Proverbs of Solomon

• A wise child makes a father glad,
  • but a foolish child grieves his mother.
  • 2  Treasures of wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.
  • 3  Yahweh will not cause a righteous person[fn] to go hungry, but the craving of the wicked he will thwart.
  • 4  A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent enriches.
  • 5  He who gathers in the summer is a child who is prudent; he who sleeps at the harvest is a child who brings shame.
  • 6  Blessings belong to the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
  • 7  The memory of righteousness is like a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.
  • 8  A heart of wisdom will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
  • 9  Whoever walks in integrity[fn] will walk securely, but whoever follows perversity, his ways will be made known.
  • 10  The winking of an eye causes[fn] trouble, and the foolishness of lips comes to ruin.
  • 11  A fountain of life is a mouth of righteousness, and a mouth of wickedness conceals violence.
  • 12  Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers over all offenses.
  • 13  On the lips of one who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense .[fn]
  • 14  Those who are wise lay up knowledge, but to the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near.
  • 15  The wealth of the rich is the city of his strength; the ruin of the poor is their poverty.
  • 16  The wage of the righteous leads to life; the gain of the wicked to sin.
  • 17  On the path to life is he who guards instruction, but he who rejects rebuke goes astray.
  • 18  He who conceals hatred has lips of deceit, and he who utters slander—he is a fool.
  • 19  In many words, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.
  • 20  Choice silver is a tongue of righteousness, a heart[fn] of wickedness is of little worth .[fn]
  • 21  Lips of righteousness feed many, but fools die for lack of sense .[fn]
  • 22  The blessing of Yahweh makes one rich, and he does not increase sorrow with it.
  • 23  It is like a sport for a fool to do wrong, wisdom for a person of understanding.
  • 24  The dread of the wicked will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
  • 25  With the passing of the tempest, there is no wickedness, but the righteous have a foundation forever.
  • 26  Like vinegar to the tooth and like smoke to the eyes, thus is the lazy to one who employs[fn] him.
  • 27 The fear of Yahweh adds life, but the years of the wicked are shortened.
  • 28  The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
  • 29  A stronghold for the upright is the way of Yahweh, but ruin belongs to evildoers .[fn]
  • 30  The righteous one is forever; he will not be removed. But the wicked will not remain in the land.[fn]
  • 31  The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a tongue of perversity will be cut off.
  • 32  The lips of the righteous know the acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, the perverse.
  
  
  • but an accurate weight[fn] delights him.
  • 2  Pride comes, then disgrace comes, but wisdom is with the humble.
  • 3  The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
  • 4  Wealth does not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death.
  • 5  The righteousness of the blameless will keep his ways straight, but the wicked will fall by his wickedness.
  • 6  The righteousness of the upright will save them, but by a scheme the treacherous will be taken captive.
  • 7  With the death of a wicked person, hope will die, and the expectation of the godless perishes.
  • 8  The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked enters into it.
  • 9  With a mouth, the godless shall destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
  • 10  When good is with the righteous, the city rejoices, and with the perishing of the wicked, jubilation.
  • 11  By the blessing of the upright, a city will be exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked, it will be overthrown.
  • 12  He who lacks sense[fn] belittles his neighbor, but a person of intelligence will remain silent.
  • 13  A gossip walks about telling a secret, but the trustworthy in spirit keeps the matter.
  • 14  Where there is no guidance, a nation[fn] shall fall, but there is safety in an abundance of counsel.
  • 15  He will suffer trouble when he loans to a stranger, but he who refuses a pledge is safe.
  • 16  A woman of grace receives honor, but the ruthless gets wealth.
  • 17  A person of kindness rewards himself,[fn] but a cruel person harms his own flesh.
  • 18  The wicked earns[fn] deceptive gain ,[fn] but he who sows righteousness, a true reward .[fn]
  • 19  He who is steadfast in righteousness is to life as[fn] he who pursues evil is to death.
  • 20  An abomination of Yahweh are the crooked of heart ,[fn] but his delight are those with blameless ways .[fn]
  • 21  Rest assured ,[fn] the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring[fn] of the righteous will escape.
  • 22  A ring of gold in the snout of a pig is a woman who is beautiful but without discretion.
  • 23  The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked, wrath.
  • 24  There is one who gives yet grows richer ,[fn] but he who withholds what is right[fn] only finds need.
  • 25  A person of blessing will be enriched, and he who gives water also will be refreshed.
  • 26  He who withholds grain, the people curse him, but a blessing is for the head of him who sells.
  • 27  He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who inquires of evil, it will come to him.
  • 28  He who trusts in his wealth is he who will fall, but like a green leaf the righteous will flourish.
  • 29  He who brings trouble to his household, he will inherit wind,[fn] and a fool will serve the wise of heart.
  • 30  The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life, and he who captures souls[fn] is wise.
  • 31  If the righteous on earth will be repaid, how much more[fn] the wicked and sinner.
  
  
  • but he who hates rebuke is stupid.
  • 2  The good obtains favor from Yahweh, but anyone who schemes, he condemns.
  • 3  A person will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.
  • 4  A woman of strength[fn] is the crown of her master,[fn] but like rot in his bones is she who brings shame.
  • 5  The thoughts of the righteous are[fn] just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
  • 6  The words of the wicked are an ambush of blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
  • 7  The wicked are overthrown and are no more ,[fn] but the house of the righteous shall stand.
  • 8  For his mouth of good sense, a man will be recommended, but he who is of perverse mind[fn] will be despised.
  • 9  It is better to be lowly and a servant to someone[fn] than self-glorifying and lacking food.
  • 10  The righteous knows the life[fn] of his animal, but the compassion[fn] of the wicked is cruel.
  • 11  He who works his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows worthless things lacks sense .[fn]
  • 12  The wicked covets the proceeds of evil, but the root of the righteous bears fruit .[fn]
  • 13  By the transgression of lips, evil is ensnared, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
  • 14  From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he is filled with good, and the reward of a man’s labor[fn] will return to him.
  • 15  The way of a fool is upright in his own eyes, but he who listens to advice is wise.
  • 16  As for a fool, on that very day[fn] he makes his anger known, but he who ignores an insult is prudent.
  • 17  He who will speak truth will reveal righteousness, but the witness of falsehood, deceit.
  • 18  There is one who speaks rashly, like the thrust of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
  • 19  A lip of truth endures forever, but a tongue of deception lasts only a moment.
  • 20  Deceit is in the heart[fn] of those who plan[fn] evil, but to those who plan[fn] peace, there is joy.
  • 21  No evil will happen[fn] to the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
  • 22  An abomination of Yahweh are lips of deceit, but they who act faithfully are his delight.
  • 23  A clever person conceals knowledge, but the heart[fn] of a fool[fn] announces folly.
  • 24  The hand of the diligent ones will rule, but the lazy will belong to forced labor.
  • 25  Anxiety in the heart[fn] of a man will weigh him down, but a good word will cheer him.
  • 26  A righteous person will seek out his neighbor, but the way of the wicked will lead them astray.
  • 27  The lazy will not roast his game, but diligence is the precious wealth of a man.
  • 28  On the road of righteousness is life, and on the way of the path, may there be no death.
  
  
  • but a scoffer does not listen to a rebuke.
  • 2  From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he shall eat what is good, but the desire[fn] of the treacherous, wrongdoing.
  • 3  He who keeps his mouth guards his life;[fn] he who opens his lips, ruin belongs to him.
  • 4  The soul[fn] of the lazy craves, but there is nothing, but the person of diligence is richly supplied.
  • 5  The righteous hates a word of falsehood; the wicked will bring shame and disgrace .[fn]
  • 6  Righteousness will guard the upright of way, but wickedness will overthrow sin.
  • 7  There is one who acts rich but has nothing ;[fn] another who pretends to be poor but has wealth.
  • 8  The ransom of the life of a man is his wealth, but the poor does not receive a threat.
  • 9  The light of the righteous will rejoice, but the lamp of the wicked will die out.
  • 10  Only by insolence is strife set up, and wisdom is with those who take advice.
  • 11  Wealth gained from haste[fn] will dwindle, but he who gathers little by little[fn] will increase it.
  • 12  Hope that is deferred makes the heart[fn] sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
  • 13  He who despises a word will bring destruction on himself, but he who respects a commandment will be rewarded.
  • 14  The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, in order to avoid the snares of death.
  • 15  Good sense grants favor, but the way of the faithless is coarse.
  • 16  Anyone who is clever will act with intelligence, but the fool will display folly.
  • 17  A messenger of wickedness will fall into trouble, but an envoy of the faithful brings healing.
  • 18  Poverty and disgrace belong to him who ignores instruction, but he who guards reproof will be honored.
  • 19  A desire fulfilled[fn] will be sweet to the soul, but an abomination of fools is turning from evil.
  • 20  Walk with the wise and be wise, but as for the companion of fools, he will suffer harm.
  • 21  Misfortune will pursue sinners, but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity .[fn]
  • 22  He who is good will leave an inheritance to his grandchildren ,[fn] and stored up for the righteous is the wealth of a sinner.
  • 23  There is much food in the field of the poor, but it is swept away[fn] by injustice .[fn]
  • 24  He who withholds his rod hates his child, but he who loves him gives him[fn] discipline.
  • 25  The righteous eats to satisfy his life,[fn] but the belly of the wicked will lack.
  
  
  • but the foolish tears it down with her hands.
  • 2  He who walks in uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is devious in his ways displeases him.
  • 3  In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride, but the lips of the wise preserve them.
  • 4  When there are no[fn] oxen the manger is empty, but an abundance of crops comes by the strength of an ox.[fn]
  • 5 A faithful witness does not lie, but he who breathes out falsehood is a witness of deceit.
  • 6  A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none, but knowledge comes easily to him who understands .[fn]
  • 7  Leave the presence of a foolish man ,[fn] for you will not come to know words of knowledge .[fn]
  • 8  The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways, but the folly of fools is deceit.
  • 9  Fools mock[fn] the guilt offering, but among the upright, it is favorable.
  • 10  The heart[fn] knows the bitterness of its soul,[fn] but in its joy, it will not share itself with a stranger.
  • 11  The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
  • 12  There is a way that seems upright to[fn] a man, but its end is the way of death.
  • 13  Even in laughter, a heart may be sad, and the end of joy may be grief.
  • 14  From his ways, the perverse of heart will be satisfied, and from his own ,[fn] so shall a good man.
  • 15  The simple will believe every word, but the clever will consider his step.
  • 16  The wise is cautious and turns from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is confident.
  • 17  He who is short of temper[fn] will act foolishly, and the man who schemes will be hated.
  • 18  The simple are adorned with folly, but the clever are crowned with knowledge.
  • 19  The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
  • 20  The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the lovers of the rich are many.
  • 21  He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but he who has mercy on the poor blesses him.
  • 22  Have they not erred, those who plan evil? But loyalty and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
  • 23  In all toil, there is profit, but the talk[fn] of lips leads only to poverty.
  • 24  The crown of the wise is their wealth; the folly of fools is folly.
  • 25  He who saves lives[fn] is a witness of truth, but he who utters lies is a betrayer.
  • 26  In the fear of Yahweh, there is confidence of strength, and for his children, there will be refuge.
  • 27  The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, in order to turn from the snares of death.
  • 28  In the multitude of people is the glory of the king, but without a population, a prince is ruined.
  • 29  He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the hasty of spirit[fn] exalts folly.
  • 30  A heart[fn] of tranquility[fn] is life to the flesh, but causes bones of passion to rot.
  • 31  He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him, but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.
  • 32  By his evildoing, the wicked will be overthrown, and the righteous will find refuge in his death.
  • 33  In the heart[fn] of him who has understanding, wisdom rests, but even in the midst of fools it becomes known.
  • 34  Righteousness will exalt a nation, but sin is a reproach to a people.
  • 35  The favor of a king is for the servant who deals wisely, but his wrath will be on him who acts shamefully.
  
  
  • but a word of trouble will stir anger .[fn]
  • 2  The tongue of the wise will dispense knowledge, but the mouth of fools will pour out folly.
  • 3  In every place, the eyes of Yahweh keep watch over the evil and the good.
  • 4  Gentleness[fn] of tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it[fn] causes a break in spirit.
  • 5  A fool will despise the instruction of his father, but he who guards reproof is prudent.
  • 6  In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
  • 7  The lips of the wise will spread knowledge, but the heart[fn] of fools, not so.
  • 8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
  • 9  An abomination of Yahweh is the way of the wicked, but he who pursues righteousness he will love.
  • 10  Severe discipline belongs to him who forsakes the way; he who hates a rebuke will die.
  • 11  Sheol[fn] and Abaddon[fn] are before Yahweh, how much more[fn] the hearts of the children of men!
  • 12  A scoffer does not like his rebuke ;[fn] to the wise he will not go.
  • 13  A heart[fn] of gladness will make good countenance ,[fn] but in sorrow of heart[fn] a spirit is broken.
  • 14  The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge, but the faces of fools, they[fn] will feed on folly.
  • 15  All the days of the poor are hard, but goodness of heart[fn] is a continuous feast.
  • 16  Better is little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure and trouble with it.[fn]
  • 17  Better is a dinner of vegetables when[fn] love is there than a fattened ox and hatred with it.[fn]
  • 18  A man who is hot-tempered will stir up strife, but he who is slow to anger ,[fn] he will calm contention.
  • 19  The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns,[fn] but the path of the upright is a highway.
  • 20  A child of wisdom will make a father glad, but a foolish person ,[fn] he despises his mother.
  • 21  Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense ,[fn] and a person of understanding will walk upright .[fn]
  • 22  Plans go wrong when there is no counsel, but with many advisors it will succeed.
  • 23  Joy belongs to a man with answers in his mouth, and a word in its time, how good it is!
  • 24  The path of life leads upward for him who has insight, in order to turn away from Sheol below.
  • 25  The house of the proud, Yahweh will tear it down, but he will maintain the property line[fn] of the widow.
  • 26  Plans of evil are an abomination of Yahweh, but gracious words are pure.
  • 27  He who makes trouble for his house is he who is greedy for unjust gain, but he who hates bribes will live.
  • 28  A heart[fn] of righteousness will ponder the answer, but a mouth of wickedness will pour out deceit.
  • 29  Yahweh is far from the wicked, but the prayers of the righteous he will hear.
  • 30  From the light of the eyes, the heart[fn] will rejoice, and good news will enliven the bones.[fn]
  • 31  The ear of him who listens to admonitions of life, in the midst of the wise it will lodge.
  • 32  He who ignores instruction despises himself,[fn] but he who hears admonition gains heart.[fn]
  • 33  Fear of Yahweh is the instruction of the wise, and before honor comes humility.
  
  
  • but from Yahweh comes the answer of the tongue.
  • 2  All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirit.[fn]
  • 3  Commit your work to Yahweh, and your plans will be established.
  • 4  All Yahweh has made is for his[fn] purpose, and even the wicked for the day of trouble.
  • 5  An abomination of Yahweh are all who are arrogant of heart;[fn] rest assured ,[fn] he will not go unpunished.
  • 6  By loyalty and faithfulness, iniquity will be covered over,[fn] and by fear of Yahweh one turns[fn] from evil.
  • 7  When the ways of a man are pleasing to Yahweh, even his enemies he will cause to make peace with him.
  • 8  Better is little with righteousness than great income with no justice.
  • 9  The mind[fn] of a person will plan his ways, and Yahweh will direct his steps.
  • 10  A decision is upon the lips of a king; in judgment his mouth will not sin.
  • 11  A balance and scales of justice belong to Yahweh; all the weights of the bag are his work.
  • 12  An abomination to kings is doing evil, for by righteousness the throne will be established.
  • 13  The delight of kings are the lips of righteousness, and he who speaks what is upright he will love.
  • 14  The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but one who is wise will appease[fn] it.
  • 15  In the light of the face of the king there is life, and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain.
  • 16  Getting wisdom: how much[fn] better than gold! And getting understanding: it is chosen over[fn] silver.
  • 17  The highway of the upright, it turns from evil, he who guards himself[fn] keeps his way.
  • 18  Before destruction comes pride, and before a fall, a haughty spirit.[fn]
  • 19  Better a lowly spirit with the poor than dividing the spoil with the proud.
  • 20  He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness, and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.
  • 21  The wise of heart[fn] is called perceptive, but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.
  • 22  A fountain of life is wisdom for its owner,[fn] but the instruction[fn] of fools is folly.
  • 23  The heart[fn] of the wise will make his mouth judicious, and upon his lips, it[fn] will add persuasiveness.
  • 24  Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.
  • 25  There is a way that seems upright to[fn] a man, but its end is the way of death.
  • 26  The life[fn] of a worker works for him, for his hunger[fn] urges him.
  • 27  A man of wickedness concocts evil, and his lips are like a scorching fire.
  • 28  A person of perversity will spread dissent, and he who whispers separates a close friend.
  • 29  A person of violence will entice his neighbor and cause him to walk on a way that is not good.
  • 30  He who winks his eyes does so in order to plan perverse things; he who purses his lips will bring evil to pass.
  • 31  A crown of glory is gray hair; by a righteous life it is gained.
  • 32  He who is slow to anger[fn] is better than him who is mighty, and he who controls his spirit than him who captures a city.
  • 33  The lot will be cast into the lap, but all of its decisions are from Yahweh.
  
  
  • than a house filled with feasts of strife.
  • 2  A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully, and in the midst of brothers he will share his inheritance.
  • 3  A crucible is for the silver, and a furnace is for the gold, but Yahweh will test hearts.
  • 4  He who does evil listens to lips of wickedness, and the liar gives heed to the tongue of mischief.
  • 5  He who mocks the poor insults him who made him; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
  • 6  The crown of the elderly are grandchildren ,[fn] and the glory of children is their fathers.
  • 7  Fine speech[fn] is not becoming a fool, still less[fn] is false speech[fn] for a ruler.
  • 8  The bribe is a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner;[fn] everywhere[fn] he will turn, he will prosper.
  • 9  He who forgives an affront fosters love, but he who waits on a matter will alienate a friend.
  • 10  A rebuke strikes him who understands deeper than one hundred blows to a fool.
  • 11  An evil person will seek only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
  • 12  May a man meet a she-bear robbed of offspring and not a fool in his folly.
  • 13  For he who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
  • 14  Like the release of water is the beginning of strife; before it breaks out, stop the quarrel.
  • 15  He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, the two of them are both abominations of Yahweh.
  • 16  Why is this? A price in the hand of a fool, in order to buy wisdom where[fn] there is no sense .[fn]
  • 17  The friend loves at all times[fn], but a brother is born for adversity.
  • 18  A person who lacks sense[fn] pledges ;[fn] he becomes security before his neighbor.
  • 19  He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his high thresholds seeks destruction.
  • 20  He who is crooked of heart[fn] will not find goodness, and he who is perverse, by his tongue he will fall into calamity.
  • 21  He who begets a fool, there is trouble for him; the father of a fool will not rejoice.
  • 22  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit will dry out bones.
  • 23  The wicked will accept a bribe from the lap, in order to pervert the ways of justice.
  • 24  He who understands sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.[fn]
  • 25  A grief to his father is the child of a fool, and bitterness to her who bore him.
  • 26  Also, imposing a fine on the righteous is not good, nor to flog nobles for uprightness.
  • 27  He who spares his sayings knows knowledge, and a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
  • 28  Even a fool who keeps silent shall be considered wise ;[fn] he who closes his lips is intelligent.
  
  
  • against all sound judgment he shows contempt.
  • 2  A fool will not take pleasure in understanding, but in expressing his heart.[fn]
  • 3  With the coming of wickedness comes contempt also, and with dishonor, disgrace.
  • 4  Deep waters are words of the mouth of a man; a gushing stream is a fountain of wisdom.
  • 5  Being partial to faces of evil is not good, nor to subvert the righteous at the judgment.
  • 6  The lips of a fool will bring strife, and his mouth calls out for a flogging.
  • 7  The mouth of a fool is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.[fn]
  • 8 The words of a whisper are like delicious morsels, and they themselves go down to inner parts of the body.
  • 9  Even he who is slack in his work, he is brother to a master[fn] of destruction.
  • 10  A tower of strength is the name of Yahweh; into him[fn] the righteous will run and be safe.
  • 11  The wealth of the rich is his strong city ,[fn] and like a wall, it is high in his imagination.
  • 12  In the presence of destruction, the heart[fn] of a man will be haughty, but in the presence of honor, humble.
  • 13  He who returns a word before he will hear, folly itself belongs to him as well as[fn] shame.
  • 14 The spirit of a man will endure his sickness, but a broken spirit, who may bear it?
  • 15  An intelligent mind[fn] will acquire knowledge, and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
  • 16  The gift of a person will open doors for him, and before the great, it gives him access.
  • 17  The first in his dispute is deemed righteous, but his neighbor will come and examine him.
  • 18  The lot will put an end to disputes, and between powerful contenders it will decide.
  • 19  A brother who is offended is worse than a city of strength, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortification.
  • 20  From the fruit of a man’s mouth, his stomach will be satisfied, as for the yield of his lips, it will satisfy.
  • 21  Death and life are in the power[fn] of the tongue, and those who love her[fn] will eat of her fruit.
  • 22  He who finds a wife[fn] finds good, and he will obtain favor from Yahweh.
  • 23  The poor may speak entreaties, but the rich will answer roughly.
  • 24  A man of many friends will come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
  
  
  • than one who is perverse in his speech[fn] and is a fool.
  • 2  Also, a life[fn] without knowledge is not good, and he who moves quickly with his feet misses the mark .[fn]
  • 3  As for the folly of humankind, its way leads to ruin, and against Yahweh his heart[fn] will rage.
  • 4  Wealth adds many friends, but the poor will be left by his friends.
  • 5  A witness of falsehood will not go unpunished, and he who breathes lies will not escape.
  • 6  Many will seek favor before the generous, and everyone is the friend of a man of gifts.[fn]
  • 7 All the brothers of the poor, if they hate him, how much more will his friends keep away from him.
  • He pursues them with words, and they are gone.[fn]
  • 8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself;[fn] he who guards understanding loves to find good.
  • 9  A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes lies will perish.
  • 10  For a fool living in luxury is not fitting, any more than it is for a slave to rule over princes.
  • 11  The understanding of a person makes him slow to his anger ,[fn] and his glory overlooks offense.
  • 12  The rage of a king growls like a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
  • 13  A foolish child is a ruin to his father, and the quarreling of a woman[fn] is a continuous dripping.
  • 14  A house and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but from Yahweh comes a woman[fn] who is prudent.
  • 15 Laziness will bring on a deep sleep, and a person[fn] of idleness will suffer hunger.
  • 16  He who guards commandments guards his life;[fn] he who is careless of his ways will be killed.
  • 17  He who lends to Yahweh is he who is kind to the poor, and his benefits he will repay to him.
  • 18  Discipline your child, for there is hope, but on his destruction do not set your desire.[fn]
  • 19  A hot-tempered person pays a penalty; if you rescue him, you will do it yet again.
  • 20  Listen to advice and accept instruction so that you will gain wisdom for your future .[fn]
  • 21  Many plans are in the heart[fn] of a man, but the purpose of Yahweh will be established.
  • 22  The craving of a man is his steadfast loyalty, and it is better to be poor than a liar .[fn]
  • 23  Fear of Yahweh leads to life; he who is filled with it will rest—he will not suffer harm.
  • 24  A lazy person buries his hand in the dish, and even to his mouth he will not bring it back.
  • 25  The scoffer you shall strike, and the simple, may they learn prudence, and reprove the intelligent and he will gain knowledge.
  • 26  He who does violence to a father, he who chases away a mother, is a child who causes shame and brings reproach.
  • 27  Cease to listen to instruction, my child, and you will stray[fn] from sayings of knowledge.
  • 28  A worthless witness will mock justice, and the mouth of the wicked will devour iniquity.
  • 29  Judgments[fn] are prepared for the scoffers, and flogging for the back of fools.
  
  
  • and any who go astray by it are not wise.
  • 2  Roaring like the lion is the dreaded anger of a king; he who provokes him forfeits his life.[fn]
  • 3  It is honorable for the man to refrain from strife, but every fool will be quick to quarrel.
  • 4  The lazy person will not plow in season; he will expect at the harvest, but there will be nothing.
  • 5  Deep waters are like purpose in the heart[fn] of a man, and a man of understanding will draw it[fn] out.
  • 6 Many a person will proclaim his loyalty for himself, but a man who is trustworthy, who can find?
  • 7  He who walks in his integrity is righteous; happy are his children who follow him.
  • 8  A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.
  • 9  Who will say “I have made my heart[fn] clean; I am pure from my sin”?
  • 10  Stone and stone, measure and measure, both of them[fn] are an abomination of Yahweh.
  • 11  Even by his acts, a young man[fn] will make himself known, whether his acts are pure and upright.
  • 12  The ear that hears and the eye that sees, Yahweh has made them both .[fn]
  • 13  Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; open your eyes and have plenty bread.
  • 14  “Bad, bad,” the buyer will say, but when one goes to him, then he will boast.
  • 15  There is gold and many costly stones, but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.
  • 16  Take his garment, for he has given security to a stranger, and on behalf of a foreigner—take it as pledge.
  • 17  Bread gained by deceit is sweet for the man, but afterward, his mouth will be filled with gravel.
  • 18  A plan[fn] will be established by advice, and with guidance make war.
  • 19  He reveals a secret, he who walks about with gossip, and do not associate with a babbler’s lips.
  • 20  He who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness .[fn]
  • 21  An inheritance acquired hastily at the beginning[fn] will not be blessed at its end.
  • 22  Do not say “I will repay evil”; wait for Yahweh and he will deliver you.
  • 23  An abomination of Yahweh is a stone and a weight ,[fn] and scales of falsehood are not good.
  • 24  Away from Yahweh are the steps of a strong man, and how will humankind understand his ways?
  • 25  It is a snare to humankind to say rashly “It is holy,” and after vows, to scrutinize.
  • 26  A wise king winnows the wicked, and he will drive a wheel over them.
  • 27  The lamp of Yahweh is the spirit[fn] of humankind, he who searches every innermost part .[fn]
  • 28  Loyalty and faithfulness will preserve a king, and he is upheld with the righteousness of his throne.
  • 29  The glory of young men is their strength,[fn] but the beauty of the aged is gray hair.
  • 30  The blows of a wound will cleanse evil, as will[fn] beatings of the innermost part .[fn]
  
  
  • wherever[fn] he will desire, he will turn.
  • 2  Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs hearts.[fn]
  • 3  Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
  • 4  Haughtiness of the eyes and pride of heart, the lamp of the wicked are sin.
  • 5  The plans of the diligent only lead to abundance, but all who are hasty, only to want.
  • 6  He who makes treasure by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and seeker[fn] of death.
  • 7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, for they refuse to do justice.
  • 8  Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner, but the pure is upright in his conduct.
  • 9  Better to dwell on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a woman[fn] of contention.
  • 10 The soul[fn] of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor will not find mercy in his eyes.
  • 11  With the punishment of a scoffer, the simple will become wise, and with the instruction of the wise, he will obtain knowledge.
  • 12  The righteous observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked to ruin.
  • 13  He who closes his ear from the cry of the poor, he also will cry out and not be heard.
  • 14  A gift in secret[fn] will avert anger ,[fn] and a concealed bribe ,[fn] strong wrath.
  • 15  It is a joy to the righteous to do justice, but dismay to those who do evil.
  • 16  Whoever wanders from the way of understanding, in the assembly of the dead[fn] he will rest.
  • 17  A man of want is he who loves pleasure; he who loves wine and oil[fn] will not become rich.
  • 18  A ransom for the righteous is the wicked, and the faithless instead of the upright.
  • 19  Better to live in a land of wilderness than with a wife of quarrels and provocation.
  • 20  Precious treasure and oil are in the house of the wise, but the foolish person[fn] will devour them.[fn]
  • 21  He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
  • 22  To a city of warriors, the wise ascends, and he will bring down the stronghold—its object of trust.
  • 23  He who guards his mouth and his tongue, he guards his life[fn] from danger.
  • 24  The proud, haughty one: “scoffer” is his name; he acts with arrogance of pride.
  • 25  The craving of a lazy person will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.[fn]
  • 26  All day[fn] he craves a craving, but the righteous will give and not hold back.
  • 27  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it in divisiveness!
  • 28  A false witness will perish, but a man who listens will testify with[fn] success.
  • 29  A wicked man is strong in his countenance ,[fn] but the upright will appoint his paths.
  • 30  There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel to oppose Yahweh.
  • 31  A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but to Yahweh belongs the victory.
  
  
  • favor is better than silver and gold .[fn]
  • 2  Rich and poor have much in common; Yahweh is the maker of all of them.
  • 3  The clever sees danger and hides, but the simple go on and suffer.
  • 4  The reward of humility is the fear of Yahweh— wealth and honor and life.
  • 5  Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards himself[fn] will keep away from them.
  • 6  Train the child concerning his way ;[fn] even when he is old, he will not stray from it.
  • 7  The rich will rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave of the lender .[fn]
  • 8  He who sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his anger will fail.
  • 9  He who is generous[fn] will be blessed, for he gives to the poor from his own bread.
  • 10  Drive out a scoffer and strife will go out; quarrel and abuse will cease.
  • 11  He who loves purity of heart and has gracious speech ,[fn] his friend is the king.
  • 12  The eyes of Yahweh keep watch over knowledge, but he will overthrow the words of the faithless.
  • 13  A lazy person says “A lion in the street! In the middle of the highway, I shall be killed!”
  • 14  A deep pit is the mouth of an adulteress ,[fn] he with whom Yahweh is angry will fall there.
  • 15  Folly is bound up in the heart[fn] of a boy;[fn] the rod of discipline will drive it[fn] from him.
  • 16 He who oppresses the poor in order to enrich himself, or gives to the rich, will come to poverty .[fn]