Chapter One

1:1   The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

1:2    to know wisdom and instruction, 

 to discern the sayings of understanding, 

1:3    to receive instruction of prudence,

to do righteousness, justice, and equity,

1:4    to give shrewdness to the naive,

to the youth, knowledge and discretion.

1:5    Let the wise man hear and increase learning, 

    and let the discerning (person) acquire guidance

1:6    to discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable,

the words of the wise person and theirriddles.

1:7     The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1:8    Listen my son to the instruction of your father

and do not forsake the teaching of your mother;

1:9    For they are like a graceful garland for your head

    and a necklace for your neck.

1:10  My son, if sinners entice you,

    do not give in to them.

1:11  If they say, “Come with us;

    let us lie in wait for blood,

    let us ambush the innocent without cause;

1:12  let’s swallow them alive like Sheol, 

    even whole as they go down to the pit.

1:13  all kinds of precious wealth we will find,

    we will fill our houses with plunder;   

1:14  If you throw in your lot with us,

    there will be to all of us, one purse.”    

1:15  My son, do not walk in the way of them.

    Keep your foot from their path;

1:16  for their feet run to evil

    and they hasten to shed blood.

1:17  Surely, it is useless spreading (throwing) a net

    in the sight of any creature that flies!

1:18  But they lie in wait for their own blood; 

    they ambush their own lives. 

1:19  So are the ways of everyone who gains by violencethat kind of gain

    It (greed for gain) takes away the life of the one who possesses it. 

1:20  Wisdom calls out in the street.

    in the public squares, she lifts her voice;  

1:21  at the top of the wall of the noisy streets she calls out,

    at the entrance to the gates of the city, she speaks her sayings (speech):

1:22  “How long you naive ones will you love being naive

    and scoffers delighting themselves with scoffing,

    and fools hate knowledge?

1:23  Turn to my rebuke;

    then I will pour out my spirit (thoughts) on you

    I will make my words known to you.

1:24  Because I called and you refused to listen

         I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;

1:25  and you neglected all my counsel

         and you do not want my rebuke,

1:26  I will in turn laugh at your disaster,

    I will scoff when your calamity comes

1:27  when your calamity comes like a storm

    and your disaster arrives as a whirlwind

    when distress and anguish come upon you.

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

    they will seek diligently for me but will not find me,

1:29  because they hated knowledge 

    and did not choose the fear of the LORD.

1:30  They would not accept my counsel.

    they spurned every rebuke.

1:31  So they shall eat from the fruit of their way. 

    And be satiated with their own devices.

1:32  For the apostasy of the naive will kill them

    and the complacency of the fools will destroy them.

1:33   but the one who listens to me and obeys will live in security

    even be at ease from the dread of evil.” 

Chapter Two

2:1   My son, if you receive my words 

  and store up my commands within you,

2:2   by making your ear attentive to wisdom

  you apply your heart to understanding,

2:3   surely if you call out for discernment,

        lift your voice for understanding;

2:4   if you seek her as silver

  and search for her as hidden treasures,

2:5   then you will understand the fear of the LORD

  and will find the knowledge of God.

2:6   for the LORD gives wisdom

  from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

2:7   and he stores up for the upright effective wisdom,

  a shield to those who walk in integrity,

2:8    guarding the paths of justice,      

  watching the way of his godly ones;

2:9    then you will understand what is right and just and equity,

    and every good course;

2:10  for wisdom will enter into your heart,

    and knowledge will be pleasant to you;

2:11  discretion will watch over you,

    understanding will guard you;

2:12  to deliver you from the way of evil,

    from the man who speaks perverse things,

2:13  those who abandon the paths of uprightness

    to walk in the paths of darkness;

2:14  those who take pleasure in doing evil,

    and rejoice in the perversity of evil;

2:15  whose paths are crooked,

    and who are devious in their tracks;

2:16  to deliver you from the adulteress,

    from the outsider [of the covenant] who speaks flattering words;

2:17  who abandons the companion of her youth,

    and forgets the covenant of her God;

2:18  for her house sinks down to death, 

    and her paths to the realm of the departed;

2:19  all who enter into her house do not return,

    and they will not reach the paths of life;

2:20  so you will walk in the way of good men,

    and keep to the paths of the righteous;

2:21  for the upright will live in the land, 

    and the blameless will remain in it;

2:22  but the wicked will be cut off from the earth

    and the treacherous will be uprooted from it.

Chapter Three

3:1   My son, do not forget my teaching, 

  but let your heart keep my commandments; 

3:2   for length of days and years of life 

  and peace they will add to you. 

3:3   Let not kindness and faithfulness leave you

  bind them upon your neck.

  write them on the tablet of your heart

3:4    and you will find favor and a good name

    in the sight of God and man. 

3:5    Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding,

3:6    in all your ways know Him wholeheartedly, 

    and He will make your paths smooth and straight.

3:7    Do not be wise in your own eyes,

    fear the LORD and turn away from evil;

3:8    let there be healing to your navel

    and refreshment to your bones.

3:9    Honor the LORD from your wealth,

    from the firstfruits of all your produce,

3:10  and your barns will be filled with plenty,

    and your vats will overflow with new wine.

3:11  Do not reject, my son, the discipline of the LORD, 

    and do not loath His correction, 

3:12  because whom the LORD loves he reproves,

        even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

3:13  How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, 

    and the man who gains understanding;

3:14  for her profit is better than the profit of silver 

    and her gain better than fine gold.

3:15  She is more precious than jewels.

    and all your desires does not compare with her.

3:16  long life is in her right hand; 

    in her left hand are riches and honor. 

3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness

    and all her byways are peace.

3:18  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, 

    and those who hold her fast will be blessed.

3:19  The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, 

    by understanding, He established the heavens;

3:20  by his knowledge the deeps were broke open

    and the clouds drip dew. 

3:21  My son, let them [wisdom and understanding]

    not depart from your eyes;

    guard sound judgment and discretion

3:22  so they will be life to you

    and adornment to your neck. 

3:23  Then you will walk securely in your way

    and your foot will not stumble.

3:24  When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

and when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.

3:25  Do not dread sudden terror

    or the ruin of the wicked when it comes;

3:26  for the LORD will be at your side, 

    and keep your foot from being caught in a trap

3:27  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, 

    when it is in your power to do it.

3:28  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, 

    and tomorrow I will give it,” 

    when you have it with you at that time.

3:29  Do not plan evil against your neighbor

    while he dwells trustingly by you. 

3:30  Do not accuse a man without just cause, 

    if he has not done you evil.

3:31  Do not envy a man of violence

    and do not choose any of his ways;

3:32   for the devious are an abomination to the LORD

    but with the upright is his counsel.

Chapter Four

4:1   Hear, my sons, to the instruction of a father, 

        and pay attention that you may gain discernment,

4:2   For I give you (pl.) good teaching; 

        Do not forsake my instruction.

4:3   When I was a son to my father, 

        tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

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

        “Let your heart take hold my words;

        Keep my instruction and live.

4:5   Get wisdom! Get discernment! 

    Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth!

4:6   Do not leave her and she will keep you.

Love her and she will guard you.

4:7   The beginning of wisdom is, get wisdom.

  In all your getting of stuff, get wisdom.

4:8   Esteem her highly and she will exalt you.

  She will honor you, if you embrace her.

4:9    She will bestow on your head, a garland of grace.

         She will bestow on you a crown of beauty.”

4:10  Hear my son, and take hold my sayings

  so that the years of your life will be many. 

4:11  I direct you in the way of wisdom,

         I lead you in upright paths

4:12  When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;

    and if you run you will not stumble. 

4:13  Hold on to instruction; do not let go.

    Guard it, for it is your life. 

4:14  Do not enter in the path of the wicked

         and do not walk in the way of evil men. 

4:15  Avoid it, do not travel on it;

         Turn aside from going upon it, and pass it by.

4:16  For they cannot sleep unless they cause evil;

         they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.

4:17  For they eat the bread of wickedness, 

         and drink the wine of violence.

4:18  But the path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

         growing brighter and brighter until full day.

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

         They do not know what causes them to stumble.

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

         Incline your ear to my sayings.

4:21  Do not let them out of your sight;

         keep them within your heart; 

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

         and health to all one’s body.

4:23  With all diligence, watch over your heart,

         for from it flows the outgoings of life.

4:24  Keep your mouth away from perversity, 

         and devious speech far from you. 

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

         and let your pupils be fixed straight in front of you.

4:26  Watch the path for your feet,

          so that all your ways may be established.

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

         turn your foot from evil.

Chapter Five

5:1   My son, pay attention to my wisdom, 

  incline your ear to my understanding;

5:2   that you may keep discretion

  and that your lips preserve knowledge.

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

  and smoother than oil is her speech,

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

  sharp as a two-edged sword. 

5:5   Her feet go down to death, 

  Her steps take hold of Sheol.

5:6   The path of life, she does not watch;

  Her steps wander and she does not know it.

5:7   So now, sons, listen to me, 

  and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

5:8   Keep your way far from her, 

  and do not go near the door of her house. 

5:9   lest you lose your splendor to others, 

  and your dignity to the cruel;5:10 lest strangers be filled with your strength, 

  and your hard work to the house of a stranger;

5:11  and you groan at the end of your life,

  when your flesh and body are consumed. 

5:12  And you say, “How I have hated instruction! 

  And my heart spurned reproof !

5:13  “And I did not listen to the voice of my teachers, 

    nor incline my ear to my instructors!

5:14  I was almost in total ruin

    among the entire assembly.

5:15  Drink water from your own cistern 

    and flowing water from the midst of your own well.

5:16  Should your springs be dispersed outside, 

    your streams of water in the public squares?

5:17  Let them be for yourself alone 

    and not for strangers with you.

5:18  May your fountain be blessed,

    and take pleasure from the wife of your youth.

5:19  May she be a love making doe, a graceful mountain goat;

    May her breast satisfy you at all times;

    Be intoxicated with her love-making —always.

5:20  For why should you, my son, 

    be intoxicated with an adulteress

    and embrace the bosom of an unfaithful woman?

5:21  For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD,

    and He observes all his paths.

5:22  Hisiniquities will catch him

    and with the cords of sin, he will be held. 

5:23  He will die in his lack of instruction, 

    and in the abundance of his folly, he will go astray.

Chapter Six

6:1   My son, if you have put up security for a neighbor, 

  and have struck hands [given a pledge] for a stranger,

6:2   you have been ensnared with the words of your mouth,

  youhave been caught by the words of your mouth.

6:3   Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; 

  since you have come into the hand [power] of your neighbor, 

  go, exhaust yourself, and harass your neighbor.

6:4   Give no sleep to your eyes, 

  Nor slumber to your eyelids;

6:5   deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand [power] 

  and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6:6   Go to the ant, you sluggard, 

  Observe her ways and be wise.

6:7   It has no overseer, officer or ruler.

6:8   It prepares its grain in the summer,

  it gathers its food in the harvest.

6:9   How long, you sluggard, will you keep lying down?

  When will you rise from your sleep?

6:10  A little sleep, a little slumber, 

    a little folding of the arms to lie down,

6:11  and your poverty will come upon you like a vagrant, 

    and your lack like an armed man. 

6:12   A worthless man, a malicious man

    is one who goes about with a perverse mouth.

6:13  Who [mischievously] winks with his eyes, who scrapes [signals] with

his feet, 

    who points with his fingers.

6:14  Perversions are in his heart; he devises evil all the time;

    he spreads discord.

6:15  Therefore his calamity will come suddenly.

    Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.

6:16  They are six things which the LORD hates, 

    Yes, seven which are an abomination to him:

6:17   haughty eyes, a lying tongue, 

    and hands that shed innocent blood,

6:18  a heart that devises wicked plans, 

    feet that run rapidly to evil,

6:19  a lying witness, a perjurer,

    one who spreads discord among brothers. 

6:20  My son, guard the commandment of your father 

    and do not forsake the teaching of your mother;

6:21  Bind them regularly on your heart,

    tie them around your throat. 

6:22  When you walk about, she will guide you;

    when you lie down, she will watch over you. 

    Then when you awake, she will talk to you.

6:23  For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; 

    and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,

6:24  To keep you from the evil woman, 

    from the smooth tongue of the loose woman.

6:25  Do not desire her beauty in your heart, 

    and do not let her capture you with the pupils of her eyes.

6:26  For the price of a woman, a prostitute is reduced to a loaf of bread, 

    but the wife of a man hunts precious life.

6:27  Can a man carry fire against his chest

    and his clothes not be burned?

6:28  Or can a man walk on hot coals 

    and his feet not be burned?

6:29  So is the one who goes into his neighbor’s wife; 

    whoever touches her will not go unpunished.

6:30  They do not despise a thief if he steals 

    to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry;

6:31  but if he is caught, he must repay sevenfold;

    he will give all the goods of his house. 

6:32  The adulterer with a woman lacks sense,

    whoever does so, destroys his life. 

6:33  He will find wounds and disgrace,  

    and his reproach will not be wiped away. 

6:34  For jealousy enrages a man [husband], 

    and he will not show compassion on the day of vengeance. 

6:35  He will not accept any compensation, 

    and he will not be accepting, though you increase the bribe. 

Chapter Seven

7:1   My son, keep my words

  and store up my commands within you.

7:2   Keep my commandments and live, 

  and my teaching as the apple of your eye,

7:3   bind them on your fingers; 

  write them on the tablet of your heart.

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

        and call out to insight, “You are my relative”;

7:5   to keep you from the strange woman,

  from the loose woman, who uses smooth talk. 

7:6   For at the window of my house

  I looked down through the lattice.

7:7   And I saw among the simple—

  I discerned among the sons 

  a youth lacking sense. 

7:8   Passing through the street near her corner; 

  and he walks the way to her house, 

7:9   at twilight, in the evening of the day,

  at the approach of the night and darkness.

7:10  And look!  A woman meets him,  

    dressed as a prostitute and secretive heart.

7:11  She is loud and defiant, 

    her feet do not rest at her house; 

7:12  now in the street, now in the squares,

    and she waits at every corner. 

7:13  So she grabbed him and kissed him,

    with a bold face, she said to him:

7:14  “Sacrifices and peace offerings are with me at home: 

    today I complete my vows.

7:15  “Therefore I have come out to meet you, 

    to seek your face diligently and I have found you.

7:16  “I have spread my couch with coverings, 

    with embroidered linen of Egypt.

7:17  “I have perfumed my bed 

    with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

7:18  “Come, let us drink our fill of [making] love until morning;

    Let us delight ourselves with love-making. 

7:19  “For my husband is not in the house, 

    he has gone on a long journey;

7:20  he has taken a bag of silver with him, 

    at the full moon he will come home.”

7:21  She turned him with much persuasiveness;

    with her smooth talk, she compels him. 

7:22  Suddenly he goes after her, 

    as an ox goes to the slaughter,

as a stag steps into a noose. 

7:23  Until an arrow pierces his liver; 

    as a bird darts into a trap,

    he does not know that it is his own life [at stake].

7:24   So now, sons, listen to me,

    and pay attention to the words of my mouth.

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

    do not go astray into her paths.

7:26   For many are the slain victims, she has caused to go,down, 

    even the mighty, all are slain by her. 

7:27   Her house is the way to Sheol, 

      going down to the chambers of death. 

Chapter Eight

8:1  Does not wisdom call, 

  and understanding raise up her voice?

8:2  On top of the heights beside the way,

  at the crossroads, she takes her stand.

8:3   Beside the gates, at the entry to the city, 

  at the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

8:4   “To you, O men, I call, 

  and my voice is to the sons of men.

8:5   “You naive, understand shrewdness,    

  and you fools understand with the heart.

8:6   “Listen, because I speak what is right,

  and the opening of my lips what is upright.

8:7   “For my palate will utter truth; 

  and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8:8    “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; 

  There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.

8:9    “All of them are straightforward to those who understand,

    and right to those who have found knowledge. 

8:10  “Take my instruction and not silver,

    and knowledge rather than choice gold.

8:11 “For wisdom is better than jewels (red coral); 

and all desirable things cannot compare with her.

8:12  “ I, Wisdom, dwellwith shrewdness;

    and I find knowledge and discretion.

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

pride and arrogance and the evil way 

and the perverted mouth, I hate.

8:14   Counsel and sound wisdom belong to me

    I am understanding; courageous strength is mine.

8:15   “By me kings reign, 

and potentates decree righteousness; 

8:16  “By me princes rule and nobles, 

all the righteous judges.  

8:17  “I love those who love me; 

    and those who seek me diligently will find me.

8:18  “Riches and honor are with me,

    enduring wealth and prosperity.

8:19  “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, 

    and my yield than choice silver.

8:20  “I walk in the way of righteousness, 

    in the midst of the paths of justice,

8:21  to distribute wealth to those who love me,

  and I fill their treasuries.

8:22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his way [works],

    before his works back then [of old].

8:23  “From the most ancient time, I was formed

    at the beginning, from earliest time of the earth.

8:24  “When there were no depths [oceans] I was brought forth,

    when there were no springs overflowing with water;

8:25  before the mountains were settled in place–

    before the hills–I was brought forth. 

8:26  “Before he had not yet made the earth and the fields,    

and the first dust of the world. 

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

    when he inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

8:28  when he made firm the clouds [sky] above, 

    when the fountains of the deep were fixed fast,

8:29  when he set for the sea its limits

      and the waters can not go beyond his command, 

    when he marked out the foundations of the earth;

8:30  and I was beside Him, constantly

    and I was delighting [before him] day after day, 

    rejoicing always in his presence;

8:31  rejoicing in the world [inhabited], his earth, 

    and my delight was the sons of men [humanity].

8:32  “So now, sons, listen to me

and blessed are those who keep my ways.

8:33  Listen to instruction and become wise,

and do not neglect it. 

8:34  “Blessed is the man who listens to me, 

watching at my doors day by day,

watching at the doorposts of my doorways;

8:35  for the one who finds me findslife,

and so obtains favor from the Lord,

8:36  but the one who misses me is one who does violence against himself;

all who hate me love death.

Chapter Nine

9:1   Wisdom has built her house, 

she has hewn out her seven pillars;

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

she has also set her table;

9:3   She has sent out her female servants, she calls out  

from the tops of the heights of the city:

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

To him who lacks sense she says,

9:5   “Come, eat of my food 

and drink of the wine I have mixed.

9:6   “Forsake your foolish ways and live, 

and proceed in the way of understanding.”

9:7   He who corrects a scoffer invites abuse to himself, 

and whoever reproves a wicked man receives insults.

9:8   Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, 

reprove a wise man and he will love you.

9:9   Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, 

teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

9:10  The beginning of wisdom is to fear the LORD,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

9:11  For by me your days will be increased, 

and years of life will be added to you.

9:12  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, 

and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

9:13  Woman Folly is boisterous, 

she is simple and does not know anything.

9:14  She sits at the door of her house,

on a seat at the highest point of the city,

9:15  calling out to those who are passing along the way,

who go straight on their way. 

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

and to him who lacks sense she says,

9:17  “Stolen waters are sweet,

and food taken in secret is pleasant.”

9:18  But he does not know that the dead are there, 

that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Chapter Ten

10:1   The proverbs of Solomon: 

A wise son makes a father glad, 

But a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

10:2   Treasures of [gained by] wickedness are of no profit, 

but righteousness delivers from death.

10:3   The LORD will not allow the appetite of the righteous to hunger, 

but the craving of the wicked he thrusts away.

10:4   A poor person is made with a slack palm,

but the hand of the diligent makes wealth. 

10:5   He who gathers [harvest] in the summer is a prudent son,  

but he who sleeps in harvest is a shameful son.

10:6   Blessings come to the head of the righteous,

but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

10:7   The memory of the righteous brings blessing,

but the name of the wicked rottens.

10:8   The wise of heart will accept commands, 

but a babbling fool will be ruined.

10:9   He who walks in integrity walks securely, 

but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

10:10  He who deceitfully winks the eye causes trouble, 

but a babbling fool will be ruined.

10:11  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, 

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

10:12  Hatred stirs up strife, 

but love covers all kinds of transgressions.

10:13  On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,

but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

10:14  Wise men store up knowledge, 

but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

10:15  The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city,

the terror of the poor is their poverty.

10:16  The wage of the righteous is life, 

the earnings of the wicked is sin.

10:17  Whoever keeps instruction is a path to life, 

but he who rejects reproof causes others to go astray.

10:18  He who conceals hatred with lying lips, 

and spreads slander, he is a fool.

10:19  When there are many words, transgression is not lacking,

but he who restrains his lips is prudent.

10:20  The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, 

the heart of the wicked is worth little.

10:21  The lips of the righteous shepherd many, 

but fools die from lack of sense.

10:22  It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, 

and he adds no sorrow to it.

10:23  Doing wickedness is like enjoying laughter to a fool,

but wisdom is enjoyable to a man of understanding. 

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

but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

10:25  When the whirlwind passes, the wicked person is no  more, 

but the righteous are an everlasting foundation.

10:26  As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes,

so is the sluggard to those who send him.

10:27  The fear of the LORD adds days, 

but the years of the wicked will be shortened.

10:28  The expectation of the righteous is gladness,

but the hope of the wicked perishes.

10:29  The way of the LORD is a fortress to the blameless, 

but terror to the workers of evil.

10:30  The righteous will never be toppled, 

but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

10:31  The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, 

 but the tongue of the perverse will be cut out. 

10:32  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, 

but the mouth of the wicked knows what is perverse.

Chapter Eleven

11:1   Scales of deception are an abomination to the LORD, 

but a just weight finds favor with him [the LORD]. 

11:2    When pride comes, then comes disgrace, 

but with humility comes wisdom.

11:3    The integrity of the upright leads them, 

but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.

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

but righteousness delivers from death.

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

but by his own wickedness the wicked falls.

11:6   The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

but by the craving of the treacherous, they are caught.

11:7   When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, 

and the expectation of strength perishes.

11:8   The righteous is delivered from trouble, 

and the wicked takes his place.

11:9   With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, 

but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

11:10  In the prosperity of the righteous, the city rejoices;

and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11:11  By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, 

but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 

11:12  He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, 

but a man of understanding keeps quiet. 

11:13  He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, 

but he who is faithful in spirit covers a matter.

11:14  Where there is no guidance the people fall, 

But in a multitude of counselors there issafety.

11:15  One suffers greatly if one puts up security for a stranger,

but one who hates striking [hands] is one who is secure.

11:16  A woman of grace attains honor, 

but violent men attain riches.

11:17  A kind man is one who benefits himself, 

but the cruel man is one who harms his own flesh.

11:18  The wicked earns deceptive wages, 

but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.

11:19  He who is steadfast in righteousness attains to life, 

and he who pursues evil attains his death.

11:20  An abomination to the LORD are those who are perverse of heart,

but he favors those who are blameless in their way. 

11:21  Be sure of this: the wicked will not go unpunished,

but the righteous will be delivered. 

11:22  Like a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,

so is a beautiful woman who turns from discretion. 

11:23  The desire of the righteous is [leads to] only good, 

But the hope of the wicked is [leads to] wrath.

11:24  There is one who scatters and who is increased still more,

and one who withholds from what is right and comes only to lack.

11:25  A life of blessing others enriches,

and he who waters [to saturate] will himself be watered [refreshed].

11:26  He who withholds grain, people curse him,

but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

11:27  He who diligently seeks good finds favor, 

but he who searches for evil, it comes to him.

11:28  He who trusts in his riches will fall, 

but the righteous will flourish like the green foliage.

11:29  He who ruins his own household will inherit wind, 

and a fool is a slave to the wise in heart.

11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, 

and he who takes lives is wise. 

11:31  If the righteous receives his due on earth,

how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Chapter Twelve

12:1   Whoever loves instruction, loves knowledge

but the one who hates correction is an ignoramus. 

12:2   A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, 

but the crafty he condemns. 

12:3   No man is established through wickedness,

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

12:4   A virtuous wife is the crown of her husband

but like rottenness in his bones is a shameful wife.

12:5   The plans of righteous people are just,

but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

12:6   The words of the wicked lie in ambush for blood,

but the words [lit. mouth] of the upright delivers them.

12:7   Overturn the wicked and they are no more,

but the household of the righteous will stand.   

12:8   According to his prudence a person is praised,

but one of perverse mind will be despised.

12:9   Better is he who is lowly and has a servant 

    than to be one who exalts himself and is one who lacks   bread.

12:10  The righteous care for the life of their animals,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

12:11  He who works his land will have plenty of bread, 

But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.

12:12  The wicked person desires the stronghold of evil people,

but the root of righteous people endures.

12:13  In the transgression of [his] lips is the trap for an evil man

but the righteous will escape from trouble.

12:14  By the fruit of his lips [words], a man will be satisfied with good things

and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.

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

but the prudent ignores an insult.

12:17  The faithful witness tells what is right,

but a false witness speaks deceit. 

12:18  There is one whose rash words are like the thrusts of a sword   

but the words [tongue] of the wise brings healing. 

12:19  Truthful words endure forever,

but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

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

but those who counsel peace have joy.

12:21  No harm encounters the righteous   

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

12:22  Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,

but those who show faithfulness are his delight. 

12:23  A prudent man conceals knowledge,

but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

12:24  The hand of the diligent will rule,

while the slothful will become forced labor.

12:25  Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,

but a good word makes him glad.

12:26  The righteous carefully chooses his friends, 

but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 

12:27  A slothful person does not roast any game for himself 

but the personal wealth of a man is precious to the diligent.  

12:28  In the path of righteousness is life,

in the journey of its pathway there is immortality.

Chapter Thirteen

13:1  A wise son hears his father’s instruction,

but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

13:2  From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,

but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.

13:3  Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;

he who opens wide his lips comes to terror.

13:4  The appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,

but the life of the diligent is fattened.

13:5  A righteous man hates anything false

but the wicked becomes a stench and causes himself to be  ashamed.

13:6  Righteousness guards the blameless way, 

but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

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

and there is one who pretends to be poor and has great riches.

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

but the poor person hears no threat.

13:9  The light of the righteous shines brightly,

but the lamp of the wicked is put out.

13:10 There is strife only with pride,

but with those who take counsel there is wisdom.

13:11 Wealth gained from vanity will dwindle,

but he who gathers by hand increases.

13:12 Hope deferred causes the heart to become sick,

but like a tree of life is a desire fulfilled.

13:13  Whoever despises the wordwill pay for it but he who fears a commandment will be  rewarded.

13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

to turn one away from the snares of death.

13:15 Good judgment wins favor,

but the way of the treacherous leads to their destruction.

13:16 Every shrewd man acts with knowledge,

but a fool flaunts his folly.  

13:17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a faithful envoy brings healing.

13:18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores    instruction,

but whoever heeds reproof is honored.

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

but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise,

but whoever associates with fools will suffer harm.

13:21 Trouble pursues sinners,

but good things reward the righteous.

13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

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

13:23 The unplowed field of poor people yields plenty of food,

but it is swept away through injustice.

13:24 The one who holds back his rod is one who hates his son,

but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

13:25 A righteous person has enough food to satisfy his appetite.   

but the belly of the wicked lacks [bread].

Chapter Fourteen  

14:1  The wisest of women builds her household,

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

14:2  Whoever fears the Lord walks in uprightness

butwhoever despises him is perverse in his ways.

14:3  By the mouth of a fool comes a rod of pride,

but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

14:4  Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

14:5  An honest witness does not lie,

but a false witness breathes out lies.

14:6  The scoffer seeks wisdom, and he has not,

but knowledge comes easy to the understanding.

14:7  Leave the presence of a foolish man,

for there you do not meet lips of knowledge.

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

but the folly of fools is deceiving.

14:9  Fools mock at guilt,

but among the upright there is acceptance.

14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness,

and in its joys a stranger does not take part.

14:11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will flourish.

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

but its end is the ways to death.

14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,

and the end of joy may be grief.

14:14 The backslider in heart will be paid back from his own ways,

but a good man will be rewarded for his.

14:15 The gullible believes everything,

but the shrewd discerns his steps.

14:16 The wise man fears and turns away from evil, 

but a fool is reckless and careless.

14:17 A man of  quick temper acts foolishly,

and a man of [evil] devices is hated.

14:18 Gullible people inherit folly,

but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge.

14:19 Evil people will bow down before good people,

and wicked people at the gates of a righteous person.

14:20 Even by his neighbor a poor person is hated,  

but those who love the rich are many.

14:21 The one who despises his neighbor is a sinner,

but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

14:22 Do not the devisers of evil go astray,

and the planners of good meet with lovingkindness and faithfulness? 

14:23 In all toil there is profit,

but mere talk only to poverty.

14:24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,

but the folly of fools brings folly.

14:25 A truthful witness saves lives,

but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

14:26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,  

and his children have a refuge.

14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

to turn away from the snares of death.

14:28 The glory of a king is a multitude of people

but without people a prince is ruined.

14:29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,

but a quick temper exalts folly.

14:30 Life in the whole body is a tranquil heart,

 but feverish passion is rottenness to the bones.

14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,

but he who is gracious to the needy honors him.

14:32 By his own evil the wicked person is overthrown

but the righteous takes refuge in his death.

14:33 In the heart of the discerning, wisdom comes to rest,

and in the midst of fools she is known.

14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a condemnation to peoples.

14:35 The king’s favor comes to a prudent servant

but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Chapter Fifteen

15:1  A gentle answer turns back wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

15:2  The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,

but the mouth of fools gushes forth folly.

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

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

15:4  The soothing of the tongue is a tree of life,

but perversity in it fractures the spirit.

15:5  A fool spurns his father’s instruction,

but whoever heeds correction is shrewd.

15:6  The house of the righteous is a great treasure 

but in the wages of the wicked is ruin.

15:7  The lips of wise people scatter knowledge;

the heart of fools is not right.

15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

15:9  An abomination to the LORD is the way of the wicked,

but those who pursues righteousness, he loves.

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

whoever hates reproof will die.

15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are in full view of the LORD;

how much more the hearts of the children of man!

15:12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;

he will not go to the wise.

15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,

but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.

15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeksknowledge,

but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15:15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched,

but a cheerful heart is a feast continually.

15:16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

15:17 Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is

than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

15:18  A wrathful man stirs up strife,

but a slow to anger person calms a dispute.

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

but the path of upright people is a built-up highway.

15:20 A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish man is one who despises his mother. 

15:21 Folly is a joy to him who has no sense,

but a man of understanding walks straight.

15:22 Plans fail without counsel,

but with many advisers it [a plan] succeeds.

15:23 A man has joy in the appropriate answer of his mouth,

and how good is a word at the right time!

15:24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent,

and so turns aside from Sheol below.

15:25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud

but he sets in place the boundary of the widow.

15:26 The thoughts of an evil person are an abomination to the LORD,

but pleasant words are pure.

15:27 Whoever is greedy for gain troubles his own household,

but the one who hates bribes will live.

15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

15:30  The light of the eyes makes the heart glad, 

good news revives the whole person. 

15:31  The ear that listens to life-giving correction

dwells among the wise.

15:32  Whoever ignores instruction despises his life. 

but he who listens to reproof gains sense.

15:33  The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,

and before honor comes humility.

Chapter Sixteen

16:1   The plans of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

16:2   All the ways of man are pure in his own eyes, 

but the LORD weighs the spirit [motives].

16:3   Commit your work to the LORD, 

and your thoughts will be established.

16:4   The LORD works everything to its appropriate end,

 even the wicked for a day of trouble.

16:5   An abomination to the LORD is everyone who is arrogant of heart,

 be sure of this, that person will not go unpunished. 

16:6   Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;

 and by the fear of the LORD is the turning away from  evil.

16:7   When the LORD is pleased in a man’s ways,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

16:8   Better is a little with righteousness

 than a large income without justice.

16:9   The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps.

16:10 An oracle is on the king’s lips;

in giving a judgment his mouth is not unfaithful.

16:11 A just balance and scales are the LORD’s;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

16:12  It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

 because a throne is established by righteousness.

16:13  The delight of a king is righteous lips,

and he loves whoever speaks upright things. 

16:14  A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,

and a wise man will appease it.

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

and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain.

16:16  How much better to get wisdom than gold!

And to acquire insight is preferable to silver.

16:17  The highway of those upright turns aside from evil;

whoever protects his life is one who guards his way.

16:18  Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

16:19 Better to be one lowly in spirit with the oppressed,

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

16:20  Whoever pays attention to a saying finds good,

and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

16:21  The wise of heart is called “Discerning,”

and kind speech increases learning.

16:22  Prudence is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but the instruction of fools is folly.

16:23  The heart of the wise makes his speech prudent

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

16:24  Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, 

sweetness to the inner man and health to the body.

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

but its end is the way to death.

16:26  The appetite of the worker works for him,

for his mouth urges him on.

16:27  A wicked scoundrel plots evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.

16:28  A perverse man spreads strife,

and the whisperer alienates close friends. 

16:29  A man of violence entices his neighbor

and leads him in a way that is not good.

16:30  Whoever winks his eyes devises perversity, 

pursing his lips, he brings evil to pass.

16:31  Gray hair is a splendid crown;

it is found in the way of righteousness.

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

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

16:33  The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the LORD.

Chapter Seventeen

17:1   Better is a dry morsel with quiet

 than a house full of feasting with strife.

17:2   A wise slave will rule over a shameful son, 

and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

17:3   The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

 but the LORD tests the hearts. 

17:4   An evildoer listens to wicked lips,

 and a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

17:5   Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;

 whoever rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished. 

17:6   The [splendid] crown of the aged is children’s children,

 and the glory of children is their fathers.

17:7   An eloquent lip is not fitting for a godless fool; 

 still less fitting is a lying lip for a nobleman.

17:8   A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it [the bribe];

    in every way he turns he thinks he will succeed.

17:9   Whoever covers an offense fosters love,

 but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

17:10  A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding

than a hundred blows into a fool.

17:11  An evil man fosters only rebellion,

and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

17:12  Meet a she-bear robbed of her young by a man,

 but do not meet a fool in his folly.

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

 evil will not depart from his house.

17:14  The beginning of strife is like letting out water,

so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

17:15  He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous—

both of them are an abomination to the LORD.

17:16  Why should a fool have payment in his hand to buy   wisdom

when he has no sense?

17:17  A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

17:18  One who lacks sense strikes hands in a pledge

and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

17:19  Whoever loves transgression loves strife;

  he whomakes his doorway high seeks destruction.

17:20  A person with a perverse heart does not find good,

 and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

17:21  He who fathers a fool brings himself sorrow,

and the father of a godless fool has no joy.

17:22  A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bone.

17:23  A wicked person accepts a bribe from the bosom

to pervert the ways of justice.

17:24  Wisdom is before the discerning person, 

but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

17:25  A foolish son is a grief to his father

and bitterness to her who bore him.

17:26  To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,

nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. 

17:27 Whoever restrains his words knows knowledge,

and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

17:28  Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;

when he closes his lips, he is deemed discerning.

Chapter Eighteen

18:1   Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

against all sound judgment he starts a quarrel.

18:2   A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only in expressing his mind.

18:3   When a wickedness comes, contempt also comes,

and with shame comes reproach.

18:4   The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters;

the well-spring of wisdom is a rushing stream.

18:5   To show favoritism to the guilty is not good,

or to deprive the righteous of justice.

18:6   A fool’s lips walk into a fight,

and his mouth invites a beating.

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

and his lips are a trap for his life.

18:8   The words of a slanderer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

18:9   Even the one who is slack in his occupation,

 is a brother of him who destroys.

18:10  The name of the LORD is a fortified tower;

the righteous man runs into it and is protected on high.

18:11  A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,

 and like a high city wall in his imagination.

18:12  Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,

but before honor is humility.

18:13  He who gives an answer before he listens, 

 it is to him folly and shame.

18:14  A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but who can bear a crushed spirit?

18:15  The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, 

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

18:16  A man’s gift makes room for him

and brings him before the great. 

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

until his opponent comes and cross-examines him.

18:18  The lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

18:19  A brother offended is more unyielding than a fortified city;

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

18:20  From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;

from the product of his lips he is satisfied.

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

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

18:22  He who finds a wife finds good

and obtains favor from the LORD.

18:23  The poor use entreaties,

but the rich answer harshly.

18:24  A man who has unreliable companions is about to be broken,

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

Chapter Nineteen

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

than one who is crooked in speech, for he is a fool.

19:2   Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

19:3   The folly of a man overturns his way,

but his heart rages against the LORD.

19:4   Wealth brings many new companions,

but a poor man is deserted by his companion.

19:5   A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who testifies lies will not escape punishment.

19:6   Many seek the favor of a nobleman,

and everyone is a companion to a generous man. 

19:7   All a poor man’s brothers hate him;

how much more his companions becomes distant from him.

Though he pursues his companions with words

they are nowhere to be found.

19:8   The one who gets sense is one who loves his life;

the one who heeds understanding will soon find   what is good.

19:9   A false witness will not go unpunished, 

and he who testifies lies will perish. 

19:10  Luxury is not fitting for a fool; 

how much less for a slave to rule over princes.

19:11  A man’s good sense makes him slow to anger, 

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

19:12  The roaring of a lion is the rage of a king,

but like dew upon grass is his favor.

19:13  A foolish son is destruction to his father, 

and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.

19:14  A household and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, 

but from the LORD is a prudent wife.

19:15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep, 

and an idle person hungers. 

19:16  He who keeps the commandment keeps his life,

the one who despises his ways will die.

19:17  The one who shows grace to the poor is one who lends to the LORD;

and as for his deeds he will repay him.

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

and unto killing him, do not set your desire. 

19:19  A hotheadis one who bears a penalty;

if you deliver him once, you will do so again.

19:20  Listen to counsel and accept discipline,

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

19:21  Many plans are in a man’s heart, 

but the counsel of the LORD, it will stand.

19:22  What is desirable in a man is his kindness;

better is a poor person than a liar.

19:23  The fear of the LORD is surely life;

fully satisfied, he dwells without harm. 

19:24  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

to his mouth he does not return it.

19:25  Flog a mocker, and the gullible will become prudent,

and if one corrects the understanding, he discerns knowledge.

19:26  He who assaults his father and drives his mother away,

is a shameful and disgraceful son.

19:27  Cease, my son, listening to instruction

to stray from words of knowledge!

19:28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

19:29  Punishments are ready for the mockers,

and beatings for the back of fools.

Chapter Twenty

20:1   Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, 

and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

20:2   The roaring as of a lion is like the terror of the king;

whoever angers him is one who forfeits his life.

20:3   Abstaining from strife brings honor to a man,

but any fool will quarrel.

20:4   The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, 

  so at harvest time he asks for grain but has nothing.

20:5   A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, 

but a man of understanding draws it out.

20:6   Many a man professes his own loyalty, 

but who can find a trustworthy man?

20:7   A righteous man who walks in his integrity — 

 blessed are his children after him!

20:8   A king who sits on the throne of judgment

sorts out all evil with his eyes.

20:9  Who can say, “I have made my heart pure;

 I am clean from my sin”?

20:10  Unequal weights and unequal measures

are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

20:11  Even a young man by his evil acts disguises them.

So is his conduct is pure and upright?

20:12  The hearing ear and the seeing eye,

the LORD has made them both.

20:13  Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;

open your eyes, have plenty of food.

20:14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

but when he goes away, then he boasts.

20:15  There is gold and an abundance of corals

but a precious jewel are lips of knowledge. 

20:16  Take a man’s garment when he has put up  security for a stranger, 

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for  foreigners.

20:17  Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

20:18  Plans are established with counsel, 

so make war with guidance. 

20:19  Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;

so do not associate with a simple babbler.

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

his lamp will be extinguished in pitch darkness.

20:21  An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning,

will not be blessed in the end.

20:22  Do not say,“I will repay evil”;

wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.

20:23 Unequal weights are an abomination to  the LORD,

and false scales are not good.

20:24  From the LORD are the steps of a man;

as for a human being, how can he understand his way.

20:25   It is a trap for a human being to say rashly, “It is holy” [consecrated]

and only afterward to consider the vows.

20:26  A wise king is one who winnows the wicked, 

and brings back he cartwheel over them.  

20:27  The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, 

searching all his innermost parts. 

20:28 Lovingkindness and faithfulness guards the king,

and by lovingkindness his throne is upheld.  

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

and the majesty of old men is their gray hair.  

20:30  Bruising wounds scour away evil;

strokes clean the innermost parts.

Chapter Twenty-One

21:1   The king’s heart in the LORD’s hand is a stream of water;

upon all who please him, he turns it.

21:2   Every way of a man may seen right in his own eyes,

but the LORD weighs the heart.

21:3   To do righteousness and justice

 is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

21:4   Haughty eyes and a proud heart,

the unplowed field of the wicked produce sin.

21:5   The plans of the diligent  lead only to profit, 

 but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

21:6 The acquiring of treasures by a lying tongue

is the wind driven breath of those seeking death. 

21:7   The violence of the wicked drags them away,

 because they refuse to do what is just.

21:8   The way of the guilty is crooked,

 but as for the pure, his way is straight.

21:9   Better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife [woman].

21:10 The wicked person desires evil; 

his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

21:11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes  wise;

by paying attention to a wise man, he gains  knowledge. 

21:12 The Righteous One observes the household of  the wicked;

he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.

21:13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor

will himself call out and not be answered.

21:14 A gift given in secret subdues anger,

even a bribe in the bosom strong wrath. 

21:15 To do justice brings joy to the righteous 

 but terror to evildoers.

21:16 One who wanders from the way of the prudent

will end up in the company of the departed spirits.

21:17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;

he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous person are taken for the upright. 

21:19 Better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and vexing wife.

21:20 A storage of desirable food and oil are in the dwelling place of the wise,

but a fool devours it. 

21:21 The one who pursues righteousness and      

kindness finds life, prosperity and honor. 

21:22 A wise man scales the city walls 

and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.

21:24 The proud, the arrogant, “Scoffer is his name,”

who acts in overbearing arrogance.

21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labor.

21:26 All day long he craves lustfully,

but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.

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

how much more when he brings it with evil intent!

21:28 A false witness will perish,

but a man who listens well testifies successfully. 

21:29 A wicked man puts on a bold face 

but the upright, he establishes his ways.

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

there is no counsel that can stand before the LORD.

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

but the victory belongs to the LORD. 

Chapter Twenty-Two

22:1  A good name is better than great riches 

    good favor more than silver or gold.

22:2 The rich and the poor meet together;

    the LORD is the Maker of them all.

22:3   The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

but the simple go on and suffer for it.

22:4  The reward for humility and fearing the LORD 

is riches and honor and life.

22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;

whoever guards himself will keep far from them.

22:6  Dedicate a child according to what his way dictates;

    even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

22:7  The rich rules over the poor,

    and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

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

    and the rod of his fury will end.

22:9  He who is generous will be blessed, 

    For he gives from his food to the poor.

22:10 Drive out the scoffer, and out goes strife;

    quarrels and shame is ended.

22:11 The one who loves a pure heart 

and whose speech is gracious, the king will be his friend.

22:12 The eyes of the LORD protect knowledge, 

but he subverts the words of the treacherous man.

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

    I will be killed in the streets!”

22:14  A deep pit is the mouth of the adulteress;

    the one cursed by the LORD will fall into it. 

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

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

22:16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase wealth for himself 

and the one who gives to the rich come only to poverty.

22:17 Incline your ear and 

hear the words of the wise, And 

apply your mind to my knowledge;

22:18 For it will be pleasant 

if you keep them within you, 

and they are ready upon your lips.

22:19  So that your trust may be in the LORD, 

I have taught you today, even you.

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

of counsel and knowledge,

22:21 to teach you to be honest, speaking true

answers to those who sent you. 

22:22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, 

and do not crush the afflicted at the gate;

22:23 because the LORD will plead their case, 

and take the life of those who robbed them [of life].

22:24 Do not be an associate with a man of anger

and do not go [as a companion] with a wrathful person. 

22:25 Lest you learn their ways

and catch a snare for your life 

22:26 Do not be among those who strike a palm,

among those who pledge securities for a loan. 

22:27 If you have nothing with which to pay, 

Why should he take your bed out from under you?

22:28 Do not move the ancient boundary 

Which your fathers have set.

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

He will present himself before kings. 

He will not stand before obscure people. 

Chapter Twenty-Three

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

    observe carefully what is before you,

23:2  and put a knife to your throat

    if you are given to gluttony.

23:3 Do not crave his delicacies,

    for that food is deceptive. 

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

    from your own discernment, cease. 

23:5 Will you let your eyes light on [glance ]it [riches} ?

    If you do, they are not.

    For suddenly it sprouts wings,

    flying like an eagle into the sky.  

23:6  Do not eat the bread of a stingy man; [evil eye]

    do not crave his delicacies,

23:7 because he calculates within himself 

    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,

    but his heart is not with you.

23:8 You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten,

    and waste your pleasant words.

23:9  In the ears of a fool, do not speak,

    because he will despise the good sense of your words. 

23:10 Do not move the ancient boundaries

or enter the fields of the fatherless,

23:11 because their Defender is strong:

he will plead their case against you. 

23:12  Apply your heart to instruction

and your ear to words of knowledge.

23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;

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

23:14 If you strike him with the rod, 

you will save him from Sheol. 

23:15 My son, if your heart is wise,

my heart too will be glad.

23:16 My inmost being will exult

when your lips speak what is right.

23:17 Let not your heart be envious of sinners,

but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day.

23:18 Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

23:19 Hear, you, my son, and become wise,

and direct your heart in the way.

23:20  Be not among drunkards

among gluttons of meat for themselves.  

23:21 for the drunkard and the glutton will become destitute 

and drowsiness clothes them with rags.

23:22 Listen to your father who begot you

and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell

wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

23:24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;

he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.

23:25 Let your father and mother rejoice; 

let her who bore you rejoice.

23:26 Give me your heart, my son, 

and let your eyes observe my ways;

23:27 For a prostitute is a deep pit;

an adulteress is a narrow well.

23:28 Indeed, she lays an ambush like a robber

and increases the treacherous among mankind.

23:29 Who has “Woe!”?  Who has “Alas!”?

Who has strife? Who has complaints?

Who has wounds without cause?

Who has redness of eyes?

23:30 Those who linger over wine, 

those who come to try mixed wine. 

23:31 Do not look at wine when it is an [alluring] red,

when it sparkles in the goblet,

when it goes down smoothly.

23:32 In the end, it bites like a snake, 

and poisons like a viper. 

23:33 Your eyes will see strange sights,

and your heart [mind] will say perversities.

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

like one who lies on the top of a mast.

23:35 They hit me but I was not hurt;

they beat me, but I did not know it!

When will I wake up?

Another drink, I must seek it and find one again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

24:1  Do not envy evil people, 

    do not desire to be with them.

24:2  for their hearts devise violence,

    and their lips speak of trouble.

24:3  By wisdom a house is built, 

    and by understanding it is established;

24:4  and by knowledge the rooms are filled 

    with all precious and pleasant riches.

24:5  A wise man prevails by might, 

    and a man of knowledge musters strength.

24:6  Surely, by guidance you must wage war, 

    there is victory with many counselors. 

24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool;

    in the gate he does not open his mouth.

24:8  One who plans to do evil, 

    will be called a schemer.

24:9  The scheme that comes from foolishness is sin 

    and a scoffer is an abomination to humanity. 

24:10 If you are faint in the time of crisis,

    your strength is meager. 

24:11 Deliver those being taken away to death, 

    and hold back those slipping to the slaughter.

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

          does he who weighs the hearts not discern it?

And won’t the one who watches over your life, know it, and repay man according to his work?

24:13 Eat honey, my son, because it is good,

    and honey from the comb is sweet upon your palate;

24:14 so know wisdom is like honey for your life.

    If you find wisdom, then there is a future,

      and your hope will not be cut off.

24:15 Do not lay an ambush as a wicked person against the dwelling place of the righteous,

Do not destroy his resting place;

24:16 for a righteous person falls seven times and rises,

    but the wicked stumbles in disaster. 

24:17 When your enemy falls, do not rejoice,

    when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice;

24:18 otherwise, the LORD will see it 

    and it will be evil in his eyes, 

    and he will turn away his wrath from him. 

24:19 Do not fret because of evil people 

    or be envious of the wicked;

24:20 because there is no future for the evil person;

    the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 

24:21 Fear the LORD my son and the king;  

    do not get involved with rebellious officials,

24:22 Because their disaster will suddenly arise,

    And who knows the ruin that can come from both of them?

24:23 These also are sayings of the wise: 

    To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24:24 As for anyone who says to the guilty: 

“You are innocent,” peoples will curse him,

communities will denounce him. 

24:25 But for those who convict the guilty,

           it will be pleasant,

and upon them will come a good blessing.

24:26 He kisses the lips

          the one who gives an honest answer. 

24:27 Establish your work outside, 

    and prepare for yourself in the field; 

    afterward, then, build your house.

24:28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor for no reason, 

    and do not deceive with your lips.

24:29 Do not say, “I shall do the same to him as he has done 

to me; 

    I will pay the man back according to his conduct.”

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

    and the vineyard of a man who lacked sense.

24:31 And behold, it was completely overgrown with thorns;

    its surface was covered with weeds, 

    and its stone wall was broken down.

24:32 Then I saw; I considered it,

          I looked, and received instruction.

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

    a little folding of the hands to rest,”

24:34 and poverty will come upon you like a vagrant,

          and your lack like an armed man.

Chapter Twenty-Five

25:1  These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

25:2  The glory of God is to conceal a matter, 

        but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

25:3  As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, 

        so the heart of king is unsearchable.

25:4  Remove the dross from the silver, 

    and there comes out a vessel for the silversmith.

25:5  Remove the wicked before a king, 

    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

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 that it be said to you, “Come up here,” 

    than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince. 

    What your eyes have seen,

25:8  do not bring hastily to court. 

    Lest, what will you do in the end

    when your neighbor humiliates you?

25:9  Plead your case with your neighbor,

               but do not divulge a confidence;

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

and the bad report against you will not pass away. 

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

    is a word skillfully spoken. 

25:12  Like an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of   fine gold, 

is a wise rebuker upon a listening ear. 

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

    is a trustworthy messenger to him who sends him;

          for he refreshes the life of his masters. 

25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain 

    is a person who boasts of a gift he does not give.

25:15 Through long patience, a ruler may be persuaded,

a soft tongue breaks a bone.

25:16 You have found honey. Eat only what you need, 

    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

25:17 Make your foot rare in your neighbor’s house, 

    lest he has his fill of you and hate you.

25:18 Like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow 

    is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

25:19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot 

    is confidence in a treacherous person in time of

    trouble.

25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or   like vinegar on a wound 

is one who sings songs to a troubled heart.  

25:21 If one who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat; 

    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

25:22 For you will heap burning coals on his head, 

    and the LORD will reward you.

25:23 The north wind brings rain, 

    and a backbiting tongue an angry face. 

25:24 Better to live in a corner of the housetop

    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife [woman].

25:25  Like cold water to a weary person

    so is good news from a distant land.

25:26 Like a muddied spring and a ruined well, 

    is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.

25:27 It is not good to eat much honey, 

    nor is it honorable to seek out one’s own glory. 

25:28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls 

so is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.

Chapter Twenty-Six

26:1  Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, 

    so honor is not fitting for a fool.

26:2  Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, 

    so a curse without cause does not come to pass.

26:3  A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, 

    and a rod for the back of fools.

26:4  Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, 

    or you will be like him—even you!

26:5  Answer a fool according to his foolishness

    lest he become wise in his own eyes. 

26:6  One who cuts off his feet, who drinks violence, 

    is one who sends a message by the hand of a fool. 

26:7  Like useless legs dangling from a cripple, 

    is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 

26:8  Like tying a stone in a sling

    is the one who gives honor to a fool.

26:9  Like a thorn-bush in the hand of a drunkard, 

    so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

26:10 Like an archer who wounds everyone, 

    is one who hires a fool or hiresthose who pass by.

26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, 

    so is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

26:12 Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? 

    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

26:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!

    There is a lion in the streets!”

26:14  As the door turns on its hinges, 

    So does a sluggard on his bed.

26:15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; 

    He is too weary to return it to his mouth.

26:16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes 

    than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

26:17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears, 

    so is one who passes by and gets angry in a dispute not his own.

26:18  Like a madman who shoots 

flaming arrows and death,

26:19 so is a person who deceives his neighbor,

    “Am I not only joking?” 

26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,

    and where there is no gossiper, quarreling ceases.

26:21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, 

    so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

26:22  The words of a gossiper are like delicious morsels;

      they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

26:23 Like silver dross covering over an earthenware vessel,

are smooth lips and an evil heart. 

26:24 One who hates disguises it with his lips, 

    and harbors deceit in his heart;

26:25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, 

    for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26:26 His hatred is covered with deception, 

    his wickedness is exposed in the assembly. 

26:27 One who digs a pit will fall into it, 

    and one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

26:28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,

    but the smooth mouth works ruin. 

Chapter Twenty-Seven 

27:1  Do not boast about tomorrow, 

    For you do not know what a day may bring.

27:2  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; 

    a stranger, and not your own lips.

27:3  A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, 

    but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.

27:4  The cruelty of wrath and a flood of anger, 

    but who can stand before jealousy?

27:5  Better is open rebuke 

    than hidden love.

27:6  Faithful are the wounds of a friend, 

    But the kisses of an enemy are excessive. 

27:7  A satisfied person tramples down a honeycomb,

    but to a hungry person any bitter thing is sweet.

27:8  Like a bird that flees from its nest, 

    so is a person who flees from his home.

27:9  Oil and perfume make the heart glad,

    and the sweetness of one’s friend from passionate     counsel. 

27:10 Your friend and your father’s friend do not forsake,

    and do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your disaster;

    better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.

27:11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, 

    so that I may reply to one who taunts me.

27:12 A prudent person sees danger and hides himself,

    the gullible who go right on and pay for it. 

27:13  Take his garment when he puts up security for a stranger; 

and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

27:14 One who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, 

    it will be considered a curse to him.

27:15 A constant dripping on a day of steady rain 

    and a contentious woman are alike;

27:16 those who restrain her restrains the wind

    and oil encounters his right hand.

27:17 As iron sharpens iron, 

    so a person sharpens another.

27:18 He who protects a fig tree will eat its fruit

    and he who guards his master will be honored.

27:19 As in water a face reflects the face, 

    so the heart of a person reflects the person.

27:20 As Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, 

    so are the eyes of a man are never satisfied.

27:21 The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, 

    and each is tested by the praise accorded him.

27:22 If you pound a fool in a mortar along with crushed grain with a pestle,

    his foolishness will still not leave him.  

27:23 Know well the condition of your flocks, 

    pay attention to your herds;

27:24 For riches are not forever, 

    nor does a crown endure to all generations.

27:25 When the grass is removed and new growth appears 

    and the vegetation of the mountains are gathered in,

27:26 the lambs will be for your clothing, 

    and the he-goats will be for the price of a field.

27:27 And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food, 

    for the food of your household

          and sustenance for your servant girls. 

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

28:1 The wicked flee though no one is pursuing,

  but the righteous are bold as a lion.

28:2  When a land is rebellious, it has many princes,

    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,

    it endures.

28:3  A poor man who oppresses the helpless 

    is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

28:4  Those who abandon the Law praise the wicked, 

    but those who keep the Law strive against them.

28:5  Evil people do not understand justice,

    but those who seek the LORD understand everything.

28:6  Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity, 

    than one who is perverse in his ways even though he     is rich.

28:7  He who keeps the Law is a discerning son,

    but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his     father.

28:8  One who increases his wealth by interest and profit     [of any kind,] 

    collects it for one who is gracious to the poor.

28:9  One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law, 

  even his prayer is an abomination.

28:10 One who misleads the upright in an evil way 

    will himself fall into his own pit, 

    but the blameless will inherit good things. 

28:11 A rich person is wise in his own eyes

    but a poor person who discerns searches him out. 

28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, 

but when the wicked rise, people are sought out.

28:13 The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper,

but the one who confesses and abandons them will obtain mercy.

28:14 Blessed is the man who fears the LORD continually,

    but one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

28:15 Like a roaring lion and an attacking bear

    is a wicked ruler over poor people. 

28:16 A leader who lacks understanding is a great      oppressor,

    he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

28:17 One who is burdened with the blood of another

    will flee to the pit; let no one restrain him.

28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered,

but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.

28:19 One who works his land will have plenty of food, 

but he who follows worthless pursuits will have       plenty of poverty.

28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,

    but whoever hastens to be rich will not go      unpunished.

28:21 To show partiality is not good, 

    because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

28:22 A man with an evil eye hurries after wealth

          and does not know that poverty will overtake him.

28:23 One who rebukes a man [for his conduct] finds favor

than the one who flatters with the tongue. 

28:24 One who robs his father and his mother, while saying, “There is no transgression,”

he is the companion to a man who destroys.

28:25 The greedy person stirs up strife,

    but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

28:26 One who trusts in his own heart he is a fool;

but one who walks in wisdom he will be delivered.

28:27 One who gives to the poor will never lack anything, 

    but one who shuts his eyes to them will receive many      curses.

28:28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves; 

    but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

29:1  One who is frequently rebuked andstiffens his neck,     he will suddenly be broken without healing. 

29:2  When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, 

    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

29:3  The man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

    but an associate of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

29:4  A king gives stability to a land by justice,

    but one who exacts tribute tears it down.

29:5  A man who flatters his neighbor

    spreads a net for his feet.

29:6  In the transgression of an evil man is a snare,

    but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

29:7  A righteous man knows the [court] judgments of the     poor;

    a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

29:8  Scoffers set a city aflame,

    but the wise turn away wrath.

29:9  If a wise man has an argument with a fool,

    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

29:10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who has integrity

    and seek the life of the upright.

29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

    but a wise man quietly holds it back.

29:12 If a ruler listens to words of falsehood, 

    all his officials become wicked.

29:13 The poor and the man of oppressions meet together;

    the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

29:14  If a king judges the poor in truth,

      his throne will be established forever.

29:15 The rod and a rebuke give wisdom,

    but a child left to himself brings shame to his      mother.

29:16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases,

    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;

he will give delight to you (your nephesh).

29:18 When there is no prophetic vision the restraint is       cast off the people, but blessed is he who keeps the      law.

29:19 A slave is not disciplined by words  

    though he understands, he does not respond.

29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty with his words?

    [There is] more hope for a fool than for him.

29:21 One who pampers his slave from childhood 

    will in the end find him to be rebellious.

29:22 A man of wrath stirs up strife,

    and an angry person causes transgression.

29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low,

    but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

29:24 The partner of a thief hates his own life;

          he hears the curse, but will not testify.

29:25 The fear of people sets a snare, 

          but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set on high.

29:26 Many seek the face of a ruler,

    but it is from the LORD that one receives justice.

29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

    but the upright in his way is an abomination to      the wicked.

Chapter Thirty

30:1  The words of Agur, the son of Jakeh; an oracle: 

    This man declares to Ithiel; to Ithiel and to Ukal.

30:2  Surely I am too stupid to be a man;

    indeed, I have not the understanding of a man.

30:3  Indeed, I have not learned wisdom

    but I want to experience the knowledge of the Holy     One.

30:4  Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended?

    Who has gathered up the winds in his fists?

    Who has ever wrapped up the waters in his robe?

    Who has established all the ends of the earth? 

    What is his name, and what is his son’s name?      Surely you know!

30:5  Every word of God is purified;

    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

30:6  Do not add to his words 

    lest he convict you, and prove you to be a liar.

30:7  Two things I ask from you;

    do not withhold them from me before I die.

30:8  A deceitful word of falsehood, keep far from me;  

    do not give me poverty or riches, 

    feed me with my allotted portion of food;

30:9  lest I become satisfied and act deceptively

    and say, “Who is the LORD?” 

    Or lest I become poor and steal 

    and demean the name of my God.

30:10 Do not slander a slave to his master, 

    lest he curse you, and you are found guilty.

30:11 There are those who curse their fathers 

and do not bless their mothers.

30:12 There are those who are pure in their own eyes 

          and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

30:13 There are those whose eyes are so lofty, 

and whose eyelids are lifted up.

30:14 There are those whose teeth are like swords

and whose jaw teeth are like knives 

to devour the poor from the earth 

and the needy from among mankind.

30:15 The leech has two daughters: “Give” and “Give.” 

    There are three things that will never be satisfied, 

    four that have never said, “Enough”

30:16 Sheol and the barren womb,

    earth that is never satisfied with water, 

    and fire that never says, “Enough.”

30:17 The eye that mocks at a father 

and despises obeying a mother

the ravens of the valley will peck it out 

and the young vultures will eat it. 

30:18 There are three things that are too wonderful for me, 

four that I do not understand:

30:19 the way of an eagle in the sky, 

    the way of a snake on a rock, 

          the way of a ship in the heart of the sea, 

          and the way of a man with a virgin.

30:20 This is the way of an adulterous woman: 

    she has eaten and wiped her mouth 

    and has said, “I have not done wrong.”

30:21 Under three things the earth shakes,

    and under four things it cannot endure.

30:22 under a slave who becomes king, 

    under a fool who becomes satisfied with food,

30:23 under a hated woman when she gets a husband, 

          and a maidservant when she dispossesses her 

    mistress.

30:24 There are four things on earth that are small, 

but they are exceedingly wise:

30:25 the ants are a people not strong,

    but they prepare their food in the summer;

30:26 the rock badgers are a people not mighty,

    yet they make their homes in the rocks;

30:27 the locusts have no king,

    yet all of them march in rank;

30:28 the lizard you can take in your hands,

yet it is in kings’ palaces.

30:29 There are three things which are stately in their step, 

    even four which are stately when they move:

30:30 the lion, which is mightiest among beasts

    and does not retreat from anything; 

30:31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat, 

          and a king when his army is with him.

30:32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, 

    or if you have planned to do so, 

put your hand on your mouth.

30:33 For as the churning of milk produces butter, 

and as pressing the nose produces blood,

so the pressing of anger brings out strife. 

Chapter Thirty-One

31:1  The words of King Lemuel, an oracle which his mother taught him:

31:2  Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!

    Listen, son of my vows!

31:3  Do not give your strength to women, 

    or your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4  It is not for kings, Lemuel, 

    It is not for kings to drink wine, 

        or for rulers to crave intoxicating drink,

31:5  lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

    and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

31:6  Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, 

    and wine to one whose life is bitter.

31:7  Let him drink and forget his poverty, 

    and remember his trouble no more.

31:8  Open your mouth for the mute,

    for the rights of all who are destitute.

31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteously, 

          and defend the poor and needy.

31:10 An excellent wife who can find?

    For her value is far more than jewels.

31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her;

    he does not lack “spoil.”

31:12 She does him good and not evil 

    all the days of her life.

31:13 She looks for wool and flax, 

    and works with her hands in delight.

31:14 She is like merchant ships; 

    she brings her food from afar.

31:15 And she rises while it is still night 

and gives food to her household, 

and portions to her servant girls. 

31:16 She considers a field and buys it;

    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She girds her loins with strength

    and makes her arms strong.

31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable;

    her lamp does not go out at night.

31:19 She puts her hands to the distaff,

    and her hands hold the spindle.

31:20 She opens her hand to the poor

    and reaches out her hands to the needy.

31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

31:22 She makes bed coverings for herself;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23 Her husband is known in the gates

    when he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them;

    she delivers sashes to the merchant.

31:25 Strength and majesty are her clothing,

    and she laughs at the days to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

31:27 Watching over the ways of her household, 

    she would not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed

    and her husband rises and praises her: 

31:29 Many daughters have done excellently, 

    but you surpass them all.

31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting.

    A woman who fears the LORD —she makes herself praiseworthy.

31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

    and let her works praise her in the gates.