1:1The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
1:2To
know wisdom and instruction;
To discern the words of understanding;
1:3To
receive instruction in wise dealing,
In righteousness, justice, and equity;
1:4To
give prudence to the simple,
Knowledge and discretion to the young man:
1:5That
the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
That the man of understanding may attain
to sound counsel:
1:6To
understand a proverb, and parables,
The words and riddles of the wise.
1:7The
fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
1:8My
son, listen to your father's instruction,
And don't forsake your mother's teaching:
1:9For
they will be a garland to grace your head,
And chains around your neck.
1:10My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.
1:11If
they say, "Come with us,
Let's lay in wait for blood;
Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without
cause;
1:12Let's
swallow them up alive like Sheol,
And whole, like those who go down into the
pit.
1:13We'll
find all valuable wealth.
We'll fill our houses with spoil.
1:14You
shall cast your lot among us.
We'll all have one purse."
1:15My
son, don't walk in the way with them.
Keep your foot from their path,
1:16For
their feet run to evil.
They hurry to shed blood.
1:17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:
1:18But
these lay wait for their own blood.
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
1:19So
are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.
It takes away the life of its owners.
1:20Wisdom
calls aloud in the street.
She utters her voice in the public squares.
1:21She
calls at the head of noisy places.
At the entrance of the city gates, she utters
her words:
1:22"How
long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
How long will mockers delight themselves
in mockery,
And fools hate knowledge?
1:23Turn
at my reproof.
Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you.
I will make known my words to you.
1:24Because
I have called, and you have refused;
I have stretched out my hand, and no one
has paid attention;
1:25But
you have ignored all my counsel,
And wanted none of my reproof;
1:26I
also will laugh at your disaster.
I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
1:27When
calamity overtakes you like a storm,
When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind;
When distress and anguish come on you.
1:28Then
will they call on me, but I will not answer.
They will seek me diligently, but they will
not find me;
1:29Because
they hated knowledge,
And didn't choose the fear of Yahweh.
1:30They
wanted none of my counsel.
They despised all my reproof.
1:31Therefore
they will eat of the fruit of their own way,
And be filled with their own schemes.
1:32For
the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
The careless ease of fools will destroy
them.
1:33But
whoever listens to me will dwell securely,
And will be at ease, without fear of harm."
2:1My
son, if you will receive my words,
And store up my commandments within you;
2:2So
as to turn your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
2:3Yes,
if you call out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding;
2:4If
you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures:
2:5Then
you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
And find the knowledge of God.
2:6For
Yahweh gives wisdom.
Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
2:7He
lays up sound wisdom for the upright.
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity;
2:8That
he may guard the paths of justice,
And preserve the way of his saints.
2:9Then
you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.
2:10For
wisdom will enter into your heart.
Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
2:11Discretion
will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you,
2:12To
deliver you from the way of evil,
From the men who speak perverse things;
2:13Who
forsake the paths of uprightness,
To walk in the ways of darkness;
2:14Who
rejoice to do evil,
And delight in the perverseness of evil;
2:15Who
are crooked in their ways,
And wayward in their paths:
2:16To
deliver you from the strange woman,
Even from the foreigner who flatters with
her words;
2:17Who
forsakes the friend of her youth,
And forgets the covenant of her God:
2:18For
her house leads down to death,
Her paths to the dead.
2:19None
who go to her return again,
Neither do they attain to the paths of life:
2:20That
you may walk in the way of good men,
And keep the paths of the righteous.
2:21For
the upright will dwell in the land.
The perfect will remain in it.
2:22But
the wicked will be cut off from the land.
The treacherous will be rooted out of it.
3:1My
son, don't forget my teaching;
But let your heart keep my commandments:
3:2For
length of days, and years of life,
And peace, will they add to you.
3:3Don't
let kindness and truth forsake you.
Bind them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
3:4So
you will find favor,
And good understanding in the sight of God
and man.
3:5Trust
in Yahweh with all your heart,
And don't lean on your own understanding.
3:6In
all your ways acknowledge him,
And he will direct your paths.
3:7Don't
be wise in your own eyes.
Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
3:8It
will be health to your body,
And nourishment to your bones.
3:9Honor
Yahweh with your substance,
With the first fruits of all your increase:
3:10So
your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
3:11My
son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline,
Neither be weary of his reproof:
3:12For
whom Yahweh loves, he reproves;
Even as a father reproves the son in whom
he delights.
3:13Happy
is the man who finds wisdom,
The man who gets understanding.
3:14For
her good profit is better than getting silver,
And her return is better than fine gold.
3:15She
is more precious than rubies.
None of the things you can desire are to
be compared to her.
3:16Length
of days is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17Her
ways are ways of pleasantness.
All her paths are peace.
3:18She
is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
Happy is everyone who retains her.
3:19By
wisdom Yahweh founded the earth.
By understanding, he established the heavens.
3:20By
his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
And the skies drop down the dew.
3:21My
son, let them not depart from your eyes.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
3:22So
they will be life to your soul,
And grace for your neck.
3:23Then
you shall walk in your way securely.
Your foot won't stumble.
3:24When
you lie down, you will not be afraid.
Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will
be sweet.
3:25Don't
be afraid of sudden fear,
Neither of the desolation of the wicked,
when it comes:
3:26For
Yahweh will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being taken.
3:27Don't
withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to
do it.
3:28Don't
say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
Tomorrow I will give it to you,"
When you have it by you.
3:29Don't
devise evil against your neighbor,
Seeing he dwells securely by you.
3:30Don't
strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
3:31Don't
envy the man of violence.
Choose none of his ways.
3:32For
the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh,
But his friendship is with the upright.
3:33Yahweh's
curse is in the house of the wicked,
But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
3:34Surely
he mocks the mockers,
But he gives grace to the humble.
3:35The
wise will inherit glory,
But shame will be the promotion of fools.
4:1Listen,
sons, to a father's instruction.
Pay attention and know understanding;
4:2For
I give you sound learning.
Don't forsake my law.
4:3For
I was a son to my father,
Tender and an only child in the sight of
my mother.
4:4He
taught me, and said to me:
"Let your heart retain my words.
Keep my commandments, and live.
4:5Get
wisdom.
Get understanding.
Don't forget, neither swerve from the words
of my mouth.
4:6Don't
forsake her, and she will preserve you.
Love her, and she will keep you.
4:7Wisdom
is supreme.
Get wisdom.
Yes, though it costs all your possessions,
get understanding.
4:8Esteem
her, and she will exalt you.
She will bring you to honor, when you embrace
her.
4:9She
will give to your head a garland of grace.
She will deliver a crown of splendor to
you."
4:10Listen,
my son, and receive my sayings.
The years of your life will be many.
4:11I
have taught you in the way of wisdom.
I have led you in straight paths.
4:12When
you go, your steps will not be hampered.
When you run, you will not stumble.
4:13Take
firm hold of instruction.
Don't let her go.
Keep her, for she is your life.
4:14Don't
enter into the path of the wicked.
Don't walk in the way of evil men.
4:15Avoid
it, and don't pass by it.
Turn from it, and pass on.
4:16For
they don't sleep, unless they do evil.
Their sleep is taken away, unless they make
someone fall.
4:17For
they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence.
4:18But
the path of the righteous is like the dawning light,
That shines more and more until the perfect
day.
4:19The
way of the wicked is like darkness.
They don't know what they stumble over.
4:20My
son, attend to my words.
Turn your ear to my sayings.
4:21Let
them not depart from your eyes.
Keep them in the midst of your heart.
4:22For
they are life to those who find them,
And health to their whole body.
4:23Keep
your heart with all diligence,
For out of it is the wellspring of life.
4:24Put
away from yourself a perverse mouth.
Put corrupt lips far from you.
4:25Let
your eyes look straight ahead.
Fix your gaze directly before you.
4:26Make
the path of your feet level.
Let all of your ways be established.
4:27Don't
turn to the right hand nor to the left.
Remove your foot from evil.
5:1My
son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Turn your ear to my understanding:
5:2That
you may maintain discretion,
That your lips may preserve knowledge.
5:3For
the lips of an adulteress drip honey.
Her mouth is smoother than oil,
5:4But
in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,
And as sharp as a two-edged sword.
5:5Her
feet go down to death.
Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
5:6She
gives no thought to the way of life.
Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know
it.
5:7Now
therefore, my sons, listen to me.
Don't depart from the words of my mouth.
5:8Remove
your way far from her.
Don't come near the door of her house,
5:9Lest
you give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
5:10Lest
strangers feast on your wealth,
And your labors enrich another man's house.
5:11You
will groan at your latter end,
When your flesh and your body are consumed,
5:12And
say, "How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised reproof;
5:13Neither
have I obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor turned my ear to those who instructed
me!
5:14I
have come to the brink of utter ruin,
In the midst of the gathered assembly."
5:15Drink
water out of your own cistern,
Running water out of your own well.
5:16Should
your springs overflow in the streets,
Streams of water in the public squares?
5:17Let
them be for yourself alone,
Not for strangers with you.
5:18Let
your spring be blessed.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
5:19A
loving doe and a graceful deer--
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times.
Be captivated always with her love.
5:20For
why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another?
5:21For
the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh.
He examines all his paths.
5:22The
evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him.
The cords of his sin hold him firmly.
5:23He
will die for lack of instruction.
In the greatness of his folly, he will go
astray.
6:1My
son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor,
If you have struck your hands in pledge
for a stranger;
6:2You
are trapped by the words of your mouth.
You are ensnared with the words of your
mouth.
6:3Do
this now, my son, and deliver yourself,
Seeing you have come into the hand of your
neighbor.
Go, humble
yourself.
Press your plea with your neighbor.
6:4Give
no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids.
6:5Free
yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
Like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6:6Go
to the ant, you sluggard.
Consider her ways, and be wise;
6:7Which
having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
6:8Provides her bread in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
6:9How
long will you sleep, sluggard?
When will you arise out of your sleep?
6:10A
little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep:
6:11So
your poverty will come as a robber,
And your scarcity as an armed man.
6:12A
worthless person, a man of iniquity,
Is he who walks with a perverse mouth;
6:13Who
winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,
Who motions with his fingers;
6:14In
whose heart is perverseness,
Who devises evil continually,
Who always sows discord.
6:15Therefore
his calamity will come suddenly.
He will be broken suddenly, and that without
remedy.
6:16There
are six things which Yahweh hates;
Yes, seven which are an abomination to him:
6:17Haughty
eyes, a lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood;
6:18A
heart that devises wicked schemes,
Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
6:19A
false witness who utters lies,
And he who sows discord among brothers.
6:20My
son, keep your father's commandment,
And don't forsake your mother's teaching.
6:21Bind
them continually on your heart.
Tie them around your neck.
6:22When
you walk, it will lead you.
When you sleep, it will watch over you.
When you awake, it will talk with you.
6:23For
the commandment is a lamp,
And the law is light.
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
6:24To
keep you from the immoral woman,
From the flattery of the wayward wife's
tongue.
6:25Don't
lust after her beauty in your heart,
Neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.
6:26For
a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread.
The adulteress hunts for your precious life.
6:27Can
a man scoop fire into his lap,
And his clothes not be burned?
6:28Or
can one walk on hot coals,
And his feet not be scorched?
6:29So
is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife.
Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.
6:30Men
don't despise a thief,
If he steals to satisfy himself when he
is hungry:
6:31But
if he is found, he shall restore seven times.
He shall give all the wealth of his house.
6:32He
who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding.
He who does it destroys his own soul.
6:33He
will get wounds and dishonor.
His reproach will not be wiped away.
6:34For
jealousy arouses the fury of the husband.
He won't spare in the day of vengeance.
6:35He
won't regard any ransom,
Neither will he rest content, though you
give many gifts.
7:1My
son, keep my words.
Lay up my commandments within you.
7:2Keep
my commandments and live;
Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye.
7:3Bind
them on your fingers.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
7:4Tell
wisdom, "You are my sister."
Call understanding your relative,
7:5That
they may keep you from the strange woman,
From the foreigner who flatters with her
words.
7:6For
at the window of my house,
I looked out through my lattice.
7:7I
saw among the simple ones.
I discerned among the youths a young man
void of understanding,
7:8Passing
through the street near her corner,
He went the way to her house,
7:9In
the twilight, in the evening of the day,
In the middle of the night and in the darkness.
7:10Behold,
there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute,
And with crafty intent.
7:11She
is loud and defiant.
Her feet don't stay in her house.
7:12Now
she is in the streets, now in the squares,
And lurking at every corner.
7:13So
she caught him, and kissed him.
With an impudent face she said to him:
7:14"Sacrifices
of peace-offerings are with me.
This day I have paid my vows.
7:15Therefore
I came out to meet you,
To diligently seek your face,
And I have found you.
7:16I
have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry,
With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.
7:17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
7:18Come,
let's take our fill of loving until the morning.
Let's solace ourselves with loving.
7:19For
my husband isn't at home.
He has gone on a long journey.
7:20He
has taken a bag of money with him.
He will come home at the full moon."
7:21With
persuasive words, she led him astray.
With the flattering of her lips, she seduced
him.
7:22He
followed her immediately,
As an ox goes to the slaughter,
As a fool stepping into a noose.
7:23Until
an arrow strikes through his liver,
As a bird hurries to the snare,
And doesn't know that it will cost his life.
7:24Now
therefore, sons, listen to me.
Pay attention to the words of my mouth.
7:25Don't
let your heart turn to her ways.
Don't go astray in her paths,
7:26For
she has thrown down many wounded.
Yes, all her slain are a mighty host.
7:27Her
house is the way to Sheol,
Going down to the chambers of death.
8:1Doesn't
wisdom cry out?
Doesn't understanding raise her voice?
8:2On
the top of high places by the way,
Where the paths meet, she stands.
8:3Beside
the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entry doors, she cries aloud:
8:4"To
you men, I call!
I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
8:5You
simple, understand prudence.
You fools, be of an understanding heart.
8:6Hear,
for I will speak excellent things.
The opening of my lips is for right things.
8:7For
my mouth speaks truth.
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8:8All
the words of my mouth are in righteousness.
There is nothing crooked or perverse in
them.
8:9They
are all plain to him who understands,
Right to those who find knowledge.
8:10Receive
my instruction rather than silver;
Knowledge rather than choice gold.
8:11For
wisdom is better than rubies.
All the things that may be desired can't
be compared to it.
8:12"I,
wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling.
Find out knowledge and discretion.
8:13The
fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and
the perverse mouth.
8:14Counsel
and sound knowledge are mine.
I have understanding and power.
8:15By
me kings reign,
And princes decree justice.
8:16By
me princes rule;
Nobles, and all the righteous rulers of
the earth.
8:17I
love those who love me.
Those who seek me diligently will find me.
8:18With
me are riches, honor,
Enduring wealth, and prosperity.
8:19My
fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold;
My yield than choice silver.
8:20I
walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice;
8:21That
I may give wealth to those who love me.
I fill their treasuries.
8:22"Yahweh
possessed me in the beginning of his work,
Before his deeds of old.
8:23I
was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
Before the earth existed.
8:24When
there were no depths, I was brought forth,
When there were no springs abounding with
water.
8:25Before
the mountains were settled in place,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
8:26While
as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
8:27When
he established the heavens, I was there;
When he set a circle on the surface of the
deep,
8:28When
he established the clouds above,
When the springs of the deep became strong,
8:29When
he gave to the sea its boundary,
That the waters should not violate his commandment,
When he marked out the foundations of the
earth;
8:30Then
I was the craftsman by his side.
I was a delight day by day,
Always rejoicing before him,
8:31Rejoicing
in his whole world.
My delight was with the sons of men.
8:32"Now
therefore, my sons, listen to me,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.
8:33Hear
instruction, and be wise.
Don't refuse it.
8:34Blessed
is the man who hears me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my door posts.
8:35For
whoever finds me, finds life,
And will obtain favor from Yahweh.
8:36But
he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.
All those who hate me love death."
9:1Wisdom
has built her house.
She has carved out her seven pillars.
9:2She
has prepared her meat.
She has mixed her wine.
She has also set her table.
9:3She
has sent out her maidens.
She cries from the highest places of the
city:
9:4"Whoever
is simple, let him turn in here!"
As for him who is void of understanding,
she says to him,
9:5"Come,
eat some of my bread,
Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!
9:6Leave
your simple ways, and live.
Walk in the way of understanding."
9:7He
who corrects a mocker invites insult.
He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.
9:8Don't
reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you.
Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9:9Instruct
a wise man, and he will be still wiser.
Teach a righteous man, and he will increase
in learning.
9:10The
fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
9:11For
by me your days will be multiplied.
The years of your life will be increased.
9:12If
you are wise, you are wise for yourself.
If you mock, you alone will bear it.
9:13The
foolish woman is loud,
Undisciplined, and knows nothing.
9:14She
sits at the door of her house,
On a seat in the high places of the city,
9:15To
call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their ways,
9:16"Whoever
is simple, let him turn in here."
As for him who is void of understanding,
she says to him,
9:17"Stolen
water is sweet.
Food eaten in secret is pleasant."
9:18But
he doesn't know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
10:1The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son
makes a glad father;
But a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
10:2Treasures
of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.
10:3Yahweh
will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry,
But he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
10:4He
becomes poor who works with a lazy hand,
But the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
10:5He
who gathers in summer is a wise son,
But he who sleeps during the harvest is
a son who causes shame.
10:6Blessings
are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
10:7The
memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.
10:8The
wise in heart accept commandments,
But a chattering fool will fall.
10:9He
who walks blamelessly walks surely,
But he who perverts his ways will be found
out.
10:10One
winking with the eye causes sorrow,
But a chattering fool will fall.
10:11The
mouth of the righteous is a spring of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
10:12Hatred
stirs up strife,
But love covers all wrongs.
10:13Wisdom
is found on the lips of him who has discernment,
But a rod is for the back of him who is
void of understanding.
10:14Wise
men lay up knowledge,
But the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
10:15The
rich man's wealth is his strong city.
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
10:16The
labor of the righteous leads to life.
The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
10:17He
is in the way of life who heeds correction,
But he who forsakes reproof leads others
astray.
10:18He
who hides hatred has lying lips.
He who utters a slander is a fool.
10:19In
the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience,
But he who restrains his lips does wisely.
10:20The
tongue of the righteous is like choice silver.
The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
10:21The
lips of the righteous feed many,
But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
10:22Yahweh's
blessing brings wealth,
And he adds no trouble to it.
10:23It
is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness,
But wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.
10:24What
the wicked fear, will overtake them,
But the desire of the righteous will be
granted.
10:25When
the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more;
But the righteous stand firm forever.
10:26As
vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
So is the sluggard to those who send him.
10:27The
fear of Yahweh prolongs days,
But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
10:28The
prospect of the righteous is joy,
But the hope of the wicked will perish.
10:29The
way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright,
But it is a destruction to the workers of
iniquity.
10:30The
righteous will never be removed,
But the wicked will not dwell in the land.
10:31The
mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
But the perverse tongue will be cut off.
10:32The
lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
11:1A
false balance is an abomination to Yahweh,
But accurate weights are his delight.
11:2When
pride comes, then comes shame,
But with humility comes wisdom.
11:3The
integrity of the upright shall guide them,
But the perverseness of the treacherous
shall destroy them.
11:4Riches
don't profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.
11:5The
righteousness of the blameless will direct his way,
But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
11:6The
righteousness of the upright shall deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be trapped by evil
desires.
11:7When
a wicked man dies, hope perishes,
And expectation of power comes to nothing.
11:8A
righteous person is delivered out of trouble,
And the wicked takes his place.
11:9With
his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
But the righteous will be delivered through
knowledge.
11:10When
it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.
When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11:11By
the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the
wicked.
11:12One
who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.
11:13One
who brings gossip betrays a confidence,
But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is
one who keeps a secret.
11:14Where
there is no wise guidance, the nation falls,
But in the multitude of counselors there
is victory.
11:15He
who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it,
But he who refuses pledges of collateral
is secure.
11:16A
gracious woman obtains honor,
But violent men obtain riches.
11:17The
merciful man does good to his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
11:18Wicked
people earn deceitful wages,
But one who sows righteousness reaps a sure
reward.
11:19He
who is truly righteous gets life.
He who pursues evil gets death.
11:20Those
who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh,
But those whose ways are blameless are his
delight.
11:21Most
assuredly, the evil man will not be unpunished,
But the seed of the righteous will be delivered.
11:22Like
a gold ring in a pig's snout,
Is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
11:23The
desire of the righteous is only good.
The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
11:24There
is one who scatters, and increases yet more.
There is one who withholds more than is
appropriate, but gains poverty.
11:25The
liberal soul shall be made fat.
He who waters shall be watered also himself.
11:26People
curse someone who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him
who sells it.
11:27He
who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
But he who searches after evil, it shall
come to him.
11:28He
who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous shall flourish as the
green leaf.
11:29He
who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.
The foolish shall be servant to the wise
of heart.
11:30The
fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
He who is wise wins souls.
11:31Behold,
the righteous shall be repaid in the earth;
How much more the wicked and the sinner!
12:1Whoever
loves correction loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof is stupid.
12:2A
good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh,
But he will condemn a man of wicked devices.
12:3A
man shall not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous shall not
be moved.
12:4A
worthy woman is the crown of her husband,
But a disgraceful wife is as rottenness
in his bones.
12:5The
thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
12:6The
words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood,
But the speech of the upright rescues them.
12:7The
wicked are overthrown, and are no more,
But the house of the righteous shall stand.
12:8A
man shall be commended according to his wisdom,
But he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
12:9Better
is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant,
Than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
12:10A
righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are
cruel.
12:11He
who tills his land shall have plenty of bread,
But he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12:12The
wicked desires the plunder of evil men,
But the root of the righteous flourishes.
12:13An
evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips,
But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
12:14A
man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
The work of a man's hands shall be rewarded
to him.
12:15The
way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who is wise listens to counsel.
12:16A
fool shows his annoyance the same day,
But one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
12:17He
who is truthful testifies honestly,
But a false witness lies.
12:18There
is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise heals.
12:19Truth's
lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is only momentary.
12:20Deceit
is in the heart of those who plot evil,
But joy comes to the promoters of peace.
12:21No
mischief shall happen to the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
12:22Lying
lips are an abomination to Yahweh,
But those who do the truth are his delight.
12:23A
prudent man keeps his knowledge,
But the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
12:24The
hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
But laziness ends in slave labor.
12:25Anxiety
in a man's heart weighs it down,
But a kind word makes it glad.
12:26A
righteous person is cautious in friendship,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
12:27The
slothful man doesn't roast his game,
But the possessions of diligent men are
prized.
12:28In
the way of righteousness is life;
In its path there is no death.
13:1A
wise son listens to his father's instruction,
But a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.
13:2By
the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things;
But the unfaithful crave violence.
13:3He
who guards his mouth guards his soul.
One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
13:4The
soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,
But the desire of the diligent shall be
fully satisfied.
13:5A
righteous man hates lies,
But a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
13:6Righteousness
guards the way of integrity,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
13:7There
are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing.
There are some who pretend to be poor, yet
have great wealth.
13:8The
ransom of a man's life is his riches,
But the poor hear no threats.
13:9The
light of the righteous shines brightly,
But the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
13:10Pride
only breeds quarrels,
But with ones who take advice is wisdom.
13:11Wealth
gained dishonestly dwindles away,
But he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
13:12Hope
deferred makes the heart sick,
But when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree
of life.
13:13Whoever
despises instruction will pay for it,
But he who respects a command will be rewarded.
13:14The
teaching of the wise is a spring of life,
To turn from the snares of death.
13:15Good
understanding wins favor;
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
13:16Every
prudent man acts from knowledge,
But a fool exposes folly.
13:17A
wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
13:18Poverty
and shame come to him who refuses discipline,
But he who heeds correction shall be honored.
13:19Longing
fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
But fools detest turning from evil.
13:20One
who walks with wise men grows wise,
But a companion of fools suffers harm.
13:21Misfortune
pursues sinners,
But prosperity rewards the righteous.
13:22A
good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored for
the righteous.
13:23An
abundance of food is in poor people's fields,
But injustice sweeps it away.
13:24One
who spares the rod hates his son,
But one who loves him is careful to discipline
him.
13:25The
righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
14:1Every
wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish one tears it down with her
own hands.
14:2He
who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
But he who is perverse in his ways despises
him.
14:3The
fool's talk brings a rod to his back,
But the lips of the wise protect them.
14:4Where
no oxen are, the crib is clean,
But much increase is by the strength of
the ox.
14:5A
truthful witness will not lie,
But a false witness pours out lies.
14:6A
scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn't find it,
But knowledge comes easily to a discerning
person.
14:7Stay
away from a foolish man,
For you won't find knowledge on his lips.
14:8The
wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
14:9Fools
mock at making atonement for sins,
But among the upright there is good will.
14:10The
heart knows its own bitterness and joy;
He will not share these with a stranger.
14:11The
house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
14:12There
is a way which seems right to a man,
But in the end it leads to death.
14:13Even
in laughter the heart may be sorrowful,
And mirth may end in heaviness.
14:14The
unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways;
Likewise a good man will be rewarded for
his ways.
14:15A
simple man believes everything,
But the prudent man carefully considers
his ways.
14:16A
wise man fears, and shuns evil,
But the fool is hotheaded and reckless.
14:17He
who is quick to become angry will commit folly,
And a crafty man is hated.
14:18The
simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
14:19The
evil bow down before the good,
And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
14:20The
poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor,
But the rich person has many friends.
14:21He
who despises his neighbor sins,
But blessed is he who has pity on the poor.
14:22Don't
they go astray who plot evil?
But love and faithfulness belong to those
who plan good.
14:23In
all hard work there is profit,
But the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
14:24The
crown of the wise is their riches,
But the folly of fools crowns them with
folly.
14:25A
truthful witness saves souls,
But a false witness is deceitful.
14:26In
the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress,
And he will be a refuge for his children.
14:27The
fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
Turning people from the snares of death.
14:28In
the multitude of people is the king's glory,
But in the lack of people is the destruction
of the prince.
14:29He
who is slow to anger has great understanding,
But he who has a quick temper displays folly.
14:30The
life of the body is a heart at peace,
But envy rots the bones.
14:31He
who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker,
But he who is kind to the needy honors him.
14:32The
wicked is brought down in his calamity,
But in death, the righteous has a refuge.
14:33Wisdom
rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
And is even made known in the inward part
of fools.
14:34Righteousness
exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
14:35The
king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely,
But his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
15:1A
gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
15:2The
tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
But the mouth of fools gush out folly.
15:3Yahweh's
eyes are everywhere,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
15:4A
gentle tongue is a tree of life,
But deceit in it crushes the spirit.
15:5A
fool despises his father's correction,
But he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
15:6In
the house of the righteous is much treasure,
But the income of the wicked brings trouble.
15:7The
lips of the wise spread knowledge;
Not so with the heart of fools.
15:8The
sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
15:9The
way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
But he loves him who follows after righteousness.
15:10There
is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way:
Whoever hates reproof shall die.
15:11Sheol
and Abaddon are before Yahweh--
How much more then the hearts of the children
of men!
15:12A
scoffer doesn't love to be reproved;
He will not go to the wise.
15:13A
glad heart makes a cheerful face;
But an aching heart breaks the spirit.
15:14The
heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15:15All
the days of the afflicted are wretched,
But one who has a cheerful heart enjoys
a continual feast.
15:16Better
is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
Than great treasure with trouble.
15:17Better
is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
Than a fattened calf with hatred.
15:18A
wrathful man stirs up contention,
But one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
15:19The
way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
But the path of the upright is a highway.
15:20A
wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.
15:21Folly
is joy to one who is void of wisdom,
But a man of understanding keeps his way
straight.
15:22Where
there is no counsel, plans fail;
But in a multitude of counselors they are
established.
15:23Joy
comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
How good is a word at the right time!
15:24The
path of life leads upward for the wise,
To keep him from going downward to Sheol.
15:25Yahweh
will uproot the house of the proud,
But he will keep the widow's borders intact.
15:26Yahweh
detests the thoughts of the wicked,
But the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
15:27He
who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
15:28The
heart of the righteous weighs answers,
But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
15:29Yahweh
is far from the wicked,
But he hears the prayer of the righteous.
15:30The
light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
Good news gives health to the bones.
15:31The
ear that listens to reproof lives,
And will be at home among the wise.
15:32He
who refuses correction despises his own soul,
But he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
15:33The
fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
Before honor is humility.
16:1The
plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
16:2All
the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
But Yahweh weighs the motives.
16:3Commit
your deeds to Yahweh,
And your plans shall succeed.
16:4Yahweh
has made everything for its own end--
Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
16:5Everyone
who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh:
They shall assuredly not be unpunished.
16:6By
mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
16:7When
a man's ways please Yahweh,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace
with him.
16:8Better
is a little with righteousness,
Than great revenues with injustice.
16:9A
man's heart plans his course,
But Yahweh directs his steps.
16:10Inspired
judgments are on the lips of the king.
He shall not betray his mouth.
16:11Honest
balances and scales are Yahweh's;
All the weights in the bag are his work.
16:12It
is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
For the throne is established by righteousness.
16:13Righteous
lips are the delight of kings.
They value one who speaks the truth.
16:14The
king's wrath is a messenger of death,
But a wise man will pacify it.
16:15In
the light of the king's face is life.
His favor is like a cloud of the spring
rain.
16:16How
much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen
rather than silver.
16:17The
highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
He who keeps his way