10:1 The Proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child makes a father rejoice,
but a foolish child is a grief to his mother.
10:2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from mortal danger.
10:3 The Lord satisfies the appetite of the righteous,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
10:4 The one who is lazy becomes poor,
but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy.
10:5 The one who gathers crops in the summer is a wise son,
but the one who sleeps during the harvest
is a son who brings shame to himself.
10:6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the speech of the wicked conceals violence.
10:7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the reputation of the wicked will rot.
10:8 The wise person accepts instructions,
but the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.
10:9 The one who conducts himself in integrity will live securely,
but the one who behaves perversely will be found out.
10:10 The one who winks his eye causes trouble,
and the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.
10:11 The teaching of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the speech of the wicked conceals violence.
10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension,
but love covers all transgressions.
10:13 Wisdom is found in the words of the discerning person,
but the one who lacks wisdom will be disciplined.
10:14 Those who are wise store up knowledge,
but foolish speech leads to imminent destruction.
10:15 The wealth of a rich person is like a fortified city,
but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty.
10:16 The reward which the righteous receive is life;
the recompense which the wicked receive is judgment.
10:17 The one who heeds instruction is on the way to life,
but the one who rejects rebuke goes astray.
10:18 The one who conceals hatred utters lies,
and the one who spreads slander is certainly a fool.
10:19 When words abound, transgression is inevitable,
but the one who restrains his words is wise.
10:20 What the righteous say is like the best silver,
but what the wicked think is of little value.
10:21 The teaching of the righteous feeds many,
but fools die for lack of wisdom.
10:22 The blessing from the Lord makes a person rich,
and he adds no sorrow to it.
10:23 Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool,
and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.
10:24 What the wicked fears will come on him;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
10:25 When the storm passes through, the wicked are swept away,
but the righteous are an everlasting foundation.
10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
10:27 Fearing the Lord prolongs life,
but the life span of the wicked will be shortened.
10:28 The hope of the righteous is joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled.
10:29 The way of the Lord is like a stronghold for the upright,
but it is destruction to evildoers.
10:30 The righteous will never be moved,
but the wicked will not inhabit the land.
10:31 The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom,
but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed.
10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing,
but the speech of the wicked is perverse.
11:1 The Lord abhors dishonest scales,
but an accurate weight is his delight.
11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroys them.
11:4 Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from mortal danger.
11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way,
but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness.
11:6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
but the faithless will be captured by their own desires.
11:7 When a wicked person dies, his expectation perishes,
and the hope of his strength perishes.
11:8 The righteous person is delivered out of trouble,
and the wicked turns up in his stead.
11:9 With his speech the godless person destroys his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
11:10 When the righteous do well, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there is joy.
11:11 A city is exalted by the blessing provided from the upright,
but it is destroyed by the counsel of the wicked.
11:12 The one who denounces his neighbor lacks wisdom,
but the one who has discernment keeps silent.
11:13 The one who goes about slandering others reveals secrets,
but the one who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
11:14 When there is no guidance a nation falls,
but there is success in the abundance of counselors.
11:15 The one who puts up security for a stranger will surely have trouble,
but whoever avoids shaking hands will be secure.
11:16 A generous woman gains honor,
and ruthless men seize wealth.
11:17 A kind person benefits himself,
but a cruel person brings himself trouble.
11:18 The wicked person earns deceitful wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a genuine reward.
11:19 True righteousness leads to life,
but the one who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
11:20 The Lord abhors those who are perverse in heart,
but those who are blameless in their ways are his delight.
11:21 Be assured that the evil person will certainly be punished,
but the descendants of the righteous will not suffer unjust judgment.
11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who rejects discretion.
11:23 What the righteous desire leads only to good,
but what the wicked hope for leads to wrath.
11:24 One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy,
but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty.
11:25 A generous person will be enriched,
and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.
11:26 People will curse the one who withholds grain,
but they will praise the one who sells it.
11:27 The one who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but the one who searches for evil – it will come to him.
11:28 The one who trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
11:29 The one who troubles his family will inherit nothing,
and the fool will be a servant to the wise person.
11:30 The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life,
and the one who wins souls is wise.
11:31 If the righteous are recompensed on earth,
how much more the wicked sinner!
12:1 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge,
but the one who hates reproof is stupid.
12:2 A good person obtains favor from the Lord,
but the Lord condemns a person with wicked schemes.
12:3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but a righteous root cannot be moved.
12:4 A noble wife is the crown of her husband,
but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.
12:5 The plans of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood,
but the words of the upright will deliver them.
12:7 The wicked are overthrown and perish,
but the righteous household will stand.
12:8 A person is praised in accordance with his wisdom,
but the one who has a twisted mind is despised.
12:9 Better is a person of humble standing who nevertheless has a servant,
than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food.
12:10 A righteous person cares for the life of his animal,
but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.
12:11 The one who works his field will have plenty of food,
but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom.
12:12 The wicked person desires a stronghold,
but the righteous root endures.
12:13 The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech,
but the righteous person escapes out of trouble.
12:14 A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words,
and the work of his hands will be rendered to him.
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own opinion,
but the one who listens to advice is wise.
12:16 A fool’s annoyance is known at once,
but the prudent overlooks an insult.
12:17 The faithful witness tells what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.
12:18 Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword,
but the words of the wise bring healing.
12:19 The one who tells the truth will endure forever,
but the one who lies will last only for a moment.
12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.
12:21 The righteous do not encounter any harm,
but the wicked are filled with calamity.
12:22 The Lord abhors a person who lies,
but those who deal truthfully are his delight.
12:23 The shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but foolish people publicize folly.
12:24 The diligent person will rule,
but the slothful will become a slave.
12:25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down,
but an encouraging word brings him joy.
12:26 The righteous person is cautious in his friendship,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
12:27 The lazy person does not roast his prey,
but personal possessions are precious to the diligent.
12:28 In the path of righteousness there is life,
but another path leads to death.
13:1 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
13:2 From the fruit of his speech a person eats good things,
but the faithless desire the fruit of violence.
13:3 The one who guards his words guards his life,
but whoever is talkative will come to ruin.
13:4 The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing,
but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.
13:5 The righteous person hates anything false,
but the wicked person acts in shameful disgrace.
13:6 Righteousness guards the one who lives with integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
13:7 There is one who pretends to be rich and yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor and yet possesses great wealth.
13:8 The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth,
but the poor person hears no threat.
13:9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked goes out.
13:10 With pride comes only contention,
but wisdom is with the well-advised.
13:11 Wealth gained quickly will dwindle away,
but the one who gathers it little by little will become rich.
13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is like a tree of life.
13:13 The one who despises instruction will pay the penalty,
but whoever esteems instruction will be rewarded.
13:14 Instruction from the wise is like a life-giving fountain,
to turn a person from deadly snares.
13:15 Keen insight wins favor,
but the conduct of the unfaithful is harsh.
13:16 Every shrewd person acts with knowledge,
but a fool displays his folly.
13:17 An unreliable messenger falls into trouble,
but a faithful envoy brings healing.
13:18 The one who neglects discipline ends up in poverty and shame,
but the one who accepts reproof is honored.
13:19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools abhor turning away from evil.
13:20 The one who associates with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
13:21 Calamity pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.
13:22 A benevolent person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren,
but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.
13:23 There is abundant food in the field of the poor,
but it is swept away by injustice.
13:24 The one who spares his rod hates his child,
but the one who loves his child is diligent in disciplining him.
13:25 The righteous has enough food to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked lacks food.
14:1 Every wise woman builds her household,
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
14:2 The one who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,
but the one who is perverted in his ways despises him.
14:3 In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back,
but the words of the wise protect them.
14:4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean,
but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen.
14:5 A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.
14:6 The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none,
but understanding is easy for a discerning person.
14:7 Leave the presence of a foolish person,
or you will not understand wise counsel.
14:8 The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deception.
14:9 Fools mock at reparation,
but among the upright there is favor.
14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and with its joy no one else can share.
14:11 The household of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
14:12 There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way that leads to death.
14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.
14:14 The backslider will be paid back from his own ways,
but a good person will be rewarded for his.
14:15 A naive person believes everything,
but the shrewd person discerns his steps.
14:16 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil,
but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident.
14:17 A person who has a quick temper does foolish things,
and a person with crafty schemes is hated.
14:18 The naive inherit folly,
but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge.
14:19 Those who are evil will bow before those who are good,
and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous.
14:20 A poor person is disliked even by his neighbors,
but those who love the rich are many.
14:21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,
but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed.
14:22 Do not those who devise evil go astray?
But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love.
14:23 In all hard work there is profit,
but merely talking about it only brings poverty.
14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
but the folly of fools is folly.
14:25 A truthful witness rescues lives,
but the one who breathes lies brings deception.
14:26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
and it will be a refuge for his children.
14:27 The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain,
to turn people from deadly snares.
14:28 A king’s glory is the abundance of people,
but the lack of subjects is the ruin of a ruler.
14:29 The one who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.
14:30 A tranquil spirit revives the body,
but envy is rottenness to the bones.
14:31 The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator,
but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him.
14:32 The wicked will be thrown down in his trouble,
but the righteous have refuge even in the threat of death.
14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning;
it is known even in the heart of fools.
14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
14:35 The king shows favor to a wise servant,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
15:1 A gentle response turns away anger,
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
15:2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly,
but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.
15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good.
15:4 Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree,
but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.
15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense.
15:6 In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
15:8 The Lord abhors the sacrifices of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
15:9 The Lord abhors the way of the wicked,
but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
15:10 Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way;
the one who hates reproof will die.
15:11 Death and Destruction are before the Lord –
how much more the hearts of humans!
15:12 The scorner does not love one who corrects him;
he will not go to the wise.
15:13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful,
but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.
15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15:15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,
but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
15:16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth and turmoil with it.
15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love
than a fattened ox where there is hatred.
15:18 A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension,
but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.
15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
but the path of the upright is like a highway.
15:20 A wise child brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person despises his mother.
15:21 Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense,
but one who has understanding follows an upright course.
15:22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with abundant advisers they are established.
15:23 A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
and a word at the right time – how good it is!
15:24 The path of life is upward for the wise person,
to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
but he maintains the boundaries of the widow.
15:26 The Lord abhors the plans of the wicked,
but pleasant words are pure.
15:27 The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household,
but whoever hates bribes will live.
15:28 The heart of the righteous considers how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
15:30 A bright look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the body.
15:31 The person who hears the reproof that leads to life
is at home among the wise.
15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself,
but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding.
15:33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction,
and before honor comes humility.