Proverbs 1:1--31:30

Context

1:1 The Proverbs ¹  of ²  Solomon ³  son of David, ⁴  king of Israel: ⁵ 

1:2 To ⁶  learn ⁷  wisdom ⁸  and moral instruction, ⁹ 

and to discern ¹⁰  wise counsel. ¹¹ 

1:3 To receive ¹²  moral instruction ¹³  in skillful living, ¹⁴ 

in ¹⁵  righteousness, ¹⁶  justice, ¹⁷  and equity. ¹⁸ 

1:4 To impart ¹⁹  shrewdness ²⁰  to the morally naive, ²¹ 

and ²²  a discerning ²³  plan ²⁴  to the young person. ²⁵ 

1:5 (Let the wise also ²⁶  hear ²⁷  and gain ²⁸  instruction,

and let the discerning ²⁹  acquire ³⁰  guidance! ³¹ )

1:6 To discern ³²  the meaning of ³³  a proverb and a parable, ³⁴ 

the sayings of the wise ³⁵  and their ³⁶  riddles. ³⁷ 

1:7 Fearing the Lord ³⁸  is the beginning ³⁹  of moral knowledge, ⁴⁰ 

but ⁴¹  fools ⁴²  despise ⁴³  wisdom and instruction. ⁴⁴ 

1:8 Listen, ⁴⁵  my child, ⁴⁶  to the instruction ⁴⁷  from ⁴⁸  your father,

and do not forsake the teaching ⁴⁹  from ⁵⁰  your mother.

1:9 For they will be like ⁵¹  an elegant ⁵²  garland ⁵³  on ⁵⁴  your head,

and like ⁵⁵  pendants ⁵⁶  around ⁵⁷  your neck.

1:10 My child, if sinners ⁵⁸  try to entice ⁵⁹  you,

do not consent! ⁶⁰ 

1:11 If they say, “Come with us!

We will ⁶¹  lie in wait ⁶²  to shed blood; ⁶³ 

we will ambush ⁶⁴  an innocent person ⁶⁵  capriciously. ⁶⁶ 

1:12 We will swallow them alive ⁶⁷  like Sheol, ⁶⁸ 

those full of vigor ⁶⁹  like those going down to the Pit.

1:13 We will seize ⁷⁰  all kinds ⁷¹  of precious wealth;

we will fill our houses with plunder. ⁷² 

1:14 Join with us! ⁷³ 

We will all share ⁷⁴  equally in what we steal.” ⁷⁵ 

1:15 My child, do not go down ⁷⁶  their way, ⁷⁷ 

withhold yourself ⁷⁸  from their path; ⁷⁹ 

1:16 for they ⁸⁰  are eager ⁸¹  to inflict harm, ⁸² 

and they hasten ⁸³  to shed blood. ⁸⁴ 

1:17 Surely it is futile to spread ⁸⁵  a net

in plain sight of ⁸⁶  any bird, ⁸⁷ 

1:18 but these men lie in wait for their own blood, ⁸⁸ 

they ambush their own lives! ⁸⁹ 

1:19 Such ⁹⁰  are the ways ⁹¹  of all who gain profit unjustly; ⁹² 

it ⁹³  takes away the life ⁹⁴  of those who obtain it! ⁹⁵ 

1:20 Wisdom ⁹⁶  calls out ⁹⁷  in the street,

she shouts loudly ⁹⁸  in the plazas; ⁹⁹ 

1:21 at the head of the noisy ¹⁰⁰  streets she calls,

in the entrances of the gates in the city ¹⁰¹  she utters her words: ¹⁰² 

1:22 “How long will you simpletons ¹⁰³  love naiveté? ¹⁰⁴ 

How long ¹⁰⁵  will mockers ¹⁰⁶  delight ¹⁰⁷  in mockery ¹⁰⁸ 

and fools ¹⁰⁹  hate knowledge?

1:23 If only ¹¹⁰  you will respond ¹¹¹  to my rebuke, ¹¹² 

then ¹¹³  I will pour ¹¹⁴  out my thoughts ¹¹⁵  to you

and ¹¹⁶  I will make ¹¹⁷  my words known to you.

1:24 However, ¹¹⁸  because ¹¹⁹  I called but you refused to listen, ¹²⁰ 

because ¹²¹  I stretched out my hand ¹²²  but no one paid attention,

1:25 because ¹²³  you neglected ¹²⁴  all my advice,

and did not comply ¹²⁵  with my rebuke,

1:26 so ¹²⁶  I myself will laugh ¹²⁷  when disaster strikes you, ¹²⁸ 

I will mock when what you dread ¹²⁹  comes,

1:27 when what you dread ¹³⁰  comes like a whirlwind, ¹³¹ 

and disaster strikes you ¹³²  like a devastating storm, ¹³³ 

when distressing trouble ¹³⁴  comes on you.

1:28 Then they will call to me, but I will not answer;

they will diligently seek ¹³⁵  me, but they will not find me.

1:29 Because ¹³⁶  they hated moral knowledge, ¹³⁷ 

and did not choose to fear the Lord, ¹³⁸ 

1:30 they did not comply with my advice,

they spurned ¹³⁹  all my rebuke.

1:31 Therefore ¹⁴⁰  they will eat from the fruit ¹⁴¹  of their way, ¹⁴² 

and they will be stuffed full ¹⁴³  of their own counsel.

1:32 For the waywardness ¹⁴⁴  of the

simpletons will kill ¹⁴⁵  them,

and the careless ease ¹⁴⁶  of fools will destroy them.

1:33 But the one who listens ¹⁴⁷  to me will live in security, ¹⁴⁸ 

and will be at ease ¹⁴⁹  from the dread of harm.

2:1 My child, ¹⁵¹  if ¹⁵²  you receive my words,

and store up ¹⁵³  my commands within you,

2:2 by making ¹⁵⁴  your ear ¹⁵⁵  attentive to wisdom,

and ¹⁵⁶  by turning ¹⁵⁷  your heart ¹⁵⁸  to understanding,

2:3 indeed, if ¹⁵⁹  you call out for ¹⁶⁰  discernment ¹⁶¹  –

raise your voice ¹⁶²  for understanding –

2:4 if ¹⁶³  you seek ¹⁶⁴  it like silver, ¹⁶⁵ 

and search for it ¹⁶⁶  like hidden treasure,

2:5 then you will understand ¹⁶⁷  how to fear the Lord, ¹⁶⁸ 

and you will discover ¹⁶⁹  knowledge ¹⁷⁰  about God. ¹⁷¹ 

2:6 For ¹⁷²  the Lord gives ¹⁷³  wisdom,

and from his mouth ¹⁷⁴  comes ¹⁷⁵  knowledge and understanding.

2:7 He stores up ¹⁷⁶  effective counsel ¹⁷⁷  for the upright, ¹⁷⁸ 

and is like ¹⁷⁹  a shield ¹⁸⁰  for those who live ¹⁸¹  with integrity, ¹⁸² 

2:8 to guard ¹⁸³  the paths of the righteous ¹⁸⁴ 

and to protect ¹⁸⁵  the way of his pious ones. ¹⁸⁶ 

2:9 Then you will understand ¹⁸⁷  righteousness and justice

and equity – every ¹⁸⁸  good ¹⁸⁹  way. ¹⁹⁰ 

2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, ¹⁹¹ 

and moral knowledge ¹⁹²  will be attractive ¹⁹³  to you. ¹⁹⁴ 

2:11 Discretion ¹⁹⁵  will protect you, ¹⁹⁶ 

understanding will guard you,

2:12 to deliver ¹⁹⁷  you from the way of the wicked, ¹⁹⁸ 

from those ¹⁹⁹  speaking perversity, ²⁰⁰ 

2:13 who leave ²⁰¹  the upright ²⁰²  paths

to walk on the dark ²⁰³  ways,

2:14 who delight ²⁰⁴  in doing ²⁰⁵  evil, ²⁰⁶ 

they rejoice in perverse evil; ²⁰⁷ 

2:15 whose paths ²⁰⁸  are morally crooked, ²⁰⁹ 

and who are devious ²¹⁰  in their ways;

2:16 to deliver you ²¹¹  from the adulteress, ²¹² 

from the sexually loose woman ²¹³  who speaks flattering ²¹⁴  words; ²¹⁵ 

2:17 who leaves ²¹⁶  the husband ²¹⁷  from her younger days, ²¹⁸ 

and forgets her marriage covenant ²¹⁹  made before God. ²²⁰ 

2:18 For her house ²²¹  sinks ²²²  down to death,

and her paths lead ²²³  to the place of the departed spirits. ²²⁴ 

2:19 None who go in to her will return, ²²⁵ 

nor will they reach the paths of life. ²²⁶ 

2:20 So ²²⁷  you will walk in the way of good people, ²²⁸ 

and will keep on the paths of the righteous. ²²⁹ 

2:21 For the upright will reside in the land,

and those with integrity ²³⁰  will remain in it,

2:22 but the wicked ²³¹  will be removed ²³²  from the land,

and the treacherous ²³³  will be torn away ²³⁴  from it.

3:1 My child, ²³⁶  do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep ²³⁷  my commandments,

3:2 for they will provide ²³⁸  a long and full life, ²³⁹ 

and they will add well-being ²⁴⁰  to you.

3:3 Do not let truth and mercy ²⁴¹  leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart. ²⁴² 

3:4 Then you will find ²⁴³  favor and good understanding, ²⁴⁴ 

in the sight of God and people. ²⁴⁵ 

3:5 Trust ²⁴⁶  in the Lord with all your heart, ²⁴⁷ 

and do not rely ²⁴⁸  on your own understanding. ²⁴⁹ 

3:6 Acknowledge ²⁵⁰  him in all your ways, ²⁵¹ 

and he will make your paths straight. ²⁵² 

3:7 Do not be wise in your own estimation; ²⁵³ 

fear the Lord and turn away from evil. ²⁵⁴ 

3:8 This will bring ²⁵⁵  healing to your body, ²⁵⁶ 

and refreshment ²⁵⁷  to your inner self. ²⁵⁸ 

3:9 Honor ²⁵⁹  the Lord from your wealth

and from the first fruits of all your crops; ²⁶⁰ 

3:10 then your barns will be filled completely, ²⁶¹ 

and your vats ²⁶²  will overflow ²⁶³  with new wine.

3:11 My child, do not despise discipline from the Lord, ²⁶⁴ 

and do not loathe ²⁶⁵  his rebuke.

3:12 For the Lord disciplines ²⁶⁶  those he loves,

just as a father ²⁶⁷  disciplines ²⁶⁸  the son in whom he delights.

3:13 Blessed ²⁶⁹  is the one ²⁷⁰  who finds ²⁷¹  wisdom,

and the one who obtains ²⁷²  understanding.

3:14 For her ²⁷³  benefit ²⁷⁴  is more profitable ²⁷⁵  than silver,

and her ²⁷⁶  gain ²⁷⁷  is better ²⁷⁸  than gold.

3:15 She is more precious than rubies,

and none of the things ²⁷⁹  you desire ²⁸⁰  can compare ²⁸¹  with her. ²⁸² 

3:16 Long life ²⁸³  is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

3:17 Her ways are very pleasant, ²⁸⁴ 

and all her paths are peaceful.

3:18 She is like ²⁸⁵  a tree of life ²⁸⁶  to those who obtain her, ²⁸⁷ 

and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed. ²⁸⁸ 

3:19 By wisdom the Lord laid the foundation of the earth; ²⁸⁹ 

he established the heavens by understanding. ²⁹⁰ 

3:20 By his knowledge the primordial sea ²⁹¹  was broken open, ²⁹² 

and the clouds drip down dew. ²⁹³ 

3:21 My child, do not let them ²⁹⁴  escape from your sight;

safeguard sound wisdom and discretion. ²⁹⁵ 

3:22 So ²⁹⁶  they will give ²⁹⁷  life to you, ²⁹⁸ 

and grace to adorn ²⁹⁹  your neck. ³⁰⁰ 

3:23 Then you will walk on your way ³⁰¹  with security,

and you ³⁰²  will not stumble. ³⁰³ 

3:24 When ³⁰⁴  you lie down you will not be filled with fear; ³⁰⁵ 

when ³⁰⁶  you lie down your sleep will be pleasant. ³⁰⁷ 

3:25 You will not be afraid ³⁰⁸  of sudden ³⁰⁹  disaster, ³¹⁰ 

or when destruction overtakes ³¹¹  the wicked; ³¹² 

3:26 for the Lord will be ³¹³  the source of your confidence, ³¹⁴ 

and he will guard your foot ³¹⁵  from being caught in a trap. ³¹⁶ 

3:27 Do not withhold good from those who need it, ³¹⁷ 

when ³¹⁸  you ³¹⁹  have the ability ³²⁰  to help. ³²¹ 

3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go! Return tomorrow

and I will give it,” when ³²²  you have it with you at the time. ³²³ 

3:29 Do not plot ³²⁴  evil against your neighbor

when ³²⁵  he dwells by you unsuspectingly.

3:30 Do not accuse ³²⁶  anyone ³²⁷  without legitimate cause, ³²⁸ 

if he has not treated you wrongly.

3:31 Do not envy a violent man, ³²⁹ 

and do not choose to imitate ³³⁰  any of his ways;

3:32 for one who goes astray ³³¹  is an abomination ³³²  to the Lord,

but he reveals ³³³  his intimate counsel ³³⁴  to the upright.

3:33 The Lord’s curse ³³⁵  is on the household ³³⁶  of the wicked, ³³⁷ 

but he blesses ³³⁸  the home ³³⁹  of the righteous. ³⁴⁰ 

3:34 Although ³⁴¹  he is scornful to arrogant scoffers, ³⁴² 

yet ³⁴³  he shows favor to the humble. ³⁴⁴ 

3:35 The wise inherit honor,

but he holds fools up ³⁴⁵  to public contempt. ³⁴⁶ 

4:1 Listen, children, ³⁴⁸  to a father’s instruction, ³⁴⁹ 

and pay attention so that ³⁵⁰  you may gain ³⁵¹  discernment.

4:2 Because I give ³⁵²  you good instruction, ³⁵³ 

do not forsake my teaching.

4:3 When I was a son to my father, ³⁵⁴ 

a tender only child ³⁵⁵  before my mother,

4:4 he taught me, and he said to me:

“Let your heart lay hold of my words;

keep my commands so that ³⁵⁶  you will live.

4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;

do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak. ³⁵⁷ 

4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, ³⁵⁸  and she will protect you;

love her, and she will guard you.

4:7 Wisdom is supreme ³⁵⁹  – so ³⁶⁰  acquire wisdom,

and whatever you acquire, ³⁶¹  acquire understanding! ³⁶² 

4:8 Esteem her highly ³⁶³  and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.

4:9 She will place a fair ³⁶⁴  garland on your head;

she will bestow ³⁶⁵  a beautiful crown ³⁶⁶  on you.”

4:10 Listen, my child, ³⁶⁷  and accept my words,

so that ³⁶⁸  the years of your life will be many. ³⁶⁹ 

4:11 I will guide you ³⁷⁰  in the way of wisdom

and I will lead you in upright paths. ³⁷¹ 

4:12 When you walk, your steps ³⁷²  will not be hampered, ³⁷³ 

and when you run, ³⁷⁴  you will not stumble.

4:13 Hold on to instruction, ³⁷⁵  do not let it go;

protect it, ³⁷⁶  because it is your life.

4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked

or walk ³⁷⁷  in the way of those who are evil.

4:15 Avoid it, do not go on it;

turn away from it, and go on. ³⁷⁸ 

4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; ³⁷⁹ 

they are robbed of sleep ³⁸⁰  until they make someone stumble. ³⁸¹ 

4:17 For they eat bread ³⁸²  gained from wickedness ³⁸³ 

and drink wine obtained from violence. ³⁸⁴ 

4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, ³⁸⁵ 

growing brighter and brighter ³⁸⁶  until full day. ³⁸⁷ 

4:19 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; ³⁸⁸ 

they do not know what causes them to stumble. ³⁸⁹ 

4:20 My child, pay attention to my words;

listen attentively ³⁹⁰  to my sayings.

4:21 Do not let them depart ³⁹¹  from your sight,

guard ³⁹²  them within your heart; ³⁹³ 

4:22 for they are life to those who find them

and healing to one’s entire body. ³⁹⁴ 

4:23 Guard your heart with all vigilance, ³⁹⁵ 

for from it are the sources ³⁹⁶  of life.

4:24 Remove perverse speech ³⁹⁷  from your mouth; ³⁹⁸ 

keep devious talk far from your lips. ³⁹⁹ 

4:25 Let your eyes look directly ⁴⁰⁰  in front of you

and let your gaze ⁴⁰¹  look straight before you.

4:26 Make the path for your feet ⁴⁰²  level, ⁴⁰³ 

so that ⁴⁰⁴  all your ways may be established. ⁴⁰⁵ 

4:27 Do not turn ⁴⁰⁶  to the right or to the left;

turn yourself ⁴⁰⁷  away from evil. ⁴⁰⁸ 

5:1 My child, ⁴¹⁰  be attentive to my wisdom,

pay close attention ⁴¹¹  to my understanding,

5:2 in order to safeguard ⁴¹²  discretion, ⁴¹³ 

and that your lips may guard knowledge.

5:3 For the lips ⁴¹⁴  of the adulterous woman drip honey,

and her seductive words ⁴¹⁵  are smoother than olive oil,

5:4 but in the end ⁴¹⁶  she is bitter ⁴¹⁷  as wormwood, ⁴¹⁸ 

sharp as a two-edged ⁴¹⁹  sword.

5:5 Her feet go down to death;

her steps lead straight to the grave. ⁴²⁰ 

5:6 Lest ⁴²¹  she should make level the path leading to life, ⁴²² 

her paths are unstable ⁴²³  but she does not know it. ⁴²⁴ 

5:7 So now, children, ⁴²⁵  listen to me;

do not turn aside from the words I speak. ⁴²⁶ 

5:8 Keep yourself ⁴²⁷  far ⁴²⁸  from her,

and do not go near the door of her house,

5:9 lest you give your vigor ⁴²⁹  to others

and your years to a cruel person,

5:10 lest strangers devour ⁴³⁰  your strength, ⁴³¹ 

and your labor ⁴³²  benefit ⁴³³  another man’s house.

5:11 And at the end of your life ⁴³⁴  you will groan ⁴³⁵ 

when your flesh and your body are wasted away. ⁴³⁶ 

5:12 And you will say, “How I hated discipline!

My heart spurned reproof!

5:13 For ⁴³⁷  I did not obey my teachers ⁴³⁸ 

and I did not heed ⁴³⁹  my instructors. ⁴⁴⁰ 

5:14 I almost ⁴⁴¹  came to complete ruin ⁴⁴² 

in the midst of the whole congregation!” ⁴⁴³ 

5:15 Drink water from your own cistern

and running water from your own well. ⁴⁴⁴ 

5:16 Should your springs be dispersed ⁴⁴⁵  outside,

your streams of water in the wide plazas?

5:17 Let them be for yourself ⁴⁴⁶  alone,

and not for strangers with you. ⁴⁴⁷ 

5:18 May your fountain be blessed, ⁴⁴⁸ 

and may you rejoice ⁴⁴⁹  in your young wife ⁴⁵⁰  –

5:19 a loving doe, ⁴⁵¹  a graceful deer;

may her breasts satisfy you at all times,

may you be captivated ⁴⁵²  by her love always.

5:20 But why should you be captivated, ⁴⁵³  my son, by an adulteress,

and embrace the bosom of a different woman? ⁴⁵⁴ 

5:21 For the ways of a person ⁴⁵⁵  are in front of the Lord’s eyes,

and the Lord ⁴⁵⁶  weighs ⁴⁵⁷  all that person’s ⁴⁵⁸  paths.

5:22 The wicked ⁴⁵⁹  will be captured by his ⁴⁶⁰  own iniquities, ⁴⁶¹ 

and he will be held ⁴⁶²  by the cords of his own sin. ⁴⁶³ 

5:23 He will die because ⁴⁶⁴  there was no discipline;

because of the greatness of his folly ⁴⁶⁵  he will reel. ⁴⁶⁶ 

6:1 My child, ⁴⁶⁸  if you have made a pledge ⁴⁶⁹  for your neighbor,

and ⁴⁷⁰  have become a guarantor ⁴⁷¹  for a stranger, ⁴⁷² 

6:2 if ⁴⁷³  you have been ensnared ⁴⁷⁴  by the words you have uttered, ⁴⁷⁵ 

and have been caught by the words you have spoken,

6:3 then, my child, do this in order to deliver yourself, ⁴⁷⁶ 

because you have fallen into your neighbor’s power: ⁴⁷⁷ 

go, humble yourself, ⁴⁷⁸ 

and appeal firmly ⁴⁷⁹  to your neighbor.

6:4 Permit no sleep to your eyes ⁴⁸⁰ 

or slumber to your eyelids.

6:5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from a snare, ⁴⁸¹ 

and like a bird from the trap ⁴⁸²  of the fowler.

6:6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; ⁴⁸³ 

observe its ways and be wise!

6:7 It has no commander,

overseer, or ⁴⁸⁴  ruler,

6:8 yet it prepares its food in the summer;

it gathers at the harvest what it will eat. ⁴⁸⁵ 

6:9 How long, you sluggard, will you lie there?

When will you rise from your sleep? ⁴⁸⁶ 

6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to relax, ⁴⁸⁷ 

6:11 and your poverty will come like a robber, ⁴⁸⁸ 

and your need like an armed man. ⁴⁸⁹ 

6:12 A worthless and wicked person ⁴⁹⁰ 

walks around saying perverse ⁴⁹¹  things; ⁴⁹² 

6:13 he winks with his eyes,

signals with his feet,

and points with his fingers; ⁴⁹³ 

6:14 he plots evil with perverse thoughts ⁴⁹⁴  in his heart,

he spreads contention ⁴⁹⁵  at all times.

6:15 Therefore, his disaster will come suddenly;

in an instant ⁴⁹⁶  he will be broken, and there will be no remedy.

6:16 There are six things that the Lord hates,

even ⁴⁹⁷  seven ⁴⁹⁸  things that are an abomination to him: ⁴⁹⁹ 

6:17 haughty eyes, ⁵⁰⁰  a lying tongue, ⁵⁰¹ 

and hands that shed innocent blood, ⁵⁰² 

6:18 a heart that devises wicked plans, ⁵⁰³ 

feet that are swift to run ⁵⁰⁴  to evil,

6:19 a false witness who pours out lies, ⁵⁰⁵ 

and a person who spreads discord ⁵⁰⁶  among family members. ⁵⁰⁷ 

6:20 My child, guard the commands of your father

and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.

6:21 Bind them ⁵⁰⁸  on your heart continually;

fasten them around your neck.

6:22 When you walk about, ⁵⁰⁹  they ⁵¹⁰  will guide you;

when you lie down, they will watch over you;

when you wake up, ⁵¹¹  they will talk ⁵¹²  to you.

6:23 For the commandments ⁵¹³  are like ⁵¹⁴  a lamp, ⁵¹⁵ 

instruction is like a light,

and rebukes of discipline are like ⁵¹⁶  the road leading to life, ⁵¹⁷ 

6:24 by keeping ⁵¹⁸  you from the evil woman, ⁵¹⁹ 

from the smooth tongue of ⁵²⁰  the loose woman. ⁵²¹ 

6:25 Do not lust ⁵²²  in your heart for her beauty,

and do not let her captivate you with her alluring eyes; ⁵²³ 

6:26 for on account ⁵²⁴  of a prostitute one is brought down to a loaf of bread,

but the wife of another man ⁵²⁵  preys on your precious life. ⁵²⁶ 

6:27 Can a man hold ⁵²⁷  fire ⁵²⁸  against his chest ⁵²⁹ 

without ⁵³⁰  burning his clothes?

6:28 Can ⁵³¹  a man walk on hot coals

without scorching his feet?

6:29 So it is with ⁵³²  the one who has sex with ⁵³³  his neighbor’s wife;

no one ⁵³⁴  who touches ⁵³⁵  her will escape ⁵³⁶  punishment. ⁵³⁷ 

6:30 People ⁵³⁸  do not despise a thief when he steals

to fulfill his need ⁵³⁹  when he is hungry.

6:31 Yet ⁵⁴⁰  if he is caught ⁵⁴¹  he must repay ⁵⁴²  seven times over,

he might even have to give ⁵⁴³  all the wealth of his house.

6:32 A man who commits adultery with a woman lacks wisdom, ⁵⁴⁴ 

whoever does it destroys his own life. ⁵⁴⁵ 

6:33 He will be beaten and despised, ⁵⁴⁶ 

and his reproach will not be wiped away; ⁵⁴⁷ 

6:34 for jealousy kindles ⁵⁴⁸  a husband’s ⁵⁴⁹  rage,

and he will not show mercy ⁵⁵⁰  when he takes revenge.

6:35 He will not consider ⁵⁵¹  any compensation; ⁵⁵² 

he will not be willing, even if you multiply the compensation. ⁵⁵³ 

7:1 My child, ⁵⁵⁵  keep my words

and treasure up my commands in your own keeping. ⁵⁵⁶ 

7:2 Keep my commands ⁵⁵⁷  so that you may live, ⁵⁵⁸ 

and obey ⁵⁵⁹  my instruction as your most prized possession. ⁵⁶⁰ 

7:3 Bind them on your forearm; ⁵⁶¹ 

write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁵⁶² 

7:4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” ⁵⁶³ 

and call understanding a close relative,

7:5 so that they may keep you ⁵⁶⁴  from the adulterous ⁵⁶⁵  woman,

from the loose woman ⁵⁶⁶  who flatters you ⁵⁶⁷  with her words. ⁵⁶⁸ 

7:6 For at the window of my house

through my window lattice I looked out

7:7 and I saw among the naive –

I discerned among the youths ⁵⁶⁹  –

a young man ⁵⁷⁰  who lacked wisdom. ⁵⁷¹ 

7:8 He was passing by the street near her corner,

making his way ⁵⁷²  along the road to her house ⁵⁷³ 

7:9 in the twilight, the evening, ⁵⁷⁴ 

in the dark of the night. ⁵⁷⁵ 

7:10 Suddenly ⁵⁷⁶  a woman came out to meet him!

She was dressed like a prostitute ⁵⁷⁷  and with secret intent. ⁵⁷⁸ 

7:11 (She is loud and rebellious,

she ⁵⁷⁹  does not remain ⁵⁸⁰  at home –

7:12 at one time outside, at another ⁵⁸¹  in the wide plazas,

and by every corner she lies in wait.)

7:13 So she grabbed him and kissed him,

and with a bold expression ⁵⁸²  she said to him,

7:14 “I have ⁵⁸³  fresh meat at home; ⁵⁸⁴ 

today I have fulfilled my vows!

7:15 That is why I came out to meet you,

to look for you, ⁵⁸⁵  and I found you!

7:16 I have spread my bed with elegant coverings, ⁵⁸⁶ 

with richly colored fabric ⁵⁸⁷  from Egypt.

7:17 I have perfumed my bed

with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

7:18 Come, let’s drink deeply ⁵⁸⁸  of lovemaking ⁵⁸⁹  until morning,

let’s delight ourselves ⁵⁹⁰  with sexual intercourse. ⁵⁹¹ 

7:19 For my husband ⁵⁹²  is not at home; ⁵⁹³ 

he has gone on a journey of some distance.

7:20 He has taken a bag of money with him; ⁵⁹⁴ 

he will not return until ⁵⁹⁵  the end of the month.” ⁵⁹⁶ 

7:21 She persuaded him ⁵⁹⁷  with persuasive words; ⁵⁹⁸ 

with her smooth talk ⁵⁹⁹  she compelled him. ⁶⁰⁰ 

7:22 Suddenly he went ⁶⁰¹  after her

like an ox that goes to the slaughter,

like a stag prancing into a trapper’s snare ⁶⁰² 

7:23 till an arrow pierces his liver ⁶⁰³  –

like a bird hurrying into a trap,

and he does not know that it will cost him his life. ⁶⁰⁴ 

7:24 So now, sons, ⁶⁰⁵  listen to me,

and pay attention to the words I speak. ⁶⁰⁶ 

7:25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways –

do not wander into her pathways;

7:26 for she has brought down ⁶⁰⁷  many fatally wounded,

and all those she has slain are many. ⁶⁰⁸ 

7:27 Her house is the way to the grave, ⁶⁰⁹ 

going down ⁶¹⁰  to the chambers ⁶¹¹  of death.

8:1 Does not wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

8:2 At the top ⁶¹³  of the elevated places along the way,

at the intersection ⁶¹⁴  of the paths she takes her stand;

8:3 beside the gates opening into ⁶¹⁵  the city,

at the entrance of the doorways she cries out: ⁶¹⁶ 

8:4 “To you, O people, ⁶¹⁷  I call out,

and my voice calls ⁶¹⁸  to all mankind. ⁶¹⁹ 

8:5 You who are naive, discern ⁶²⁰  wisdom!

And you fools, understand discernment! ⁶²¹ 

8:6 Listen, for I will speak excellent things, ⁶²² 

and my lips will utter ⁶²³  what is right.

8:7 For my mouth ⁶²⁴  speaks truth, ⁶²⁵ 

and my lips ⁶²⁶  hate wickedness. ⁶²⁷ 

8:8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; ⁶²⁸ 

there is nothing in them twisted ⁶²⁹  or crooked.

8:9 All of them are clear ⁶³⁰  to the discerning

and upright to those who find knowledge.

8:10 Receive my instruction ⁶³¹  rather than ⁶³²  silver,

and knowledge rather than choice gold.

8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies,

and desirable things cannot be compared ⁶³³  to her.

8:12 “I, wisdom, live with prudence, ⁶³⁴ 

and I find ⁶³⁵  knowledge and discretion.

8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate ⁶³⁶  evil;

I hate arrogant pride ⁶³⁷  and the evil way

and perverse utterances. ⁶³⁸ 

8:14 Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me; ⁶³⁹ 

I possess understanding and might.

8:15 Kings reign by means of me,

and potentates ⁶⁴⁰  decree ⁶⁴¹  righteousness;

8:16 by me princes rule,

as well as nobles and ⁶⁴²  all righteous judges. ⁶⁴³ 

8:17 I love ⁶⁴⁴  those who love me,

and those who seek me find me.

8:18 Riches and honor are with me,

long-lasting wealth and righteousness.

8:19 My fruit is better than the purest gold, ⁶⁴⁵ 

and what I produce ⁶⁴⁶  is better than choice silver.

8:20 I walk in the path of righteousness,

in the pathway of justice,

8:21 that I may cause ⁶⁴⁷  those who love me to inherit wealth,

and that I may fill ⁶⁴⁸  their treasuries. ⁶⁴⁹ 

8:22 The Lord created ⁶⁵⁰  me as the beginning ⁶⁵¹  of his works, ⁶⁵² 

before his deeds of long ago.

8:23 From eternity I was appointed, ⁶⁵³ 

from the beginning, from before the world existed. ⁶⁵⁴ 

8:24 When there were no deep oceans ⁶⁵⁵  I was born, ⁶⁵⁶ 

when there were no springs overflowing ⁶⁵⁷  with water;

8:25 before the mountains were set in place –

before the hills – I was born,

8:26 before he made the earth and its fields, ⁶⁵⁸ 

or the beginning ⁶⁵⁹  of the dust of the world.

8:27 When he established the heavens, I was there;

when he marked out the horizon ⁶⁶⁰  over the face of the deep,

8:28 when he established the clouds above,

when the fountains of the deep grew strong, ⁶⁶¹ 

8:29 when he gave the sea his decree

that the waters should not pass over his command, ⁶⁶² 

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

8:30 then I was ⁶⁶³  beside him as a master craftsman, ⁶⁶⁴ 

and I was his delight ⁶⁶⁵  day by day,

rejoicing before him at all times,

8:31 rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, ⁶⁶⁶ 

and delighting ⁶⁶⁷  in its people. ⁶⁶⁸ 

8:32 “So now, children, ⁶⁶⁹  listen to me;

blessed are those who keep my ways.

8:33 Listen to my instruction ⁶⁷⁰  so that you may be wise, ⁶⁷¹ 

and do not neglect it.

8:34 Blessed is the one ⁶⁷²  who listens to me,

watching ⁶⁷³  at my doors day by day,

waiting ⁶⁷⁴  beside my doorway. ⁶⁷⁵ 

8:35 For the one who finds me finds ⁶⁷⁶  life

and receives ⁶⁷⁷  favor from the Lord.

8:36 But the one who does not find me ⁶⁷⁸  brings harm ⁶⁷⁹  to himself; ⁶⁸⁰ 

all who hate me ⁶⁸¹  love death.”

9:1 Wisdom has built her house;

she has carved out its seven pillars. ⁶⁸³ 

9:2 She has prepared her meat, ⁶⁸⁴  she has mixed her wine;

she also has arranged her table. ⁶⁸⁵ 

9:3 She has sent out her female servants;

she calls out on the highest places ⁶⁸⁶  of the city.

9:4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”

she says ⁶⁸⁷  to those ⁶⁸⁸  who lack understanding. ⁶⁸⁹ 

9:5 “Come, eat ⁶⁹⁰  some of my food,

and drink some of the wine I have mixed. ⁶⁹¹ 

9:6 Abandon your foolish ways ⁶⁹²  so that you may live, ⁶⁹³ 

and proceed ⁶⁹⁴  in the way of understanding.”

9:7 Whoever corrects ⁶⁹⁵  a mocker is asking for ⁶⁹⁶  insult; ⁶⁹⁷ 

whoever reproves a wicked person receives ⁶⁹⁸  abuse.

9:8 Do not reprove ⁶⁹⁹  a mocker or ⁷⁰⁰  he will hate you;

reprove a wise person and he will love you.

9:9 Give instruction ⁷⁰¹  to a wise person, ⁷⁰²  and he will become wiser still;

teach ⁷⁰³  a righteous person and he will add to his ⁷⁰⁴  learning.

9:10 The beginning ⁷⁰⁵  of wisdom is to fear the Lord, ⁷⁰⁶ 

and acknowledging ⁷⁰⁷  the Holy One ⁷⁰⁸  is understanding.

9:11 For because ⁷⁰⁹  of me your days will be many,

and years will be added ⁷¹⁰  to your life.

9:12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, ⁷¹¹ 

but if you are a mocker, ⁷¹²  you alone must ⁷¹³  bear it. ⁷¹⁴ 

9:13 The woman called Folly ⁷¹⁵  is brash, ⁷¹⁶ 

she is naive ⁷¹⁷  and does not know ⁷¹⁸  anything. ⁷¹⁹ 

9:14 So she sits at the door of her house,

on a seat at the highest point of the city,

9:15 calling out ⁷²⁰  to those who are passing by her ⁷²¹  in the way, ⁷²² 

who go straight ⁷²³  on their way.

9:16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here,”

she says to those who lack understanding. ⁷²⁴ 

9:17 “Stolen waters ⁷²⁵  are sweet,

and food obtained in secret ⁷²⁶  is pleasant!”

9:18 But they do not realize ⁷²⁷  that the dead ⁷²⁸  are there,

that her guests are in the depths of the grave. ⁷²⁹ 

10:1 The Proverbs of Solomon:

A wise child ⁷³¹  makes a father rejoice, ⁷³² 

but a foolish child ⁷³³  is a grief to his mother. ⁷³⁴ 

10:2 Treasures gained by wickedness ⁷³⁵  do not profit,

but righteousness ⁷³⁶  delivers from mortal danger. ⁷³⁷ 

10:3 The Lord satisfies ⁷³⁸  the appetite ⁷³⁹  of the righteous,

but he thwarts ⁷⁴⁰  the craving ⁷⁴¹  of the wicked.

10:4 The one who is lazy ⁷⁴²  becomes poor, ⁷⁴³ 

but the one who works diligently ⁷⁴⁴  becomes wealthy. ⁷⁴⁵ 

10:5 The one who gathers crops ⁷⁴⁶  in the summer is a wise ⁷⁴⁷  son,

but the one who sleeps ⁷⁴⁸  during the harvest

is a son who brings shame to himself. ⁷⁴⁹ 

10:6 Blessings ⁷⁵⁰  are on the head of the righteous,

but the speech ⁷⁵¹  of the wicked conceals ⁷⁵²  violence. ⁷⁵³ 

10:7 The memory ⁷⁵⁴  of the righteous is a blessing,

but the reputation ⁷⁵⁵  of the wicked will rot. ⁷⁵⁶ 

10:8 The wise person ⁷⁵⁷  accepts instructions, ⁷⁵⁸ 

but the one who speaks foolishness ⁷⁵⁹  will come to ruin. ⁷⁶⁰ 

10:9 The one who conducts himself ⁷⁶¹  in integrity ⁷⁶²  will live ⁷⁶³  securely,

but the one who behaves perversely ⁷⁶⁴  will be found out.

10:10 The one who winks ⁷⁶⁵  his ⁷⁶⁶  eye causes ⁷⁶⁷  trouble,

and the one who speaks foolishness ⁷⁶⁸  will come to ruin.

10:11 The teaching ⁷⁶⁹  of the righteous is a fountain of life, ⁷⁷⁰ 

but the speech ⁷⁷¹  of the wicked conceals ⁷⁷²  violence. ⁷⁷³ 

10:12 Hatred ⁷⁷⁴  stirs up dissension,

but love covers all transgressions. ⁷⁷⁵ 

10:13 Wisdom is found in the words ⁷⁷⁶  of the discerning person, ⁷⁷⁷ 

but the one who lacks wisdom ⁷⁷⁸  will be disciplined. ⁷⁷⁹ 

10:14 Those who are wise ⁷⁸⁰  store up ⁷⁸¹  knowledge,

but foolish speech ⁷⁸²  leads to imminent ⁷⁸³  destruction.

10:15 The wealth of a rich person is like ⁷⁸⁴  a fortified city, ⁷⁸⁵ 

but the poor are brought to ruin ⁷⁸⁶  by ⁷⁸⁷  their poverty.

10:16 The reward ⁷⁸⁸  which the righteous receive ⁷⁸⁹  is life;

the recompense ⁷⁹⁰  which the wicked receive ⁷⁹¹  is judgment. ⁷⁹² 

10:17 The one who heeds instruction ⁷⁹³  is on the way to ⁷⁹⁴  life,

but the one who rejects ⁷⁹⁵  rebuke goes astray.

10:18 The one who conceals hatred utters lies, ⁷⁹⁶ 

and the one who spreads ⁷⁹⁷  slander ⁷⁹⁸  is certainly ⁷⁹⁹  a fool.

10:19 When words abound, transgression is inevitable, ⁸⁰⁰ 

but the one who restrains ⁸⁰¹  his words ⁸⁰²  is wise.

10:20 What the righteous say ⁸⁰³  is like ⁸⁰⁴  the best ⁸⁰⁵  silver,

but what the wicked think ⁸⁰⁶  is of little value. ⁸⁰⁷ 

10:21 The teaching ⁸⁰⁸  of the righteous feeds ⁸⁰⁹  many,

but fools die ⁸¹⁰  for lack of wisdom. ⁸¹¹ 

10:22 The blessing ⁸¹²  from the Lord ⁸¹³  makes a person rich, ⁸¹⁴ 

and he adds no sorrow ⁸¹⁵  to ⁸¹⁶  it.

10:23 Carrying out a wicked scheme ⁸¹⁷  is enjoyable ⁸¹⁸  to a fool,

and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment. ⁸¹⁹ 

10:24 What the wicked fears ⁸²⁰  will come on him;

what the righteous desire ⁸²¹  will be granted. ⁸²² 

10:25 When the storm ⁸²³  passes through, the wicked are swept away, ⁸²⁴ 

but the righteous are an everlasting foundation. ⁸²⁵ 

10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, ⁸²⁶ 

so is the sluggard to those ⁸²⁷  who send him.

10:27 Fearing the Lord ⁸²⁸  prolongs life, ⁸²⁹ 

but the life span ⁸³⁰  of the wicked will be shortened. ⁸³¹ 

10:28 The hope ⁸³²  of the righteous is joy,

but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled. ⁸³³ 

10:29 The way of the Lord ⁸³⁴  is like ⁸³⁵  a stronghold for the upright, ⁸³⁶ 

but it is destruction ⁸³⁷  to evildoers. ⁸³⁸ 

10:30 The righteous will never be moved,

but the wicked will not inhabit the land. ⁸³⁹ 

10:31 The speech ⁸⁴⁰  of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, ⁸⁴¹ 

but the one who speaks perversion ⁸⁴²  will be destroyed. ⁸⁴³ 

10:32 The lips of the righteous know ⁸⁴⁴  what is pleasing, ⁸⁴⁵ 

but the speech ⁸⁴⁶  of the wicked is perverse.

11:1 The Lord abhors ⁸⁴⁷  dishonest scales, ⁸⁴⁸ 

but an accurate weight ⁸⁴⁹  is his delight.

11:2 When pride ⁸⁵⁰  comes, ⁸⁵¹  then comes disgrace, ⁸⁵² 

but with humility ⁸⁵³  comes ⁸⁵⁴  wisdom.

11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, ⁸⁵⁵ 

but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroys them. ⁸⁵⁶ 

11:4 Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath, ⁸⁵⁷ 

but righteousness delivers from mortal danger. ⁸⁵⁸ 

11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way, ⁸⁵⁹ 

but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness. ⁸⁶⁰ 

11:6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, ⁸⁶¹ 

but the faithless will be captured ⁸⁶²  by their own desires. ⁸⁶³ 

11:7 When a wicked person dies, his expectation perishes, ⁸⁶⁴ 

and the hope of his strength ⁸⁶⁵  perishes. ⁸⁶⁶ 

11:8 The righteous person is delivered ⁸⁶⁷  out of trouble,

and the wicked turns up in his stead. ⁸⁶⁸ 

11:9 With his speech ⁸⁶⁹  the godless person ⁸⁷⁰  destroys ⁸⁷¹  his neighbor,

but by knowledge ⁸⁷²  the righteous will be delivered.

11:10 When the righteous do well, ⁸⁷³  the city rejoices; ⁸⁷⁴ 

when the wicked perish, there is joy.

11:11 A city is exalted by the blessing provided from ⁸⁷⁵  the upright,

but it is destroyed by the counsel ⁸⁷⁶  of the wicked. ⁸⁷⁷ 

11:12 The one who denounces ⁸⁷⁸  his neighbor lacks wisdom, ⁸⁷⁹ 

but the one who has discernment ⁸⁸⁰  keeps silent. ⁸⁸¹ 

11:13 The one who goes about slandering others ⁸⁸²  reveals ⁸⁸³  secrets,

but the one who is trustworthy ⁸⁸⁴  conceals a matter.

11:14 When there is no guidance ⁸⁸⁵  a nation falls,

but there is success ⁸⁸⁶  in the abundance of counselors.

11:15 The one who puts up security for a stranger ⁸⁸⁷  will surely have trouble, ⁸⁸⁸ 

but whoever avoids ⁸⁸⁹  shaking hands ⁸⁹⁰  will be secure.

11:16 A generous woman ⁸⁹¹  gains honor,

and ruthless men ⁸⁹²  seize wealth. ⁸⁹³ 

11:17 A kind person ⁸⁹⁴  benefits ⁸⁹⁵  himself, ⁸⁹⁶ 

but a cruel person brings himself trouble. ⁸⁹⁷ 

11:18 The wicked person ⁸⁹⁸  earns ⁸⁹⁹  deceitful wages, ⁹⁰⁰ 

but the one who sows ⁹⁰¹  righteousness reaps ⁹⁰²  a genuine ⁹⁰³  reward. ⁹⁰⁴ 

11:19 True ⁹⁰⁵  righteousness leads to ⁹⁰⁶  life,

but the one who pursues evil pursues it ⁹⁰⁷  to his own death. ⁹⁰⁸ 

11:20 The Lord abhors ⁹⁰⁹  those who are perverse in heart, ⁹¹⁰ 

but those who are blameless in their ways ⁹¹¹  are his delight. ⁹¹² 

11:21 Be assured that ⁹¹³  the evil person will certainly be punished, ⁹¹⁴ 

but the descendants of the righteous ⁹¹⁵  will not suffer unjust judgment. ⁹¹⁶ 

11:22 Like a gold ring ⁹¹⁷  in a pig’s snout ⁹¹⁸ 

is ⁹¹⁹  a beautiful woman who rejects ⁹²⁰  discretion. ⁹²¹ 

11:23 What the righteous desire ⁹²²  leads ⁹²³  only to good,

but what the wicked hope for ⁹²⁴  leads ⁹²⁵  to wrath.

11:24 One person is generous ⁹²⁶  and yet grows more wealthy, ⁹²⁷ 

but another withholds more than he should ⁹²⁸  and comes to poverty. ⁹²⁹ 

11:25 A generous person ⁹³⁰  will be enriched, ⁹³¹ 

and the one who provides water ⁹³²  for others ⁹³³  will himself be satisfied. ⁹³⁴ 

11:26 People will curse ⁹³⁵  the one who withholds grain, ⁹³⁶ 

but they will praise ⁹³⁷  the one who sells it. ⁹³⁸ 

11:27 The one who diligently seeks ⁹³⁹  good seeks favor,

but the one who searches ⁹⁴⁰  for evil – it will come to him. ⁹⁴¹ 

11:28 The one who trusts in his riches will fall,

but the righteous ⁹⁴²  will flourish like a green leaf. ⁹⁴³ 

11:29 The one who troubles ⁹⁴⁴  his family ⁹⁴⁵  will inherit nothing, ⁹⁴⁶ 

and the fool ⁹⁴⁷  will be a servant to the wise person. ⁹⁴⁸ 

11:30 The fruit of the righteous is like ⁹⁴⁹  a tree producing life, ⁹⁵⁰ 

and the one who wins souls ⁹⁵¹  is wise. ⁹⁵² 

11:31 If the righteous are recompensed on earth, ⁹⁵³ 

how much more ⁹⁵⁴  the wicked sinner! ⁹⁵⁵ 

12:1 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, ⁹⁵⁶ 

but the one who hates reproof is stupid. ⁹⁵⁷ 

12:2 A good person obtains favor from the Lord,

but the Lord ⁹⁵⁸  condemns a person with wicked schemes. ⁹⁵⁹ 

12:3 No one ⁹⁶⁰  can be established ⁹⁶¹  through wickedness,

but a righteous root ⁹⁶²  cannot be moved.

12:4 A noble wife ⁹⁶³  is the crown ⁹⁶⁴  of her husband,

but the wife ⁹⁶⁵  who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. ⁹⁶⁶ 

12:5 The plans ⁹⁶⁷  of the righteous are just;

the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. ⁹⁶⁸ 

12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait ⁹⁶⁹  to shed innocent blood, ⁹⁷⁰ 

but the words ⁹⁷¹  of the upright will deliver them.

12:7 The wicked are overthrown ⁹⁷²  and perish, ⁹⁷³ 

but the righteous household ⁹⁷⁴  will stand.

12:8 A person ⁹⁷⁵  is praised in accordance with ⁹⁷⁶  his wisdom,

but the one who has a twisted mind ⁹⁷⁷  is despised.

12:9 Better is a person of humble standing ⁹⁷⁸  who nevertheless has a servant, ⁹⁷⁹ 

than one who pretends to be somebody important ⁹⁸⁰  yet has no food.

12:10 A righteous person cares for ⁹⁸¹  the life of his animal,

but even the most compassionate acts ⁹⁸²  of the wicked are cruel.

12:11 The one who works ⁹⁸³  his field will have plenty ⁹⁸⁴  of food,

but whoever chases daydreams ⁹⁸⁵  lacks wisdom. ⁹⁸⁶ 

12:12 The wicked person desires a stronghold, ⁹⁸⁷ 

but the righteous root ⁹⁸⁸  endures. ⁹⁸⁹ 

12:13 The evil person is ensnared ⁹⁹⁰  by the transgression of his speech, ⁹⁹¹ 

but the righteous person escapes out of trouble. ⁹⁹² 

12:14 A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, ⁹⁹³ 

and the work of his hands ⁹⁹⁴  will be rendered to ⁹⁹⁵  him.

12:15 The way of a fool ⁹⁹⁶  is right ⁹⁹⁷  in his own opinion, ⁹⁹⁸ 

but the one who listens to advice is wise. ⁹⁹⁹ 

12:16 A fool’s annoyance ¹⁰⁰⁰  is known at once, ¹⁰⁰¹ 

but the prudent ¹⁰⁰²  overlooks ¹⁰⁰³  an insult.

12:17 The faithful witness ¹⁰⁰⁴  tells what is right, ¹⁰⁰⁵ 

but a false witness ¹⁰⁰⁶  speaks ¹⁰⁰⁷  deceit.

12:18 Speaking recklessly ¹⁰⁰⁸  is like the thrusts of a sword,

but the words ¹⁰⁰⁹  of the wise bring ¹⁰¹⁰  healing. ¹⁰¹¹ 

12:19 The one who tells the truth ¹⁰¹²  will endure forever,

but the one who lies ¹⁰¹³  will last only for a moment. ¹⁰¹⁴ 

12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, ¹⁰¹⁵ 

but those who promote peace ¹⁰¹⁶  have joy.

12:21 The righteous do not encounter ¹⁰¹⁷  any harm, ¹⁰¹⁸ 

but the wicked are filled with calamity. ¹⁰¹⁹ 

12:22 The Lord ¹⁰²⁰  abhors a person who lies, ¹⁰²¹ 

but those who deal truthfully ¹⁰²²  are his delight. ¹⁰²³ 

12:23 The shrewd person ¹⁰²⁴  conceals ¹⁰²⁵  knowledge,

but foolish people ¹⁰²⁶  publicize folly. ¹⁰²⁷ 

12:24 The diligent ¹⁰²⁸  person ¹⁰²⁹  will rule,

but the slothful ¹⁰³⁰  will become a slave. ¹⁰³¹ 

12:25 Anxiety ¹⁰³²  in a person’s heart ¹⁰³³  weighs him down, ¹⁰³⁴ 

but an encouraging ¹⁰³⁵  word brings him joy. ¹⁰³⁶ 

12:26 The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, ¹⁰³⁷ 

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

12:27 The lazy person does not roast ¹⁰³⁸  his prey,

but personal possessions ¹⁰³⁹  are precious to the diligent.

12:28 In the path of righteousness there is life,

but another path leads to death. ¹⁰⁴⁰ 

13:1 A wise son accepts ¹⁰⁴¹  his father’s discipline, ¹⁰⁴² 

but a scoffer ¹⁰⁴³  does not listen to rebuke.

13:2 From the fruit of his speech ¹⁰⁴⁴  a person eats good things, ¹⁰⁴⁵ 

but the faithless ¹⁰⁴⁶  desire ¹⁰⁴⁷  the fruit of violence. ¹⁰⁴⁸ 

13:3 The one who guards his words ¹⁰⁴⁹  guards his life,

but ¹⁰⁵⁰  whoever is talkative ¹⁰⁵¹  will come to ruin. ¹⁰⁵² 

13:4 The appetite ¹⁰⁵³  of the sluggard ¹⁰⁵⁴  craves ¹⁰⁵⁵  but gets nothing,

but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied. ¹⁰⁵⁶ 

13:5 The righteous person hates anything false, ¹⁰⁵⁷ 

but the wicked person acts in shameful disgrace. ¹⁰⁵⁸ 

13:6 Righteousness ¹⁰⁵⁹  guards the one who lives with integrity, ¹⁰⁶⁰ 

but wickedness ¹⁰⁶¹  overthrows the sinner.

13:7 There is one who pretends to be rich ¹⁰⁶²  and yet has nothing;

another pretends to be poor ¹⁰⁶³  and yet possesses great wealth. ¹⁰⁶⁴ 

13:8 The ransom ¹⁰⁶⁵  of a person’s ¹⁰⁶⁶  life is his wealth,

but the poor person hears no threat. ¹⁰⁶⁷ 

13:9 The light ¹⁰⁶⁸  of the righteous shines brightly, ¹⁰⁶⁹ 

but the lamp ¹⁰⁷⁰  of the wicked goes out. ¹⁰⁷¹ 

13:10 With pride ¹⁰⁷²  comes only ¹⁰⁷³  contention,

but wisdom is with the well-advised. ¹⁰⁷⁴ 

13:11 Wealth gained quickly ¹⁰⁷⁵  will dwindle away, ¹⁰⁷⁶ 

but the one who gathers it little by little ¹⁰⁷⁷  will become rich. ¹⁰⁷⁸ 

13:12 Hope ¹⁰⁷⁹  deferred ¹⁰⁸⁰  makes the heart sick, ¹⁰⁸¹ 

but a longing fulfilled ¹⁰⁸²  is like ¹⁰⁸³  a tree of life.

13:13 The one who despises instruction ¹⁰⁸⁴  will pay the penalty, ¹⁰⁸⁵ 

but whoever esteems instruction ¹⁰⁸⁶  will ¹⁰⁸⁷  be rewarded. ¹⁰⁸⁸ 

13:14 Instruction ¹⁰⁸⁹  from the wise ¹⁰⁹⁰  is like ¹⁰⁹¹  a life-giving fountain, ¹⁰⁹² 

to turn ¹⁰⁹³  a person ¹⁰⁹⁴  from deadly snares. ¹⁰⁹⁵ 

13:15 Keen insight ¹⁰⁹⁶  wins ¹⁰⁹⁷  favor,

but the conduct ¹⁰⁹⁸  of the unfaithful is harsh. ¹⁰⁹⁹ 

13:16 Every shrewd ¹¹⁰⁰  person acts with knowledge,

but a fool displays ¹¹⁰¹  his folly.

13:17 An unreliable ¹¹⁰²  messenger falls ¹¹⁰³  into trouble, ¹¹⁰⁴ 

but a faithful envoy ¹¹⁰⁵  brings ¹¹⁰⁶  healing.

13:18 The one who neglects ¹¹⁰⁷  discipline ends up in ¹¹⁰⁸  poverty and shame,

but the one who accepts reproof is honored. ¹¹⁰⁹ 

13:19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but fools abhor ¹¹¹⁰  turning away from evil.

13:20 The one who associates ¹¹¹¹  with the wise grows wise,

but a companion of fools suffers harm. ¹¹¹² 

13:21 Calamity ¹¹¹³  pursues sinners,

but prosperity rewards the righteous. ¹¹¹⁴ 

13:22 A benevolent ¹¹¹⁵  person leaves an inheritance ¹¹¹⁶  for his grandchildren, ¹¹¹⁷ 

but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous. ¹¹¹⁸ 

13:23 There is abundant food in the field ¹¹¹⁹  of the poor,

but it is swept away by injustice. ¹¹²⁰ 

13:24 The one who spares his rod ¹¹²¹  hates ¹¹²²  his child, ¹¹²³ 

but the one who loves his child ¹¹²⁴  is diligent ¹¹²⁵  in disciplining ¹¹²⁶  him.

13:25 The righteous has enough food to satisfy his appetite, ¹¹²⁷ 

but the belly of the wicked lacks food. ¹¹²⁸ 

14:1 Every wise woman ¹¹²⁹  builds ¹¹³⁰  her household, ¹¹³¹ 

but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

14:2 The one who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, ¹¹³² 

but the one who is perverted in his ways ¹¹³³  despises him.

14:3 In ¹¹³⁴  the speech ¹¹³⁵  of a fool is a rod for his back, ¹¹³⁶ 

but the words ¹¹³⁷  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. ¹¹³⁸ 

14:5 A truthful witness ¹¹³⁹  does not lie,

but a false witness ¹¹⁴⁰  breathes out lies. ¹¹⁴¹ 

14:6 The scorner ¹¹⁴²  seeks wisdom but finds none, ¹¹⁴³ 

but understanding is easy ¹¹⁴⁴  for a discerning person.

14:7 Leave the presence of a foolish person, ¹¹⁴⁵ 

or ¹¹⁴⁶  you will not understand ¹¹⁴⁷  wise counsel. ¹¹⁴⁸ 

14:8 The wisdom of the shrewd person ¹¹⁴⁹  is to discern ¹¹⁵⁰  his way,

but the folly of fools is deception. ¹¹⁵¹ 

14:9 Fools mock ¹¹⁵²  at reparation, ¹¹⁵³ 

but among the upright there is favor. ¹¹⁵⁴ 

14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness, ¹¹⁵⁵ 

and with its joy no one else ¹¹⁵⁶  can share. ¹¹⁵⁷ 

14:11 The household ¹¹⁵⁸  of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent ¹¹⁵⁹  of the upright will flourish.

14:12 There is a way that seems right to a person, ¹¹⁶⁰ 

but its end is the way that leads to death. ¹¹⁶¹ 

14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, ¹¹⁶² 

and the end ¹¹⁶³  of joy may be ¹¹⁶⁴  grief.

14:14 The backslider ¹¹⁶⁵  will be paid back ¹¹⁶⁶  from his own ways,

but a good person will be rewarded ¹¹⁶⁷  for his.

14:15 A naive person ¹¹⁶⁸  believes everything,

but the shrewd person discerns his steps. ¹¹⁶⁹ 

14:16 A wise person is cautious ¹¹⁷⁰  and turns from evil,

but a fool throws off restraint ¹¹⁷¹  and is overconfident. ¹¹⁷² 

14:17 A person who has a quick temper ¹¹⁷³  does foolish things,

and a person with crafty schemes ¹¹⁷⁴  is hated. ¹¹⁷⁵ 

14:18 The naive inherit ¹¹⁷⁶  folly,

but the shrewd ¹¹⁷⁷  are crowned ¹¹⁷⁸  with knowledge.

14:19 Those who are evil will bow ¹¹⁷⁹  before those who are good,

and the wicked will bow ¹¹⁸⁰  at the gates ¹¹⁸¹  of the righteous.

14:20 A poor person is disliked ¹¹⁸²  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 ¹¹⁸³  evil go astray?

But those who plan good exhibit ¹¹⁸⁴  faithful covenant love. ¹¹⁸⁵ 

14:23 In all hard work ¹¹⁸⁶  there is profit,

but merely talking about it ¹¹⁸⁷  only brings ¹¹⁸⁸  poverty. ¹¹⁸⁹ 

14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches, ¹¹⁹⁰ 

but the folly ¹¹⁹¹  of fools is folly.

14:25 A truthful witness ¹¹⁹²  rescues lives, ¹¹⁹³ 

but the one who breathes lies brings ¹¹⁹⁴  deception. ¹¹⁹⁵ 

14:26 In the fear of the Lord one has ¹¹⁹⁶  strong confidence, ¹¹⁹⁷ 

and it will be a refuge ¹¹⁹⁸  for his children.

14:27 The fear of the Lord ¹¹⁹⁹  is like ¹²⁰⁰  a life-giving fountain, ¹²⁰¹ 

to turn ¹²⁰²  people ¹²⁰³  from deadly snares. ¹²⁰⁴ 

14:28 A king’s glory is ¹²⁰⁵  the abundance of people,

but the lack of subjects ¹²⁰⁶  is the ruin ¹²⁰⁷  of a ruler.

14:29 The one who is slow to anger has great understanding,

but the one who has a quick temper ¹²⁰⁸  exalts ¹²⁰⁹  folly.

14:30 A tranquil spirit ¹²¹⁰  revives the body, ¹²¹¹ 

but envy ¹²¹²  is rottenness to the bones. ¹²¹³ 

14:31 The one who oppresses ¹²¹⁴  the poor insults ¹²¹⁵  his Creator,

but whoever shows favor ¹²¹⁶  to the needy honors him.

14:32 The wicked will be thrown down in his trouble, ¹²¹⁷ 

but the righteous have refuge ¹²¹⁸  even in the threat of death. ¹²¹⁹ 

14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning;

it is known ¹²²⁰  even in the heart ¹²²¹  of fools.

14:34 Righteousness exalts ¹²²²  a nation,

but sin is a disgrace ¹²²³  to any people.

14:35 The king shows favor ¹²²⁴  to a wise ¹²²⁵  servant,

but his wrath falls ¹²²⁶  on one who acts shamefully.

15:1 A gentle response ¹²²⁷  turns away anger,

but a harsh word ¹²²⁸  stirs up wrath. ¹²²⁹ 

15:2 The tongue of the wise ¹²³⁰  treats knowledge correctly, ¹²³¹ 

but the mouth of the fool spouts out ¹²³²  folly.

15:3 The eyes of the Lord ¹²³³  are in every place,

keeping watch ¹²³⁴  on those who are evil and those who are good.

15:4 Speech ¹²³⁵  that heals ¹²³⁶  is like ¹²³⁷  a life-giving tree, ¹²³⁸ 

but a perverse tongue ¹²³⁹  breaks the spirit.

15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense. ¹²⁴⁰ 

15:6 In the house ¹²⁴¹  of the righteous is abundant wealth, ¹²⁴² 

but the income of the wicked brings trouble. ¹²⁴³ 

15:7 The lips of the wise spread ¹²⁴⁴  knowledge,

but not so the heart of fools. ¹²⁴⁵ 

15:8 The Lord abhors ¹²⁴⁶  the sacrifices ¹²⁴⁷  of the wicked, ¹²⁴⁸ 

but the prayer ¹²⁴⁹  of the upright pleases him. ¹²⁵⁰ 

15:9 The Lord abhors ¹²⁵¹  the way of the wicked,

but he loves those ¹²⁵²  who pursue ¹²⁵³  righteousness.

15:10 Severe discipline ¹²⁵⁴  is for the one who abandons the way;

the one who hates reproof ¹²⁵⁵  will die.

15:11 Death and Destruction ¹²⁵⁶  are before the Lord –

how much more ¹²⁵⁷  the hearts of humans! ¹²⁵⁸ 

15:12 The scorner does not love ¹²⁵⁹  one who corrects him; ¹²⁶⁰ 

he will not go to ¹²⁶¹  the wise.

15:13 A joyful heart ¹²⁶²  makes the face cheerful, ¹²⁶³ 

but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.

15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. ¹²⁶⁴ 

15:15 All the days ¹²⁶⁵  of the afflicted ¹²⁶⁶  are bad, ¹²⁶⁷ 

but one with ¹²⁶⁸  a cheerful heart has a continual feast. ¹²⁶⁹ 

15:16 Better ¹²⁷⁰  is little with the fear of the Lord

than great wealth and turmoil ¹²⁷¹  with it. ¹²⁷² 

15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love ¹²⁷³ 

than a fattened ox where there is hatred. ¹²⁷⁴ 

15:18 A quick-tempered person ¹²⁷⁵  stirs up dissension,

but one who is slow to anger ¹²⁷⁶  calms ¹²⁷⁷  a quarrel. ¹²⁷⁸ 

15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, ¹²⁷⁹ 

but the path of the upright is like ¹²⁸⁰  a highway. ¹²⁸¹ 

15:20 A wise child ¹²⁸²  brings joy to his father,

but a foolish person ¹²⁸³  despises ¹²⁸⁴  his mother.

15:21 Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, ¹²⁸⁵ 

but one who has understanding ¹²⁸⁶  follows an upright course. ¹²⁸⁷ 

15:22 Plans fail ¹²⁸⁸  when there is no counsel,

but with abundant advisers they are established. ¹²⁸⁹ 

15:23 A person has joy ¹²⁹⁰  in giving an appropriate answer, ¹²⁹¹ 

and a word at the right time ¹²⁹²  – how good it is!

15:24 The path of life is upward ¹²⁹³  for the wise person, ¹²⁹⁴ 

to ¹²⁹⁵  keep him from going downward to Sheol. ¹²⁹⁶ 

15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, ¹²⁹⁷ 

but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. ¹²⁹⁸ 

15:26 The Lord abhors ¹²⁹⁹  the plans ¹³⁰⁰  of the wicked, ¹³⁰¹ 

but pleasant words ¹³⁰²  are pure. ¹³⁰³ 

15:27 The one who is greedy for gain ¹³⁰⁴  troubles ¹³⁰⁵  his household, ¹³⁰⁶ 

but whoever hates bribes ¹³⁰⁷  will live.

15:28 The heart of the righteous considers ¹³⁰⁸  how ¹³⁰⁹  to answer, ¹³¹⁰ 

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. ¹³¹¹ 

15:29 The Lord is far ¹³¹²  from the wicked,

but he hears ¹³¹³  the prayer of the righteous. ¹³¹⁴ 

15:30 A bright look ¹³¹⁵  brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the body. ¹³¹⁶ 

15:31 The person ¹³¹⁷  who hears the reproof that leads to life ¹³¹⁸ 

is at home ¹³¹⁹  among the wise. ¹³²⁰ 

15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself, ¹³²¹ 

but whoever hears ¹³²²  reproof acquires understanding. ¹³²³ 

15:33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction, ¹³²⁴ 

and before honor comes humility. ¹³²⁵ 

16:1 The intentions of the heart ¹³²⁶  belong to a man, ¹³²⁷ 

but the answer of the tongue ¹³²⁸  comes from ¹³²⁹  the Lord. ¹³³⁰ 

16:2 All a person’s ways ¹³³¹  seem right ¹³³²  in his own opinion, ¹³³³ 

but the Lord evaluates ¹³³⁴  the motives. ¹³³⁵ 

16:3 Commit ¹³³⁶  your works ¹³³⁷  to the Lord,

and your plans will be established. ¹³³⁸ 

16:4 The Lord works ¹³³⁹  everything for its own ends ¹³⁴⁰  –

even the wicked for the day of disaster. ¹³⁴¹ 

16:5 The Lord abhors ¹³⁴²  every arrogant person; ¹³⁴³ 

rest assured ¹³⁴⁴  that they will not go unpunished. ¹³⁴⁵ 

16:6 Through loyal love and truth ¹³⁴⁶  iniquity is appeased; ¹³⁴⁷ 

through fearing the Lord ¹³⁴⁸  one avoids ¹³⁴⁹  evil. ¹³⁵⁰ 

16:7 When a person’s ¹³⁵¹  ways are pleasing to the Lord, ¹³⁵² 

he ¹³⁵³  even reconciles his enemies to himself. ¹³⁵⁴ 

16:8 Better to have a little with righteousness ¹³⁵⁵ 

than to have abundant income without justice. ¹³⁵⁶ 

16:9 A person ¹³⁵⁷  plans his course, ¹³⁵⁸ 

but the Lord directs ¹³⁵⁹  his steps. ¹³⁶⁰ 

16:10 The divine verdict ¹³⁶¹  is in the words ¹³⁶²  of the king,

his pronouncements ¹³⁶³  must not act treacherously ¹³⁶⁴  against justice.

16:11 Honest scales and balances ¹³⁶⁵  are from the Lord;

all the weights ¹³⁶⁶  in the bag are his handiwork.

16:12 Doing wickedness ¹³⁶⁷  is an abomination to kings,

because a throne ¹³⁶⁸  is established in righteousness.

16:13 The delight of kings ¹³⁶⁹  is righteous counsel, ¹³⁷⁰ 

and they love the one who speaks ¹³⁷¹  uprightly. ¹³⁷² 

16:14 A king’s wrath ¹³⁷³  is like ¹³⁷⁴  a messenger of death, ¹³⁷⁵ 

but a wise person appeases it. ¹³⁷⁶ 

16:15 In the light of the king’s face ¹³⁷⁷  there is life,

and his favor is like the clouds ¹³⁷⁸  of the spring rain. ¹³⁷⁹ 

16:16 How much better it is to acquire ¹³⁸⁰  wisdom than gold;

to acquire understanding is more desirable ¹³⁸¹  than silver.

16:17 The highway ¹³⁸²  of the upright is to turn ¹³⁸³  away from evil;

the one who guards ¹³⁸⁴  his way safeguards his life. ¹³⁸⁵ 

16:18 Pride ¹³⁸⁶  goes ¹³⁸⁷  before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹³⁸⁸ 

16:19 It is better to be lowly in spirit ¹³⁸⁹  with the afflicted

than to share the spoils ¹³⁹⁰  with the proud.

16:20 The one who deals wisely ¹³⁹¹  in a matter ¹³⁹²  will find success, ¹³⁹³ 

and blessed ¹³⁹⁴  is the one who trusts in the Lord. ¹³⁹⁵ 

16:21 The one who is wise in heart ¹³⁹⁶  is called ¹³⁹⁷  discerning,

and kind speech ¹³⁹⁸  increases persuasiveness. ¹³⁹⁹ 

16:22 Insight ¹⁴⁰⁰  is like ¹⁴⁰¹  a life-giving fountain ¹⁴⁰²  to the one who possesses it,

but folly leads to the discipline of fools. ¹⁴⁰³ 

16:23 A wise person’s heart ¹⁴⁰⁴  makes his speech wise ¹⁴⁰⁵ 

and it adds persuasiveness ¹⁴⁰⁶  to his words. ¹⁴⁰⁷ 

16:24 Pleasant words are like ¹⁴⁰⁸  a honeycomb, ¹⁴⁰⁹ 

sweet to the soul and healing ¹⁴¹⁰  to the bones.

16:25 There is a way that seems right to a person, ¹⁴¹¹ 

but its end is the way that leads to death. ¹⁴¹² 

16:26 A laborer’s ¹⁴¹³  appetite ¹⁴¹⁴  works on his behalf, ¹⁴¹⁵ 

for his hunger ¹⁴¹⁶  urges him to work. ¹⁴¹⁷ 

16:27 A wicked scoundrel ¹⁴¹⁸  digs up ¹⁴¹⁹  evil,

and his slander ¹⁴²⁰  is like a scorching fire. ¹⁴²¹ 

16:28 A perverse person ¹⁴²²  spreads dissension,

and a gossip separates the closest friends. ¹⁴²³ 

16:29 A violent person ¹⁴²⁴  entices ¹⁴²⁵  his neighbor,

and leads him down a path that is terrible. ¹⁴²⁶ 

16:30 The one who winks his eyes ¹⁴²⁷  devises perverse things,

and ¹⁴²⁸  one who compresses his lips ¹⁴²⁹  brings about ¹⁴³⁰  evil.

16:31 Gray hair is like ¹⁴³¹  a crown of glory; ¹⁴³² 

it is attained ¹⁴³³  in the path of righteousness. ¹⁴³⁴ 

16:32 Better to be slow to anger ¹⁴³⁵  than to be a mighty warrior,

and one who controls his temper ¹⁴³⁶  is better than ¹⁴³⁷  one who captures a city. ¹⁴³⁸ 

16:33 The dice are thrown into the lap, ¹⁴³⁹ 

but their every decision ¹⁴⁴⁰  is from the Lord. ¹⁴⁴¹ 

17:1 Better is a dry crust of bread ¹⁴⁴²  where there is quietness ¹⁴⁴³ 

than a house full of feasting with strife. ¹⁴⁴⁴ 

17:2 A servant who acts wisely ¹⁴⁴⁵  will rule

over ¹⁴⁴⁶  an heir ¹⁴⁴⁷  who behaves shamefully, ¹⁴⁴⁸ 

and will share the inheritance along with the relatives. ¹⁴⁴⁹ 

17:3 The crucible ¹⁴⁵⁰  is for refining ¹⁴⁵¹  silver and the furnace ¹⁴⁵²  is for gold,

likewise ¹⁴⁵³  the Lord tests ¹⁴⁵⁴  hearts.

17:4 One who acts wickedly ¹⁴⁵⁵  pays attention to evil counsel; ¹⁴⁵⁶ 

a liar listens ¹⁴⁵⁷  to a malicious tongue. ¹⁴⁵⁸ 

17:5 The one who mocks the poor ¹⁴⁵⁹  insults ¹⁴⁶⁰  his Creator;

whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.

17:6 Grandchildren ¹⁴⁶¹  are like ¹⁴⁶²  a crown ¹⁴⁶³  to the elderly,

and the glory ¹⁴⁶⁴  of children is their parents. ¹⁴⁶⁵ 

17:7 Excessive ¹⁴⁶⁶  speech ¹⁴⁶⁷  is not becoming for a fool; ¹⁴⁶⁸ 

how much less are lies ¹⁴⁶⁹  for a ruler! ¹⁴⁷⁰ 

17:8 A bribe works like ¹⁴⁷¹  a charm ¹⁴⁷²  for the one who offers it; ¹⁴⁷³ 

in whatever he does ¹⁴⁷⁴  he succeeds. ¹⁴⁷⁵ 

17:9 The one who forgives ¹⁴⁷⁶  an offense seeks ¹⁴⁷⁷  love,

but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends. ¹⁴⁷⁸ 

17:10 A rebuke makes a greater impression on ¹⁴⁷⁹  a discerning person

than a hundred blows on a fool. ¹⁴⁸⁰ 

17:11 An evil person seeks only rebellion, ¹⁴⁸¹ 

and so ¹⁴⁸²  a cruel messenger ¹⁴⁸³  will be sent against him.

17:12 It is better for a person to meet ¹⁴⁸⁴  a mother bear being robbed of her cubs,

than ¹⁴⁸⁵  to encounter ¹⁴⁸⁶  a fool in his folly. ¹⁴⁸⁷ 

17:13 As for the one who repays ¹⁴⁸⁸  evil for good,

evil will not leave ¹⁴⁸⁹  his house. ¹⁴⁹⁰ 

17:14 Starting a quarrel ¹⁴⁹¹  is like letting out water; ¹⁴⁹² 

stop it before strife breaks out! ¹⁴⁹³ 

17:15 The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent ¹⁴⁹⁴  –

both of them are an abomination to the Lord. ¹⁴⁹⁵ 

17:16 Of what ¹⁴⁹⁶  use is money in the hand of a fool, ¹⁴⁹⁷ 

since he has no intention ¹⁴⁹⁸  of acquiring wisdom? ¹⁴⁹⁹ 

17:17 A friend ¹⁵⁰⁰  loves at all times,

and a relative ¹⁵⁰¹  is born to help in adversity. ¹⁵⁰² 

17:18 The one who lacks wisdom ¹⁵⁰³  strikes hands in pledge, ¹⁵⁰⁴ 

and puts up financial security ¹⁵⁰⁵  for his neighbor. ¹⁵⁰⁶ 

17:19 The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; ¹⁵⁰⁷ 

whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction. ¹⁵⁰⁸ 

17:20 The one who has a perverse heart ¹⁵⁰⁹  does not find good, ¹⁵¹⁰ 

and the one who is deceitful in speech ¹⁵¹¹  falls into trouble.

17:21 Whoever brings a fool ¹⁵¹²  into the world ¹⁵¹³  does so ¹⁵¹⁴  to his grief,

and the father of a fool has no joy. ¹⁵¹⁵ 

17:22 A cheerful heart ¹⁵¹⁶  brings good healing, ¹⁵¹⁷ 

but a crushed spirit ¹⁵¹⁸  dries up the bones. ¹⁵¹⁹ 

17:23 A wicked person receives a bribe secretly ¹⁵²⁰ 

to pervert ¹⁵²¹  the ways of justice.

17:24 Wisdom is directly in front of ¹⁵²²  the discerning person,

but the eyes of a fool run ¹⁵²³  to the ends of the earth. ¹⁵²⁴ 

17:25 A foolish child is a grief ¹⁵²⁵  to his father,

and bitterness to the mother who bore him. ¹⁵²⁶ 

17:26 It is terrible ¹⁵²⁷  to punish ¹⁵²⁸  a righteous person,

and to flog ¹⁵²⁹  honorable men is wrong. ¹⁵³⁰ 

17:27 The truly wise person ¹⁵³¹  restrains ¹⁵³²  his words,

and the one who stays calm ¹⁵³³  is discerning.

17:28 Even a fool who remains silent is considered ¹⁵³⁴  wise,

and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning. ¹⁵³⁵ 

18:1 One who has isolated himself ¹⁵³⁶  seeks his own desires; ¹⁵³⁷ 

he rejects ¹⁵³⁸  all sound judgment.

18:2 A fool takes no pleasure ¹⁵³⁹  in understanding

but only in disclosing ¹⁵⁴⁰  what is on his mind. ¹⁵⁴¹ 

18:3 When a wicked person ¹⁵⁴²  arrives, contempt ¹⁵⁴³  shows up with him,

and with shame comes ¹⁵⁴⁴  a reproach.

18:4 The words of a person’s mouth are like ¹⁵⁴⁵  deep waters, ¹⁵⁴⁶ 

and ¹⁵⁴⁷  the fountain of wisdom ¹⁵⁴⁸  is like ¹⁵⁴⁹  a flowing brook. ¹⁵⁵⁰ 

18:5 It is terrible ¹⁵⁵¹  to show partiality ¹⁵⁵²  to the wicked, ¹⁵⁵³ 

by depriving ¹⁵⁵⁴  a righteous man of justice.

18:6 The lips of a fool ¹⁵⁵⁵  enter into strife, ¹⁵⁵⁶ 

and his mouth invites ¹⁵⁵⁷  a flogging. ¹⁵⁵⁸ 

18:7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare for his life. ¹⁵⁵⁹ 

18:8 The words of a gossip ¹⁵⁶⁰  are like choice morsels; ¹⁵⁶¹ 

they go down into the person’s innermost being. ¹⁵⁶² 

18:9 The one who ¹⁵⁶³  is slack ¹⁵⁶⁴  in his work

is a brother ¹⁵⁶⁵  to one who destroys. ¹⁵⁶⁶ 

18:10 The name of the Lord ¹⁵⁶⁷  is like ¹⁵⁶⁸  a strong tower; ¹⁵⁶⁹ 

the righteous person runs ¹⁵⁷⁰  to it and is set safely on high. ¹⁵⁷¹ 

18:11 The wealth ¹⁵⁷²  of a rich person is like ¹⁵⁷³  a strong city, ¹⁵⁷⁴ 

and it is like a high wall in his imagination. ¹⁵⁷⁵ 

18:12 Before destruction the heart ¹⁵⁷⁶  of a person is proud,

but humility comes ¹⁵⁷⁷  before honor. ¹⁵⁷⁸ 

18:13 The one who gives an answer ¹⁵⁷⁹  before he listens ¹⁵⁸⁰  –

that is his folly and his shame. ¹⁵⁸¹ 

18:14 A person’s spirit ¹⁵⁸²  sustains him through sickness –

but who can bear ¹⁵⁸³  a crushed spirit? ¹⁵⁸⁴ 

18:15 The discerning person ¹⁵⁸⁵  acquires knowledge,

and the wise person ¹⁵⁸⁶  seeks ¹⁵⁸⁷  knowledge.

18:16 A person’s gift ¹⁵⁸⁸  makes room for him,

and leads him ¹⁵⁸⁹  before important people.

18:17 The first to state his case ¹⁵⁹⁰  seems ¹⁵⁹¹  right,

until his opponent ¹⁵⁹²  begins to ¹⁵⁹³  cross-examine him. ¹⁵⁹⁴ 

18:18 A toss of a coin ¹⁵⁹⁵  ends ¹⁵⁹⁶  disputes,

and settles the issue ¹⁵⁹⁷  between strong opponents. ¹⁵⁹⁸ 

18:19 A relative ¹⁵⁹⁹  offended ¹⁶⁰⁰  is harder to reach than ¹⁶⁰¹  a strong city,

and disputes are like the barred gates ¹⁶⁰²  of a fortified citadel. ¹⁶⁰³ 

18:20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth ¹⁶⁰⁴  his stomach is satisfied, ¹⁶⁰⁵ 

with the product of his lips is he satisfied.

18:21 Death and life are in the power ¹⁶⁰⁶  of the tongue, ¹⁶⁰⁷ 

and those who love its use ¹⁶⁰⁸  will eat its fruit.

18:22 The one who finds ¹⁶⁰⁹  a wife finds what is enjoyable, ¹⁶¹⁰ 

and receives a pleasurable gift ¹⁶¹¹  from the Lord. ¹⁶¹² 

18:23 A poor person makes supplications, ¹⁶¹³ 

but a rich man answers harshly. ¹⁶¹⁴ 

18:24 A person who has friends ¹⁶¹⁵  may be harmed by them, ¹⁶¹⁶ 

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19:1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity ¹⁶¹⁷ 

than one who is perverse in his speech ¹⁶¹⁸  and is a fool. ¹⁶¹⁹ 

19:2 It is dangerous ¹⁶²⁰  to have zeal ¹⁶²¹  without knowledge,

and the one who acts hastily ¹⁶²²  makes poor choices. ¹⁶²³ 

19:3 A person’s folly ¹⁶²⁴  subverts ¹⁶²⁵  his way,

and ¹⁶²⁶  his heart rages ¹⁶²⁷  against the Lord.

19:4 Wealth adds many friends,

but a poor person is separated ¹⁶²⁸  from his friend. ¹⁶²⁹ 

19:5 A false witness ¹⁶³⁰  will not go unpunished,

and the one who spouts out ¹⁶³¹  lies will not escape punishment. ¹⁶³² 

19:6 Many people entreat the favor ¹⁶³³  of a generous person, ¹⁶³⁴ 

and everyone is the friend ¹⁶³⁵  of the person who gives gifts. ¹⁶³⁶ 

19:7 All the relatives ¹⁶³⁷  of a poor person hate him; ¹⁶³⁸ 

how much more do his friends avoid him –

he pursues them ¹⁶³⁹  with words, but they do not respond. ¹⁶⁴⁰ 

19:8 The one who acquires wisdom ¹⁶⁴¹  loves himself; ¹⁶⁴² 

the one who preserves understanding will prosper. ¹⁶⁴³ 

19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and the one who spouts out ¹⁶⁴⁴  lies will perish. ¹⁶⁴⁵ 

19:10 Luxury is not appropriate ¹⁶⁴⁶  for a fool; ¹⁶⁴⁷ 

how much less for a servant to rule over princes! ¹⁶⁴⁸ 

19:11 A person’s wisdom ¹⁶⁴⁹  makes him slow to anger, ¹⁶⁵⁰ 

and it is his glory ¹⁶⁵¹  to overlook ¹⁶⁵²  an offense.

19:12 A king’s wrath is like ¹⁶⁵³  the roar of a lion, ¹⁶⁵⁴ 

but his favor is like dew on the grass. ¹⁶⁵⁵ 

19:13 A foolish child ¹⁶⁵⁶  is the ruin of his father,

and a contentious wife ¹⁶⁵⁷  is like ¹⁶⁵⁸  a constant dripping. ¹⁶⁵⁹ 

19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from parents, ¹⁶⁶⁰ 

but a prudent wife ¹⁶⁶¹  is from the Lord.

19:15 Laziness brings on ¹⁶⁶²  a deep sleep, ¹⁶⁶³ 

and the idle person ¹⁶⁶⁴  will go hungry. ¹⁶⁶⁵ 

19:16 The one who obeys commandments guards ¹⁶⁶⁶  his life;

the one who despises his ways ¹⁶⁶⁷  will die. ¹⁶⁶⁸ 

19:17 The one who is gracious ¹⁶⁶⁹  to the poor lends ¹⁶⁷⁰  to the Lord,

and the Lord ¹⁶⁷¹  will repay him ¹⁶⁷²  for his good deed. ¹⁶⁷³ 

19:18 Discipline your child, for ¹⁶⁷⁴  there is hope,

but do not set your heart ¹⁶⁷⁵  on causing his death. ¹⁶⁷⁶ 

19:19 A person with great anger bears the penalty, ¹⁶⁷⁷ 

but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again. ¹⁶⁷⁸ 

19:20 Listen to advice ¹⁶⁷⁹  and receive discipline,

that ¹⁶⁸⁰  you may become wise ¹⁶⁸¹  by the end of your life. ¹⁶⁸² 

19:21 There are many plans ¹⁶⁸³  in a person’s mind, ¹⁶⁸⁴ 

but it ¹⁶⁸⁵  is the counsel ¹⁶⁸⁶  of the Lord which will stand.

19:22 What is desirable ¹⁶⁸⁷  for a person is to show loyal love, ¹⁶⁸⁸ 

and a poor person is better than a liar. ¹⁶⁸⁹ 

19:23 Fearing the Lord ¹⁶⁹⁰  leads ¹⁶⁹¹  to life, ¹⁶⁹² 

and one who does so will live ¹⁶⁹³  satisfied; he will not be afflicted ¹⁶⁹⁴  by calamity.

19:24 The sluggard plunges ¹⁶⁹⁵  his hand in the dish,

and he will not even bring it back to his mouth! ¹⁶⁹⁶ 

19:25 Flog ¹⁶⁹⁷  a scorner, and as a result the simpleton ¹⁶⁹⁸  will learn prudence; ¹⁶⁹⁹ 

correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. ¹⁷⁰⁰ 

19:26 The one who robs ¹⁷⁰¹  his father ¹⁷⁰²  and chases away his mother

is a son ¹⁷⁰³  who brings shame and disgrace.

19:27 If you stop listening to ¹⁷⁰⁴  instruction, my child,

you will stray ¹⁷⁰⁵  from the words of knowledge.

19:28 A crooked witness ¹⁷⁰⁶  scorns justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours ¹⁷⁰⁷  iniquity.

19:29 Judgments ¹⁷⁰⁸  are prepared for scorners,

and floggings for the backs of fools.

20:1 Wine ¹⁷⁰⁹  is a mocker ¹⁷¹⁰  and strong drink is a brawler;

whoever goes astray by them is not wise. ¹⁷¹¹ 

20:2 The king’s terrifying anger ¹⁷¹²  is like the roar of a lion;

whoever provokes him ¹⁷¹³  sins against himself. ¹⁷¹⁴ 

20:3 It is an honor for a person ¹⁷¹⁵  to cease ¹⁷¹⁶  from strife,

but every fool quarrels. ¹⁷¹⁷ 

20:4 The sluggard will not plow ¹⁷¹⁸  during the planting season, ¹⁷¹⁹ 

so at harvest time he looks ¹⁷²⁰  for the crop ¹⁷²¹  but has nothing.

20:5 Counsel ¹⁷²²  in a person’s heart ¹⁷²³  is like ¹⁷²⁴  deep water, ¹⁷²⁵ 

but an understanding person ¹⁷²⁶  draws it out.

20:6 Many people profess their loyalty, ¹⁷²⁷ 

but a faithful person ¹⁷²⁸  – who can find? ¹⁷²⁹ 

20:7 The righteous person ¹⁷³⁰  behaves in integrity; ¹⁷³¹ 

blessed are his children after him. ¹⁷³² 

20:8 A king sitting on the throne to judge ¹⁷³³ 

separates out ¹⁷³⁴  all evil with his eyes. ¹⁷³⁵ 

20:9 Who can say, ¹⁷³⁶  “I have kept my heart clean; ¹⁷³⁷ 

I am pure ¹⁷³⁸  from my sin”?

20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures ¹⁷³⁹  –

the Lord abhors ¹⁷⁴⁰  both of them.

20:11 Even a young man ¹⁷⁴¹  is known ¹⁷⁴²  by his actions,

whether his activity is pure and whether it is right. ¹⁷⁴³ 

20:12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees ¹⁷⁴⁴  –

the Lord has made them both. ¹⁷⁴⁵ 

20:13 Do not love sleep, ¹⁷⁴⁶  lest you become impoverished;

open your eyes so that ¹⁷⁴⁷  you might be satisfied with food. ¹⁷⁴⁸ 

20:14 “It’s worthless! It’s worthless!” ¹⁷⁴⁹  says the buyer, ¹⁷⁵⁰ 

but when he goes on his way, he boasts. ¹⁷⁵¹ 

20:15 There is gold, and an abundance of rubies,

but ¹⁷⁵²  words of knowledge ¹⁷⁵³  are like ¹⁷⁵⁴  a precious jewel.

20:16 Take a man’s ¹⁷⁵⁵  garment ¹⁷⁵⁶  when he has given security for a stranger, ¹⁷⁵⁷ 

and when he gives surety for strangers, ¹⁷⁵⁸  hold him ¹⁷⁵⁹  in pledge.

20:17 Bread gained by deceit ¹⁷⁶⁰  tastes sweet to a person, ¹⁷⁶¹ 

but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. ¹⁷⁶² 

20:18 Plans ¹⁷⁶³  are established by counsel,

so ¹⁷⁶⁴  make war ¹⁷⁶⁵  with guidance.

20:19 The one who goes about gossiping ¹⁷⁶⁶  reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate ¹⁷⁶⁷  with someone who is always opening his mouth. ¹⁷⁶⁸ 

20:20 The one who curses ¹⁷⁶⁹  his father and his mother,

his lamp ¹⁷⁷⁰  will be extinguished in the blackest ¹⁷⁷¹  darkness.

20:21 An inheritance gained easily ¹⁷⁷²  in the beginning

will not be blessed ¹⁷⁷³  in the end. ¹⁷⁷⁴ 

20:22 Do not say, ¹⁷⁷⁵  “I will pay back ¹⁷⁷⁶  evil!”

Wait ¹⁷⁷⁷  for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you. ¹⁷⁷⁸ 

20:23 The Lord abhors ¹⁷⁷⁹  differing weights,

and dishonest scales are wicked. ¹⁷⁸⁰ 

20:24 The steps of a person ¹⁷⁸¹  are ordained by ¹⁷⁸²  the Lord –

so how can anyone ¹⁷⁸³  understand his own ¹⁷⁸⁴  way?

20:25 It is a snare ¹⁷⁸⁵  for a person ¹⁷⁸⁶  to rashly cry, ¹⁷⁸⁷  “Holy!”

and only afterward to consider ¹⁷⁸⁸  what he has vowed. ¹⁷⁸⁹ 

20:26 A wise king separates out ¹⁷⁹⁰  the wicked;

he turns the threshing wheel over them. ¹⁷⁹¹ 

20:27 The human spirit ¹⁷⁹²  is like ¹⁷⁹³  the lamp ¹⁷⁹⁴  of the Lord,

searching all his innermost parts. ¹⁷⁹⁵ 

20:28 Loyal love and truth ¹⁷⁹⁶  preserve a king,

and his throne is upheld by loyal love. ¹⁷⁹⁷ 

20:29 The glory ¹⁷⁹⁸  of young men is their strength,

and the splendor ¹⁷⁹⁹  of old men is gray hair. ¹⁸⁰⁰ 

20:30 Beatings and wounds cleanse away ¹⁸⁰¹  evil,

and floggings cleanse ¹⁸⁰²  the innermost being. ¹⁸⁰³ 

21:1 The king’s heart ¹⁸⁰⁴  is in the hand ¹⁸⁰⁵  of the Lord like channels of water; ¹⁸⁰⁶ 

he turns it wherever he wants.

21:2 All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, ¹⁸⁰⁷ 

but the Lord evaluates ¹⁸⁰⁸  the motives. ¹⁸⁰⁹ 

21:3 To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable ¹⁸¹⁰  to the Lord than sacrifice. ¹⁸¹¹ 

21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart –

the agricultural product ¹⁸¹²  of the wicked is sin.

21:5 The plans of the diligent ¹⁸¹³  lead ¹⁸¹⁴  only to plenty, ¹⁸¹⁵ 

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. ¹⁸¹⁶ 

21:6 Making a fortune ¹⁸¹⁷  by a lying tongue is like ¹⁸¹⁸  a vapor driven back and forth; ¹⁸¹⁹ 

they seek death. ¹⁸²⁰ 

21:7 The violence ¹⁸²¹  done by the wicked ¹⁸²²  will drag them away

because ¹⁸²³  they refuse to do what is right. ¹⁸²⁴ 

21:8 The way of the guilty person ¹⁸²⁵  is devious, ¹⁸²⁶ 

but as for the pure, ¹⁸²⁷  his way is upright.

21:9 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop ¹⁸²⁸ 

than in a house in company ¹⁸²⁹  with a quarrelsome wife. ¹⁸³⁰ 

21:10 The appetite ¹⁸³¹  of the wicked desires ¹⁸³²  evil;

his neighbor is shown no favor ¹⁸³³  in his eyes.

21:11 When a scorner is punished, the naive ¹⁸³⁴  becomes wise;

when a wise person is instructed, ¹⁸³⁵  he gains knowledge.

21:12 The Righteous One ¹⁸³⁶  considers ¹⁸³⁷  the house ¹⁸³⁸  of the wicked;

he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. ¹⁸³⁹ 

21:13 The one who shuts his ears ¹⁸⁴⁰  to the cry ¹⁸⁴¹  of the poor,

he too will cry out and will not be answered. ¹⁸⁴² 

21:14 A gift given ¹⁸⁴³  in secret subdues ¹⁸⁴⁴  anger,

and a bribe given secretly ¹⁸⁴⁵  subdues ¹⁸⁴⁶  strong wrath. ¹⁸⁴⁷ 

21:15 Doing ¹⁸⁴⁸  justice brings ¹⁸⁴⁹  joy to the righteous

and terror ¹⁸⁵⁰  to those who do evil.

21:16 The one who wanders ¹⁸⁵¹  from the way of wisdom ¹⁸⁵² 

will end up ¹⁸⁵³  in the company of the departed. ¹⁸⁵⁴ 

21:17 The one who loves ¹⁸⁵⁵  pleasure ¹⁸⁵⁶  will be ¹⁸⁵⁷  a poor person; ¹⁸⁵⁸ 

whoever loves wine and anointing oil ¹⁸⁵⁹  will not be rich.

21:18 The wicked become ¹⁸⁶⁰  a ransom ¹⁸⁶¹  for the righteous,

and the faithless ¹⁸⁶²  are taken ¹⁸⁶³  in the place of the upright.

21:19 It is better to live ¹⁸⁶⁴  in a desert land ¹⁸⁶⁵ 

than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked ¹⁸⁶⁶  woman.

21:20 There is desirable treasure and olive oil ¹⁸⁶⁷  in the dwelling of the wise,

but a foolish person ¹⁸⁶⁸  devours all he has. ¹⁸⁶⁹ 

21:21 The one who pursues righteousness and love ¹⁸⁷⁰ 

finds life, bounty, ¹⁸⁷¹  and honor.

21:22 The wise person ¹⁸⁷²  can scale ¹⁸⁷³  the city of the mighty

and bring down the stronghold ¹⁸⁷⁴  in which they trust. ¹⁸⁷⁵ 

21:23 The one who guards his mouth and his tongue ¹⁸⁷⁶ 

keeps his life ¹⁸⁷⁷  from troubles. ¹⁸⁷⁸ 

21:24 A proud ¹⁸⁷⁹  and arrogant ¹⁸⁸⁰  person, whose name is “Scoffer,” ¹⁸⁸¹ 

acts ¹⁸⁸²  with overbearing pride. ¹⁸⁸³ 

21:25 What the sluggard desires ¹⁸⁸⁴  will kill him, ¹⁸⁸⁵ 

for his hands ¹⁸⁸⁶  refuse to work.

21:26 All day long he craves greedily, ¹⁸⁸⁷ 

but the righteous gives and does not hold back. ¹⁸⁸⁸ 

21:27 The wicked person’s sacrifice ¹⁸⁸⁹  is an abomination;

how much more ¹⁸⁹⁰  when he brings it with evil intent! ¹⁸⁹¹ 

21:28 A lying witness ¹⁸⁹²  will perish, ¹⁸⁹³ 

but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. ¹⁸⁹⁴ 

21:29 A wicked person ¹⁸⁹⁵  shows boldness with his face, ¹⁸⁹⁶ 

but as for the upright, ¹⁸⁹⁷  he discerns ¹⁸⁹⁸  his ways.

21:30 There is no wisdom and there is no understanding,

and there is no counsel against ¹⁸⁹⁹  the Lord. ¹⁹⁰⁰ 

21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but the victory is from the Lord. ¹⁹⁰¹ 

22:1 A good name ¹⁹⁰²  is to be chosen ¹⁹⁰³  rather than great wealth,

good favor ¹⁹⁰⁴  more than silver or gold.

22:2 The rich and the poor meet together; ¹⁹⁰⁵ 

the Lord is the creator of them both. ¹⁹⁰⁶ 

22:3 A shrewd person ¹⁹⁰⁷  sees danger ¹⁹⁰⁸  and hides himself,

but the naive keep right on going ¹⁹⁰⁹  and suffer for it. ¹⁹¹⁰ 

22:4 The reward ¹⁹¹¹  for humility ¹⁹¹²  and fearing the Lord ¹⁹¹³ 

is riches and honor and life.

22:5 Thorns and snares ¹⁹¹⁴  are in the path of the perverse,

but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

22:6 Train ¹⁹¹⁵  a child ¹⁹¹⁶  in the way that he should go, ¹⁹¹⁷ 

and when he is old he will not turn from it. ¹⁹¹⁸ 

22:7 The rich rule over ¹⁹¹⁹  the poor,

and the borrower is servant ¹⁹²⁰  to the lender.

22:8 The one who sows ¹⁹²¹  iniquity will reap trouble,

and the rod of his fury ¹⁹²²  will end.

22:9 A generous person ¹⁹²³  will be blessed, ¹⁹²⁴ 

for he gives some of his food ¹⁹²⁵  to the poor.

22:10 Drive out the scorner ¹⁹²⁶  and contention will leave;

strife and insults will cease. ¹⁹²⁷ 

22:11 The one who loves a pure heart ¹⁹²⁸ 

and whose speech is gracious ¹⁹²⁹  – the king will be his friend. ¹⁹³⁰ 

22:12 The eyes of the Lord ¹⁹³¹  guard knowledge, ¹⁹³² 

but he overthrows the words of the faithless person. ¹⁹³³ 

22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion ¹⁹³⁴  outside!

I will be killed in the middle of the streets!” ¹⁹³⁵ 

22:14 The mouth ¹⁹³⁶  of an adulteress is like ¹⁹³⁷  a deep pit; ¹⁹³⁸ 

the one against whom the Lord is angry ¹⁹³⁹  will fall into it. ¹⁹⁴⁰ 

22:15 Folly is bound up ¹⁹⁴¹  in the heart of a child, ¹⁹⁴² 

but the rod of discipline ¹⁹⁴³  will drive it far from him.

22:16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain

and the one who gives to the rich ¹⁹⁴⁴  – both end up only in poverty.

22:17 Incline your ear ¹⁹⁴⁶  and listen to the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my instruction. ¹⁹⁴⁷ 

22:18 For it is pleasing if ¹⁹⁴⁸  you keep these sayings ¹⁹⁴⁹  within you,

and ¹⁹⁵⁰  they are ready on your lips. ¹⁹⁵¹ 

22:19 So that ¹⁹⁵²  your confidence may be in the Lord,

I am making them known to you today ¹⁹⁵³  – even you.

22:20 Have I not written thirty sayings ¹⁹⁵⁴  for you,

sayings ¹⁹⁵⁵  of counsel and knowledge,

22:21 to show you true and reliable words, ¹⁹⁵⁶ 

so that you may give accurate answers ¹⁹⁵⁷  to those who sent you?

22:22 Do not exploit ¹⁹⁵⁸  a poor person because he is poor

and do not crush the needy in court, ¹⁹⁵⁹ 

22:23 for the Lord will plead their case ¹⁹⁶⁰ 

and will rob those who are robbing ¹⁹⁶¹  them.

22:24 Do not make friends with an angry person, ¹⁹⁶² 

and do not associate with a wrathful person,

22:25 lest you learn ¹⁹⁶³  his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare. ¹⁹⁶⁴ 

22:26 Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge

or who puts up security for debts.

22:27 If you do not have enough to pay,

your bed ¹⁹⁶⁵  will be taken ¹⁹⁶⁶  right out from under you! ¹⁹⁶⁷ 

22:28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone ¹⁹⁶⁸ 

which was put in place by your ancestors. ¹⁹⁶⁹ 

22:29 Do you see a person skilled ¹⁹⁷⁰  in his work?

He will take his position before kings;

he will not take his position ¹⁹⁷¹  before obscure people. ¹⁹⁷² 

23:1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

consider carefully ¹⁹⁷³  what ¹⁹⁷⁴  is before you,

23:2 and put a knife to your throat ¹⁹⁷⁵ 

if you possess a large appetite. ¹⁹⁷⁶ 

23:3 Do not crave that ruler’s ¹⁹⁷⁷  delicacies,

for ¹⁹⁷⁸  that food is deceptive. ¹⁹⁷⁹ 

23:4 Do not wear yourself out to become rich;

be wise enough to restrain yourself. ¹⁹⁸⁰ 

23:5 When you gaze upon riches, ¹⁹⁸¹  they are gone,

for they surely make wings for themselves,

and fly off into the sky like an eagle! ¹⁹⁸² 

23:6 Do not eat the food of a stingy person, ¹⁹⁸³ 

do not crave his delicacies;

23:7 for he is ¹⁹⁸⁴  like someone calculating the cost ¹⁹⁸⁵  in his mind. ¹⁹⁸⁶ 

“Eat and drink,” he says to you,

but his heart is not with you;

23:8 you will vomit up ¹⁹⁸⁷  the little bit you have eaten,

and will have wasted your pleasant words. ¹⁹⁸⁸ 

23:9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, ¹⁹⁸⁹ 

for he will despise the wisdom of your words. ¹⁹⁹⁰ 

23:10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone,

or take over ¹⁹⁹¹  the fields of the fatherless,

23:11 for their Protector ¹⁹⁹²  is strong;

he will plead their case against you. ¹⁹⁹³ 

23:12 Apply ¹⁹⁹⁴  your heart to instruction

and your ears to the words of knowledge.

23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;

even if you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

23:14 If you strike ¹⁹⁹⁵  him with the rod,

you will deliver him ¹⁹⁹⁶  from death. ¹⁹⁹⁷ 

23:15 My child, ¹⁹⁹⁸  if your heart is wise,

then my heart also will be glad;

23:16 my soul ¹⁹⁹⁹  will rejoice

when your lips speak what is right. ²⁰⁰⁰ 

23:17 Do not let your heart envy ²⁰⁰¹  sinners,

but rather be zealous in fearing the Lord ²⁰⁰²  all the time.

23:18 For surely there is a future, ²⁰⁰³ 

and your hope will not be cut off. ²⁰⁰⁴ 

23:19 Listen, my child, ²⁰⁰⁵  and be wise,

and guide your heart on the right way.

23:20 Do not spend time ²⁰⁰⁶  among drunkards, ²⁰⁰⁷ 

among those who eat too much ²⁰⁰⁸  meat,

23:21 because drunkards and gluttons become impoverished,

and drowsiness ²⁰⁰⁹  clothes them with rags. ²⁰¹⁰ 

23:22 Listen to your father who begot you,

and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23:23 Acquire ²⁰¹¹  truth and do not sell it –

wisdom, and discipline, and understanding.

23:24 The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; ²⁰¹² 

whoever fathers a wise child ²⁰¹³  will have joy in him.

23:25 May your father and your mother have joy;

may she who bore you rejoice. ²⁰¹⁴ 

23:26 Give me your heart, my son, ²⁰¹⁵ 

and let your eyes observe my ways;

23:27 for a prostitute is like ²⁰¹⁶  a deep pit;

a harlot ²⁰¹⁷  is like ²⁰¹⁸  a narrow well. ²⁰¹⁹ 

23:28 Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber, ²⁰²⁰ 

and increases the unfaithful ²⁰²¹  among men. ²⁰²² 

23:29 Who has woe? ²⁰²³  Who has sorrow?

Who has contentions? Who has complaints?

Who has wounds without cause? Who has dullness ²⁰²⁴  of the eyes?

23:30 Those who linger over wine,

those who go looking for mixed wine. ²⁰²⁵ 

23:31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,

when it sparkles ²⁰²⁶  in the cup,

when it goes down smoothly. ²⁰²⁷ 

23:32 Afterward ²⁰²⁸  it bites like a snake,

and stings like a viper.

23:33 Your eyes will see strange things, ²⁰²⁹ 

and your mind will speak perverse things.

23:34 And you will be like one who lies down in the midst ²⁰³⁰  of the sea,

and like one who lies down on the top of the rigging. ²⁰³¹ 

23:35 You will say, ²⁰³²  “They have struck me, but I am not harmed!

They beat me, but I did not know it! ²⁰³³ 

When will I awake? I will look for another drink.” ²⁰³⁴ 

24:1 Do not envy evil people, ²⁰³⁵ 

do not desire ²⁰³⁶  to be with them;

24:2 for their hearts contemplate violence,

and their lips speak harm. ²⁰³⁷ 

24:3 By ²⁰³⁸  wisdom a house is built, ²⁰³⁹ 

and through understanding it is established;

24:4 by knowledge its rooms are filled

with all kinds of precious and pleasing treasures.

24:5 A wise warrior ²⁰⁴⁰  is strong, ²⁰⁴¹ 

and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;

24:6 for with guidance you wage your war,

and with numerous advisers there is victory. ²⁰⁴² 

24:7 Wisdom is unattainable ²⁰⁴³  for a fool;

in court ²⁰⁴⁴  he does not open his mouth. ²⁰⁴⁵ 

24:8 The one who plans to do evil

will be called a scheming person. ²⁰⁴⁶ 

24:9 A foolish scheme ²⁰⁴⁷  is sin,

and the scorner is an abomination to people. ²⁰⁴⁸ 

24:10 If you faint ²⁰⁴⁹  in the day of trouble, ²⁰⁵⁰ 

your strength is small! ²⁰⁵¹ 

24:11 Deliver those being taken away to death,

and hold back those slipping to the slaughter. ²⁰⁵² 

24:12 If you say, “But we did not know about this,”

does not the one who evaluates ²⁰⁵³  hearts consider?

Does not the one who guards your life know?

Will he not repay each person according to his deeds? ²⁰⁵⁴ 

24:13 Eat honey, ²⁰⁵⁵  my child, for it is good,

and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

24:14 Likewise, know ²⁰⁵⁶  that wisdom is sweet ²⁰⁵⁷  to your soul;

if you find it, ²⁰⁵⁸  you will have a future, ²⁰⁵⁹ 

and your hope will not be cut off.

24:15 Do not lie in wait like the wicked ²⁰⁶⁰  against the place where the righteous live;

do not assault ²⁰⁶¹  his home.

24:16 Although ²⁰⁶²  a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again,

but the wicked will be brought down ²⁰⁶³  by calamity.

24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, ²⁰⁶⁴ 

and when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice,

24:18 lest the Lord see it, and be displeased, ²⁰⁶⁵ 

and turn his wrath away from him. ²⁰⁶⁶ 

24:19 Do not fret because of evil people

or be envious of wicked people,

24:20 for the evil person has no future, ²⁰⁶⁷ 

and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. ²⁰⁶⁸ 

24:21 Fear the Lord, my child, ²⁰⁶⁹  as well as the king,

and do not associate ²⁰⁷⁰  with rebels, ²⁰⁷¹ 

24:22 for suddenly their destruction will overtake them, ²⁰⁷² 

and who knows the ruinous judgment both the Lord and the king can bring? ²⁰⁷³ 

24:23 These sayings also are from the wise:

To show partiality ²⁰⁷⁴  in judgment is terrible: ²⁰⁷⁵ 

24:24 The one who says to the guilty, ²⁰⁷⁶  “You are innocent,” ²⁰⁷⁷ 

peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce ²⁰⁷⁸  him.

24:25 But there will be delight ²⁰⁷⁹  for those who convict ²⁰⁸⁰  the guilty, ²⁰⁸¹ 

and a pleasing blessing ²⁰⁸²  will come on them.

24:26 Like a kiss on the lips ²⁰⁸³ 

is the one who gives an honest answer.

24:27 Establish your work outside and get your fields ready;

afterward build ²⁰⁸⁴  your house. ²⁰⁸⁵ 

24:28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, ²⁰⁸⁶ 

and do not deceive with your words. ²⁰⁸⁷ 

24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;

I will pay him back ²⁰⁸⁸  according to what he has done.” ²⁰⁸⁹ 

24:30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,

by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. ²⁰⁹⁰ 

24:31 I saw ²⁰⁹¹  that thorns had grown up all over it,

the ground ²⁰⁹²  was covered with weeds,

and its stone wall was broken down.

24:32 When I saw this, I gave careful consideration to it; ²⁰⁹³ 

I received instruction from what I saw: ²⁰⁹⁴ 

24:33 “A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to relax,

24:34 and your poverty will come like a bandit,

and your need like an armed robber.” ²⁰⁹⁵ 

25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,

which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied: ²⁰⁹⁶ 

25:2 It is the glory of God ²⁰⁹⁷  to conceal ²⁰⁹⁸  a matter,

and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.

25:3 As the heaven is high ²⁰⁹⁹  and the earth is deep

so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. ²¹⁰⁰ 

25:4 Remove the dross from the silver,

and material ²¹⁰¹  for the silversmith will emerge;

25:5 remove the wicked from before the king, ²¹⁰² 

and his throne ²¹⁰³  will be established in righteousness. ²¹⁰⁴ 

25:6 Do not honor yourself before the king,

and do not stand in the place of great men;

25:7 for it is better for him ²¹⁰⁵  to say to you, “Come up here,” ²¹⁰⁶ 

than to put you lower ²¹⁰⁷  before a prince,

whom your eyes have seen. ²¹⁰⁸ 

25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation, ²¹⁰⁹ 

or ²¹¹⁰  what will you do afterward

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

25:9 When you argue a case ²¹¹¹  with your neighbor,

do not reveal the secret of another person, ²¹¹² 

25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame

and your infamy ²¹¹³  will never go away.

25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver, ²¹¹⁴ 

so is a word skillfully spoken. ²¹¹⁵ 

25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, ²¹¹⁶ 

so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. ²¹¹⁷ 

25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, ²¹¹⁸ 

so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

for he refreshes the heart ²¹¹⁹  of his masters.

25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, ²¹²⁰ 

so is the one who boasts ²¹²¹  of a gift not given. ²¹²² 

25:15 Through patience ²¹²³  a ruler can be persuaded, ²¹²⁴ 

and a soft tongue ²¹²⁵  can break a bone. ²¹²⁶ 

25:16 When you find ²¹²⁷  honey, eat only what is sufficient for you,

lest you become stuffed ²¹²⁸  with it and vomit it up. ²¹²⁹ 

25:17 Don’t set foot too frequently ²¹³⁰  in your neighbor’s house,

lest he become weary ²¹³¹  of you and hate you.

25:18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, ²¹³² 

so is the one who testifies against ²¹³³  his neighbor as a false witness. ²¹³⁴ 

25:19 Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, ²¹³⁵ 

so is confidence ²¹³⁶  in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble. ²¹³⁷ 

25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, ²¹³⁸ 

or like vinegar poured on soda, ²¹³⁹ 

so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. ²¹⁴⁰ 

25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, ²¹⁴¹ 

and the Lord will reward you. ²¹⁴² 

25:23 The north wind ²¹⁴³  brings forth rain,

and a gossiping tongue ²¹⁴⁴  brings forth ²¹⁴⁵  an angry look. ²¹⁴⁶ 

25:24 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop

than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. ²¹⁴⁷ 

25:25 Like cold water to a weary person, ²¹⁴⁸ 

so is good news from a distant land. ²¹⁴⁹ 

25:26 Like a muddied ²¹⁵⁰  spring and a polluted ²¹⁵¹  well,

so is a righteous person who gives way ²¹⁵²  before the wicked.

25:27 It is not good ²¹⁵³  to eat too much honey,

nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory. ²¹⁵⁴ 

25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without a wall,

so is a person who cannot control his temper. ²¹⁵⁵ 

26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

so honor ²¹⁵⁶  is not fitting for a fool. ²¹⁵⁷ 

26:2 Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow,

so a curse without cause ²¹⁵⁸  does not come to rest. ²¹⁵⁹ 

26:3 A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey,

and a rod for the backs of fools! ²¹⁶⁰ 

26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, ²¹⁶¹ 

lest you yourself also be like him. ²¹⁶² 

26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, ²¹⁶³ 

lest he be wise in his own estimation. ²¹⁶⁴ 

26:6 Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, ²¹⁶⁵ 

so is sending ²¹⁶⁶  a message by the hand of a fool. ²¹⁶⁷ 

26:7 Like legs that hang limp ²¹⁶⁸  from the lame,

so ²¹⁶⁹  is a proverb ²¹⁷⁰  in the mouth of fools.

26:8 Like tying a stone in a sling, ²¹⁷¹ 

so is giving honor to a fool.

26:9 Like a thorn ²¹⁷²  that goes into the hand of a drunkard,

so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. ²¹⁷³ 

26:10 Like an archer who wounds at random, ²¹⁷⁴ 

so is the one who hires ²¹⁷⁵  a fool or hires any passer-by.

26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, ²¹⁷⁶ 

so a fool repeats his folly. ²¹⁷⁷ 

26:12 Do you see ²¹⁷⁸  a man wise in his own eyes? ²¹⁷⁹ 

There is more hope for a fool ²¹⁸⁰  than for him.

26:13 The sluggard ²¹⁸¹  says, “There is a lion in the road!

A lion in the streets!” ²¹⁸² 

26:14 Like ²¹⁸³  a door that turns on its hinges, ²¹⁸⁴ 

so a sluggard turns ²¹⁸⁵  on his bed.

26:15 The sluggard plunges ²¹⁸⁶  his hand in the dish;

he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. ²¹⁸⁷ 

26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation ²¹⁸⁸ 

than seven people who respond with good sense. ²¹⁸⁹ 

26:17 Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, ²¹⁹⁰ 

so is the person passing by who becomes furious ²¹⁹¹  over a quarrel not his own.

26:18 Like a madman ²¹⁹²  who shoots

firebrands and deadly arrows, ²¹⁹³ 

26:19 so is a person ²¹⁹⁴  who deceives his neighbor,

and says, “Was I not only joking?” ²¹⁹⁵ 

26:20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out,

and where there is no gossip, ²¹⁹⁶  contention ceases. ²¹⁹⁷ 

26:21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

so is a contentious person ²¹⁹⁸  to kindle strife. ²¹⁹⁹ 

26:22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels;

they go down into a person’s innermost being. ²²⁰⁰ 

26:23 Like a coating of glaze ²²⁰¹  over earthenware

are fervent ²²⁰²  lips with an evil heart. ²²⁰³ 

26:24 The one who hates others disguises ²²⁰⁴  it with his lips,

but he stores up ²²⁰⁵  deceit within him. ²²⁰⁶ 

26:25 When ²²⁰⁷  he speaks graciously, ²²⁰⁸  do not believe him, ²²⁰⁹ 

for there are seven ²²¹⁰  abominations ²²¹¹  within him.

26:26 Though his ²²¹²  hatred may be concealed ²²¹³  by deceit,

his evil will be uncovered ²²¹⁴  in the assembly.

26:27 The one who digs a pit ²²¹⁵  will fall into it;

the one who rolls a stone – it will come back on him.

26:28 A lying tongue ²²¹⁶  hates those crushed by it,

and a flattering mouth works ruin. ²²¹⁷ 

27:1 Do not boast ²²¹⁸  about tomorrow; ²²¹⁹ 

for you do not know ²²²⁰  what a day may bring forth.

27:2 Let another ²²²¹  praise you, and not your own mouth; ²²²² 

someone else, ²²²³  and not your own lips.

27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,

but vexation ²²²⁴  by a fool is more burdensome ²²²⁵  than the two of them.

27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, ²²²⁶ 

but who can stand before jealousy? ²²²⁷ 

27:5 Better is open ²²²⁸  rebuke

than hidden ²²²⁹  love.

27:6 Faithful ²²³⁰  are the wounds of a friend,

but the kisses ²²³¹  of an enemy are excessive. ²²³² 

27:7 The one whose appetite ²²³³  is satisfied loathes honey,

but to the hungry mouth ²²³⁴  every bitter thing is sweet.

27:8 Like a bird that wanders ²²³⁵  from its nest,

so is a person who wanders from his home. ²²³⁶ 

27:9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, ²²³⁷ 

likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel. ²²³⁸ 

27:10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,

and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster;

a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away. ²²³⁹ 

27:11 Be wise, my son, ²²⁴⁰  and make my heart glad,

so that I may answer ²²⁴¹  anyone who taunts me. ²²⁴² 

27:12 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,

but the naive keep right on going ²²⁴³  and suffer for it.

27:13 Take a man’s ²²⁴⁴  garment when he has given security for a stranger,

and when he gives surety for a stranger, ²²⁴⁵  hold him in pledge. ²²⁴⁶ 

27:14 If someone blesses ²²⁴⁷  his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, ²²⁴⁸ 

it will be counted as a curse to him. ²²⁴⁹ 

27:15 A continual dripping on a rainy day

and a contentious wife ²²⁵⁰  are alike. ²²⁵¹ 

27:16 Whoever hides her hides the wind ²²⁵² 

or grasps ²²⁵³  oil with his right hand. ²²⁵⁴ 

27:17 As ²²⁵⁵  iron sharpens ²²⁵⁶  iron,

so a person ²²⁵⁷  sharpens his friend. ²²⁵⁸ 

27:18 The one who tends a fig tree ²²⁵⁹  will eat its fruit, ²²⁶⁰ 

and whoever takes care of ²²⁶¹  his master will be honored.

27:19 As in water the face is reflected as a face, ²²⁶² 

so a person’s heart ²²⁶³  reflects the person.

27:20 As ²²⁶⁴  Death and Destruction are never satisfied, ²²⁶⁵ 

so the eyes of a person ²²⁶⁶  are never satisfied. ²²⁶⁷ 

27:21 As the crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, ²²⁶⁸ 

so a person ²²⁶⁹  is proved ²²⁷⁰  by the praise he receives. ²²⁷¹ 

27:22 If you should pound ²²⁷²  the fool in the mortar

among the grain ²²⁷³  with the pestle,

his foolishness would not depart from him. ²²⁷⁴ 

27:23 Pay careful attention to ²²⁷⁵  the condition of your flocks, ²²⁷⁶ 

give careful attention ²²⁷⁷  to your herds,

27:24 for riches do not last ²²⁷⁸  forever,

nor does a crown last ²²⁷⁹  from generation to generation.

27:25 When the hay is removed and new grass appears,

and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

27:26 the lambs will be for your clothing,

and the goats will be for the price of a field. ²²⁸⁰ 

27:27 And there will be enough goat’s milk for your food, ²²⁸¹ 

for the food of your household,

and for the sustenance ²²⁸²  of your servant girls.

28:1 The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, ²²⁸³ 

but the righteous person is as confident ²²⁸⁴  as a lion.

28:2 When a country is rebellious ²²⁸⁵  it has many princes, ²²⁸⁶ 

but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable ²²⁸⁷  order is maintained. ²²⁸⁸ 

28:3 A poor person ²²⁸⁹  who oppresses the weak

is like ²²⁹⁰  a driving rain without food. ²²⁹¹ 

28:4 Those who forsake the law ²²⁹²  praise the wicked, ²²⁹³ 

but those who keep the law contend ²²⁹⁴  with them.

28:5 Evil people ²²⁹⁵  do not understand justice, ²²⁹⁶ 

but those who seek the Lord ²²⁹⁷  understand it all.

28:6 A poor person ²²⁹⁸  who walks in his integrity is better

than one who is perverse in his ways ²²⁹⁹  even though ²³⁰⁰  he is rich. ²³⁰¹ 

28:7 The one who keeps the law ²³⁰²  is a discerning child, ²³⁰³ 

but a companion of gluttons brings shame ²³⁰⁴  to his parents. ²³⁰⁵ 

28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest ²³⁰⁶ 

gathers it for someone who is gracious ²³⁰⁷  to the needy.

28:9 The one who turns away his ear ²³⁰⁸  from hearing the law,

even his prayer ²³⁰⁹  is an abomination. ²³¹⁰ 

28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way

will himself fall into his own pit, ²³¹¹ 

but the blameless will inherit what is good. ²³¹² 

28:11 A rich person ²³¹³  is wise in his own eyes, ²³¹⁴ 

but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly. ²³¹⁵ 

28:12 When the righteous rejoice, ²³¹⁶  great is the glory, ²³¹⁷ 

but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out. ²³¹⁸ 

28:13 The one who covers ²³¹⁹  his transgressions will not prosper, ²³²⁰ 

but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. ²³²¹ 

28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious, ²³²² 

but whoever hardens his heart ²³²³  will fall into evil.

28:15 Like ²³²⁴  a roaring lion or a roving bear, ²³²⁵ 

so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. ²³²⁶ 

28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, ²³²⁷ 

but the one who hates ²³²⁸  unjust gain will prolong his days.

28:17 The one who is tormented ²³²⁹  by the murder ²³³⁰  of another will flee to the pit; ²³³¹ 

let no one support him.

28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, ²³³² 

but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall ²³³³  at once. ²³³⁴ 

28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, ²³³⁵ 

but whoever chases daydreams ²³³⁶  will have his fill ²³³⁷  of poverty.

28:20 A faithful person ²³³⁸  will have an abundance of blessings,

but the one who hastens ²³³⁹  to gain riches will not go unpunished.

28:21 To show partiality ²³⁴⁰  is terrible, ²³⁴¹ 

for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread. ²³⁴² 

28:22 The stingy person ²³⁴³  hastens after riches

and does not know that poverty will overtake him. ²³⁴⁴ 

28:23 The one who reproves ²³⁴⁵  another ²³⁴⁶  will in the end ²³⁴⁷  find more favor

than the one who flatters ²³⁴⁸  with the tongue.

28:24 The one who robs ²³⁴⁹  his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”

is a companion ²³⁵⁰  to the one ²³⁵¹  who destroys.

28:25 The greedy person ²³⁵²  stirs up dissension, ²³⁵³ 

but the one who trusts ²³⁵⁴  in the Lord will prosper. ²³⁵⁵ 

28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart ²³⁵⁶  is a fool,

but the one who walks in wisdom ²³⁵⁷  will escape. ²³⁵⁸ 

28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack, ²³⁵⁹ 

but whoever shuts his eyes to them ²³⁶⁰  will receive ²³⁶¹  many curses. ²³⁶² 

28:28 When the wicked gain control, ²³⁶³  people ²³⁶⁴  hide themselves, ²³⁶⁵ 

but when they perish, ²³⁶⁶  the righteous increase.

29:1 The one who stiffens his neck ²³⁶⁷  after numerous rebukes ²³⁶⁸ 

will suddenly be destroyed ²³⁶⁹  without remedy. ²³⁷⁰ 

29:2 When the righteous become numerous, ²³⁷¹  the people rejoice;

when the wicked rule, the people groan. ²³⁷² 

29:3 The man ²³⁷³  who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, ²³⁷⁴ 

but whoever associates ²³⁷⁵  with prostitutes wastes ²³⁷⁶  his wealth. ²³⁷⁷ 

29:4 A king brings stability ²³⁷⁸  to a land ²³⁷⁹  by justice,

but one who exacts tribute ²³⁸⁰  tears it down.

29:5 The one ²³⁸¹  who flatters ²³⁸²  his neighbor

spreads a net ²³⁸³  for his steps. ²³⁸⁴ 

29:6 In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare, ²³⁸⁵ 

but a righteous person can sing ²³⁸⁶  and rejoice. ²³⁸⁷ 

29:7 The righteous person cares for ²³⁸⁸  the legal rights ²³⁸⁹  of the poor;

the wicked does not understand such ²³⁹⁰  knowledge.

29:8 Scornful people ²³⁹¹  inflame ²³⁹²  a city, ²³⁹³ 

but those who are wise turn away wrath.

29:9 If a wise person ²³⁹⁴  goes to court ²³⁹⁵  with a foolish person,

there is no peace ²³⁹⁶  whether he is angry or laughs. ²³⁹⁷ 

29:10 Bloodthirsty people ²³⁹⁸  hate someone with integrity; ²³⁹⁹ 

as for the upright, they seek his life. ²⁴⁰⁰ 

29:11 A fool lets fly with all his temper, ²⁴⁰¹ 

but a wise person keeps it back. ²⁴⁰² 

29:12 If a ruler listens to ²⁴⁰³  lies, ²⁴⁰⁴ 

all his ministers ²⁴⁰⁵  will be wicked. ²⁴⁰⁶ 

29:13 The poor person and the oppressor ²⁴⁰⁷  have this in common: ²⁴⁰⁸ 

the Lord gives light ²⁴⁰⁹  to the eyes of them both.

29:14 If a king judges the poor in truth, ²⁴¹⁰ 

his throne ²⁴¹¹  will be established forever.

29:15 A rod and reproof ²⁴¹²  impart ²⁴¹³  wisdom,

but a child who is unrestrained ²⁴¹⁴  brings shame ²⁴¹⁵  to his mother. ²⁴¹⁶ 

29:16 When the wicked increase, ²⁴¹⁷  transgression increases,

but the righteous will see ²⁴¹⁸  their downfall.

29:17 Discipline your child, and he will give you rest; ²⁴¹⁹ 

he will bring you ²⁴²⁰  happiness. ²⁴²¹ 

29:18 When there is no prophetic vision ²⁴²²  the people cast off restraint, ²⁴²³ 

but the one who keeps the law, ²⁴²⁴  blessed is he! ²⁴²⁵ 

29:19 A servant ²⁴²⁶  cannot be corrected ²⁴²⁷  by words,

for although ²⁴²⁸  he understands, there is no answer. ²⁴²⁹ 

29:20 Do you see someone ²⁴³⁰  who is hasty in his words? ²⁴³¹ 

There is more hope for a fool than for him. ²⁴³² 

29:21 If ²⁴³³  someone pampers his servant from youth,

he will be a weakling ²⁴³⁴  in the end.

29:22 An angry person ²⁴³⁵  stirs up dissension,

and a wrathful person ²⁴³⁶  is abounding in transgression. ²⁴³⁷ 

29:23 A person’s pride ²⁴³⁸  will bring him low, ²⁴³⁹ 

but one who has a lowly spirit ²⁴⁴⁰  will gain honor.

29:24 Whoever shares with a thief ²⁴⁴¹  is his own enemy; ²⁴⁴² 

he hears the oath to testify, ²⁴⁴³  but does not talk.

29:25 The fear of people ²⁴⁴⁴  becomes ²⁴⁴⁵  a snare, ²⁴⁴⁶ 

but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high. ²⁴⁴⁷ 

29:26 Many people seek the face ²⁴⁴⁸  of a ruler,

but it is from the Lord that one receives justice. ²⁴⁴⁹ 

29:27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,

and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked. ²⁴⁵⁰ 

30:1 The words of Agur, the son of Jakeh; an oracle: ²⁴⁵² 

This ²⁴⁵³  man says ²⁴⁵⁴  to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ukal: ²⁴⁵⁵ 

30:2 Surely ²⁴⁵⁶  I am more brutish ²⁴⁵⁷  than any other human being, ²⁴⁵⁸ 

and I do not have human understanding; ²⁴⁵⁹ 

30:3 I have not learned wisdom,

nor do I have knowledge ²⁴⁶⁰  of the Holy One. ²⁴⁶¹ 

30:4 Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended? ²⁴⁶² 

Who has gathered up the winds in his fists? ²⁴⁶³ 

Who has bound up the waters in his cloak? ²⁴⁶⁴ 

Who has established all the ends of the earth? ²⁴⁶⁵ 

What is his name, and what is his son’s name? ²⁴⁶⁶  – if you know!

30:5 Every word of God is purified; ²⁴⁶⁷ 

he is like ²⁴⁶⁸  a shield for those who take refuge in him. ²⁴⁶⁹ 

30:6 Do not add to his words,

lest he reprove you, and prove you to be a liar. ²⁴⁷⁰ 

30:7 Two things ²⁴⁷¹  I ask from you; ²⁴⁷² 

do not refuse me before I die:

30:8 Remove falsehood and lies ²⁴⁷³  far from me;

do not give me poverty or riches,

feed me with my allotted portion ²⁴⁷⁴  of bread, ²⁴⁷⁵ 

30:9 lest I become satisfied and act deceptively ²⁴⁷⁶ 

and say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or lest I become poor and steal

and demean ²⁴⁷⁷  the name of my God.

30:10 Do not slander ²⁴⁷⁸  a servant to his master,

lest he curse you, and you are found guilty. ²⁴⁷⁹ 

30:11 There is a generation ²⁴⁸⁰  who curse their fathers

and do not bless their mothers. ²⁴⁸¹ 

30:12 There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes

and yet are not washed ²⁴⁸²  from their filthiness. ²⁴⁸³ 

30:13 There is a generation whose eyes are so lofty, ²⁴⁸⁴ 

and whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully. ²⁴⁸⁵ 

30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like ²⁴⁸⁶  swords ²⁴⁸⁷ 

and whose molars ²⁴⁸⁸  are like knives

to devour ²⁴⁸⁹  the poor from the earth

and the needy from among the human race.

30:15 The leech ²⁴⁹⁰  has two daughters: ²⁴⁹¹ 

“Give! Give!” ²⁴⁹² 

There are three things that are never satisfied,

four ²⁴⁹³  that never say, “Enough” ²⁴⁹⁴  –

30:16 the grave, ²⁴⁹⁵  the barren womb, ²⁴⁹⁶ 

land that is not satisfied with water,

and fire that never says, “Enough!” ²⁴⁹⁷ 

30:17 The eye ²⁴⁹⁸  that mocks at a father

and despises obeying ²⁴⁹⁹  a mother –

the ravens of the valley will peck it out

and the young vultures will eat it. ²⁵⁰⁰ 

30:18 There are three things that are too wonderful for me, ²⁵⁰¹ 

four that I do not understand:

30:19 the way ²⁵⁰²  of an eagle in the sky,

the way of a snake on a rock,

the way of a ship in the sea,

and the way of a man with a woman. ²⁵⁰³ 

30:20 This is the way ²⁵⁰⁴  of an adulterous ²⁵⁰⁵  woman:

she eats and wipes her mouth ²⁵⁰⁶ 

and says, “I have not done wrong.” ²⁵⁰⁷ 

30:21 Under three things the earth trembles, ²⁵⁰⁸ 

and under four things it cannot bear up:

30:22 under a servant ²⁵⁰⁹  who becomes king,

under a fool who is stuffed with food, ²⁵¹⁰ 

30:23 under an unloved ²⁵¹¹  woman who is married,

and under a female servant who dispossesses ²⁵¹²  her mistress.

30:24 There are four things on earth that are small, ²⁵¹³ 

but they are exceedingly wise: ²⁵¹⁴ 

30:25 ants are creatures with little strength,

but they prepare ²⁵¹⁵  their food in the summer;

30:26 rock badgers ²⁵¹⁶  are creatures with little power,

but they make their homes in the crags;

30:27 locusts have no king,

but they all go forward by ranks; ²⁵¹⁷ 

30:28 a lizard ²⁵¹⁸  you can catch with the hand,

but it gets into the palaces of the king. ²⁵¹⁹ 

30:29 There are three things that are magnificent ²⁵²⁰  in their step,

four things that move about magnificently: ²⁵²¹ 

30:30 a lion, mightiest ²⁵²²  of the beasts,

who does not retreat from anything;

30:31 a strutting rooster, ²⁵²³  a male goat,

and a king with his army around him. ²⁵²⁴ 

30:32 If you have done foolishly by exalting yourself ²⁵²⁵ 

or if you have planned evil,

put ²⁵²⁶  your hand over your mouth!

30:33 For as the churning ²⁵²⁷  of milk produces butter

and as punching the nose produces blood,

so stirring up anger ²⁵²⁸  produces strife. ²⁵²⁹ 

31:1 The words of King Lemuel, ²⁵³⁰ 

an oracle ²⁵³¹  that his mother taught him:

31:2 O ²⁵³²  my son, O son of my womb,

O son ²⁵³³  of my vows,

31:3 Do not give your strength ²⁵³⁴  to women,

nor your ways ²⁵³⁵  to that which ruins ²⁵³⁶  kings.

31:4 It is not for kings, ²⁵³⁷  O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine, ²⁵³⁸ 

or for rulers to crave strong drink, ²⁵³⁹ 

31:5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed,

and remove ²⁵⁴⁰  from all the poor ²⁵⁴¹  their legal rights. ²⁵⁴² 

31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, ²⁵⁴³ 

and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; ²⁵⁴⁴ 

31:7 let them ²⁵⁴⁵  drink and forget ²⁵⁴⁶  their poverty,

and remember their misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth ²⁵⁴⁷  on behalf of those unable to speak, ²⁵⁴⁸ 

for the legal rights of all the dying. ²⁵⁴⁹ 

31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, ²⁵⁵⁰ 

and plead the cause ²⁵⁵¹  of the poor and needy.

31:10 Who can find ²⁵⁵³  a wife ²⁵⁵⁴  of noble character? ²⁵⁵⁵ 

For her value ²⁵⁵⁶  is far more than rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband has confidence ²⁵⁵⁷  in her,

and he has no lack of gain. ²⁵⁵⁸ 

31:12 She brings him ²⁵⁵⁹  good and not evil ²⁵⁶⁰ 

all the days of her life.

31:13 She obtains ²⁵⁶¹  wool and flax,

and she is pleased to work with her hands. ²⁵⁶² 

31:14 She is like ²⁵⁶³  the merchant ships; ²⁵⁶⁴ 

she brings her food from afar.

31:15 She also gets up ²⁵⁶⁵  while it is still night,

and provides food ²⁵⁶⁶  for her household and a portion ²⁵⁶⁷  to her female servants.

31:16 She considers ²⁵⁶⁸  a field and buys it;

from her own income ²⁵⁶⁹  she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She begins ²⁵⁷⁰  her work vigorously,

and she strengthens ²⁵⁷¹  her arms.

31:18 She knows ²⁵⁷²  that her merchandise is good,

and her lamp ²⁵⁷³  does not go out in the night.

31:19 Her hands ²⁵⁷⁴  take hold ²⁵⁷⁵  of the distaff,

and her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20 She extends ²⁵⁷⁶  her hand ²⁵⁷⁷  to the poor,

and reaches out her hand to the needy.

31:21 She is not ²⁵⁷⁸  afraid of the snow ²⁵⁷⁹  for her household,

for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. ²⁵⁸⁰ 

31:22 She makes for herself coverlets; ²⁵⁸¹ 

her clothing is fine linen and purple. ²⁵⁸² 

31:23 Her husband is well-known ²⁵⁸³  in the city gate ²⁵⁸⁴ 

when he sits with the elders ²⁵⁸⁵  of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments ²⁵⁸⁶  and sells them,

and supplies the merchants ²⁵⁸⁷  with sashes.

31:25 She is clothed ²⁵⁸⁸  with strength ²⁵⁸⁹  and honor, ²⁵⁹⁰ 

and she can laugh ²⁵⁹¹  at the time ²⁵⁹²  to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth ²⁵⁹³  with wisdom,

and loving instruction ²⁵⁹⁴  is on her tongue.

31:27 She watches over ²⁵⁹⁵  the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness. ²⁵⁹⁶ 

31:28 Her children rise up ²⁵⁹⁷  and call her blessed,

her husband ²⁵⁹⁸  also praises her:

31:29 “Many ²⁵⁹⁹  daughters ²⁶⁰⁰  have done valiantly, ²⁶⁰¹ 

but you surpass them all!”

31:30 Charm is deceitful ²⁶⁰²  and beauty is fleeting, ²⁶⁰³ 

but a woman who fears the Lord ²⁶⁰⁴  will be praised.