ACV - Proverbs

Chapter 1

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

1:2  to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding,

1:3  to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness and justice and equity,

1:4  to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion,

1:5  that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning, and that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsels,

1:6  to understand a proverb, and a figure, the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

1:7  The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. The foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

1:8  My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

1:9  For they shall be a garland of grace to thy head, and chains about thy neck.

1:10  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

1:11  If they say, Come with us. Let us lay wait for blood. Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.

1:12  Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol, and whole, as those who go down into the pit.

1:13  We shall find all precious substance. We shall fill our houses with spoil.

1:14  Thou shall cast thy lot among us. We will all have one bag.

1:15  My son, walk not thou in the way with them. Restrain thy foot from their path.

1:16  For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

1:17  For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird,

1:18  and these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives.

1:19  So are the ways of everyone who is greedy of gain. It takes away the life of the owners of it.

1:20  Wisdom cries aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the broad places.

1:21  She cries in the chief place of concourse, at the entrance of the gates, in the city. She utters her words:

1:22  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?

1:23  Turn back at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you. I will make my words known to you.

1:24  Because I have called, and ye have refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man has regarded,

1:25  but ye have made all my counsel void, and want none of my reproof,

1:26  I also will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when your fear comes,

1:27  when your fear comes as a storm, and your calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.

1:28  Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me,

1:29  because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Jehovah.

1:30  They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.

1:31  Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

1:32  For the backsliding of the simple shall kill them, and the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.

1:33  But he who hearkens to me shall dwell securely, and shall be quiet without fear of evil.

Chapter 2

2:1  My son, if thou will receive my words, and lay up my commandments with thee,

2:2  so as to incline thine ear to wisdom, and apply thy heart to understanding,

2:3  yea, if thou cry after discernment, and lift up thy voice for understanding,

2:4  if thou seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures,

2:5  then thou shall understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God.

2:6  For Jehovah gives wisdom. Out of his mouth is knowledge and understanding.

2:7  He lays up sound wisdom for the upright, a shield to those who walk in integrity,

2:8  that he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his sanctified.

2:9  Then thou shall understand righteousness and justice and equity, yea, every good path.

2:10  For wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to thy soul,

2:11  discretion shall watch over thee, understanding shall keep thee,

2:12  to deliver thee from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things,

2:13  who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

2:14  who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil,

2:15  who are crooked in their ways, and wayward in their paths,

2:16  to deliver thee from the interloping woman, even from the stranger who flatters with her words,

2:17  who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God

2:18  (for her house inclines to death, and her paths to the dead;

2:19  none who go to her return again, nor do they attain to the paths of life),

2:20  that thou may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.

2:21  For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

2:22  But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, and the treacherous shall be rooted out of it.

Chapter 3

3:1  My son, do not forget my law, but let thy heart keep my commandments.

3:2  For length of days, and years of life, and peace, they will add to thee.

3:3  Let not kindness and truth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart,

3:4  so thou shall find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

3:5  Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding.

3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.

3:7  Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil.

3:8  It will be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

3:9  Honor Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase,

3:10  so thy barns shall be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.

3:11  My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah, nor be weary of his reproof.

3:12  For whom Jehovah loves he reproves, and he whips every son whom he receives.

3:13  Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.

3:14  For the gain of it is better than the gain of silver, and the profit of it than fine gold.

3:15  She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things thou can desire are to be compared to her.

3:16  Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor.

3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

3:18  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her. And happy is everyone who retains her.

3:19  Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth. By understanding he established the heavens.

3:20  By his knowledge the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

3:21  My son, let them not depart from thine eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

3:22  so they shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

3:23  Then thou shall walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

3:24  When thou lie down, thou shall not be afraid. Yea, thou shall lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

3:25  Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.

3:26  For Jehovah will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being taken.

3:27  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

3:28  Do not say to thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give, when thou have it by thee.

3:29  Do not devise evil against thy neighbor, since he dwells securely by thee.

3:30  Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done thee no harm.

3:31  Do not envy thou the man of violence, and choose none of his ways.

3:32  For the perverse man is an abomination to Jehovah, but his friendship is with the upright.

3:33  The curse of Jehovah is in the house of a wicked man, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

3:34  Surely the Lord is opposed to the arrogant, but he gives grace to the lowly.

3:35  The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Chapter 4

4:1  Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

4:2  For I give you good doctrine. Forsake ye not my law.

4:3  For I was a son to my father, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4:4  And he taught me, and said to me, Let thy heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.

4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding. Do not forget, nor decline from the words of my mouth.

4:6  Do not forsake her, and she will preserve thee. Love her, and she will keep thee.

4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing. Get wisdom, yea, with all thy getting get understanding.

4:8  Exalt her, and she will promote thee. She will bring thee to honor when thou embrace her.

4:9  She will give to thy head a garland of grace, a crown of beauty she will deliver to thee.

4:10  Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many.

4:11  I have taught thee in the way of wisdom. I have led thee in paths of uprightness.

4:12  When thou go, thy steps shall not be restricted. And if thou run, thou shall not stumble.

4:13  Take firm hold of instruction. Do not let her go. Keep her, for she is thy life.

4:14  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and walk not in the way of evil men.

4:15  Avoid it. Do not pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.

4:16  For they do not sleep unless they do evil. And their sleep is taken away unless they cause to fall.

4:17  For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

4:18  But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.

4:19  The way of the wicked is as darkness. They know not at what they stumble.

4:20  My son, attend to my words. Incline thine ear to my sayings.

4:21  Let them not depart from thine eyes. Keep them in the midst of thy heart.

4:22  For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.

4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

4:24  Put away from thee a wayward mouth, and put perverse lips far from thee.

4:25  Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

4:26  Make the path of thy feet level, and let all thy ways be established.

4:27  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left. Remove thy foot from evil.

Chapter 5

5:1  My son, attend to my wisdom. Incline thine ear to my understanding,

5:2  that thou may preserve discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

5:3  For the lips of an interloping woman drop honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.

5:4  But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

5:5  Her feet go down to death. Her steps take hold on Sheol,

5:6  so that she does not find the level path of life. Her ways are unstable, and she does not know.

5:7  Now therefore, ye sons, hearken to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

5:8  Remove thy way far from her, and do not come near the door of her house,

5:9  lest thou give thine honor to others, and thy years to the cruel,

5:10  lest strangers be filled with thy strength, and thy labors be in the house of an alien,

5:11  and thou mourn at thy latter end when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

5:12  and say, How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.

5:13  Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!

5:14  I was almost in all evil in the midst of the assembly and congregation.

5:15  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

5:16  Should thy springs be dispersed abroad, and streams of water in the streets?

5:17  Let them be for thyself alone, and not for strangers with thee.

5:18  Let thy fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of thy youth:

5:19  a loving hind and a pleasant doe. Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times, and be thou ravished always with her love.

5:20  For why should thou, my son, be ravished with an interloping woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

5:21  For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah, and he makes level all his paths.

5:22  His own iniquities shall take a wicked man, and he shall be held with the cords of his sin.

5:23  He shall die for lack of instruction. And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Chapter 6

6:1  My son, if thou have become surety for thy neighbor, if thou have struck thy hands for a stranger,

6:2  thou are snared with the words of thy mouth, thou are taken with the words of thy mouth.

6:3  Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, since thou have come into the hand of thy neighbor. Go, humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor.

6:4  Do not give sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

6:5  Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6:6  Go to the ant, thou sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise.

6:7  Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler,

6:8  provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.

6:9  How long will thou sleep, O sluggard? When will thou arise out of thy sleep?

6:10  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,

6:11  so thy poverty shall come as a robber, and thy want as an armed man.

6:12  A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth,

6:13  who winks with his eyes, who speaks with his feet, who makes signs with his fingers,

6:14  in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who sows discord.

6:15  Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly. Suddenly he shall be broken, and that without remedy.

6:16  There are six things which Jehovah hates, yea, seven which are an abomination to him:

6:17  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

6:18  a heart that devises wicked purposes, feet that are swift in running to mischief,

6:19  a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.

6:20  My son, keep the commandment of thy father, and do not forsake the law of thy mother.

6:21  Bind them continually upon thy heart. Tie them about thy neck.

6:22  When thou walk, it shall lead thee. When thou sleep, it shall watch over thee. And when thou awake, it shall talk with thee.

6:23  For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

6:24  to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the stranger's tongue.

6:25  Do not lust after her beauty in thy heart, nor let her take thee with her eyelids.

6:26  For the price of a harlot is as much as a piece of bread, but the adulteress hunts for the precious life.

6:27  Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

6:28  Or can a man walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?

6:29  So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her shall not be unpunished.

6:30  Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.

6:31  Yet if he is found, he shall restore sevenfold. He shall give all the substance of his house.

6:32  He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who would destroy his own soul does it.

6:33  Wounds and dishonor he shall get, and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

6:34  For jealousy is a man's fury, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

6:35  He will not regard any ransom, nor will he be satisfied, though thou give many gifts.

Chapter 7

7:1  My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.

7:2  Keep my commandments and live, and my law as the apple of thine eye.

7:3  Bind them upon thy fingers. Write them upon the tablet of thy heart.

7:4  Say to wisdom, Thou are my sister, and call understanding thy kinswoman,

7:5  that they may keep thee from the interloping woman, from the stranger who flatters with her words.

7:6  For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice,

7:7  and I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding

7:8  passing through the street near her corner. And he went the way to her house,

7:9  in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness.

7:10  And, behold, there met him a woman attired like a harlot, and wily of heart.

7:11  She is loud and headstrong. Her feet abide not in her house.

7:12  Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, and lies in wait at every corner.

7:13  So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him,

7:14  Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. I have paid my vows this day.

7:15  Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

7:16  I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

7:17  I have perfumed my bed With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

7:18  Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning. Let us solace ourselves with love.

7:19  For the man is not at home. He has gone a long journey.

7:20  He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.

7:21  With her much fair speech she causes him to yield. With the flattering of her lips she forces him along.

7:22  He goes after her straightaway, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,

7:23  till an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hastens to the snare. And he does not know that it is for his life.

7:24  Now therefore, ye sons, hearken to me, and attend to the words of my mouth.

7:25  Let not thy heart decline to her ways. Go not astray in her paths.

7:26  For she has cast down many wounded. Yea, all her slain are a mighty host.

7:27  Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

Chapter 8

8:1  Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding put forth her voice?

8:2  On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

8:3  Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she cries aloud:

8:4  To you, O men, I call. And my voice is to the sons of men.

8:5  O ye simple, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.

8:6  Hear, for I will speak excellent things. And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

8:7  For my mouth shall utter truth. And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8:8  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

8:9  They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

8:10  Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

8:11  For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

8:12  I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling, and find out knowledge and discretion.

8:13  The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil. Pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate.

8:14  Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge. I am understanding, I have might.

8:15  By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.

8:16  By me rulers rule, and ranking men, even all the judges of the earth.

8:17  I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently shall find me.

8:18  Riches and honor are with me, durable wealth and righteousness.

8:19  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver.

8:20  I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,

8:21  that I may cause those who love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries.

8:22  Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

8:23  I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was,

8:24  when there were no depths. I was brought forth when there were no fountains abounding with water,

8:25  before the mountains were settled, before the hills. I was brought forth

8:26  while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

8:27  When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle upon the face of the deep,

8:28  when he made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep became strong,

8:29  when he gave to the sea its bound that the waters should not transgress his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

8:30  then I was by him, a master workman. And I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him,

8:31  rejoicing in his habitable earth. And my delight was with the sons of men.

8:32  Now therefore, ye sons, hearken to me. For blessed are those who keep my ways.

8:33  Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it.

8:34  Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

8:35  For he who finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of Jehovah.

8:36  But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.

Chapter 9

9:1  Wisdom has built her house. She has hewn out her seven pillars.

9:2  She has killed her beasts. She has mingled her wine. She has also furnished her table.

9:3  She has sent forth her maidens. She cries out upon the highest places of the city:

9:4  He who is simple, let him turn in here. As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

9:5  Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

9:6  Forsake ye simpleness, and live, and walk in the way of understanding.

9:7  He who corrects a scoffer gets himself reviling. And he who reproves a wicked man gets himself a bruise.

9:8  Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee. Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.

9:9  Give opportunity to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

9:10  The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.

9:11  For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.

9:12  If thou are wise, thou are wise for thyself. And if thou scoff, thou alone shall bear it.

9:13  The foolish woman is clamorous, simple, and knows nothing.

9:14  And she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

9:15  to call to those who pass by, who go right on their ways:

9:16  He who is simple, let him turn in here. And as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

9:17  Stolen waters are sweet, and bread in secret is pleasant.

9:18  But he knows not that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Chapter 10

10:1  The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

10:2  Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

10:3  Jehovah will not allow the soul of a righteous man to famish, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

10:4  He who works with a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

10:5  He who gathers in summer is a wise son. He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

10:6  Blessings are upon the head of a righteous man, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

10:7  The memory of a righteous man is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.

10:8  The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a prating fool shall fall.

10:9  He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who perverts his ways shall be known.

10:10  He who winks with the eye causes sorrow. And a prating fool shall fall.

10:11  The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

10:12  Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.

10:13  In the lips of him who has discernment wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

10:14  Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a foolish man is a present destruction.

10:15  The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

10:16  The labor of a righteous man produces life. The fruit of a wicked man is to sin.

10:17  He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof errs.

10:18  He who hides hatred is of lying lips. And he who utters a slander is a fool.

10:19  Transgression is not lacking in the multitude of words, but he who refrains his lips does wisely.

10:20  The tongue of a righteous man is choice silver. The heart of the wicked is little worth.

10:21  The lips of a righteous man feeds many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

10:22  The blessing of Jehovah, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

10:23  It is as sport to a fool to do mischief, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

10:24  The fear of a wicked man shall come upon him. And the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

10:25  When the whirlwind passes, the wicked man is no more, but the righteous man is an everlasting foundation.

10:26  As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

10:27  The fear of Jehovah prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

10:28  The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

10:29  The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

10:30  A righteous man shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not dwell in the land.

10:31  The mouth of a righteous man brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut off.

10:32  The lips of a righteous man knows what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverseness.

Chapter 11

11:1  A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah, but a just weight is his delight.

11:2  When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom.

11:3  The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

11:4  Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

11:5  The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way, but the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.

11:6  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.

11:7  When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of iniquity perishes.

11:8  A righteous man is delivered out of trouble, and a wicked man comes in his stead.

11:9  The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous shall be delivered through knowledge.

11:10  When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11:11  By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

11:12  He who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

11:13  He who goes around as a tale-bearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

11:14  Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

11:15  He who is surety for a stranger shall smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure.

11:16  A gracious woman obtains honor, and aggressive men obtain riches.

11:17  The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

11:18  A wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness has a sure reward.

11:19  He who is steadfast in righteousness comes to life, and he who pursues evil comes to his own death.

11:20  Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah, but such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

11:21  Hand in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

11:22  A ring of gold in a swine's snout, is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.

11:23  The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

11:24  There is he who scatters, and increases yet more, and there he is who withholds more than is proper, but only to want.

11:25  The generous soul shall be made prosperous, and he who waters shall also be watered himself.

11:26  The people shall curse him who withholds grain, but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it.

11:27  He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

11:28  He who trusts in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

11:29  He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. And a foolish man shall be servant to a wise man of heart.

11:30  The fruit of a righteous man is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.

11:31  Behold, a righteous man shall be recompensed in the earth, how much more the wicked man and the sinner!

Chapter 12

12:1  He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is brutish.

12:2  A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.

12:3  A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

12:4  A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but she who makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

12:5  The thoughts of the righteous are just. The counsels of the wicked are deceit.

12:6  The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

12:7  The wicked are overthrown, and are not, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

12:8  A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

12:9  Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.

12:10  A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

12:11  He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who pursues vanities is void of understanding.

12:12  A wicked man desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous gives.

12:13  A wicked man is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.

12:14  A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the actions of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.

12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise hearkens to counsel.

12:16  A fool's vexation is instantly known, but a prudent man conceals shame.

12:17  He who utters truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.

12:18  There is he who speaks rashly like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health.

12:19  The lips of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

12:20  Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy is to the counselors of peace.

12:21  There shall no mischief happen to a righteous man, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

12:22  Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah, but those who deal truly are his delight.

12:23  A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

12:24  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be put under task work.

12:25  Heaviness in the heart of a man makes it droop, but a good word makes it glad.

12:26  A righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes them to err.

12:27  The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting, but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

12:28  Life is in the way of righteousness, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Chapter 13

13:1  A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.

13:2  A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth, but the soul of the treacherous, violence.

13:3  He who guards his mouth keeps his life. He who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

13:4  The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

13:5  A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome, and comes to shame.

13:6  Righteousness guards him who is upright in the way, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

13:7  There is he who makes himself rich, yet has nothing, and he who makes himself poor, yet has great wealth.

13:8  The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor hears no threatening.

13:9  The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

13:10  Through pride a vain man causes contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

13:11  Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he who gathers by labor shall have increase.

13:12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

13:13  He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who fears the commandment shall be rewarded.

13:14  The law of a wise man is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

13:15  Good understanding gives favor, but the way of the transgressor is hard.

13:16  Every prudent man works with knowledge, but a fool flaunts folly.

13:17  A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador is health.

13:18  Poverty and shame are to him who refuses correction, but he who regards reproof shall be honored.

13:19  The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

13:20  Walk with wise men, and thou shall be wise. But the companion of fools shall smart for it.

13:21  Evil pursues sinners, but the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

13:22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his son's sons, and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

13:23  Much food is in the tillage of the poor, but there is that is consumed because of injustice.

13:24  He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him chastens him promptly.

13:25  A righteous man eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Chapter 14

14:1  Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman plucks it down with her own hands.

14:2  He who walks in his uprightness fears Jehovah, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

14:3  In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

14:4  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but by the strength of the ox is much increase.

14:5  A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness utters lies.

14:6  A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds it not, but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.

14:7  Go into the presence of a foolish man, and thou shall not perceive the lips of knowledge.

14:8  The wisdom of a prudent man is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.

14:9  Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good will.

14:10  The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not intermeddle with its joy.

14:11  The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish.

14:12  There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

14:13  Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness.

14:14  The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and a good man from his own fruits.

14:15  A simple man believes every word, but the prudent man looks well to his going.

14:16  A wise man fears, and departs from evil, but the fool bears himself insolently, and is confident.

14:17  He who is soon angry will deal foolishly. And a man of wicked devices is hated.

14:18  The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

14:19  The evil bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

14:20  The poor man is regarded inferior even by his own neighbor, but the rich man has many friends.

14:21  He who despises his neighbor sins, but he who has pity on the poor, happy is he.

14:22  Do they not err who devise evil? But mercy and truth are to those who devise good.

14:23  In all labor there is profit, but the talk of the lips tends only to poverty.

14:24  The crown of the wise is their riches. The foolishness of fools is folly.

14:25  A true witness delivers souls, but he who utters lies causes deceit.

14:26  In the fear of Jehovah is strong confidence, and his sons shall have a place of refuge.

14:27  The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

14:28  In the multitude of people is the king's glory, but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

14:29  He who is slow to anger is of great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly.

14:30  A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh, but envy is the rottenness of the bones.

14:31  He who oppresses a poor man reproaches his maker, but he who has mercy on a needy man honors him.

14:32  An evil man is thrust down in his evil-doing, but a righteous man has hope in his death.

14:33  Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the inward part of fools is made known.

14:34  Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

14:35  The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath will be to him who causes shame.

Chapter 15

15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath, but a grievous word stirs up anger.

15:2  The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.

15:3  The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

15:4  A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it is a breaking of the spirit.

15:5  A fool despises his father's correction, but he who regards reproof gets prudence.

15:6  In the house of a righteous man is much treasure, but in the revenues of a wicked man is trouble.

15:7  The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the foolish, not so.

15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

15:9  The way of a wicked man is an abomination to Jehovah, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

15:10  There is grievous correction for him who forsakes the way. He who hates reproof shall die.

15:11  Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah. How much more then the hearts of the sons of men!

15:12  A scoffer does not like to be reproved. He will not go to the wise.

15:13  A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

15:14  The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

15:15  All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

15:16  Better is little with the fear of Jehovah, than great treasure and trouble with it.

15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

15:18  A wrathful man stirs up contention, but he who is slow to anger appeases strife.

15:19  The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is made a highway.

15:20  A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

15:21  Folly is joy to him who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding makes his going straight.

15:22  Where there is no counsel, plans are disappointed, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.

15:23  A man has joy in the answer of his mouth, and a word in due season, how good it is!

15:24  To the wise man the way of life is upward, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.

15:25  Jehovah will root up the house of the proud, but he will establish the border of the widow.

15:26  Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah, but pleasant words are pure.

15:27  He who is greedy of gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes shall live.

15:28  The heart of a righteous man meditates to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

15:29  Jehovah is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

15:30  The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news make the bones fat.

15:31  The ear that hearkens to the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.

15:32  He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who hearkens to reproof gets understanding.

15:33  The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.

Chapter 16

16:1  The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

16:2  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the spirits.

16:3  Commit thy works to Jehovah, and thy purposes shall be established.

16:4  Jehovah has made everything for its own end, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

16:5  Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah. Hand in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

16:7  When a man's ways please Jehovah, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

16:8  Better is a little, with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

16:9  A man's heart devises his way, but Jehovah directs his steps.

16:10  A divine sentence is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

16:11  A just balance and scales are Jehovah's. All the weights of the bag are his work.

16:12  It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.

16:13  Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks right.

16:14  The wrath of a king is messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

16:15  In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16:16  How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.

16:17  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

16:18  Pride is before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

16:19  Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

16:20  He who gives heed to the word shall find good, and whoever trusts in Jehovah, happy is he.

16:21  The wise in heart shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

16:22  Understanding is a well-spring of life to him who has it, but the correction of fools is folly.

16:23  The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

16:24  Pleasant words are a honeycomb: Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

16:25  There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

16:26  The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him.

16:27  A worthless man devises mischief, and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

16:28  A perverse man scatters abroad strife, and a whisperer separates chief friends.

16:29  A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

16:30  He who shuts his eyes devises perverse things. He who moves his lips brings evil to pass.

16:31  The hoary head is a crown of glory. It shall be found in the way of righteousness.

16:32  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.

Chapter 17

17:1  Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.

17:2  A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.

17:3  The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.

17:4  An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

17:5  He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

17:6  Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.

17:7  Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.

17:8  A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.

17:9  He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.

17:10  A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

17:11  An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

17:12  Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.

17:13  He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

17:14  The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

17:15  He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

17:16  Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

17:17  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

17:18  A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.

17:19  He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.

17:20  He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.

17:21  He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

17:22  A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

17:23  A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.

17:24  Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

17:25  A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

17:26  Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.

17:27  He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

17:28  Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.

Chapter 18

18:1  He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.

18:2  A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

18:3  When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.

18:4  The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

18:5  To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.

18:6  A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.

18:7  A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

18:8  The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.

18:9  He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.

18:10  The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.

18:11  The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.

18:12  Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

18:13  He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

18:14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?

18:15  The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

18:16  A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

18:17  He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.

18:18  The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.

18:19  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

18:20  A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.

18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.

18:22  He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.

18:23  A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.

18:24  He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Chapter 19

19:1  Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

19:2  Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good. And he who hastens with his feet sins.

19:3  The foolishness of a man subverts his way, and his heart rages against Jehovah.

19:4  Wealth adds many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend.

19:5  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who utters lies shall not escape.

19:6  Many will entreat the favor of a generous man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

19:7  All the brothers of a poor man regard him inferior, how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues with words, but they are gone.

19:8  He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.

19:9  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who utters lies shall perish.

19:10  Luxurious living is not fitting for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over rulers.

19:11  The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

19:12  The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion, but his favor is as dew upon the grass.

19:13  A foolish son is the calamity of his father, and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

19:14  House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.

19:15  Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

19:16  He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul. He who is careless of his ways shall die.

19:17  He who has pity upon a poor man lends to Jehovah, and he will repay him his good deed.

19:18  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

19:19  A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty, for if thou deliver him, thou must do it yet again.

19:20  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou may be wise in thy latter end.

19:21  There are many devices in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.

19:22  That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.

19:23  The fear of Jehovah is life to a man, and he shall abide satisfied. He shall not be visited with evil.

19:24  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

19:25  Smite a scoffer, and a simple man will learn prudence. And reprove him who has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

19:26  He who does violence to his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame and brings reproach.

19:27  To err from the words of knowledge, cease, my son, to hear instruction.

19:28  A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.

19:29  Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and stripes for the back of fools.

Chapter 20

20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever errs thereby is not wise.

20:2  The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

20:3  It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.

20:4  The sluggard will not plow because of the winter. Therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

20:5  Purpose in the heart of man is deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

20:6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?

20:7  A righteous man who walks in his integrity, blessed are his sons after him.

20:8  A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

20:9  Who can say, I have made my heart clean. I am pure from my sin?

20:10  Diverse weights, and diverse measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

20:11  Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah has made even both of them.

20:13  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty. Open thine eyes, and thou shall be satisfied with bread.

20:14  It is bad, it is bad, says the buyer, but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

20:15  There is gold, and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

20:16  Take his garment who is surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge for foreigners.

20:17  Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.

20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel, and by wise guidance make thou war.

20:19  He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets. Therefore do not associate with him who opens wide his lips.

20:20  He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

20:21  An inheritance gotten hastily at the beginning shall not be blessed in the end.

20:22  Say thou not, I will recompense evil. Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.

20:23  Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah, and a false balance is not good.

20:24  A man's goings are of Jehovah, how then can man understand his way?

20:25  It is a snare to a man to say rashly, It is holy. And to make inquiry after vows.

20:26  A wise king winnows the wicked, and brings the wheel over them.

20:27  The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all his innermost parts.

20:28  Kindness and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by kindness.

20:29  The glory of young men is their strength, and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.

20:30  Stripes that wound cleanse away evil, and strokes, the innermost parts.

Chapter 21

21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as streams of water. He turns it wherever he will.

21:2  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the hearts.

21:3  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

21:4  A high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

21:5  The thoughts of a diligent man lead only to abundance, but everyone who is hasty, only to want.

21:6  The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.

21:7  The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.

21:8  The way of him who is laden with guilt is exceedingly crooked, but as for a pure man, his work is right.

21:9  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

21:10  The soul of a wicked man desires evil. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

21:11  When a scoffer is punished, a simple man is made wise, and when a wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.

21:12  A righteous man considers the house of the wicked: the wicked are overthrown to ruin.

21:13  He who stops his ears at the cry of a poor man, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.

21:14  A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a present in the bosom, strong wrath.

21:15  It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

21:16  The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.

21:17  He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

21:18  A wicked man is a ransom for a righteous man, and the treacherous dealer for the upright.

21:19  It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

21:20  There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of a wise man, but a foolish man swallows it up.

21:21  He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21:22  A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of the confidence of it.

21:23  He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

21:24  The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name. He works in the arrogance of pride.

21:25  The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

21:26  There is he who covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.

21:27  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. How much more when he brings it with a wicked mind!

21:28  A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears shall speak so as to endure.

21:29  A wicked man hardens his face, but as for an upright man, he establishes his ways.

21:30  There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah.

21:31  The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but victory is from Jehovah.

Chapter 22

22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.

22:2  The rich and the poor meet together. Jehovah is the maker of them all.

22:3  A prudent man sees the evil, and hides himself, but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

22:4  The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and honor and life.

22:5  Thorns and snares are in the way of a perverse man. He who keeps his soul shall be far from them.

22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.

22:7  The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

22:8  He who sows iniquity shall reap calamity, and the rod of his wrath shall fail.

22:9  He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.

22:10  Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out, yea, strife and reproach will cease.

22:11  He who loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips, the king will be his friend.

22:12  The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the treacherous man.

22:13  The sluggard says, There is a lion outside. I shall be slain in the streets.

22:14  The mouth of interloping women is a deep pit. He who is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall in it.

22:15  Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

22:16  He who oppresses a poor man to his increase, and he who gives to a rich man, comes only to want.

22:17  Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.

22:18  For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, if they be established together upon thy lips.

22:19  That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.

22:20  Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge,

22:21  to make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou may carry back words of truth to those who send thee?

22:22  Do not rob a poor man, because he is poor, nor oppress an afflicted man in the gate.

22:23  For Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil of life those who despoil them.

22:24  Make no friendship with a man who is given to anger, and thou shall not go with a wrathful man,

22:25  lest thou learn this ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

22:26  Be thou not one of those who strike hands, or of those who are sureties for debts.

22:27  If thou have not wherewith to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

22:28  Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

22:29  See thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before obscure men.

Chapter 23

23:1  When thou sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently him who is before thee,

23:2  and put a knife to thy throat if thou be a man given to appetite.

23:3  Be not desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.

23:4  Weary not thyself to be rich. Out of thine own wisdom, cease.

23:5  Will thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For it certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward heaven.

23:6  Eat thou not the bread of an evil eye, nor desire thou his dainties.

23:7  For as he thinks within himself, so is he. Eat and drink, he says to thee, but his heart is not with thee.

23:8  The morsel which thou have eaten thou shall vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

23:9  Speak not in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

23:10  Remove not the ancient landmark. And enter not into the fields of the fatherless,

23:11  for their Redeemer is strong. He will plead their cause against thee.

23:12  Apply thy heart to instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

23:13  Withhold not correction from the child, for if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die.

23:14  Thou shall beat him with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from Sheol.

23:15  My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart will be glad, even mine.

23:16  Yea, my heart will rejoice when thy lips speak right things.

23:17  Let not thy heart envy sinners, but be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long.

23:18  For surely there is a reward, and thy hope shall not be cut off.

23:19  Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thy heart in the way.

23:20  Be not among winebibbers, among gluttonous eaters of flesh.

23:21  For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

23:22  Hearken to thy father who begot thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

23:23  Buy the truth, and do not sell it, yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

23:24  The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise son will have joy of him.

23:25  Let thy father and thy mother be glad, and let her who bore thee rejoice.

23:26  My son, give me thy heart, and let thine eyes delight in my ways.

23:27  For a harlot is a deep ditch, and an interloping woman is a narrow pit.

23:28  Yea, she lies in wait as a robber, and increases the treacherous among men.

23:29  Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

23:30  Those who tarry long at the wine. Those who go to seek out mixed wine.

23:31  Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

23:32  At the end it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.

23:33  Thine eyes shall behold strange things, and thy heart shall utter perverse things.

23:34  Yea, thou shall be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies upon the top of a mast.

23:35  They have stricken me, thou shall say, and I was not hurt. They have beaten me, and I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Chapter 24

24:1  Be not thou envious against evil men, nor desire to be with them.

24:2  For their heart meditates oppression, and their lips talk of mischief.

24:3  Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established,

24:4  and by knowledge the chambers are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

24:5  A wise man is strong, yea, a man of knowledge increases might.

24:6  For by wise guidance thou shall make thy war, and in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool. He opens not his mouth in the gate.

24:8  He who devises to do evil, men shall call him a mischief-maker.

24:9  The thought of folly is sin. And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

24:10  If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

24:11  Deliver those who are carried away to death, and hold thou back those who are ready to be slain.

24:12  If thou say, Behold, we did not know this, Does not he who weighs the hearts consider it? And he who keeps thy soul, does he not know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?

24:13  My son, eat thou honey, for it is good, and the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste,

24:14  so the knowledge of wisdom is to thy soul. If thou have found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy hope shall not be cut off.

24:15  Lay not in wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place.

24:16  For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

24:17  Rejoice not when thine enemy falls, and let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown,

24:18  lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

24:19  Fret not thyself because of evildoers, nor be thou envious at the wicked.

24:20  For there shall be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

24:21  My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change.

24:22  For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and the destruction from them both, who knows it?

24:23  These also are from the wise: To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.

24:24  He who says to a wicked man, Thou are righteous, peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him.

24:25  But to those who rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

24:26  He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

24:27  Prepare thy work outside, and make it ready for thee in the field, and afterwards build thy house.

24:28  Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause, and deceive not with thy lips.

24:29  Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.

24:30  I went by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.

24:31  And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns. The face of it was covered with nettles, and the stone wall of it was broken down.

24:32  Then I beheld, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

24:33  Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,

24:34  so thy poverty shall come as a robber, and thy want as an armed man.

Chapter 25

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

25:2  It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

25:3  As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

25:4  Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes forth a vessel for the refiner.

25:5  Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

25:6  Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men.

25:7  For it is better that it be said to thee, Come up here, than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.

25:8  Go not forth hastily to strive. What will thou do in the end of it when thy neighbor has put thee to shame?

25:9  Debate thy case with thy neighbor himself, and disclose not the secret of another,

25:10  lest he who hears it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.

25:11  A word fitly spoken is apples of gold in a network of silver.

25:12  An earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

25:13  As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

25:14  Clouds and wind without rain, is he who boasts himself of his gifts falsely.

25:15  By long-suffering a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

25:16  Have thou found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.

25:17  Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

25:18  A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

25:19  Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

25:20  As he who takes off a garment in cold weather, and vinegar upon soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

25:21  If thine enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

25:22  For thou will heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah will reward thee.

25:23  The north wind brings forth rain. So does a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

25:24  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

25:25  As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25:26  A troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

25:27  It is not good to eat much honey, so for men to search out their own glory is grievous.

25:28  He whose spirit is without restraint is a city that is broken down and without walls.

Chapter 26

26:1  As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.

26:2  As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.

26:3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

26:4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.

26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

26:6  He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.

26:7  The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:8  As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

26:9  As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:10  As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.

26:11  As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.

26:12  See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.

26:13  The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

26:14  The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.

26:15  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.

26:16  The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.

26:17  He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.

26:18  As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

26:19  so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?

26:20  For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

26:21  As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

26:22  The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.

26:23  Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

26:24  He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.

26:25  When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26:26  Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.

26:27  He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.

26:28  A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Chapter 27

27:1  Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou know not what a day may bring forth.

27:2  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth, a stranger, and not thine own lips.

27:3  A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty, but a fool's vexation is heavier than both.

27:4  Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?

27:5  Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden.

27:6  Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

27:7  The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

27:8  As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his place.

27:9  Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, so too the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

27:10  Forsake not thine own friend, and thy father's friend. And go not to thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity. Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far off.

27:11  My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.

27:12  A prudent man sees the evil, and hides himself. The simple pass on, and suffer for it.

27:13  Take his garment who is surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge who is surety for a strange woman.

27:14  He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be considered a curse to him.

27:15  A continual dropping in a very rainy day, and a contentious woman are alike.

27:16  He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and his right hand encounters oil.

27:17  Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

27:18  He who keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit of it, and he who regards his master shall be honored.

27:19  As in water face is to face, so the heart of a man is to a man.

27:20  Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and the eyes of man are never satisfied.

27:21  The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, and a man is tried by his praise.

27:22  Though thou should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

27:24  For riches are not forever. And does the crown endure to all generations?

27:25  The hay is carried, and the tender grass shows itself, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.

27:26  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the cost of the field.

27:27  And then will be goats' milk enough for thy food; for the food of thy household, and maintenance for thy maidens.

Chapter 28

28:1  A wicked man flees when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

28:2  For the transgression of a land many are the rulers of it. But by men of understanding and knowledge the state shall be prolonged.

28:3  A needy man who oppresses the poor is a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

28:4  Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.

28:5  Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Jehovah understand all things.

28:6  Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

28:7  He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.

28:8  He who augments his substance by interest and increase, gathers it for him who has pity on the poor.

28:9  He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

28:10  He who causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit. But the perfect shall inherit good.

28:11  The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but a poor man who has understanding searches him out.

28:12  When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

28:13  He who covers his transgressions shall not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy.

28:14  Happy is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

28:15  A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

28:16  The ruler who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.

28:17  A man who is laden with the blood of any person shall flee to the pit. Let no man stay him.

28:18  He who walks uprightly shall be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

28:19  He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who follows after vanity shall have poverty enough.

28:20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.

28:21  To have respect of persons is not good, nor that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.

28:22  He who has an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not know that want shall come upon him.

28:23  He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

28:24  He who robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.

28:25  He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.

28:26  He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely, he shall be delivered.

28:27  He who gives to the poor shall not lack, but he who hides his eyes shall have many a curse.

28:28  When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Chapter 29

29:1  He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

29:2  When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man bears rule, the people sigh.

29:3  He who loves wisdom delights his father, but he who keeps company with harlots wastes his substance.

29:4  By justice the king establishes the land, but he who exacts gifts overthrows it.

29:5  A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his steps.

29:6  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

29:7  A righteous man takes knowledge of the cause of the poor. A wicked man has no such understanding to know.

29:8  Scoffers set a city in a flame, but wise men turn away wrath.

29:9  If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.

29:10  Bloodthirsty men hate him who is perfect, but the upright seek his soul.

29:11  A fool utters all his anger, but a wise man keeps it back and calms it.

29:12  If a ruler hearkens to falsehood, all his servants are wicked.

29:13  The poor man and the oppressor meet together. Jehovah enlightens the eyes of them both.

29:14  The king who faithfully judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.

29:15  The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.

29:16  When the wicked are increased, transgression increases, but the righteous shall look upon their fall.

29:17  Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest, yea, he will give delight to thy soul.

29:18  Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint, but he who keeps the law, happy is he.

29:19  A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understands, he will not give heed.

29:20  See thou a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

29:21  He who brings up his servant gently from childhood shall have him become a son at the last.

29:22  An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in transgression.

29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low, but he who is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.

29:24  He who is partner with a thief hates his own soul; he hears the adjuration and utters nothing.

29:25  The fear of man brings a snare, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.

29:26  Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice is from Jehovah.

29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to a wicked man.

Chapter 30

30:1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

30:2  Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man,

30:3  and I have not learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy.

30:4  Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou know?

30:5  Every word of God is tried. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

30:6  Add thou not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

30:7  Two things I have asked of thee, deny me not before I die:

30:8  Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,

30:9  lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is Jehovah? or lest I be poor, and steal, and use the name of my God profanely.

30:10  Slander not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty.

30:11  There is a generation who curses their father, and does not bless their mother.

30:12  There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

30:13  There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes, and their eyelids are lifted up.

30:14  There is a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw teeth, knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

30:15  The leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four that do not say, Enough:

30:16  Sheol, and the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that does not say, Enough.

30:17  The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

30:18  There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

30:19  The way of an eagle in the air, 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 maiden.

30:20  So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no iniquity.

30:21  For three things the earth trembles, and for four, which it cannot bear:

30:22  For a servant when he is king, and a fool when he is filled with food,

30:23  for a hateful woman when she is married, and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

30:24  There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:

30:25  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer,

30:26  the conies are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks,

30:27  the locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands,

30:28  the lizard takes hold with her hands, yet she is in kings' palaces.

30:29  There are three things which are stately in their march, yea, four which are stately in going:

30:30  The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, and turns not away from any,

30:31  the greyhound, also the he-goat, and the king against whom there is no rising up.

30:32  If thou have done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou have thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

30:33  For the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood, so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.

Chapter 31

31:1  The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.

31:2  What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

31:3  Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

31:5  Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.

31:6  Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.

31:7  Let him drink, and forget his need, and remember his misery no more.

31:8  Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.

31:9  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the poor and needy.

31:10  A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.

31:12  She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

31:13  She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.

31:14  She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.

31:15  She also rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and their task to her maidens.

31:16  She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

31:17  She girds her loins with strength, and makes strong her arms.

31:18  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.

31:19  She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

31:20  She stretches out her hand to the poor, yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

31:22  She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23  Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24  She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers girdles to the merchant.

31:25  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

31:27  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28  Her sons rise up, and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praises her.

31:29  Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excel them all.

31:30  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.