Prov. 1:1‑31:30• 1Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
3to receive the instruction of wisdom, righteousness and judgment, and equity;
4to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5He that is wise will hear, and will increase learning; and the intelligent will gain wise counsels:
6to understand a proverb and an allegory, the words of the wise and their enigmas.
7The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother;
9for they shall be a garland of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent not.
11If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, and whole, as those that go down into the pit;
13we shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14cast in thy lot among us; we will all have one purse:
15--my son, walk not in the way with them, keep back thy foot from their path;
16for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.
17For in vain the net is spread in the sight of anything which hath wings.
18And these lay wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19So are the paths of every one that is greedy of gain: it taketh away the life of its possessors.
20Wisdom crieth without; she raiseth her voice in the broadways;
21she calleth in the chief place of concourse, in the entry of the gates; in the city she uttereth her words:
22How long, simple ones, will ye love simpleness, and scorners take pleasure in their scorning, and the foolish hate knowledge?
23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour forth my spirit unto you, I will make known to you my words.
24Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one regarded;
25and ye have rejected all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26I also will laugh in your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh;
27when your fear cometh as sudden destruction, and your calamity cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you:
28--then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me early, and shall not find me.
29Because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Jehovah;
30they would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof:
31therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their way, and be filled with their own devices.
32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of the foolish shall cause them to perish.
33But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be at rest from fear of evil.
1My son, if thou receivest my words, and layest up my commandments with thee,
2so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and thou apply thy heart to understanding;
3yea, if thou criest after discernment and liftest up thy voice to understanding;
4if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hidden treasures:
5then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God.
6For Jehovah giveth wisdom; out of his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to them that walk in integrity;
8guarding the paths of just judgment and keeping the way of his godly ones.
9Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity: every good path.
10When wisdom entereth into thy heart and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul,
11discretion shall keep thee, understanding shall preserve thee:
12To deliver thee from the way of evil, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13from those who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of evil;
15whose paths are crooked, and who are perverted in their course:
16To deliver thee from the strange woman, from the stranger who flattereth with her words;
17who forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God;
18--for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead;
19none that go unto her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life:
20--that thou mayest walk in the way of the good, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it;
22but the wicked shall be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful shall be plucked up out of it.
1My son, forget not my teaching, and let thy heart observe my commandments;
2for length of days, and years of life, and peace shall they add to thee.
3Let not loving-kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
4and thou shalt find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence;
6in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:
8it shall be health for thy navel, and moisture for thy bones.
9Honour Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase;
10so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
11My son, despise not the instruction of Jehovah, neither be weary of his chastisement;
12for whom Jehovah loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her.
16Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her.
19Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.
20By his knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
21My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck.
23Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble;
24when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, but thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;
26for Jehovah shall be thy confidence, and he will keep thy foot from being taken.
27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee.
29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31Envy not the man of violence, and choose none of his ways.
32For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; but his secret is with the upright.
33The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
34He indeed scorneth the scorners; but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.
1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know intelligence;
2for I give you good doctrine: forsake ye not my law.
3For I was a son unto my father, tender and an only one in the sight of my mother.
4And he taught me, and said unto me, Let thy heart retain my words; keep my commandments and live.
5Get wisdom, get intelligence: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee; love her, and she shall preserve thee.
7The beginning of wisdom is, Get wisdom; and with all thy getting get intelligence.
8Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her.
9She shall give to thy head a garland of grace; a crown of glory will she bestow upon thee.
10Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be multiplied.
11I will teach thee in the way of wisdom, I will lead thee in paths of uprightness.
12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.
14Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men:
15avoid it, pass not by it; turn from it, and pass away.
16For they sleep not except they have done mischief, and their sleep is taken away unless they have caused some to fall.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, going on and brightening until the day be fully come.
19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart.
22For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23Keep thy heart more than anything that is guarded; for out of it are the issues of life.
24Put away from thee perverseness of mouth, and corrupt lips put far from thee.
25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be well-ordered.
27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.
1My son, attend unto my wisdom, incline thine ear to my understanding;
2that thou mayest keep reflection, and that thy lips may preserve knowledge.
3For the lips of the strange woman drop honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil;
4but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on Sheol.
6Lest she should ponder the path of life, her ways wander, she knoweth not whither.
7And now, children, hearken unto me, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel;
10lest strangers be filled with thy wealth, and the fruits of thy toil come into the house of a stranger;
11and thou mourn in thine end, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed;
12and thou say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof!
13and I have not hearkened unto the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to those that instructed me;
14I was well nigh in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
15Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16Thy fountains shall be poured forth, as water-brooks in the broadways.
17Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
18Let thy fountain be blessed; and have joy of the wife of thy youth.
19As a lovely hind and a graceful roe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times: be thou ravished continually with her love.
20And why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah, and he pondereth all his paths.
22His own iniquities shall take the wicked, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.
23He shall die for want of discipline; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
1My son, if thou hast become surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand for a stranger,
2thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, since thou hast come into the hand of thy friend: go, humble thyself, and be urgent with thy friend.
4Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids:
5deliver thyself as a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise:
7which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
8provideth her bread in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9How long, sluggard, wilt thou lie down? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest!
11So shall thy poverty come as a roving plunderer, and thy penury as an armed man.
12A man of Belial, a wicked person, is he that goeth about with a perverse mouth;
13he winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14deceits are in his heart; he deviseth mischief at all times, he soweth discords.
15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly: in a moment shall he be broken, and without remedy.
16These six things doth Jehovah hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood;
18a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations; feet that are swift in running to mischief;
19a false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discords among brethren.
20My son, observe thy father's commandment, and forsake not the teaching of thy mother;
21bind them continually upon thy heart, tie them about thy neck:
22when thou walkest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching a light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25Lust not after her beauty in thy heart, neither let her take thee with her eyelids;
26for by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a loaf of bread, and another's wife doth hunt for the precious soul.
27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his garments not be burned?
28Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?
29So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife: whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30They do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry:
31and if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32Whoso committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33A wound and contempt shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34For jealousy is the rage of a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance;
35he will not regard any ransom, neither will he rest content though thou multipliest thy gifts.
1My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2Keep my commandments, and live; and my teaching, as the apple of thine eye.
3Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the tablet of thy heart.
4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister, and call intelligence thy kinswoman:
5that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger who flattereth with her words.
6For at the window of my house, I looked forth through my lattice,
7and I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the sons, a young man void of understanding,
8passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the blackness of night and the darkness.
10And behold, there met him a woman in the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart.
11She is clamorous and unmanageable; her feet abide not in her house:
12now without, now in the broadways,--and she lieth in wait at every corner.
13And she caught him and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows:
15therefore came I forth to meet thee, to seek earnestly thy face, and I have found thee.
16I have decked my bed with tapestry coverlets of variegated linen from Egypt;
17I have perfumed my couch with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18Come, let us revel in love until the morning, let us delight ourselves with loves.
19For the husband is not at home, he is gone a long journey;
20he hath taken the money-bag with him, he will come home on the day of the full moon.
21With her much enticement she beguiled him; with the smoothness of her lips she constrained him.
22He went after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, and as stocks serve for the correction of the fool;
23till an arrow strike through his liver: as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for its life.
24And now, ye sons, hearken unto me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25Let not thy heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths:
26for she hath cast down many wounded, and all slain by her were strong.
27Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.
1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding give forth her voice?
2On the top of high places by the way, at the cross-paths she taketh her stand.
3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud.
4Unto you, men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man:
5O ye simple, understand prudence; and ye foolish, understand sense.
6Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7For my palate shall meditate truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing tortuous or perverse in them.
9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold:
11for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not equal to it.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find the knowledge which cometh of reflection.
13The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate.
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am intelligence; I have strength.
15By me kings reign, and rulers make just decrees;
16by me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.
17I love those that love me; and they that seek me early shall find me.
18Riches and honour are with me; durable wealth and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than fine gold, yea, than pure gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20I walk in the path of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries.
22Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23I was set up from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth was.
24When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth;
26while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27When he prepared the heavens I was there; when he ordained the circle upon the face of the deep;
28when he established the skies above, when the fountains of the deep became strong;
29when he imposed on the sea his decree that the waters should not pass his commandment, when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30then I was by him his nursling, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and my delights were with the sons of men.
32And now, sons, hearken unto me, and blessed are they that keep my ways:
33hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.
34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of Jehovah;
36but he that sinneth against me doeth violence to his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
1Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2she hath slaughtered her cattle, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also prepared her table;
3she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,
4Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,
5Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled.
6Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence.
7He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked man getteth to himself a blot.
8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
9Impart to a wise man, and he will become yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase learning.
10The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is intelligence.
11For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.
14And she sitteth at the entry of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15to call passers-by who go right on their ways:
16Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. And to him that is void of understanding she saith,
17Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.
18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
1The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death.
3Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous man to famish; but he repelleth the craving of the wicked.
4He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6Blessings are upon the head of a righteous man; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.
7The memory of the righteous man shall be blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8The wise in heart receiveth commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.
9He that walketh in integrity walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10He that winketh with the eye causeth grief, and a prating fool shall fall.
11The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.
12Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions.
13In the lips of an intelligent man wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14The wise lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool is near destruction.
15The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16The labour of a righteous man tendeth to life; the revenue of a wicked man, to sin.
17Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.
18He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that restraineth his lips doeth wisely.
20The tongue of the righteous man is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21The lips of a righteous man feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.
22The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it.
23It is as sport to a foolish man to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24The fear of a wicked man, it shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25As a whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28The hope of the righteous is joy; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29The way of Jehovah is strength to the perfect man, but destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30The righteous man shall never be moved; but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.
31The mouth of a righteous man putteth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32The lips of a righteous man know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked is frowardness.
1A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; but a just weight is his delight.
2When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
3The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroyeth them.
4Wealth profiteth not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.
5The righteousness of the perfect maketh plain his way; but the wicked falleth by his own wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their own craving.
7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; and the hope of evil men perisheth.
8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.
10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.
16A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches.
17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
19As righteousness tendeth to life, so he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.
20The perverse in heart are abomination to Jehovah; but they that are perfect in their way are his delight.
21Hand for hand! an evil man shall not be held innocent; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22A fair woman who is without discretion, is as a gold ring in a swine's snout.
23The desire of the righteous is only good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but it tendeth only to want.
25The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26He that withholdeth corn, the people curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall come upon him.
28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a leaf.
29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls.
31Behold, the righteous shall be requited on the earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner.
1Whoso loveth discipline loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2A good man obtaineth favour of Jehovah; but a man of mischievous devices will he condemn.
3A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4A woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5The thoughts of the righteous are right; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6The words of the wicked are a lying-in-wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7Overthrow the wicked, and they are no more; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8A man is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted heart shall be despised.
9Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10A righteous man is concerned for the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
12The wicked desireth the net of evil men; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous man shall go forth out of trouble.
14A man is satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent man covereth shame.
17He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
18There is that babbleth like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
19The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21There shall no evil happen to a righteous man; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.
24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful hand shall be under tribute.
25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
26The righteous guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them.
27The slothful roasteth not what he took in hunting; but man's precious substance is to the diligent.
28In the path of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
1A wise son heareth his father's instruction; but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of the treacherous, violence.
3He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; destruction shall be to him that openeth wide his lips.
4A sluggard's soul desireth and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5A righteous man hateth lying; but the wicked maketh himself odious and cometh to shame.
6Righteousness preserveth him that is perfect in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7There is that feigneth himself rich, and hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, and hath great wealth.
8The ransom of a man's life is his riches; but the indigent heareth not rebuke.
9The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10By pride there only cometh contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.
11Wealth gotten by vanity diminisheth; but he that gathereth by manual-labour shall increase it.
12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but the desire that cometh to pass is a tree of life.
13Whoso despiseth the word shall be held by it; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14The teaching of the wise man is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.
15Good understanding procureth favour; but the way of the treacherous is hard.
16Every prudent man acteth with knowledge; but the foolish layeth open his folly.
17A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health.
18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction; but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; but it is abomination to the foolish to depart from evil.
20He that walketh with wise men becometh wise; but a companion of the foolish will be depraved.
21Evil pursueth sinners; but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; but the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous man.
23Much food is in the tillage of the poor; but there is that is lost for want of judgment.
24He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; but the belly of the wicked shall want.
1The wisdom of women buildeth their house; but folly plucketh it down with her hands.
2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; but he that is perverted in his ways despiseth him.
3In the fool's mouth is a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
5A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness uttereth lies.
6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none for him; but knowledge is easy unto the intelligent.
7Go from the presence of a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way; but the folly of the foolish is deceit.
9Fools make a mock at trespass; but for the upright there is favour.
10The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown; but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.
13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is sadness.
14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man from what is in himself.
15The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man heedeth his going.
16A wise man feareth and departeth from evil; but the foolish is overbearing and confident.
17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of mischievous devices is hated.
18The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous man.
20He that is poor is hated even of his own neighbour; but the rich hath many friends.
21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth; but he that is gracious to the afflicted, happy is he.
22Do they not err that devise evil? but loving-kindness and truth are for those that devise good.
23In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to want.
24The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of the foolish is folly.
25A true witness delivereth souls; but deceit uttereth lies.
26In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
27The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.
28In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the lack of people is the ruin of a prince.
29He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
30A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the rottenness of the bones.
31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; but he that honoureth Him is gracious to the needy.
32The wicked is driven away by his evil-doing; but the righteous trusteth, even in his death.
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of the intelligent man; but that which is in the foolish maketh itself known.
34Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to peoples.
35The king's favour is toward a wise servant; but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
1A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.
3The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent.
6In the house of a righteous man is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked man is disturbance.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish.
8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9The way of a wicked man is an abomination to Jehovah; but him that pursueth righteousness he loveth.
10Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die.
11Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise.
13A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
14The heart of an intelligent man seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly.
15All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast.
16Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith.
17Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith.
18A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; but the path of the upright is made plain.
20A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk.
22Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it!
24The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.
25Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow.
26The thoughts of the evil man are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant.
27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28The heart of a righteous man studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat.
31The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense.
33The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour goeth humility.
1The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.
3Commit thy works unto Jehovah, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4Jehovah hath wrought everything on his own account, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Every proud heart is an abomination to Jehovah: hand for hand, he shall not be held innocent.
6By loving-kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.
7When a man's ways please Jehovah, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.
9The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps.
10An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.
11The just balance and scales are Jehovah's; all the weights of the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright.
14The fury of a king is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to silver!
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.
18Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.
21The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.
24Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.
25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.
26The appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.
27A man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.
29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
30He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise froward things; biting his lips, he bringeth evil to pass.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.
32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah.
1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoso mocketh a poor man reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
6Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7Excellent speech becometh not a vile man; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of contention is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
16To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
17The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow, and the father of a vile man hath no joy.
22A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26To punish a righteous man is not good, nor to strike nobles because of their uprightness.
27He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, and he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
1He that separateth himself seeketh his pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
10The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour goeth humility.
13He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
14The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15The heart of an intelligent man getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
20A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
23He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
24A man of many friends will come to ruin but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
1Better is a poor man that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.
3The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.
4Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.
5A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.
7All the brethren of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth them with words,--they are not to be found.
8He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12The king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.
18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.
19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.
22The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor man is better than a liar.
23The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.
24A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.
25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.
26He that ruineth his father and chaseth away his mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.
28A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.
1Wine is a scorner, strong drink is raging; and whoso erreth thereby is not wise.
2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.
4The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5Counsel in the heart of man is deep water, and a man of understanding draweth it out.
6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; but a faithful man who shall find?
7The righteous walketh in his integrity: blessed are his children after him!
8A king sitting on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10Divers weights, divers measures, even both of them are abomination to Jehovah.
11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.
13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14Bad! bad! saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious Jewel.
16Take his garment that is become surety for another, and hold him in pledge for strangers.
17Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18Plans are established by counsel; and with good advice make war.
19He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth his lips.
20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21An inheritance obtained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
22Say not, I will recompense evil: wait on Jehovah, and he shall save thee.
23Divers weights are an abomination unto Jehovah; and a false balance is not good.
24The steps of a man are from Jehovah; and how can a man understand his own way?
25It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is hallowed, and after vows to make inquiry.
26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27Man's spirit is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the belly.
28Mercy and truth preserve the king; and he upholdeth his throne by mercy.
29The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30Wounding stripes purge away evil, and strokes purge the inner parts of the belly.
1The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is as brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to their ruin.
13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
15It is joy to a righteous man to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
16The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
17He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous man in the stead of the upright.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
20There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise man; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
26He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
28A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
29A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
30There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and poor meet together; Jehovah is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches, and honour, and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
6Train up the child according to the tenor of his way, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich ruleth over the poor; and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He that soweth unrighteousness shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his wrath shall have an end.
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10Cast out the scorner, and contention will depart, and strife and ignominy shall cease.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, upon whose lips is grace, the king is his friend.
12The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge; but he overthroweth the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard saith, There is a lion without, I shall be killed in the streets!
14The mouth of strange women is a deep ditch: he with whom Jehovah is displeased shall fall therein.
15Folly is bound in the heart of a child; the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, bringeth only to want.
17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee: they shall be together fitted on thy lips.
19That thy confidence may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
20Have not I written to thee excellent things, in counsels and knowledge,
21that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23for Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil the soul of those that despoil them.
24Make no friendship with an angry man, and go not with a furious man;
25lest thou learn his paths, and get a snare to thy soul.
26Be not of them that strike hands, of them that are sureties for debts:
27if thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set.
29Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the mean.
1When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider well who is before thee;
2and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
3Be not desirous of his dainties; for they are deceitful food.
4Weary not thyself to become rich; cease from thine own intelligence:
5wilt thou set thine eyes upon it, it is gone; for indeed it maketh itself wings and it flieth away as an eagle towards the heavens.
6Eat thou not the food of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainties.
7For as he thinketh in his soul, so is he. Eat and drink! will he say unto thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8Thy morsel which thou hast eaten must thou vomit up, and thou wilt have wasted thy sweet words.
9Speak not in the ears of a foolish man, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10Remove not the ancient landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11for their redeemer is mighty; he will plead their cause against thee.
12Apply thy heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
13Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die:
14thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
15My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine;
16and my reins shall exult, when thy lips speak right things.
17Let not thy heart envy sinners, but be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day;
18for surely there is a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
19Thou, my son, hear and be wise, and direct thy heart in the way.
20Be not among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh.
21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness clotheth with rags.
22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth, and sell it not; wisdom, and instruction, and intelligence.
24The father of a righteous man shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise son shall have joy of him:
25let thy father and thy mother have joy, and let her that bore thee rejoice.
26My son, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28She also lieth in wait as a robber, and increaseth the treacherous among men.
29Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who contentions? Who complaining? Who wounds without cause? Who redness of eyes?
30--They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to try mixed wine.
31Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkleth in the cup, and goeth down smoothly:
32at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thy heart shall speak froward things;
34and thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, and as he that lieth down upon the top of a mast:
35--"They have smitten me, and I am not sore; they have beaten me, and I knew it not. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."
1Be not thou envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2for their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established;
4and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant substance.
5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6For with good advice shalt thou make thy war; and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he will not open his mouth in the gate.
8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a master of intrigues.
9The purpose of folly is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10If thou losest courage in the day of trouble, thy strength is small.
11Deliver them that are taken forth unto death, and withdraw not from them that stagger to slaughter.
12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not, will not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that preserveth thy soul, he knoweth it; and he rendereth to man according to his work.
13Eat honey, my son, for it is good; and a honeycomb is sweet to thy taste:
14so consider wisdom for thy soul; if thou hast found it, there shall be a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; lay not waste his resting-place.
16For the righteous falleth seven times, and riseth up again; but the wicked stumble into disaster.
17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth;
18lest Jehovah see it, and it be evil in his sight, and he turn away his anger from him.
19Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, and be not envious of the wicked:
20for there shall be no future to the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
21My son, fear Jehovah and the king: meddle not with them that are given to change.
22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23These things also come from the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him;
25but to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing cometh upon them.
26He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.
27Prepare thy work without, and put thy field in order, and afterwards build thy house.
28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and wouldest thou deceive with thy lips?
29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me, I will render to the man according to his work.
30I went by the field of a sluggard, and by the vineyard of a man void of understanding;
31and lo, it was all grown over with thistles, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and its stone wall was broken down.
32Then I looked, I took it to heart; I saw, I received instruction:
33--A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest!
34So shall thy poverty come as a roving plunderer, and thy penury as an armed man.
1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
3The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
5take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;
7for better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes see.
8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
10lest he that heareth it disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.
11As apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.
12An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14Clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it.
17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.
18A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
19A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful man in the day of trouble.
20As he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee.
23The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey; and to search into weighty matters is itself a weight.
28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is as a city broken down, without walls.
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
2As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
7The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11As a dog turneth back to its vomit, so a fool repeateth his folly.
12Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14As the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that answer discreetly.
17He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21As coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are as an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Though his hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
1Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day will bring forth.
2Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's vexation is heavier than them both.
4Fury is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5Open rebuke is better than hidden love.
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7The full soul trampleth on a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; and the sweetness of one's friend is the fruit of hearty counsel.
10Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; and go not into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
11Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me.
12A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; the simple pass on, and are punished.
13Take his garment that is become surety for another, and hold him in pledge for a strange woman.
14He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be reckoned a curse to him.
15A continual dropping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike:
16whosoever will restrain her restraineth the wind, and his right hand encountereth oil.
17Iron is sharpened by iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
18Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; and he that guardeth his master shall be honoured.
19As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
20Sheol and destruction are insatiable; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; so let a man be to the mouth that praiseth him.
22If thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his folly depart from him.
23Be well acquainted with the appearance of thy flocks; look well to thy herds:
24for wealth is not for ever; and doth the crown endure from generation to generation?
25The hay is removed, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
26The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of a field;
27and there is goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and sustenance for thy maidens.
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding and of knowledge, its stability is prolonged.
3A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.
7Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.
8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall into his own pit; but the perfect shall inherit good.
11A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men conceal themselves.
13He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
15A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A man laden with the blood of any person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.
18Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in his double ways, shall fall in one of them.
19He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.
20A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.
22He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.
26He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
1He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and without remedy.
2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that is a companion of harlots destroyeth his substance.
4A king by just judgment establisheth the land; but he that taketh gifts overthroweth it.
5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps.
6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous shall sing and rejoice.
7The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; the wicked understandeth not knowledge.
8Scornful men set the city in a flame; but the wise turn away anger.
9If a wise man contendeth with a fool, whether he rage or laugh, he hath no rest.
10The bloodthirsty hate the perfect, but the upright care for his soul.
11A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it back.
12If a ruler hearken to lying words, all his servants are wicked.
13The indigent and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both.
14A king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15The rod and reproof give wisdom; but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16When the wicked increase, transgression increaseth; but the righteous shall see their fall.
17Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest, and shall give delight unto thy soul.
18Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint; but happy is he that keepeth the law.
19A servant is not corrected by words: he understandeth indeed, but he will not answer.
20Hast thou seen a man hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child, shall in the end have him as a son.
22An angry man exciteth contention; and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23A man's pride bringeth him low; but the humble in spirit shall obtain honour.
24Whoso shareth with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth the adjuration, and declareth not.
25The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his confidence in Jehovah is protected.
26Many seek the ruler's face; but a man's right judgment is from Jehovah.
27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; and he that is of upright way is an abomination to the wicked man.
1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the prophecy uttered by the man unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal:
2Truly *I* am more stupid than any one; and I have not a man's intelligence.
3I have neither learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy.
4Who hath ascended up into the heavens, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in a mantle? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?
5Every word of +God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7Two things do I ask of thee; deny me them not before I die:
8Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread of my daily need:
9lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is Jehovah? or lest I be poor and steal, and outrage the name of my God.
10Speak not too much about a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty.
11There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother;
12there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness;
13there is a generation,--how lofty are their eyes, how their eyelids are lifted up!
14--a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw-teeth knives, to devour the afflicted from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15The leech hath two daughters: Give, give. There are three things never satisfied; four which say not, It is enough:
16--Sheol, and the barren womb; the earth which is not filled with water, and the fire which saith not, It is enough.
17The eye that mocketh at a father, and despiseth to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
18There are three things too wonderful for me, and four that I know not:
19The way of an eagle in the heavens, the way of a serpent upon a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.
20Such is the way of an adulterous woman: she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up:
22Under a servant when he reigneth, and a churl when he is filled with meat;
23under an odious woman when she is married, and a handmaid when she is heir to her mistress.
24There are four things little upon the earth, and they are exceeding wise:
25The ants, a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;
26the rock-badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their house in the cliff;
27the locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands;
28thou takest hold of the lizard with the hands, yet is she in kings' palaces.
29There are three things which have a stately step, and four are comely in going:
30The lion, mighty among beasts, which turneth not away for any;
31a horse girt in the loins; or the he-goat; and a king, against whom none can rise up.
32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay the hand upon thy mouth.
33For the pressing of milk bringeth forth butter, and the pressing of the nose bringeth forth blood; and the pressing of anger bringeth forth strife.
1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:
2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is the strong drink?
5--lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
7let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
10Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
12She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
15And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth at the coming day.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:
29Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.
30Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. (Prov. 1:1‑31:30)