1 These are the proverbs collected by King Solomon of Yisrael (King David’s son):

2 These will help you to know wisdom and instruction,

≈ and to comprehend sayings that give understanding.

3 Also to learn insight

and to understand what’s right and leads to justice and integrity.

4 They give good advice to those who are naive—

≈ teaching knowledge and discretion to young people.

5 Let wise people also listen to these sayings to keep learning more,

and discerning people can acquire guidance—

6 understanding proverbs and parables—

the words of wise people plus their challenges.

7 Deciding to obey Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge.

Fools despise wisdom and being told what they should do.[ref]

8 My child, listen to your father’s instructions.

≈ Don’t reject what your mother has told you to do,

9 because their teaching is like a graceful garland to wear on your head,

≈ or like beautiful necklaces to wear around your neck.

10 My child, if evil people tempt you to join them, don’t agree to it. 11 If they say,

“Come with us. We’ll find someone to kill—

≈ we’ll hide and ambush an innocent person just for fun.

12 Let’s swallow innocent people just like the grave does,

≈ and healthy people just like those going down to the pit.

13 We’ll find lots of valuable loot.

≈ We’ll fill our houses with what we take.

14 You need to come and join us—

we share everything equally.”

15 My child, don’t follow their ways.

≈ Keep your foot away from their path

16 because their feet run towards evil,

and they rush to pour out blood.

17 Surely it would be a waste of time

to spread out a net while the bird is watching,

18 but they lie in wait for their own blood—

they ambush their own lives.

19 That’s what happens to anyone who gains wealth illegally—

it takes that person’s life.

20 Wisdom calls out loudly on the street—

≈ she makes her voice known in the plazas.[ref]

21 She calls out from above the busy streets.

≈ She tells her sayings at the meeting place at the city gates.

22 How much longer will naive people love their naivety,

≈ and mockers enjoy their mockery,

≈ and stupid people despise knowledge?

23 Change your ways when I correct you.

Listen, I’ll pour my spirit out on you all.

Let me declare my messages to you all

24 because I’ve called and you’ve all refused to listen.

≈ I held out my hand but no one paid any attention

25 and you all ignored all my advice

and took no notice when I corrected you.

26 So I’ll laugh when calamity hits you all

and I’ll ridicule you when you’re all terrified

27 when panic strikes you all like a storm

and calamity comes like a whirlwind

and when trouble and anguish reach you all.

28 Then they’ll call out to me for help but I won’t answer.

≈ They’ll search for me but won’t be able to find me

29 because they hated wisdom

≈ and didn’t choose to respect and obey Yahweh.

30 They didn’t listen to my advice.

≈ They didn’t want to hear whenever I corrected them,

31 so they’ll eat the fruit of their own chosen path

≈ and they’ll be filled with their own schemes.

32 Naive people will get killed as a result of their own turning away,

≈ and the fools’ own complacency will destroy them.

33 However, those who listen to me will have secure lives

and be able to relax without worrying about troubles coming.

2 My child, if you accept my sayings

≈ and internalise my commands,

2 so you’ll be attentive to wisdom

≈ and your mind will look for understanding,

3 if you’ll call out for insight,

≈ raising your voice to ask for understanding,

4 if you go after it as if it’s silver

≈ and search for it as if it was hidden treasure,

5 then you’ll understand how to respect and obey Yahweh

≈ and you’ll learn more about God.

6 That’s because Yahweh gives wisdom—

knowledge and understanding come from his mouth

7 and he gives true wisdom to godly people—

a protective shield for those walking with integrity.

8 to guard the paths of justice,

and he will preserve the way of those who are faithful to him.

9 Then you’ll understand righteousness and justice and integrity—every good path to walk,

10 because wisdom will enter into your mind

≈ and knowledge will give you pleasure.

11 Discretion will watch over you.

≈ Understanding will guard you

12 to rescue you off the path of wicked people—

from people who speak perversely—

13 the ones who abandon the paths of godliness

to walk in the ways of darkness,

14 the ones who are glad to do evil.

≈ They rejoice in perverse things of evil,

15 whose paths are crooked

≈ and going astray in their tracks.

16 Being discreet and insightful will rescue you from a strange woman—

≈ from a foreign woman who makes her sayings smooth,

17 who’s left her husband from her younger days,

≈ and has forgotten her promise to her god.

18 Her house sinks down to death,

≈ and her paths to the departed spirits.

19 No one who goes into her place will return,

≈ and they won’t find the paths that lead to life.

20 So follow the ways of good people,

≈ and stay on the path of those who want to do what’s right,

21 because it’s people who do what is right who’ll live in this land,

≈ and those who are blameless will remain in it.

22 However, the wicked people will be taken off the land,

≈ and those who are treacherous will be torn away from it.

3 My son, don’t forget my instructions,

≈ and keep my commands in your thoughts,

2 → because they’ll give you a longer lifetime

≈ and add peace to your life.

3 Don’t let loyal commitment and faithfulness leave you:

tie them around your neck,

≈ and inscribe them into your mind.

4 Then you’ll find favour and good insight

in the eyes of God and man.[ref]

5 Trust in Yahweh with everything in you,

^ and don’t rely on your own logic.

6 Acknowledge Yahweh’s involvement in everything you do,

and he will show you the best course to follow.

7 Don’t pride yourself on your own wisdom,[ref]

^ but rather obey Yahweh and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing for your stomach,

≈ and refreshment for your bones.

9 Honour Yahweh from your wealth

≈ and from the first of everything you harvest,

10 → then your barns will be completely filled,

≈ and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, don’t reject correction from Yahweh,

≈ and don’t resent his rebuke,[ref]

12 because Yahweh disciplines those he loves,[ref]

≈ just like a father does to his child that he appreciates.

13 The person who discovers wisdom is blessed,

≈ as is the one who obtains understanding,

14 because it’s better than a good income.

≈ Being wise is of more value than gold.

15 Wisdom is more valuable than jewelry.

→ There’s nothing else you could want that’s worth as much as being wise.

16 On one hand, wisdom leads to a longer life.

≈ On the other hand, being wise will enable riches and honour.

17 The ways of wisdom are pleasant,

≈ and all its ways are peaceful.

18 Wisdom is a tree of life for those who embrace it.

≈ People who are consistently wise are blessed.

19 Yahweh founded the world using wisdom.

≈ He established the atmosphere and sky by understanding.

20 As a result of his knowledge, the ocean depths broke open,

≈ and the clouds dripped dew.

21 My son, don’t let wisdom, knowledge, or understanding escape from your sight.

Safeguard sound wisdom and discretion

22 and they’ll liven your mind,

and then people will notice it about you.

23 Then you’ll walk in confidence

without tripping or stumbling.

24 When you go to bed, your mind won’t be filled with fear.

≈ You’ll lie down and your sleep will be relaxing.

25 Don’t worry about something terrible suddenly happening to you,

or about when you see wicked people facing ruin,

26 because your confidence will be in Yahweh,

and he will protect you on your journey.

27 Don’t hold back when you’re able to do good to someone—

when you have the ability and opportunity to act.

28 Don’t tell your neighbour, “Go home now, but come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you then,”

when you had it there the whole time.

29 Don’t plot how to take advantage of your neighbour,

when he’s living beside you and trusting you.

30 Don’t quarrel with others for no reason—

if they haven’t done anything wrong to you.

31 Don’t envy violent people,

and don’t imitate how they behave,

32 because Yahweh detests crooked people

^ but is friendly towards those who are godly.

33 Yahweh’s curse is on the household of wicked people,

^ but he blesses the home of those who do what’s right.

34 He mocks those who mock others,[ref]

but he shows favour towards those who are humble.

35 Wise people will inherit honour,

but fools will receive shame.

4 My children, listen to your father’s teachings.

≈ Pay attention so you’ll learn well,

2 because I’ll give you good teaching.

Don’t abandon my instructions.

3 When I was a boy in my father’s house,

≈ and I was my mother’s tender son,

4 then he taught me and told me,

“Remember what I have told you.

≈ Follow my instructions and live.

5 Acquire wisdom and understanding.

≈ Always remember what I’ve told you and keep doing it.

6 Don’t abandon wisdom and it’ll preserve you.

≈ Love it, and it will guard you.

7 Wisdom is the priority—get hold of it,

and more than anything, acquire understanding.

8 Esteem wisdom and it will lift you up.

≈ Wisdom will honour you when you embrace it.

9 Wisdom will place a wreath of grace on your head.

≈ It’ll present you with a crown of beauty.

10 My child, listen to my words and accept them,

→ and that’ll increase the years of your life.

11 I taught you how to act wisely,

≈ and I directed you towards the right paths.

12 When you walk, your steps won’t be hampered,

≈ and if you run, you won’t stumble.

13 Take hold of my discipline—don’t let it go.

≈ Guard it, because it’s your lifeline.

14 Don’t imitate what wicked people do,

≈ and don’t go the same way as evil people.

15 Avoid that path—don’t even walk across it.

≈ Keep right away from it and go somewhere else,

16 because they can’t nap unless they’ve done some harm,

≈ and they’ll be robbed of sleep if they haven’t caused trouble.

17 Those evil people eat the bread of wickedness,

≈ and drink the wine of violence.

18 In contrast, the path of those who do what is right, is like a bright light,

→ that keeps getting brighter until the brightest time of day.

19 The path of wicked people is like the deep darkness,

→ so they don’t even know what they’re stumbling over.

20 My child, pay attention to what I’m saying,

≈ and let my words sink in.

21 Don’t let them out of your sight,

≈ and keep them in the centre of your thoughts,

22 because they’re life to those who find them,

≈ and healing to their entire bodies.

23 Guard your mind and thoughts more than anything else,

→ because the way you live all your life, bubbles out from your values.

24 Remove perverse talk from your mouth,

≈ and keep devious words away from your lips.

25 Keep your eyes looking towards the front,

≈ and let your gaze be straight ahead.

26 Make the path level for your footsteps,

and let everything you do be straight-forward.

27 Don’t veer to the left or to the right—

keep your feet away from evil paths.

5 My child, pay attention to my wise words,

≈ and listen carefully to what I’ve learnt

2 so you won’t lose your discretion,

≈ and so your lips might guard knowledge.

3 Although the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,

≈ and her speech is smoother than oil,

4 in the end, she’s as bitter as wormwood,

≈ and sharper than a double-sided sword.

5 Her feet are heading down towards death,

≈ and her steps will take her to her grave.

6 She doesn’t consider the path of life.

≈ Her paths wander so she doesn’t know where she’ll end up.

7 So now my children, listen to me,

≈ and don’t deviate from my advice.

8 Stay far away from her,

≈ and don’t go near the entrance to her house,

9 in case you end up giving your youthful strength to others,

≈ and your best years to a cruel person.

10 Then strangers might make use of your strength (as a slave)

≈ and you end up working in a foreigner’s house.

11 Then you’ll groan when you are about to die

≈ when your flesh and your body are worn out

12 and you recall, “How I hated discipline,

≈ and didn’t like being told what not to do.

13 I didn’t listen to those who were teaching me,

≈ and I didn’t take any notice of those who were instructing me.

14 I was so close to utter calamity,

and everyone would have noticed me.

15 Drink water from your own supply[fn]

≈ and flowing water from your own well.

16 Should your springs overflow out onto the streets,

≈ with streams of water in the plaza?

17 Let them be for you alone,

≈ and not for any strangers who are with you.

18 May your fountain be blessed,

and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth—

19 a loving doe, yes, a graceful deer.

Let her breasts satisfy you always.

≈ Constantly be overwhelmed by her love.

20 My son, why would you stagger along with a strange woman,

≈ or embrace the bosom of a foreign woman

21 because everything a person does is in front of Yahweh’s eyes,

≈ and he observes all of your decisions?

22 Wicked people get trapped by their own disobedience,

and they get tangled in their ropes of rebellion.

23 They’ll die from a lack of discipline,

and their own stupidity will lead them astray.

6 My child, if you offer something as a guarantee for your neighbour’s loan,

≈ or you’ve shaken hands on a deal with a stranger,

2 then you’ve become trapped by your own lips—

≈ you’ve been caught by the words out of your own mouth.

3 In that case, my child, go and rescue yourself:

Since you’ve fallen into your neighbour’s control,

go and humbly appeal to your neighbour to release you from that pledge.

4 Don’t say that you’ll just sleep on it.

≈ Don’t think that you’ll just have a nap first.

5 Save yourself immediately like a deer when it’s snagged,

≈ or a bird fleeing from a trapper.

6 You lazy person, go and watch an ant.

→ Think about its behaviour, and be wise.

7 It doesn’t even have a commander,

≈ or overseer or ruler.

8 It prepares its food in the summer.

≈ It stores up its supplies in the harvest season.

9 How much longer will you lie there, lazy person?

≈ When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a quick nap,

≈ a little folding of your arms to rest,

11 and poverty will sneak in like a robber,

≈ and need will threaten like an armed man.

12 The wicked and worthless man

walks around with a crooked mouth,

13 winking with his eyes,

shuffling his feet along,

and pointing with his fingers.

14 People like that think perversely—

always devising evil plans

and spreading dissension.

15 Because of that, disaster will come suddenly—

they’ll be instantly broken beyond healing.

16 There are six things that Yahweh hates,

actually seven that he finds detestable.

17 ₁ arrogant eyes,

₂ a lying tongue,

₃ hands that shed innocent blood,

18 ₄ a mind that devises wicked plans,

₅ feet that rush off to do something evil,

19 ₆ a dishonest witness that breathes out lies, and

₇ a person that stirs up conflict within the family.

20 My child, follow your father’s commands,

≈ and don’t abandon what your mother taught you.

21 Lock them into your mind.

≈ Tie them around your neck.

22 When you walk around, what you learnt will guide you.

When you lie down, it will preserve you.

When you wake up, it’ll speak to your mind,

23 because rules are like a lamp and teaching like a light.

Rebuke and discipline are the pathway to life

24 by keeping your from the evil woman—

from the smooth tongue of a foreign woman.

25 Don’t lust in your mind for her beauty,

and don’t let her capture you with her eyelashes,

26 because the price of a prostitute might be as cheap as a loaf of bread,

but another man’s wife might cost you your precious life.

27 Can anyone carry fire against their chest,

without their clothes catching fire.

28 If a person walks on coals,

won’t they get their feet burnt?

29 It’s like that for anyone sleeping with his neighbour’s wife,

No one will go unpunished for doing that.

30 They might not despite a thief

if they’re stealing to satisfy their hunger,

31 yet even the thief has to pay back seven times as much if they’re caught—

they might lose everything in their house.

32 Anyone who commits adultery lacks judgement—

they end up destroying their own life.

33 They’ll discover pain and dishonour,

and their shame will never be wiped away,

34 because jealousy arouses rage in an offended person

who won’t show any compassion when it’s time to avenge.

35 You won’t just be able to pay them off,

even if you try to increase the amount.

7 My child, obey what I’ve told you,

and store my instructions securely inside you.

2 Follow my instructions and live,

≈ and keep my teaching as the focus of your eyes.

3 Tie them onto your fingers.

≈ Write them onto your mind.

4 Tell wisdom that she’s your sister,

≈ and call understanding a close relative,

5 so they’ll keep you from the street woman—

≈ from the ungodly woman whose words sound so smooth.

6 Once from the window of my house,

I looked down through the lattice slits,

7 and I saw a simple lad—

a youth lacking much judgement.

8 He was passing through her street near the corner,

then he strode along the path to her house.

9 In the twilight as evening began—

halfway towards night and darkness.

10 Then look, a woman greets him,

dressed like a prostitute and skilled at seduction.

11 She’s boisterous and defiant,

and her feet don’t know how to stay home.

12 She’s often on the street or in the plazas,

and she lies in wait at every corner.

13 Then she grabbed him and kissed him.

She looks serious and tells him,

14 “I have meat at home from my sacrifice earlier—

today I’ve done my religious duties.

15 That’s why I came out to meet you—

to look all around until I found you.

16 I’ve put nice covers on my couch—

coloured linen fabric from Egypt.

17 I’ve perfumed my bed

with fragrant myrrh and aloes and cinnamon.

18 Come and let’s enjoy making love until morning.

We can delight ourselves in our love

19 because the man of the house is away—

he’s gone away on a long journey.

20 He took a bag of money with him.

He won’t be back home until the middle of the month.”

21 She persuades him with her seductive talk.

She compels him with her smooth lips.

22 He suddenly started following her,

like a cow going to be slaughtered—

like a fool with a noose around his neck,

23 until an arrow pierces his stomach,

like a bird rushing into a trap,

not knowing that it will cost him his life.

24 So listen to me now my children,

and pay attention to what I’m telling you.

25 Do let your desires drive you in her direction.

Don’t wander onto her pathways

26 because she’s caused many to be pierced and fall—

it would be difficult to count them all.

27 Her house is the pathway to the grave—

descending downwards to deathly rooms.

8 Doesn’t wisdom call out?[ref]

≈ Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

2 On the high places by the road,

≈ she stations herself between the paths.

3 By the gates at the main entrance to the city,

≈ she calls out loudly into the doorways.

4 “To you, people, I call—

≈ my voice is calling all humankind.

5 You naive people must learn to be prudent,

≈ and you foolish people must learn to be discerning.

6 Listen because I’ll speak uplifting things,

≈ and open my lips about what is right,

7 because my mouth will tell the truth,

≈ and my lips detest wickedness.

8 All the words in my mouth are honest—

≈ there’s nothing twisted or crooked among them.

9 All of them are straightforward to anyone who understands,

≈ and right to those looking for knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction over silver,

≈ and knowledge rather than shiny gold,

11 because wisdom is better than jewels,

≈ and there’s nothing more desirable than her.

12 I, wisdom, live together with good judgement,

≈ and I’m good at finding knowledge and discretion.

13 Those who strive to obey Yahweh, hate evil,

I, wisdom, hate pride and arrogance,

evil activities, and perverse talk.

14 Good advice and sound wisdom are mine.

I have understanding and strength.

15 I enable kings to reign well,

and rulers to administer justice.

16 By me, princes and nobles rule—

judging with impartiality.

17 I love those who love me,

and those who search for me will find me.

18 Riches and honour accompany me—

enduring wealth and fairness.

19 My fruit is better than purest gold,

and my produce is better than choice silver.

…

20 I walk along the road of doing what’s right,

among the pathways that lead to justice,

21 so those who love me can inherit wealth,

as I fill their storerooms.

22 Yahweh created me among his first actions—

at the beginning of his works long ago.[ref]

23 I was established from eternity—

before the beginnings of the world.

24 I was revealed before the deep oceans existed,

when there weren’t yet any springs gushing water.

25 Before the mountains were set into place,

and before the hills were seen, I was revealed.

26 yes, even before he made the earth and fields,

or the first dust on the ground.

27 I was there:

• when Yahweh made the skies,
• when he inscribed the horizon circle above the oceans,
• 28 when he pressed the clouds into shape,
• when he established the springs way down in the oceans.
• 29 when he determined the boundaries of the oceans so that the waters wouldn’t go past his line,
• when he marked out the earth’s foundations.

30 I was beside him as a skilled craftsman—

He enjoyed my company every day,

≈ playing in his presence all the time.

31 I was enjoying playing in his world,

and enjoying humankind’s descendants.

32 So now my children, listen to me

because those who follow my ways will find happiness.

33 Listen when you’re corrected

and don’t neglect wisdom.

34 People who listen to me will be blessed

keeping watch on my doors every day—guarding my doorway,

35 because whoever finds me, finds life

≈ and obtains favour from Yahweh.

36 Whoever misses finding me harms themself,

≈ and those who hate me, love death.

9 Wisdom has built her house—

chiselling out its seven pillars.

2 She’s butchered her meat and mixed her wine—

≈ her table is already nicely prepared.

3 She’s sent out her young women.

She calls out from the heights in the city.

4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn aside here,”

she says to the one lacking understanding.

5 “Come and eat my bread,

≈ and drink the wine I’ve mixed.

6 Abandon foolish ways and live,

≈ and walk on the path of understanding.

7 Anyone who tries to correct a mocker just gets insulted,

≈ and anyone who tells off a wicked person is likely to get hurt.

8 Don’t try to correct a mocker in case he just hates you.

^ Correct a wise person on the other hand, and it’ll be appreciated.

9 Give to a wise person and they’ll become wiser still.

≈ Inform an honest person and they’ll keep learning.

10 The start of being wise is to strive to obey Yahweh,

and being aware of the heavenly beings is the beginning of understanding,

11 because it’s by me that you days will be extended,

≈ and years will be added to your life.

12 If you’re wise, you’ll be helping yourself,

^ and if you mock, then you alone will suffer the result.

13 A foolish woman is boisterous and naive,

≈ and she doesn’t know anything.

14 She sits at the doorway of her house,

or on a seat in the city heights,

15 in order to call out to those who are passing by—

those men who are going straight past on their way.

16 “Anyone who’s naive can turn in here,”

she says to those lacking sense.

17 “Stolen drinks are sweet,

≈ and secret food tastes good.”

18 But he doesn’t realise that the dead are there,

≈ or that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

10 The proverbs by Shelomoh (Solomon):

A wise son makes his father happy,

^ but a foolish son causes grief for his mother.

2 Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing,

^ but doing the right thing rescues you from death.

3 Yahweh doesn’t allow those who do the right thing to go hungry,

^ but he rejects those who are wicked.

4 Idle hands lead to poverty,

^ but those who work hard gain wealth.

5 Anyone who stores their produce in the summer is being sensible,

^ but the one who sleeps during the harvest is a disgraceful son.

6 Blessings come to those who do what is right,

^ but wicked people lie to conceal their violence.

7 The memory of a godly person is a blessing,

^ but the name of the wicked person will rot.

8 The wise person accepts instructions,

^ but fools will be ruined by their own words.

9 Anyone who walks with integrity will walk securely,

^ but the person with crooked ways will soon get found out.

10 The person who winks at you will cause grief,

≈ and those who speak foolishly will be ruined.

11 The words from a godly person are a fountain of life,

^ but the mouth of a wicked person conceals violence.

12 Hatred stirs up quarrels,[ref]

^ but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a person with discernment,

^ but those lacking morals need to be punished.

14 Wise people store up knowledge,

^ but the mouth of a fool invites destruction.

15 The wealth of a rich person gives them security,

^ but poor people are destroyed by their poverty.

16 The reward of a godly person is life,

^ but a wicked person ends up being punished.

17 The person who accepts instruction is on the path to life,

^ but the one who rejects rebuke ends up lost.

18 Anyone who conceals hatred, has lying lips,

≈ and anyone who spreads slander is foolish.

19 A lot of talking doesn’t mean that a person isn’t doing something wrong,

^ but anyone who keeps their mouth closed is being sensible.

20 The tongue of a godly person adds value like good silver,

^ but the thoughts of the wicked are of little value.

21 The lips of a godly person shepherd many people,

^ but foolish people die from the lack of morals.

22 Yahweh’s blessing leads to prosperity,

and that’s without adding forced labour to it.

23 Doing wicked things is like a sport to foolish people,

^ but a wise person enjoys doing sensible things.

24 The wicked person’s fears will come to pass,

^ but the godly person’s desires will be given to them.

25 When a tornado passes over, it destroys wicked people,

^ but godly people are like an enduring foundation.

26 Lazy people irritate their supervisors

→ like vinegar on their teeth and smoke in their eyes.

27 Striving to obey Yahweh prolongs your life,

^ but the years of wicked people will be short.

28 Godly people anticipate future happiness,

^ but wicked people will never gain what they expect.

29 Staying on Yahweh’s paths is security for the godly,

^ but ruin for those who do evil.

30 Godly people will never be shaken,

^ but the wicked won’t live long in the land.

31 The mouth of a godly person produces wisdom as its fruit,

^ but the tongues of perverse people will be cut off.

32 The lips of godly person experience pleasure,

^ but the mouth of the wicked experience peversity.

11 Yahweh hates dishonest scales,

^ but he delights in an accurate weight

2 When presumption comes, shame follows,

^ but modesty is followed by wisdom.

3 Godly people will be guarded by their integrity,

^ but treacherous people will be destroyed by their deceit.

4 Wealth doesn’t help in the day of rage,

^ but doing what’s right will rescue you from death.

5 When an innocent person does what’s right things go straightforwardly,

^ but the wicked person will fall due to their own wickedness.

6 The godliness of good people will rescue them,

^ but treacherous people will be caught out by their own schemes.

7 When the wicked person dies, all hope is lost,

≈ and the expectation of strength disappears.

8 The godly person is rescued from trouble,

^ but the wicked person gets it instead.

9 A godless person destroys his neighbour with his mouth,

^ but the godly will be rescued by knowledge.

10 When the godly do well, the city celebrates,

^ and when the wicked perish, there’s a cheerful shout.

11 A blessing from the upright people helps to elevate a city,

^ but it gets torn down by the mouth of the wicked.

12 A person who despises their neighbour lacks good morals,

^ but a person with understanding will stay quiet.

13 A gossip goes around revealing secrets,

^ but a trustworthy person keeps things private.

14 When there are no directions, a nation falls,

^ but there’s safety in having lots of advisers.

15 You’ll end up getting burnt if you guarantee a stranger’s loan,

^ but avoiding shaking on deals will lead to security.

16 A woman who displays grace to others will obtain honour,

^ but ruthless people seize wealth.

17 People who display loyal commitment benefit themselves,

^ but cruel people harm their own selves.

18 A wicked person can make a living from telling lies,

^ but someone who sows goodness gets a genuine wage.

19 True goodness leads to life,

^ but those who chase after evil, receive death.

20 Yahweh hates those with perverse motives,

^ but he appreciates those who choose blameless ways.

21 Most certainly, an evil person won’t go unpunished,

^ but the descendants of a godly person will be rescued.

22 A beautiful woman without discretion

→ is like a gold ring in a pig’s nose.

23 Godly people long for good things,

^ but wicked people can only expect to receive fury.

24 Someone who helps generously, gains even more,

^ but those who without what’s due, end up poor.

25 A person who blesses will prosper,

≈ and those who give water, will also be satisfied.

26 People will curse the person who hoards up grain,

^ but the one who sells it will be blessed by them.

27 Anyone who strives diligently, strives for favour,

^ but if you strive for evil, it’ll come to you.

28 Anyone who trusts in their riches will fall,

^ but godly people will thrive like green leaves.

29 Those who cause trouble for their households will inherit the wind,

≈ and the fool will become a slave to those with sensible values.

30 The fruit of doing what’s right is a tree of life,

≈ and those who win people over are wise.

31 Listen, anyone who does what’s right will be rewarded appropriately,

so how more so the wicked and disobedient person!

12 Anyone who loves discipline, loves knowledge,

^ but those who hate correction are stupid.

2 A good person receives favour from Yahweh,

^ but he will condemn the person with wicked plans.

3 No one can become established by means of wickedness,

^ but the foundations of righteous people can’t be moved.

4 A capable wife is the crown of her husband,

^ but a wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

5 The plans of godly people are to do justice,

^ but wicked people lean towards deceit.

6 The words of wicked people lie in wait for blood,

^ but the speech of godly people rescues them.

7 The wicked get overthrown then disappear,

^ but the homes of godly people endure.

8 A person will be praised for their insightful words,

^ but anyone with a warped mind will end up despised.

9 It’s better to be little known yet have a servant,

than to be self-important but have nothing to eat.

10 A godly person cares for the life of their animal,

^ but wicked people display cruelty rather than compassion.

11 The person who tills the ground will have enough food,

^ but anyone chasing worthless things has the wrong values.

12 The wicked person covets evil gain,

^ but godly people produce like a deep-rooted tree.

13 An evil person entices others with their rebellious lips,

^ but godly people stay out of trouble.

14 A person will be rewarded with good things from the fruit of their mouth,

≈ and a person’s labour will be repaid to them by its results.

15 The fools’ paths seem like the right ones in their own eyes,

^ but a wise person listens to advice.

16 A fool’s anger is made known straightaway,

^ but a sensible person overlooks being disrespected.

17 Anyone who breathes out faithfulness, unashamedly says what’s right,

^ but a biased witness speaks deceitfully.

18 Some people speak recklessly, like a sword thrashing around,

^ but wise people bring healing with their words.

19 Lips that produce reliable words will always be trusted,

^ but a tongue that spurts out lies will be believed only for a moment.

20 Those who make evil plans, do it from a deceitful mind,

^ but those who promote peace, end up contented.

21 Trouble doesn’t come towards people who do what’s right,

^ but wicked people are full of distress.

22 Yahweh hates lying lips,

^ but he’s pleased by those who are trustworthy.

23 A sensible person doesn’t show off everything they know,

^ but foolish people like to proclaim their foolishness.

24 Those who work hard will rule,

^ but an idle person will become forced labour.

25 A person who’s full of anxiety gets weighed down by it,

^ but good news cheers them up.

26 A godly person keeps an eye on their neighbour,

^ but the ways of wicked people leads them astray.

27 A slack hunter doesn’t roast his kill,

^ but a diligent person values all their possessions.

28 Life can be found by following the path of doing what’s right,

≈ and there’s no death if you stay on the pathway.

13 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,

^ but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

2 A person can eat well as a result of the fruit of their mouth,

^ but the appetite of treacherous people is violence.

3 The person who zips their lips, protects their life,

^ but those who open their mouths, destroy themselves.

4 Lazy people want a lot but get nothing,

^ but those who are diligent will have plenty.

5 Godly people hate fake news,

^ but the wicked person causes a stink and disgrace.

6 doing what’s right preserves those who like to display integrity,

^ but wickedness overcomes the sinner.

7 Some people pretend to be wealthy, but have very little.

Others act as if they’re poor, but are actually very wealthy.

8 The rich man’s wealth might be needed to ransom his life,

^ but the poor person hears no threat.

9 The person who does what’s right has a light that shines brightly,

^ but the lamp of the wicked person gets put out.

10 Insolence only causes friction,

^ but those who take advice, advance in wisdom.

11 Wealth gained dishonestly gets frittered away,

^ but what’s earnt through hard work will increase.

12 Hoping for something that never happens causes stress,

^ but when a longing is fulfilled, it’s like a new lease of life.

13 Anyone who despises instruction will pay for it,

^ but a person who respects a command will be rewarded.

14 Instruction from the wise is a fountain of life,

→ turning a person away from deadly traps.

15 Good insight gives favour,

^ but the path of treacherous people is hard.

16 Every sensible person makes use of knowledge,

^ but the fool displays his foolishness.

17 A wicked messenger gets into trouble,

^ but reliable messengers help the situation.

18 Poverty and disgrace are for those who ignore discipline,

^ but the person who heeds correction will end up being honoured.

19 A desire that gets fulfilled makes a person feel pleased,

^ but foolish people hate to turn away from evil.

20 The person who walks with wise people will become wise,

^ but anyone associating with fools will get harmed.

21 Calamity chases after sinners,

^ but goodness will reward those who do what’s right.

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children,

^ but a sinner’s wealth will be saved for those who do what’s right.

23 The unused field of a poor person could produce a lot of food,

^ but injustice sweeps it away from them.

24 The parent who doesn’t spank their children must hate them,

^ but the one who loves them, is diligent in disciplining them.

25 The person who does what’s right will be able to satisfy their appetite,

^ but the stomach of wicked people doesn’t get enough.

14 The wisest woman builds her house,

^ but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 A good citizen respects and honours Yahweh,

^ but a devious person despises him.

3 What comes out of a fool’s mouth is prodded on by pride,

^ but the lips of wise people protect them.

4 Where there’s no cattle, the feeding trough will be spotless,

^ but a good harvest requires the strength of the bull.

5 A trustworthy witness doesn’t tell lies,

^ but a biased witness just breathes out lies.

6 A mocker searches for wisdom, but finds none,

^ but knowledge is simple to find for the one who understands.

7 Go away from where a fool is,

→ otherwise you won’t find knowledgable lips.

8 a sensible person has the wisdom to understand their direction,

^ but fools are deceived by their own foolishness.

9 Fools mock the idea of feeling guilty,

→ so good citizens favour each other.

10 A person holds their own bitterness inside,

≈ and they don’t share their happiness with a stranger either.

11 The wicked person’s house will be destroyed,

^ but the good citizen’s tent will do well.

12 There’s a nice path right in front of a person,

→ but there’s death at the end of that road.

13 People who are laughing can still be aching inside,

≈ and the end of happiness might be grief.

14 Someone who turns back on their morals will be satisfied by their ways,

^ but a good person will be satisfied by what they do.

15 Naive people believe everything they hear,

^ but smart people carefully consider their steps.

16 A wise person fears trouble and turns away from it,

^ but a stupid one is careless and overconfident.

17 People who quickly become angry, act foolishly,

≈ and those planning evil schemes are hated.

18 Naive people inherit foolishness,

^ but clever people are surrounded by knowledge.

19 Evil people will be forced to bow down in front of those who are good,

≈ and wicked people at the gates of those who do what’s right.

20 A poor person is hated even by their neighbour,

^ but there are many who love the rich.

21 Anyone who despises their neighbour disobeys God,

^ but the person who is kind to the poor will be happy.

22 Don’t those who devise evil schemes end up losing their way?

^ However, those with loyal commitment and faithfulness devise good things.

23 Hard work results in a profit,

^ but words from lips only lead to poverty.

24 The crown of wise people is their wealth.

^ The foolishness of fools is really foolish.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,

^ but a deceitful one breathes out lies.

26 Respecting and obeying Yahweh leads to confidence of strength,

and that will be a safe place for their children.

27 Respecting and obeying Yahweh is a fountain of life,

→ to turn people from deadly traps.

28 The pride of a king is being over lots of people,

^ but a shortage of people signals the ruin of a ruler.

29 People who are slow to get angry, have more understanding,

^ but a quick-tempered person prioritises foolishness.

30 A peaceful mind gives a healthy body,

^ but envy causes the bones to rot.

31 Anyone who oppresses the poor, taunts their maker,

^ but showing favour to a needy person honours him.

32 Wicked people destroy themselves by doing evil things,

^ but those who do what’s right find a safe place in their death.

33 Wisdom resides in an understanding mind,

→ and it’s made known even among foolish people.

34 Doing what’s right makes a nation great,

^ but disobeying God brings disgrace to people groups.

35 The king shows favour to a servant who acts with insight,

^ but his rage is for those who act shamefully.

15 A gentle answer turns fury away,

^ but a hurtful reply makes people angrier.

2 A wise person’s tongue advances knowledge,

^ but the mouth of fools pours out nonsense.

3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere—

→ watchiing both good and evil people.

4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,

^ but perversity crushes the spirit.

5 Fools reject discipline from their father,

^ but sensible people accept correction.

6 There’s great wealth in the home of a person who does what’s right,

^ but the income of a wicked person will just be trouble.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

^ but it’s not so for the minds of fools.

8 The sacrifices of wicked people are hated by Yahweh,

^ but he delights in the prayer of a godly person.

9 Yahweh detests what wicked people do,

^ but he loves those who strive to do what’s right.

10 Severe discipline is coming for those who abandon the right path,

≈ and those who hate correction will die.

11 The grave and place of destruction aren’t hidden from Yahweh,

→ so how much more the thoughts and values of humankind.

12 Mockers never love the one who corrects them,

→ and they never approach the wise.

13 Inner happiness makes a face glad,

^ but a spirit is crushed by a broken heart.

14 A discerning mind wants knowledge,

^ but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 Every day is bad for those who are suffering,

^ but cheerful people have a continual feast.

16 It’s better to have a little along with respect for Yahweh,

^ than having great wealth, and then turmoil with it.

17 It’s better to have a meal of vegetables where there’s love,

^ than to have roast meat where there’s hate.

18 Quick-tempered people stir up trouble,

^ but a patient person calms a quarrel.

19 The path of a slacker is like a hedge of thorns,

^ but the road for godly people is a level highway.

20 A wise child brings happiness to their father,

^ but a foolish person despises their mother.

21 Foolishness brings happiness to those who lack morals,

^ but an understanding person makes sensible decisions.

22 Plans go wrong where no one gets advice,

^ but they get implemented where there’s many advisers.

23 A person is always pleased to give the right answer,

≈ and the right thing said at the right time is so good.

24 Life’s path is upward for the wise person,

→ to prevent them going down to the grave.

25 Yahweh tears down the houses of the proud,

^ but he’ll protect a widow’s boundary.

26 Evil plans are hated by Yahweh,

^ but kind messages are pure.

27 The person who makes unjust gains, brings troubles on their own home,

^ but the one who hates bribes will live.

28 The person who does what’s right, thinks carefully before answering,

^ but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.

29 Yahweh is far from the wicked,

^ but he hears the prayer of those who do what’s right.

30 A bright look makes others glad.

≈ Good news makes your bones healthy.

31 The ear that listens to correction lives—

→ it will remain among the wise people.

32 Someone who ignores discipline, despises themself,

^ but anyone who listens to correction strengthens their values.

33 Wise instructions lead to striving to obey Yahweh,

≈ and humility leads to honour.

16 People make their own plans,

→ then Yahweh decides what will happen.

2 People always tell themselves that they’re doing the right thing,

^ but Yahweh evaluates their motives.

3 Entrust what you’re doing to Yahweh,

→ and your plans will be effective.

4 Yahweh makes everything for his purpose,

→ even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5 Yahweh detests every person who’s arrogant—

→ they certainly won’t go unpunished.

6 Disobedience can be made up for by faithfulness and loyal commitment,

and those who respect and honour Yahweh avoid doing what’s evil.

7 When Yahweh is pleased with a person’s behaviour,

→ he causes even his enemies to be at peace with them.

8 It’s better to have just a little from doing what’s right,

than a large income acquired dishonestly.

9 People plan their ways in their minds,

→ but Yahweh directs their steps.

10 Inspired judgements come from the king’s lips.

When making judgements, his mouth must not betray justice.

11 Honest scales and balances come from Yahweh.

≈ The weights in the bag are his work.

12 Wicked behavior is detestable for kings,

≈ because a throne is established by doing what’s right.

13 Kings appreciate lips that say what’s right,

and they value people who tell the truth.

14 A king’s rage is a messenger of death,

→ and wise people will appease it.

15 When a king’s face brightens, there’s life.

His favour is like a rain cloud in the spring.

16 It’s better to acquire wisdom than gold,

and to choose understanding rather than silver.

17 The highway of godly people steers them away from evil.

≈ Anyone who carefully considers their path, protects their life.

18 Pride goes before destruction,

≈ and arrogance before a stumble.

19 It’s better to live humbly among poor people,

^ than to be dividing up the plunder with the proud.

20 The person who gives attention to a matter will succeed,

≈ and those who put their trust in Yahweh will be blessed.

21 A person with a wise nature will be called ‘understanding’,

and pleasant lips are more persuasive.

22 Having insight is like a fountain of life,

^ but disciplining fools would be foolishness.

23 The wise person’s mind gives insight to their mouth,

≈ and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

24 Kind messages are like the honey in a honeycomb,

→ sweet for the self-esteem, and healing for the bones.

25 There’s a clear path right in front of a person,

→ but its end is the ways to death.

26 The workers’ appetites work on their behalf,

→ because their hunger presses them on.

… 27 A worthless person dredges up scandal,

→ and it’s like scorching fire on their lips.

28 Perverse people stir up strife,

→ then it separates close friends.

29 Violent people deceive their neighbours,

→ and lead them on a path that isn’t good.

30 Those who shut their eyes are planning perverse things.

≈ People who purse their lips are doing evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendour,

that’s found with a life of doing what’s right.

32 It’s better to be slow to get angry than to be powerful,

≈ and better to be able to control yourself than to capture a city.

33 The dice are thrown onto the table,

^ but Yahweh determines their fall.

17 It’s better to have a dry piece of bread in quietness,

^ than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a shameful son,

→ and he’ll share in the inheritance along with the brothers.

3 There’s a crucible and furnace for gold and silver,

^ but it’s Yahweh who tests hearts.

4 Those who do evil pay attention to wicked lips.

≈ A liar listens to a destructive tongue.

5 Anyone who mocks the poor, taunts their maker.

≈ Someone who’s happy about a calamity won’t go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

≈ and children are proud of their parents.

7 Excellent lips wouldn’t be suitable for a fool,

≈ and certainly deceptive lips don’t suit a ruler.

8 Doing a favour can act like a bribe for the donor.

→ It causes everything they do to prosper.

9 The person who conceals an offence is seeking acceptance,

^ but the one repeating the matter separates close friends.

10 Rebukes work on a sensible person,

more than a hundred lashes on a fool.

11 Only an evil person seeks rebellion

→ and so a cruel opponent will be sent against him.

12 It’s better to meet a mother bear robbed of its cubs,

→ than to meet a fool displaying their foolishness.

13 Someone who returns evil for good,

→ will find that evil never departs from their house.

14 The beginning of a dispute is like a small water leak,

→ so stop it before it breaks out into a quarrel.

15 The person who justifies wicked people,

≈ and the one who condemns an innocent person,

→ are both destestable to Yahweh.

16 Why would a fool need money in their hand

when they have no intention of acquiring wisdom.

17 A true friend loves at all times,

≈ and relatives are born to help during periods of difficulty.

18 A person lacking integrity is quick to give a handshake—

→ guaranteeing a loan in front of their neighbour.

19 The one who loves to disobey, loves contention.

The person who builds a high fence, invites destruction.

20 The person with twisted values won’t find goodness,

≈ and the one with a perverse tongue will descend into disaster.

21 It’s sad for the parents of a child who makes bad choices,

≈ and the father of a fool won’t be a happy person.

22 A cheerful attitude promotes healing,

^ but a crushed spirit makes your bones dry up.

23 A wicked person accepts a secret bribe

→ to pervert the paths of justice.

24 Wisdom is present with the understanding person,

^ but a fool’s eyes are unable to concentrate.

25 A foolish child brings grief to his father,

≈ and bitterness to the mother who gave birth to them.

26 It’s not good to impose a fine on the innocent.

Beating up an official isn’t a good thing to do.

27 A person who’s truly knowledgable, restrains what they say,

≈ and an understanding person stays calm.

28 Even a fool who stays silent is considered to be wise.

≈ The one with closed lips appears to have understanding.

18 People who keep themselves separate, seek their own desires,

They reject sound wisdom.

2 Fools don’t enjoy learning,

^ but always like to make their opinions known.

3 When a wicked person arrives, contempt from others also comes,

≈ and when shame arrives, so does reproach.

4 The utterances from a person’s mouth are deep waters.

≈ A fountain of wisdom produces a flowing stream.

5 It’s not good to show partiality to the wicked

≈ or to deprive an innocent person of justice.

6 The fool’s lips brings strife,

≈ and the fool’s mouth invites a beating.

7 The fool’s mouth will bring ruin,

≈ and the lips of fools are a trap for their minds.

8 ‘News’ snippets from a gossip are like delicious snacks—

→ they get absorbed like food going down into your stomach.

9 The person who is slack in their work,

→ is a cousin to the one who destroys.

10 Yahweh’s name is a strong tower.

→ Godly people run into it to be safe.

11 The rich person’s wealth is like a fortified city,

≈ and in their imagination, like a high wall.

12 Before destruction hits, a person is proud,

^ but humility precedes honour.

13 Someone who answers before they’ve even listened

→ is being foolish and shameful.

14 A person’s spirit can endure through sickness,

^ but who can bear a crushed spirit?

15 Understanding people acquire knowledge,

≈ and wise people want information.

16 A person’s donation can make space for them,

≈ and it will give them access to important people.

17 The first person to state their case sounds right,

→ until their opponent cross-examines them.

18 Tossing a coin ends quarrels,

→ and it settles things between powerful people.

19 Someone who’s offended is as approachable as a fortified city,

≈ and quarrels are like the bars on a fortress.

20 The fruit of a person’s mouth satisfies their stomach,

≈ and they’ll be satisfied with the product of their lips.

21 The tongue has power over life and death,

→ and those who love using it will eat its fruit.

22 A man who finds a wife, finds a good thing,

→ and receives favour from Yahweh.

23 Poor people make requests,

^ but the rich person answers harshly.

24 A person with many companions will come to ruin,

^ but there is a companion that sticks closer than a brother.

19 It’s better to walk with integrity,

^ than to be a foolish person with perverse speech.

2 What’s more, a person without knowledge isn’t good,

and anyone who shifts their feet quickly, misses their way.

3 A person’s foolishness subverts their course,

→ then their mind rages against Yahweh.

4 Wealth adds many friends,

^ but the poor friend ends up being isolated.

5 A false witness won’t go unpunished,

≈ and the one who tells lies, won’t escape the consequences.

6 Many people make requests to a generous leader,

≈ and everyone is the friend of the person who gives gifts.

7 All the relatives of a poor person hates them,

→ so how much more do their friends avoid them.

The poor person sends messages after them, but they’re no longer around.

8 Anyone who acquires integrity, loves their own life.

≈ The one who preserves understanding will find success.

9 A lying witness won’t go unpunished,

≈ and the one who tells lies will die.

10 Luxury is not suitable for a fool—

≈ even worse for a slave to rule over princes.

11 A person’s insight makes them slow to anger,

≈ and it’s their privilege to overlook an offense.

12 The king’s rage is like a lion’s roar,

^ but his favour is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish child leads to their father’s destruction,

≈ and an argumentative wife is like something constantly dripping.

14 Houses and wealth are an inheritance from your parents,

→ but a sensible wife is from Yahweh.

15 Laziness makes a person fall into a deep sleep,

≈ and a slack person will go hungry.

16 The ones who obey Yahweh’s instructions will preserve their lives.

^ Anyone who despises his ways, will die.

17 Someone who’s kind to a poor person is lending to Yahweh,

→ and he will repay for the good deed.

18 Discipline your child because that gives hope,

^ but don’t think about their death.

19 People who get very angry will end up paying a fine,

→ because if you rescue them, you’ll have to do it again and again.

20 Listen to advise and accept correction

→ so that you’ll become wise for your life ahead.

21 People make many plans in their minds,

^ but Yahweh’s advice will endure time.

22 People desire loyal commitment from others,

≈ and it’s better to have a poor friend than one who lies.

23 Respecting and honouring Yahweh leads to life,

→ and that person will have peaceful nights without trouble arriving.

24 The lazy person hides their hands in the dish—

→ not even troubling to lift it to their mouth.

25 Beat a mocker then that simple one will become sensible,

≈ and correct an intelligent person and they’ll know even more.

26 Children who assault their fathers and drive away their mothers

→ bring shame and reproach.

27 My child, if you want to stray from knowledge,

→ stop listening to correction.

28 A worthless witness makes a mockery of justice,

and the mouth of the wicked person gulps in more wickedness.

29 Judgements are prepared for scoffers,

≈ and beatings for the backs of fools.

20 Wine is a mocker and strong drink makes you boisterous,

→ and everyone who staggers due to it, isn’t wise.

2 A king’s rage is like a roaring lion.

→ Anyone who provokes him to anger risks their life.

3 It’s honourable for a person to step away from strife,

^ but every fool would rather break out an argument.

4 A lazy person won’t plough when it’s still cold,

→ then he looks at harvest time and there’s nothing.

5 The plans in a person’s mind are like deep water,

^ but an understanding person will draw them out.

6 Many people talk about their loyalty,

^ but who can actually find a faithful person.

7 Godly people act with integrity.

→ Their children will be blessed after them.

8 A king sitting on his throne to make a judgement,

→ sifts all evil out with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I’ve kept my motives pure—

≈ I’ve been freed from sin”?

10 Differing weights and unequal measures—

→ Yahweh hates both of them.

11 Even young people are known by their actions

→ if they’re honest and obedient.

12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees—

→ it was Yahweh that made both of them.

13 Don’t love sleep or you might end up in poverty.

≈ Open your eyes then you’ll have enough food.

14 “Worthless, worthless,” say the buyers,

^ but as soon as they’ve left, they boast about the good deal.

15 There’s gold around, and plenty of jewels,

^ but lips with knowledge are a rare commodity.

16 Take the person’s coat if they’ve used it to guarantee the loan of a stranger,

≈ and hold it in pledge if they did it for a foreign woman.

17 The bread of lies tastes good at first,

^ but afterwards it’s like a mouthful of gravel.

18 Plans are established with advisers,

→ so wise guidance is required for war.

19 The person who gossips reveals a secret,

→ so don’t get involved with someone with a big mouth.

20 The one who curses their father and mother,

→ will have their lamp extinguished in deep darkness.

21 An inheritance that’s gained at too young an age,

→ won’t be a blessing in the end.

22 Don’t say, “I’ll repay that evil.”

→ Wait for Yahweh and he’ll rescue you.

23 Fiddling with the weights is hated by Yahweh,

≈ and deceitful scales aren’t good.

24 It’s Yahweh that determines a person’s steps,

→ so how does a mere human understand their course?

25 It’s a trap for a person to rashly declare something as sacred,

→ and then to only reflect later after making vows.

26 A wise king winnows out the wicked to separate them.

≈ He uses the thresher to break them off.

27 The human spirit is Yahweh’s lamp,

→ searching all the innermost parts.

28 Loyal commitment and faithfulness to king preserves him,

≈ and his throne is upheld by that loyal commitment.

29 The splendour of young men is their strength,

≈ and the adornment of old people is their gray hair.

30 Lashes and wounds clean out evil,

≈ and beatings clean out the innermost parts.

21 The king’s thoughts are like streams of water to Yahweh—

→ he directs them to go wherever he wants.

2 All a person’s ways seem right in their own eyes,

^ but Yahweh evaluates motives.

3 To do what’s right and fair

→ is more desirable to Yahweh than sacrificing.

4 Arrogance and pride—the lamp of wicked people,

→ is disobeying Yahweh.

5 The plans of diligent people will only lead to abundance,

^ but those who just rush around will only get poverty.

6 Wealth that’s acquired via a lying tongue,

→ will be like a quick breath for those seeking death.

7 The violence of wicked people will drag them away,

because they refuse to apply justice.

8 The paths of a guilty person are crooked,

^ but well-behaved people act with decency.

9 It’s better to live in the corner of the attic[fn]

than inside the main house with the company of an argumentative wife.

10 Wicked people have a strong, inner craving for evil.

→ Even their neighbours won’t be shown any favour.

11 By punishing a mocker, a naive person becomes wise,

≈ and when wise people are instructed, they acquire knowledge.

12 People who do what’s right pay attention to the wicked person’s house,

→ subverting the wicked until they’re ruined.

13 Any person who shuts their ears to the cry of the poor

→ will also call out for help but won’t be answered.

14 A discreet gift subdues anger,

≈ and a bribe quietens down a strong rage.

15 The godly person enjoys promoting justice,

^ but brings terror to those doing wicked things.

16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of insight,

→ will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 The lover of pleasure will become poor.

≈ Anyone who loves wine and rich food won’t become wealthy.

18 A wicked person becomes the payment to free someone who does what’s right,

and ≈ a treacherous person ≡to free a godly person.

19 It’s better to live in a wilderness region,

than with a wife who’s argumentative and negative.

20 Precious treasures and oil will be in the house of a wise person,

^ but a foolish person consumes it all.

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