife quiets down.21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,So is a acontentious man to kindle strife.22The awords of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,And they go down into the innermost parts of the stomach.23Like an earthen avessel overlaid with silver bdrossAre fiery lips and an evil heart.24He who ahates disguises it with his lips,But he sets up bdeceit within himself.25When he amakes his voice gracious, do not believe him,For there are seven abominations in his heart.26Though his hatred acovers itself with guile,His evil will be brevealed in the assembly.27He who adigs a pit will fall into it,And he who rolls a stone, it will turn back on him.28A lying tongue hates 1those it crushes,And a aflattering mouth works ruin.Instructions and Warnings
27aDo not boast about tomorrow,For you bdo not know what a day may bring forth.2Let a astranger praise you, and not your own mouth;A foreigner, and not your own lips.3A stone is heavy and the sand weighty,But the provocation of an ignorant fool is heavier than both of them.4Wrath is cruelty and anger is a flood,But awho can stand before jealousy?5Better is reproof that is arevealedThan love that is hidden.6Faithful are the awounds of a friend,But 1deceitful are the bkisses of an enemy.7A satisfied soul tramples the honeycomb,But to a hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet.8Like a abird that wanders from her nest,So is a man who bwanders from his place.9aOil and incense make the heart glad,So counsel from the 1soul is sweet to his friend.10Do not forsake your afriend or byour father’s friend,And do not come to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster;Better is one who dwells near than a brother far away.11aBe wise, my son, and make my heart glad,That I may brespond with a word to him who reproaches me.12A prudent man sees evil and hides,The simple pass on and are punished.13aTake his garment when he becomes a guarantor for a stranger;And for 1a foreign woman seize it as a pledge.14aHe who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,It will be counted as a curse to him.15A aconstant dripping on a day of steady rainAnd a contentious woman are alike;16He who would 1restrain her 2restrains the wind,And 3grasps oil with his right hand.17Iron sharpens iron,So one man sharpens another.18He who guards the afig tree will eat its fruit,And he who bkeeps watch for his master will be honored.19As in water face reflects face,So the heart of man reflects man.20aSheol and Abaddon are bnever satisfied,So the ceyes of man are never satisfied.21The arefining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,And each bis tested by the mouth that praises him.22Though you apound an ignorant fool in a mortar with a pestle in the midst of crushed grain,His 1folly will not turn aside from him.23aKnow well the 1condition of your flocks,And pay attention to your herds;24For wealth is not forever,Neither is a acrown from generation to generation.25When the grass disappears and the vegetation appears,And the herbs of the mountains are agathered in,26The lambs will be for your clothing,And the goats will bring the price of a field,27And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,For the food of your household,And sustenance for your maidens.28The wicked aflee when there is no one pursuing,But the righteous are 1secure as a lion.2By the transgression of a land amany are its princes,But bby a man who understands, who knows, so it endures.3A apoor man who oppresses the lowlyIs a driving rain 1which leaves no food.4Those who forsake the law apraise the wicked,But those who keep the law bstrive with them.5Evil men ado not understand justice,But those who seek Yahweh bunderstand all things.6aBetter is the poor who walks in his integrityThan he who is crooked—1double dealing—though he be rich.7He who observes the law is a son who understands,But he who befriends agluttons humiliates his father.8He who increases his wealth by ainterest and usuryGathers it bfor him who is gracious to the lowly.9He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,Even his aprayer is an abomination.10He who leads the upright astray in an evil wayWill ahimself fall into his own pit,But the bblameless will inherit good.11The rich man is awise in his own eyes,But the lowly who understands 1searches him.12When the arighteous exult, there is great honor,But bwhen the wicked rise, man has to be sought out.13He who aconceals his transgressions will not prosper,But he who bconfesses and forsakes them will receive compassion.14How blessed is the man who ais always in dread,But he who bhardens his heart will fall into calamity.15Like a aroaring lion and a rushing bearIs a bwicked ruler over a poor people.16A aleader who lacks discernment abounds in oppressions,But he who hates greedy gain will prolong his days.17A man aoppressed with bthe bloodguilt of lifeWill flee until 1death; let no one uphold him.18He who walks blamelessly will be saved,But he who is acrooked—1double dealing—will fall all at once.19aHe who cultivates his ground will be bsatisfied with food,But he who pursues empty things will be satisfied with poverty.20A afaithful man will abound with blessings,But he who bmakes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.21To 1,ashow partiality is not good,bEven for a piece of bread a man will transgress.22A man with an aevil eye bhurries after wealthAnd does not know that want will come upon him.23He who areproves a man will afterward find more favorThan he who bflatters with the tongue.24He who arobs his father or his motherAnd says, “It is not a transgression,”Is the bcompanion of a man who destroys.25An 1arrogant man astirs up strife,But he who btrusts in Yahweh cwill 2be enriched.26He who atrusts in his own heart is a fool,But he who walks wisely will escape.27He who agives to the poor will never want,But he who 1shuts his eyes will have many curses.28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;But when they perish, the righteous increase.29A man who hardens his neck after amuch reproofWill bsuddenly be broken 1beyond healing.2When the arighteous 1increase, the people are glad,But when a wicked man rules, people groan.3A man who aloves wisdom makes his father glad,But he who bbefriends harlots destroys his wealth.4By justice the aking causes the land to stand,But a man of bribes tears it down.5A man who aflatters his neighborIs spreading a net for his steps.6By transgression an evil man is aensnared,But the righteous bsings with joy and is glad.7The arighteous knows the cause of the poor,The wicked does not understand that knowledge.8Scoffers 1,aset a city aflame,But bwise men turn away anger.9When a wise man is brought into judgment with a man who is an ignorant fool,1The ignorant fool both rages and laughs, and there is no rest.10Men of abloodshed hate the blameless,But the upright seek the well-being of his soul.11A afool 1lets out all of his spirit,But a bwise man holds it back.12If a aruler pays attention to a lying word,All his ministers become wicked.13The apoor man and the oppressor meet together in this—Yahweh gives blight to the eyes of both.14If a aking judges the poor with truth,His bthrone will be established forever.15The arod and reproof give wisdom,But a child 1left to himself bbrings shame to his mother.16When the wicked 1increase, transgression increases;But the arighteous will see their fall.17aDiscipline your son, and he will give you rest;And he will bgive delight to your soul.18Where there is ano 1vision, the people bare out of control,But how cblessed is he who keeps the law.19A slave will not be corrected by words alone;For though he understands, there will be no answer.20Do you behold a man who is ahasty in his words?There is bmore hope for a fool than for him.21He who pampers his slave from childhoodWill in the end find him to be 1arrogant.22An aangry man stirs up strife,And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.23A man’s alofty pride will bring him low,But a blowly spirit will take hold of glory.24He who 1divides the spoil with a thief hates his own soul;He ahears the oath but declares nothing.25aTrembling before man 1brings a snare,But he who btrusts in Yahweh will be set securely on high.26aMany seek the face of a ruler,But bjustice for man comes from Yahweh.27An aunjust man is an abomination to the righteous,And he who is bupright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.Every Word of God Is Tested
30The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the 1oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
2Surely I am more asenseless than any man,And I do not have the understanding of mankind.3Neither have I learned wisdom,Nor do I know the aknowledge of the Holy One.4Who has aascended into heaven and descended?Who has gathered the bwind in His fists?Who has cwrapped the waters in 1His garment?Who has 2,destablished all the ends of the earth?What is His ename? And what is His fSon’s name?Surely you know!5Every aword of God is 1tested;He is a bshield to those who take refuge in Him.6aDo not add to His wordsLest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar.7Two things I asked of You,Do not withhold from me before I die:8Keep worthlessness and every false word far from me,Give me neither poverty nor riches;Feed me with the afood that is my portion,9Lest I be afull and deny bYou and say, “Who is Yahweh?”Or lest I be cimpoverished and steal,And 1,dprofane the name of my God.10Do not slander a slave to his master,Lest he acurse you and you be found guilty.11There is a generation that acurses its fatherAnd does not bless its mother.12There is a generation that is aclean in its own eyes,Yet is not washed from its filthiness.13There is a generation—oh how ahaughty are its eyes!And its eyelids are lifted up.14There is a generation whose ateeth are like swordsAnd its bfangs like knives,To cdevour the afflicted from the earthAnd the needy from among men.15The leech has two daughters,“Give,” “Give.”There are three things that will not be satisfied,Four that will not say, “Enough”:16aSheol, and the bbarren womb,Earth that is never satisfied with water,And fire that never says, “Enough.”17The eye that amocks a fatherAnd bdespises obedience to a mother,The cravens of the valley will pick it out,And the young deagles will eat it.18There are three things which are too wonderful for me,Four which I do not understand:19The way of an aeagle in the sky,The way of a serpent on a rock,The way of a ship in the heart of the sea,And the way of a man with a virgin.20This is the way of an aadulterous woman:She eats and wipes her mouth,And says, “I have done no wrong.”21Under three things the earth quakes,And under four, it cannot bear up:22Under a aslave when he becomes king,And a wicked fool when he is satisfied with food,23Under 1an unloved woman when she gets a husband,And a servant-girl when she supplants her mistress.24Four things are small on the earth,But they are exceedingly wise:25The aants are not a strong people,But they prepare their food in the summer;26The 1,ashephanim are not a mighty people,Yet they make their houses in the cliff;27The locusts have no king,Yet all of them go out in arank;28The lizard you may grasp with the hands,Yet it is in kings’ palaces.29There are three things which are stately in their march,Even four which are stately when they walk:30The lion which is amighty among the animalsAnd does not bturn back before any,31The 1strutting rooster, the male goat also,And a king when his army is with him.32If you have been wickedly foolish in lifting yourself up,Or if you have schemed evil, aput your hand on your mouth.33For pressing milk brings forth butter,And pressing the nose brings forth blood;And pressing aanger brings forth strife.A Mother’s Oracle
31The words of King Lemuel, the 1oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:
2What, O my son?And what, O ason of my womb?And what, O son of my bvows?3aDo not give your excellence to women,Or your ways to that which bblots out kings.4It is not for akings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to bdrink wine,Or for rulers to desire strong drink,5Lest he drink and forget what is decreed,And apervert the justice of all the 1afflicted.6Give strong drink to him who is aperishing,And wine to those bwhose soul is bitter.7Let him drink and forget his povertyAnd he will not remember his trouble any longer.8aOpen your mouth for the mute,For the justice of all those 1passing away.9Open your mouth, ajudge righteously,And render bjustice to the afflicted and needy.