Proverbs
1:1The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: 1:2to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; 1:3to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 1:4to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: 1:5that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: 1:6to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. 1:7The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. 1:8My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching: 1:9for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. 1:10My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent. 1:11If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lay in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. 1:12Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. 1:13We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder. 1:14You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse.” 1:15My son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path, 1:16for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. 1:17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: 1:18but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. 1:19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners. 1:20Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. 1:21She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: 1:22“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge? 1:23Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you. 1:24Because I have called, and you have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; 1:25but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; 1:26I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you; 1:27when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. 1:28Then will they call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; 1:29because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh. 1:30They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof. 1:31Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own schemes. 1:32For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them. 1:33But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
2:1My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; 2:2So as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 2:3Yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; 2:4If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: 2:5then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God. 2:6For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 2:7He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity; 2:8that he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints. 2:9Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path. 2:10For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 2:11Discretion will watch over you. Understanding will keep you, 2:12to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things; 2:13who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 2:14who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil; 2:15who are crooked in their ways, and wayward in their paths: 2:16To deliver you from the strange woman, even from the foreigner who flatters with her words; 2:17who forsakes the friend of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God: 2:18for her house leads down to death, her paths to the departed spirits. 2:19None who go to her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life: 2:20that you may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 2:21For the upright will dwell in the land. The perfect will remain in it. 2:22But the wicked will be cut off from the land. The treacherous will be rooted out of it.
3:1My son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments: 3:2for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you. 3:3Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 3:4So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 3:5Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. 3:6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 3:7Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. 3:8It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones. 3:9Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: 3:10so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 3:11My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof: 3:12for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights. 3:13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. 3:14For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. 3:15She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 3:16Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. 3:17Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. 3:18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her. 3:19By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. 3:20By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew. 3:21My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 3:22so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck. 3:23Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble. 3:24When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 3:25Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 3:26for Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken. 3:27Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 3:28Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you. 3:29Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you. 3:30Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. 3:31Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. 3:32For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright. 3:33Yahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 3:34Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble. 3:35The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.
4:1Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 4:2for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law. 4:3For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 4:4He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. 4:5Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth. 4:6Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 4:7Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 4:8Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. 4:9She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you.” 4:10Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. 4:11I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. 4:12When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. 4:13Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. 4:14Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men. 4:15Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. 4:16For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. 4:17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 4:18But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day. 4:19The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over. 4:20My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 4:21Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 4:22For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body. 4:23Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. 4:24Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. 4:25Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. 4:26Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. 4:27Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
5:1My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding: 5:2that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. 5:3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil, 5:4but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. 5:5Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol. 5:6She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it. 5:7Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don’t depart from the words of my mouth. 5:8Remove your way far from her. Don’t come near the door of her house, 5:9lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; 5:10lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man’s house. 5:11You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed, 5:12and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 5:13neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me! 5:14I have come to the brink of utter ruin, among the gathered assembly.” 5:15Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well. 5:16Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares? 5:17Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you. 5:18Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. 5:19A loving doe and a graceful deer— let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. 5:20For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? 5:21For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths. 5:22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. 5:23He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
6:1My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger; 6:2You are trapped by the words of your mouth. You are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 6:3Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. 6:4Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 6:5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 6:7which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 6:8provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 6:9How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 6:10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 6:11so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man. 6:12A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth; 6:13who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers; 6:14in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. 6:15Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. 6:16There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: 6:17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood; 6:18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 6:19a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. 6:20My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching. 6:21Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck. 6:22When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you. 6:23For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 6:24to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue. 6:25Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids. 6:26For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life. 6:27Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned? 6:28Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? 6:29So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished. 6:30Men don’t despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry: 6:31but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house. 6:32He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul. 6:33He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away. 6:34For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won’t spare in the day of vengeance. 6:35He won’t regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.
7:1My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 7:2Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. 7:3Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 7:4Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative, 7:5that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. 7:6For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice. 7:7I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, 7:8passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house, 7:9in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness. 7:10Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent. 7:11She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house. 7:12Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner. 7:13So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him: 7:14“Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows. 7:15Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you. 7:16I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. 7:17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 7:18Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving. 7:19For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey. 7:20He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.” 7:21With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him. 7:22He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose. 7:23Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and doesn’t know that it will cost his life. 7:24Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth. 7:25Don’t let your heart turn to her ways. Don’t go astray in her paths, 7:26for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army. 7:27Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the rooms of death.
8:1Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice? 8:2On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands. 8:3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: 8:4“To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. 8:5You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart. 8:6Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. 8:7For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8:8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. 8:9They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge. 8:10Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold. 8:11For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it. 8:12“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion. 8:13The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. 8:14Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. 8:15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 8:16By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth. 8:17I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. 8:18With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity. 8:19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver. 8:20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice; 8:21that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. 8:22“Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. 8:23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. 8:24When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water. 8:25Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born; 8:26while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 8:27When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep, 8:28when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong, 8:29when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth; 8:30then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him, 8:31rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. 8:32“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. 8:33Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it. 8:34Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. 8:35For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. 8:36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
9:1Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. 9:2She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table. 9:3She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city: 9:4“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, 9:5“Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed! 9:6Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.” 9:7He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse. 9:8Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9:9Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 9:10The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 9:11For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased. 9:12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it. 9:13The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing. 9:14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 9:15To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways, 9:16“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.” as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, 9:17“Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant.” 9:18But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
10:1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 10:2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. 10:3Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked. 10:4He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. 10:5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame. 10:6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 10:7The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. 10:8The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall. 10:9He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. 10:10One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall. 10:11The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 10:12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs. 10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding. 10:14Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin. 10:15The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty. 10:16The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin. 10:17He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray. 10:18He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool. 10:19In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely. 10:20The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth. 10:21The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding. 10:22Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. 10:23It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure. 10:24What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 10:25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever. 10:26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 10:27The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 10:28The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish. 10:29The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. 10:30The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. 10:31The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 10:32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
11:1A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight. 11:2When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom. 11:3The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them. 11:4Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 11:5The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 11:6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires. 11:7When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing. 11:8A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place. 11:9With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge. 11:10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11:11By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 11:12One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace. 11:13One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret. 11:14Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory. 11:15He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure. 11:16A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches. 11:17The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. 11:18Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. 11:19He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death. 11:20Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight. 11:21Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. 11:22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. 11:23The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath. 11:24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. 11:25The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself. 11:26People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. 11:27He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him. 11:28He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf. 11:29He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart. 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls. 11:31Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
12:1Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 12:2A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans. 12:3A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 12:4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones. 12:5The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. 12:6The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. 12:7The wicked are overthrown, and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand. 12:8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised. 12:9Better is he who is little know, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread. 12:10A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 12:11He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. 12:12The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 12:13An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble. 12:14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him. 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel. 12:16A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent. 12:17He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies. 12:18There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals. 12:19Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary. 12:20Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace. 12:21No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil. 12:22Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight. 12:23A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness. 12:24The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. 12:25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. 12:26A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 12:27The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized. 12:28In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
13:1A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke. 13:2By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; but the unfaithful crave violence. 13:3He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 13:4The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied. 13:5A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace. 13:6Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 13:7There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth. 13:8The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats. 13:9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. 13:10Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom. 13:11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow. 13:12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. 13:13Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded. 13:14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death. 13:15Good understanding wins favor; but the way of the unfaithful is hard. 13:16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly. 13:17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing. 13:18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored. 13:19Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. 13:20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. 13:21Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous. 13:22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous. 13:23An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away. 13:24One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him. 13:25The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
14:1Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. 14:2He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him. 14:3The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. 14:4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 14:5A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies. 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person. 14:7Stay away from a foolish man, for you won’t find knowledge on his lips. 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. 14:9Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will. 14:10The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger. 14:11The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 14:12There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 14:13Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness. 14:14The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways; likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways. 14:15A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. 14:16A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless. 14:17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated. 14:18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 14:19The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 14:20The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, but the rich person has many friends. 14:21He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has pity on the poor. 14:22Don’t they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good. 14:23In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty. 14:24The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly. 14:25A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful. 14:26In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children. 14:27The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life, turning people from the snares of death. 14:28In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince. 14:29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. 14:30The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. 14:31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him. 14:32The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge. 14:33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, and is even made known in the inward part of fools. 14:34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. 14:35The king’s favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward one who causes shame.
15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly. 15:3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 15:4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. 15:5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. 15:6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools. 15:8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 15:9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness. 15:10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die. 15:11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! 15:12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 15:13A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit. 15:14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15:15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. 15:16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. 15:17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. 15:18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife. 15:19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway. 15:20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. 15:21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight. 15:22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. 15:23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! 15:24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. 15:25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact. 15:26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing. 15:27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. 15:28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil. 15:29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 15:30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones. 15:31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise. 15:32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. 15:33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
16:1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh. 16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives. 16:3Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. 16:4Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. 16:5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished. 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil. 16:7When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 16:8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice. 16:9A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. 16:10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth. 16:11Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. 16:12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. 16:13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. 16:14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 16:15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul. 16:18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 16:19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud. 16:20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. 16:21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. 16:22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly. 16:23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. 16:24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 16:25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 16:26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on. 16:27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire. 16:28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. 16:29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. 16:30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. 16:31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. 16:32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city. 16:33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
17:1Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. 17:2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers. 17:3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts. 17:4An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. 17:5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished. 17:6Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents. 17:7Arrogant speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince. 17:8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers. 17:9He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. 17:10A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool. 17:11An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 17:12Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 17:13Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 17:14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out. 17:15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. 17:16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding? 17:17A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity. 17:18A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor. 17:19He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction. 17:20One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble. 17:21He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy. 17:22A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 17:23A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice. 17:24Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. 17:25A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him. 17:26Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity. 17:27He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding. 17:28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
18:1An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. 18:2A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. 18:3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. 18:4The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. 18:5To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. 18:6A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. 18:7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 18:8The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. 18:9One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. 18:10Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. 18:11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. 18:12Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. 18:13He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him. 18:14A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear? 18:15The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 18:16A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. 18:17He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. 18:18The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. 18:19A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress. 18:20A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. 18:22Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. 18:23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. 18:24A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
19:1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. 19:2It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge; nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way. 19:3The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh. 19:4Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend. 19:5A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free. 19:6Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 19:7All the relatives of the poor shun him: how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone. 19:8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good. 19:9A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish. 19:10Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 19:11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense. 19:12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 19:13A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping. 19:14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh. 19:15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger. 19:16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die. 19:17He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him. 19:18Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death. 19:19A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again. 19:20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end. 19:21There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail. 19:22That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar. 19:23The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble. 19:24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 19:25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 19:26He who robs his father and drives away his mother, is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. 19:27If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 19:28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity. 19:29Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.