MKJV - Proverbs

Chapter 1

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

1:2  to know wisdom and instruction; to recognize the words of understanding;

1:3  to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and uprightness;

1:4  to give sense to the simple, knowledge and judgment to the young man;

1:5  the wise hears and increases learning; and understanding ones gets wisdom;

1:6  to understand a proverb and its meaning; the words of the wise, and their acute sayings.

1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

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

1:9  for they shall be an ornament of grace to your head and chains around your neck.

1:10  My son, if sinners lure you, do not be willing.

1:11  If they say, Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, we will watch secretly for the innocent without cause;

1:12  let us swallow them up alive as the grave, and whole, as those who go down into the pit;

1:13  we shall find all precious goods; we shall fill our houses with plunder;

1:14  cast in your lot among us, and let us have one purse.

1:15  My son, do not walk in the way with them! Keep back your foot from their path,

1:16  for their feet run to evil and make haste to shed blood.

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

1:18  And they lie in wait for their own blood; they watch secretly for their own lives.

1:19  So are the ways of everyone who gains unjust gain; it takes away its owners' life.

1:20  Wisdom cries outside; she utters her voice in the streets;

1:21  she cries in the chief place of gathering, in the openings of the gates; in the city she utters her words, saying,

1:22  How long will you love simplicity, simple ones? And will scorners delight in their scorning? And will fools hate knowledge?

1:23  Turn at my warning; behold, I will pour out my Spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

1:24  Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention;

1:25  but you have despised all my advice, and would have none of my warning.

1:26  I also will laugh at your trouble; I will mock when your fear comes;

1:27  when your fear comes as a wasting away, and your ruin comes like a tempest when trouble and pain come upon you.

1:28  Then they shall call upon me, and I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me;

1:29  instead they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD.

1:30  They would have none of my counsel; they despised all my correction,

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

1:32  For the turning away of the simple kills them, and the ease of fools destroys them.

1:33  But whoever listens to me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Chapter 2

2:1  My son, if you will receive My words and hide My commandments with you,

2:2  so that you attend to wisdom, you shall extend your heart to understanding;

2:3  yea, if you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding;

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

2:5  then you shall understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

2:6  For the LORD gives wisdom; out of His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

2:7  He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.

2:8  He keeps the paths of judgment, and guards the way of His saints.

2:9  Then you shall understand righteousness and judgment and honesty, every good path.

2:10  When wisdom enters into your heart, and knowledge is pleasing to your soul;

2:11  judgment shall keep you, understanding shall keep you,

2:12  to deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man who speaks wicked things;

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

2:14  who rejoice to do evil and delight in the perversities of the wicked;

2:15  whose ways are crooked, and are devious in their paths.

2:16  They will deliver you from the strange woman, the stranger who flatters with her words,

2:17  who forsakes the guide of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

2:18  For her house bows down to death, and her paths to the dead.

2:19  All who go in to her do not return, nor do they take hold of the paths of life,

2:20  in order that you may walk in the way of good 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 earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Chapter 3

3:1  My son, forget not My law; but let your heart keep My commandments;

3:2  for they shall add length of days, and long life, and peace, to you.

3:3  Let not mercy and truth forsake you; tie them around your neck; write them upon the tablet of your heart;

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

3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.

3:6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

3:7  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.

3:8  Healing shall be to your navel and marrow to your bones.

3:9  Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase;

3:10  and your barns shall be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst with new wine.

3:11  My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD; nor be weary with His correction;

3:12  for whom the LORD loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

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

3:14  For the profit from it is better than the gain from silver, and its produce more than fine gold;

3:15  she is more precious than rubies; and all the things you can desire are not to be compared with her.

3:16  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand, 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 keeps her.

3:19  The LORD has founded the earth by wisdom; by understanding He has founded the heavens.

3:20  By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

3:21  My son, do not let them depart from your eyes; keep sound wisdom and judgment,

3:22  and they shall be life to your soul and grace to your neck.

3:23  Then you shall walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.

3:24  When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

3:25  Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the destroying of the wicked, when it comes.

3:26  For the LORD shall be your hope, and shall keep your foot from being taken.

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

3:28  Do not say to your neighbor, Go and come back again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it beside you:

3:29  Do not plan evil against your neighbor, since he dwells trustingly by you.

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

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

3:32  For the crooked man is hateful to the LORD, but His secret is with the righteous.

3:33  The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked; but He blesses the home of the just.

3:34  Surely He scorns the scorners; 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  Sons, hear the instruction of a father, and listen in order to know understanding.

4:2  For I give you good teaching; do not forsake my law.

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

4:4  He also taught me, and said to me, Let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments and live.

4:5  Get wisdom, get understanding; forget not; nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

4:6  Do not forsake her, and she shall keep you; love her, and she shall keep you.

4:7  Wisdom is the main thing; get wisdom; and with all your getting get understanding.

4:8  Prize her, and she shall lift you up; she shall bring you to honor when you embrace her.

4:9  She shall give to your hand an ornament of grace; she shall shield you with a crown of glory.

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

4:11  I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the right paths.

4:12  When you go, your steps shall not be narrowed, and when you run, you shall not stumble.

4:13  Take fast hold of instruction; do not let go; keep her; for she is your life.

4:14  Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not into the way of evil.

4:15  Avoid it; do not pass by it; turn from it, and pass on!

4:16  For they do not sleep, except when they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away unless they cause some to fall.

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

4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining 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, listen to my words; bow down your ear to my sayings.

4:21  Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.

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

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

4:24  Put away from you a wicked mouth, and devious lips put far from you.

4:25  Let your eyes look right on, and let your eyelids look straight before you.

4:26  Ponder the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established.

4:27  Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left; remove your foot from evil.

Chapter 5

5:1  My son, listen to my wisdom; bow your ear to my understanding;

5:2  in order to keep discretion, that your lips may keep knowledge.

5:3  For the lips of a strange woman drip honey, and her palate is smoother than oil;

5:4  but afterward she is as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

5:5  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell,

5:6  lest you should meditate on the path of life, her tracks are movable; you cannot know them.

5:7  And now hear me, O sons, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

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

5:9  lest you give your honor to others and your years to the cruel;

5:10  that strangers not be filled with your strength, and your labors be in the house of a stranger;

5:11  and you moan when your end comes, when your flesh and muscle are eaten away,

5:12  and say, How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised correction;

5:13  and I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor bowed down my ears to those who taught me!

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

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

5:16  Should your overflowing spring he scattered abroad as rivers of waters in the streets.

5:17  Let them be only your own, and not strangers' with you.

5:18  Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

5:19  Like the loving deer and pleasant doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times, and be ravished always with her love.

5:20  And why will you, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

5:21  For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all his paths.

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

5:23  He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Chapter 6

6:1  My son, if you are surety for your friend, if you struck your palms with a stranger,

6:2  you are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken with the words of your mouth.

6:3  My son, do this now, and deliver yourself when you have come into the hand of your friend; go, humble yourself and make your friend sure.

6:4  Do not give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids.

6:5  Deliver yourself as a gazelle from the hunter's hand, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6:6  Go to the ant, sluggard; consider her ways and be wise;

6:7  who, having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

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

6:9  How long will you sleep, O sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?

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

6:11  so shall your poverty come as one who travels, and your need like an armed man.

6:12  A worthless person, a wicked man walks with a crooked mouth,

6:13  winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, teaching with his fingers;

6:14  perversity is in his heart; he is always planning mischief; he causes fighting.

6:15  Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; he is quickly broken, and there is no healing.

6:16  These six the LORD hates; yea, seven are hateful to his soul:

6:17  a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

6:18  a heart that plots wicked plans, feet hurrying to run to evil,

6:19  a false witness who speaks lies, and he who causes fighting among brothers.

6:20  My son, keep your father's commandments, and do not forsake the law of your mother;

6:21  bind them upon your heart forever, tie them around your neck.

6:22  When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you.

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 you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

6:25  Do not lust after her beauty in your heart; nor let her take you with her eyelids.

6:26  For by means of a harlot a man comes to a piece of bread; and another man's wife will hunt for the precious life.

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

6:28  Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

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

6:30  They do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

6:31  but if he is found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the goods of his house.

6:32  Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul.

6:33  He shall get a wound and dishonor; and his shame shall not he wiped away.

6:34  For jealousy is the rage of a man; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

6:35  He will not take any ransom; nor will he be willing if you multiply the gifts.

Chapter 7

7:1  My son, keep my words and store up my commandments within you.

7:2  Keep my commandments and live; and keep my law as the pupil of your eye.

7:3  Bind them upon your fingers; write them upon the tablet of your heart.

7:4  Say to wisdom, You are my sister; and call understanding your kinsman,

7:5  so that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the stranger who flatters with her words.

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

7:7  and I saw among the simple ones, among the youths, a young man with no 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, in the black and dark night.

7:10  And, behold, there a woman met him, with the dress of a harlot and a guarded heart.

7:11  She is loud and stubborn; her feet do not stay in her house;

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

7:13  And she caught him and kissed him, and with a hard face she said to him,

7:14  I have peace offerings with me; today I have paid my vows.

7:15  so I came out to meet you, earnestly to seek your face, and I have found you.

7:16  I have decked my bed with coverings, with striped cloths of Egyptian linen.

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 delight ourselves with caresses.

7:19  For my husband is not at home, he has gone on a long journey;

7:20  he has taken a bag of silver with him and will come home at the day of the full moon.

7:21  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

7:22  He goes after her immediately, like an ox goes to the slaughter, or like a fool to the correction of the stocks;

7:23  until a dart strikes through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare and does not know that it is for his soul.

7:24  And now listen to me, sons, and attend to the words of my mouth.

7:25  Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not go astray in her paths.

7:26  For she has cast down many wounded; yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

7:27  Her house is the way to hell, going down to the rooms of death.

Chapter 8

8:1  Does not wisdom call? And does not understanding put forth her voice?

8:2  She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the path.

8:3  She cries in the gates, before the entrance of the city, at the doors.

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

8:5  O simple ones understand wisdom; and, fools, be of an understanding heart.

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

8:7  For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is hateful to my lips.

8:8  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; nothing twisted or perverse is 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, dwell with sense, and find out knowledge of discretions.

8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the wicked mouth.

8:14  Counsel and sound wisdom are Mine; I am understanding; I have strength.

8:15  By Me kings reign and princes decree justice.

8:16  Princes rule by Me, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.

8:17  I love those who love Me; and those who seek Me early shall find Me.

8:18  Riches and honor are with Me; enduring riches and righteousness.

8:19  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and what I give is better than choice silver.

8:20  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment;

8:21  I may cause those who love Me to inherit riches; and I will fill their treasuries.

8:22  The LORD possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.

8:23  I was anointed from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth ever was.

8:24  When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no springs heavy with water.

8:25  Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I travailed;

8:26  before He had made the earth, or the fields or the highest part of the dust of the world.

8:27  When He prepared the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep;

8:28  when He set the clouds above; when He made the strong fountains of the deep;

8:29  when He gave to the sea its limit that the waters should not pass His command; when He appointed the foundations of the earth;

8:30  and I was a workman at His side; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him;

8:31  rejoicing in the world, His earth; and My delight was with the sons of men.

8:32  And now listen to Me, O sons; 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 whoever finds Me finds life, and shall obtain favor from the LORD.

8:36  But he who sins against Me wrongs his own soul; all who hate Me love death.

Chapter 9

9:1  Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars;

9:2  she has killed her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

9:3  She has sent out her young women; she cries upon the highest places of the city,

9:4  The simple one, let him turn in here. To one lacking heart, she says to him,

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

9:6  Forsake the foolish and live; and go in the way of understanding.

9:7  One rebuking a scorner gets shame to himself; and one rebuking a wicked one gets himself a blemish.

9:8  Do not reprove a scorner, lest he hate you; give to a wise man, and he will love you.

9:9  Give to a wise one, and he will be still wiser; teach a just one, and he will increase in learning.

9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

9:11  For by Me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall he increased.

9:12  If you are wise, you shall be wise for yourself; but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it.

9:13  A foolish woman is noisy; she is simple and knows nothing.

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

9:15  to call those who pass by, who are going straight on their ways;

9:16  The simple one, let him turn in here. And to one lacking heart, she says to him,

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

9:18  But he does not know that the dead are there; her guests are in the depths of hell.

Chapter 10

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

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

10:3  The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry; but He casts away the desire of the wicked.

10:4  He who deals with a lazy hand becomes poor; but the hand of the hard worker makes rich.

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

10:6  Blessings are on the head of the just; but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

10:7  The memory of the just is blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot.

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

10:9  He who walks uprightly walks surely; but he who twists his ways shall be known.

10:10  He who winks the eye causes sorrow; but a babbling fool shall fall.

10:11  The mouth of a righteous one is a well of life; but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

10:12  Hatred stirs up fights, but love covers all sins.

10:13  In the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him who is without understanding.

10:14  Wise ones store up knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

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

10:16  The labor of the righteous tends to life; the fruit of the wicked tends to sin.

10:17  He who keeps instruction is in the way of life; but he who refuses reproof goes astray.

10:18  He who hides hatred with lying lips, and he who speaks a slander, is a fool.

10:19  In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking; but he who holds back his lips is wise.

10:20  The tongue of the just is as choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little.

10:21  The lips of the righteous feed many; but fools die for lack of wisdom.

10:22  The blessing of the LORD itself makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

10:23  To work out evil devices is as laughter to a fool; so wisdom is to a man of understanding.

10:24  What the wicked fears shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

10:25  As the storm passes, so the wicked is no more; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

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

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

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

10:29  The way of the LORD is strength to the upright; but ruin is to the workers of iniquity.

10:30  The righteous shall never be moved; and the wicked shall not live in the earth.

10:31  The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom; but the perverse tongue shall be cut out.

10:32  The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing; but the mouth of the wicked what is contrary.

Chapter 11

11:1  False balances are hateful to the LORD; but a just weight is His delight.

11:2  Pride comes, then shame comes; but with the lowly is wisdom.

11:3  The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the crookedness of traitors 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 make his way right, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

11:6  The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but deceivers shall be taken in lust.

11:7  When a wicked man dies, his hope shall perish; and the hope of evil ones shall be lost.

11:8  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his place.

11:9  A hypocrite corrupts his neighbor with his mouth; but through knowledge the just shall be delivered.

11:10  When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked are destroyed, there is singing.

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

11:12  One despising his friend lacks heart, but a man of understanding remains silent.

11:13  One going with slander is a revealer of secrets, but the faithful of spirit keeps the matter hidden.

11:14  Where there is no wisdom, the people fall; but in the multitude of wise men there is safety.

11:15  He who is surety for a stranger shall be ruined; and he who hates suretyship is safe.

11:16  A gracious woman keeps honor, and the strong keep riches.

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

11:18  The wicked makes a deceitful wage; but one sowing righteousness has a sure reward.

11:19  So righteousness tends to life; but one pursuing evil, it is to his own death.

11:20  They who are of a perverse heart are hateful to the LORD, but the upright in the way are His delight.

11:21  Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be innocent; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

11:22  Like a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman who turns aside discretion.

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

11:24  There is one who scatters and yet increases; but one who withholds just due comes only to poverty.

11:25  The soul who gives freely shall be made fat; and he who waters shall also be watered himself.

11:26  He who withholds grain, the people shall curse him; but blessing is on the head of him who sells.

11:27  He who carefully seeks good gets favor; but he who seeks mischief, it shall come to him.

11:28  He who trusts in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall blossom like a branch.

11:29  He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart.

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

11:31  Behold, the righteous shall be rewarded in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner.

Chapter 12

12:1  Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge; but he who hates correction is like a brute animal.

12:2  The good gets grace from the LORD, but He will condemn a man of wicked thoughts.

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

12:4  A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

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

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

12:7  The wicked are overthrown, and are gone; but the house of the righteous shall stand.

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

12:9  Better is a despised one, and having a servant, than he honoring himself and lacks bread.

12:10  A righteous one understands the soul of his animal; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

12:11  He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he who follows vanities lacks heart.

12:12  The wicked desires the net of evils; but the root of the righteous yields fruit.

12:13  The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the just shall come out of trouble.

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

12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, hut he who listens to advice is wise.

12:16  A fool's vexation is known in a day, but the astute one covers shame.

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

12:18  There are those who speak like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

12:19  The lips of truth shall be established forever, but only while I wink is a lying tongue.

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

12:21  No evil shall happen to the just, but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

12:22  Lying lips are hateful to the LORD, but those who deal truly are His delight.

12:23  A wise man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools cries out foolishness.

12:24  The hand of the hard worker shall bear rule, but the lazy shall be under service.

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

12:26  The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor, but the way of the wicked seduces them.

12:27  The lazy one does not start after his game, but the wealth of a hard worker is precious.

12:28  In the way of righteousness is life, and in that pathway there is no death.

Chapter 13

13:1  A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scorner does not hear rebuke.

13:2  From the fruit of his mouth a man shall eat good, but the soul of the treacherous eats violence.

13:3  He who keeps his mouth keeps his life; he who opens his lips wide, it is ruin to him.

13:4  The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing; but the soul of the hard worker shall be made fat.

13:5  The righteous hates lying, but the wicked one is odious and acts shamefully.

13:6  Righteousness guards the perfect of way, but wickedness subverts sin.

13:7  There are those who act rich, yet have nothing; and those who act poor, yet have great riches.

13:8  The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor does not hear rebuke.

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

13:10  Only by pride comes argument, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

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

13:12  Hope put off makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

13:13  Whoever despises the word shall be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment shall be rewarded.

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

13:15  Good understanding gives favor, but the way of traitors is ever flowing.

13:16  Every wise one deals with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly.

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

13:18  Poverty and shame shall be to him who refuses instruction, but he who listens to correction shall be honored.

13:19  The desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but it is hateful to fools to turn from evil.

13:20  He who walks with the wise shall be wise, but a companion with fools shall be destroyed.

13:21  Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

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

13:23  Much food is in the plowed ground of the poor, but when there is no justice, it is swept away.

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

13:25  The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked shall lack.

Chapter 14

14:1  A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.

14:2  He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

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

14:4  Where no cattle are, the stall is clean, but much gain is by the strength of the ox.

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

14:6  A scorner seeks wisdom, and it is not found, but knowledge is easy to him who understands.

14:7  Go from the before a foolish man when you do not see in him the lips of knowledge.

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

14:9  Fools laugh at sin, but among the righteous there is favor.

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

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

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

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

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

14:15  The simple believes every word, but the wise man watches his step.

14:16  A wise one fears and departs from evil, but the fool rages and is sure.

14:17  He who is soon angry acts foolishly, and a man of wicked plots is hated.

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

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

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

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

14:22  Do not those who think evil go astray? But mercy and truth shall be to those who think of good.

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

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

14:25  A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

14:26  In the fear of the LORD is strong hope, and His sons shall have a place of refuge.

14:27  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life to turn aside from the snares of death.

14:28  In the multitude of people is the king's honor, but in the lack of people is the ruin of the prince.

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

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

14:31  He who presses the poor curses his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy upon the poor.

14:32  The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous has hope in his death.

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

14:34  Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a shame to any people.

14:35  The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Chapter 15

15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.

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

15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

15:4  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but crookedness in it is a break in the spirit.

15:5  A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who listens to correction is wise.

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

15:7  The lips of the righteous send forth knowledge, but the heart of the foolish is not so.

15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is a hateful thing to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

15:9  The way of the wicked is hateful to the LORD, but He loves him who pursues righteousness.

15:10  Correction is grievous to him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof shall die.

15:11  Hell and destruction are before the LORD; even more the hearts of the sons of men?

15:12  A scorner does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise.

15:13  A merry heart makes a cheerful face, 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 foolishness.

15:15  All the days of the afflicted are evil, but gladness of heart is a continual a feast.

15:16  Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and tumult with it.

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

15:18  A wrathful man stirs up fighting, but one slow to anger calms fighting.

15:19  The way of the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the righteous is made plain.

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 without any wisdom, but a man of understanding walks uprightly.

15:22  Without wisdom, purposes are defeated, but by many wise men they are established.

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

15:24  The way of life is above to the wise, so that he may turn away from hell below.

15:25  The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, but He will set up the border of the widow.

15:26  The thoughts of the wicked are very hateful to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

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

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

15:29  The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

15:30  The light of the eyes rejoices the heart; a good report makes the bones fat.

15:31  The ear that hears the reproof of life shall remain among the wise.

15:32  He who refuses instruction despises his own soul, but he who hears reproof gets understanding.

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

Chapter 16

16:1  The ordering of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

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

16:3  Roll your works upon the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.

16:4  The LORD has made all for His purpose; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

16:5  Everyone proud in heart is hateful to the LORD; though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

16:6  By mercy and truth, iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the LORD men turn away from evil.

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

16:8  Better is a little with righteousness than great gain without right.

16:9  A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

16:10  A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth does not transgress in judgment.

16:11  A just weight and balance are the LORD's; all the weights of the bag are His work.

16:12  It is a hateful thing for 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 as messengers of death, but a wise man will quiet it.

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

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

16:17  The way of the upright is to turn away from evil; he who keeps his way guards his way.

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

16:19  It is better to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.

16:20  He who handles a matter wisely shall find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, 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 fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

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

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

16:25  There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.

16:26  He who labors works for himself, for his mouth craves it from him.

16:27  An ungodly man plots evil, and his lips are like a burning fire.

16:28  A perverse man causes fighting, and a whisperer separates chief friends.

16:29  A violent man lures his neighbor and makes him go in a way not good.

16:30  He shuts his eyes to think of perverse things; moving his lips, he brings evil to pass.

16:31  The gray head is a crown of glory, if it is 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 is better than he who takes a city.

16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing of it is from the LORD.

Chapter 17

17:1  Better is a dry piece of bread, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices with fighting.

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

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

17:4  A wicked doer gives heed to false lips; a liar gives ear to an evil tongue.

17:5  Whoever scorns the poor reviles his Maker; he who is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

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

17:7  An excellent lip is not fitting for a fool; much less are lying lips fitting for a prince.

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

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

17:10  A reproof enters more into a wise man than a thousand stripes into a fool.

17:11  An evil one seeks only rebellion; so a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

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

17:13  Whoever 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 fighting, before it breaks out.

17:15  He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, even both of them are hateful to the LORD.

17:16  Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, since he has no heart for it?

17:17  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for the time of trouble.

17:18  A man lacking heart strikes hands; he pledges in the presence of his friend.

17:19  He who loves fighting loves transgression; he who makes his gate high seeks ruin.

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

17:21  He who fathers a fool does it to his sorrow; the father of a fool has no joy.

17:22  A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

17:23  A wicked man takes a bribe out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

17:24  Wisdom is before 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  And it is not good to punish the just, nor to strike princes for uprightness.

17:27  He who has knowledge uses few words; a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

17:28  Even a fool, when he is silent, is counted wise, and he who shuts his lips is counted as a man of understanding.

Chapter 18

18:1  He that separates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound wisdom.

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

18:3  When the wicked comes, scorn also comes, and with shame comes reproach.

18:4  The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

18:5  It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, nor to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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

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

18:8  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

18:9  Also he who is slack in his work is brother to a great destroyer.

18:10  The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the 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 mind.

18:12  Before shattering, the heart of man is proud, and before honor is humility.

18:13  If one answers a matter before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.

18:14  The spirit of a man will nourish his sickness, but a wounded spirit who can bear?

18:15  The heart of the prudent 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  The first in his cause seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him.

18:18  The lot causes arguments to cease, and divides between the mighty.

18:19  An brother offended is like a strong city; and their disagreements are like the bars of a fortress.

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

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  Whoever finds a wife finds good and gets favor from the LORD.

18:23  The poor speaks humble requests, but the rich answers roughly.

18:24  A man who has friends may be broken up, but there is a Lover who sticks closer than a brother.

Chapter 19

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

19:2  Also without knowledge the soul is not good, and he who hurries with his feet sins.

19:3  The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart frets against the LORD.

19:4  Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.

19:5  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and a breather of lies shall not escape.

19:6  Many will beg the favor of a ruler, and all are friends to a man who gives gifts.

19:7  All the brothers of the poor man hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him? He pursues them with words, yet they are lacking.

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 one speaking lies shall perish.

19:10  Luxury is not becoming for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

19:11  The judgment of a man puts off his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

19:12  The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion; but his favor is like dew on the grass.

19:13  A foolish son is ruin to his father, and the quarreling of a wife is a never-ending dripping.

19:14  Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers, and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

19:15  Laziness throws one into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

19:16  He who keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; he who despises His ways shall die.

19:17  He who has pity upon the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward his dealing to him.

19:18  Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your soul on making him die.

19:19  A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if you deliver him yet you must do it again.

19:20  Hear advice, and receive instruction, so that you may be wise in your latter end.

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

19:22  The charm of a man is his kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.

19:23  The fear of the LORD tends to life, and he rests satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

19:24  A lazy one puts his hand in a dish, and he will not return it to his mouth.

19:25  Strike a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove one who has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

19:26  He who assaults his father and chases away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

19:27  My son, cease to hear the discipline, only to stray from the words of knowledge.

19:28  An ungodly witness scorns judgment, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

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

Chapter 20

20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whoever goes astray by it is not wise.

20:2  The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion; whoever stirs him up to anger sins against his own soul.

20:3  It is an honor for a man to cease from strife, but every fool exposes himself.

20:4  The lazy one will not plow; after the autumn he shall beg in harvest and have nothing.

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

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

20:7  The just walks in his integrity; his sons are blessed after him.

20:8  A king who sits in 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  Different kinds of weights, different kinds of measures, both are hateful to the LORD.

20:11  Even a child is known by his own doings, whether his work is pure and whether it is right.

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

20:13  Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you shall be satisfied with bread.

20:14  It is bad! Bad, says the buyer; but when it is left to him, then he boasts.

20:15  There is gold and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

20:16  Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger; and take a pledge from him for strangers.

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

20:18  Purposes are established by counsel; and with good advice make war.

20:19  A gossip is a revealer of secrets; so do not mix with him who flatters with his lips.

20:20  Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in deep darkness.

20:21  An inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, even the end of it shall not be blessed.

20:22  Do not say, I will repay evil; wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

20:23  Different kinds of weights are hateful to the LORD, and a false balance is not good.

20:24  Man's steps are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

20:25  It is a snare to a man to say rashly, A holy thing, and afterward vows to ask about it.

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

20:27  The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

20:28  Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.

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

20:30  The stripes of a wound cleanses away evil, and strokes the inward parts of the belly.

Chapter 21

21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He will.

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

21:3  To do justice and judgment is more pleasing to the LORD than sacrifice.

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

21:5  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but the thoughts of everyone who is hasty only to poverty.

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

21:7  The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them, because they refuse to do judgment.

21:8  The way of a guilty man is perverted; but the pure, his work is right.

21:9  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a quarrelsome woman and to share a house.

21:10  The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

21:11  When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

21:12  The righteous wisely considers the house of the wicked; but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.

21:13  Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

21:14  A gift in secret quiets anger; and a bribe in the bosom quiets strong wrath.

21:15  It is joy to the just to do judgment, but ruin shall be to the workers of iniquity.

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

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

21:18  The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

21:19  It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a quarrelsome and angry woman.

21:20  A desirable treasure and oil are in the home of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.

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

21:22  A wise one scales the city of the mighty and brings down the strength of its hope.

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

21:24  Proud, haughty scorner is his name, he who deals in proud wrath.

21:25  The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands have refused to work.

21:26  He covets greedily all the day long; but the righteous gives and spares not.

21:27  The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful to God; how much more when he brings it with a wicked mind?

21:28  A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears speaks on and on.

21:29  A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright establishes his way.

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

21:31  The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is from the LORD.

Chapter 22

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

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

22:3  A prudent one foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.

22:4  By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.

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

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

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

22:8  He who sows iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his anger 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 scorner, and fighting shall go out; yes, quarrels and shame shall cease.

22:11  He who loves pureness of heart, grace is on his lips; the king shall be his friend.

22:12  The eyes of the LORD keep knowledge, and He overthrows the words of the transgressor.

22:13  The lazy one says, There is a lion outside; I shall be killed in the streets.

22:14  The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; those despised by the LORD shall fall there.

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

22:16  He who crushes the poor to multiply for himself, and he who gives to the rich, only to come to poverty.

22:17  Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to My knowledge.

22:18  For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; they shall all be fitted in your lips,

22:19  so that your trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to you this day, even to you.

22:20  Have I not written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

22:21  that I might make you know the sureness of the words of truth; to return the words of truth to those who send to you?

22:22  Do not rob the poor, because he is poor; nor press down the afflicted in the gate;

22:23  for the LORD will plead their cause, and strip the soul of those who plunder them.

22:24  Make no friendship with an angry man; and you shall not go up with a man of fury,

22:25  lest you learn his ways and get a snare to your soul.

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

22:27  If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

22:28  Do not remove the old landmark which your fathers have set.

22:29  Do you see a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before unknown men.

Chapter 23

23:1  When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what is before you;

23:2  and put a knife to your throat, if you are a man given to appetite.

23:3  Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceitful food.

23:4  Do not labor to be rich; cease from your own understanding.

23:5  Will your eyes fly on it? And it is gone! For surely it makes wings for itself; it flies into the heavens like an eagle.

23:6  Do not eat the bread of him who has an evil eye, nor desire his dainty foods;

23:7  for as he thinks in his heart, so is he; Eat and drink, he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

23:8  Your bit which you have eaten, you shall vomit up, and spoil your pleasant words.

23:9  Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

23:10  Do not remove the old landmarks, and do not enter into the fields of the fatherless;

23:11  for their Redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause with you.

23:12  Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge.

23:13  Do not withhold correction from a boy, for if you beat him with the rod, he will not die.

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

23:15  My son, if your heart is wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.

23:16  Yea, my heart shall rejoice when your lips speak right things.

23:17  Do not let your heart envy sinners; but be in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

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

23:19  My son, hear and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.

23:20  Do not be among those who drink much wine, among gluttons for flesh for themselves,

23:21  for the drunkard and the glutton lose all, and sleepiness shall clothe a man with rags.

23:22  Listen to your father who sired you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23:23  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

23:24  The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice; and he who fathers a wise child shall have joy from him.

23:25  Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she who bore you shall rejoice.

23:26  My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes watch My ways.

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

23:28  She also lies in wait as for prey, and increases the treacherous among men.

23:29  Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has fighting? Who has babbling? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

23:30  Those who stay long at the wine, those who go to seek mixed wine.

23:31  Do not look upon the wine when it is red, when it gives its color in the cup, when it goes down smoothly

23:32  At the last it bites like an asp and stings like an adder.

23:33  Your eyes shall look upon strange women and your heart shall speak perverse things.

23:34  Yes, you shall be as one who lies down in the middle of the sea, or as one who lies upon the top of a mast,

23:35  saying, They struck me; I was not sick; they beat me, but I did not know it. When I awaken, I will add more. I will seek it again.

Chapter 24

24:1  Do not be jealous of evil men, nor desire to be with them.

24:2  For their heart studies ruin, 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 rooms shall be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

24:5  A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.

24:6  For by wise counsel you shall make your war; and in a multitude of wise men there is safety.

24:7  Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate.

24:8  He who plots to do evil shall be called a master of wicked thoughts.

24:9  The thought of foolishness is sin; and the scorner is hateful to men.

24:10  If you faint in the day of trial, your strength is small.

24:11  Deliver those being taken to death, and those stumbling to be killed, unless you hold back.

24:12  if you say, Behold, we did not know; does not He who searches the heart consider it? And the Keeper of your soul, does He know? And He repays to a man according to his works?

24:13  My son, eat honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, is sweet to your palate;

24:14  so shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your hope shall not be cut off.

24:15  Wicked one, do not lie in ambush at the dwelling of the righteous; do not spoil his resting place;

24:16  for a just one falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked shall fall into evil.

24:17  Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

24:18  lest the LORD see, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

24:19  Do not fret yourself because of evil ones, nor be jealous of the wicked;

24:20  for there shall be not be a hereafter to the evil; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

24:21  My son, fear the LORD and the king; and do not fellowship with those who are given to change;

24:22  for their trouble shall rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin of them both?

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

24:24  He who says to the wicked, You are righteous; the people shall curse him and nations shall abhor him.

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

24:26  He shall kiss the lips that return right words.

24:27  Prepare your work outside, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.

24:28  Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, nor deceive with your lips.

24:29  Do not `say, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will give to the man according to his work.

24:30  I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man without understanding;

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

24:32  Then I saw; I set my heart on it; I looked and I received instruction.

24:33  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down;

24:34  then your poverty comes stalking, and your want like an a man armed with a shield.

Chapter 25

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

25:2  The glory of God is to hide a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

25:3  The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but the heart of kings is without searching.

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

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

25:6  Do not put yourself forth in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great;

25:7  for it is better that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of a noble whom your eyes have seen.

25:8  Do not go forth quickly to fight, lest you know not what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame.

25:9  Debate your cause with your neighbor; and do not uncover a secret to another,

25:10  lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your evil report turn not away.

25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

25:12  As a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon a hearing ear.

25:13  Like cold snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to his senders; for he makes return to his master's soul.

25:14  A man boasting himself in a false gift is like clouds and wind, but no rain.

25:15  In being slow to anger a ruler is won over, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

25:16  Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it.

25:17  Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you and hate you.

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

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

25:20  As he who takes away a garment in cold weather, as vinegar upon niter, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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

25:22  for you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward you.

25:23  The north wind drives away rain; so does an angry face a backbiting tongue.

25:24  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a quarreling woman and to share a house.

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

25:26  A righteous man falling down before the wicked is like a troubled fountain and a rotten spring.

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

25:28  He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without a wall.

Chapter 26

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

26:2  As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause shall not come.

26:3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

26:4  Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him.

26:5  Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.

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

26:7  The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable 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 goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

26:10  Great is the Former of all, but he who hires a fool is like one who hires one passing by.

26:11  As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

26:12  Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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

26:14  As the door turns upon its hinges, so does the lazy man turn upon his bed.

26:15  The lazy man hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

26:17  He who passes by enraging himself over strife not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears,

26:18  or like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death.

26:19  so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not joking.

26:20  Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, the fighting ceases.

26:21  As coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to kindle fighting.

26:22  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

26:23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a broken piece of pottery with silver waste.

26:24  He who hates pretends with his lips and stores up deceit within him.

26:25  When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him; for seven hateful things are in his heart.

26:26  He whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the congregation.

26:27  Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it will return on him.

26:28  A lying tongue hates those afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Chapter 27

27:1  Do not boast yourself of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

27:2  Let another man praise you, and not your mouth; a stranger, and not your lips.

27:3  A stone is heavy, and sand is heavy; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

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

27:5  Open rebuke is better than secret love.

27:6  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

27:7  The full soul despises 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  Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of one's friend by advice from the heart.

27:10  Your own friend, and your father's friend, do not forsake them; nor go to your brother's house in the day of your trouble; better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.

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

27:12  A sensible one foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.

27:13  Take his robe that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for a strange woman.

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

27:15  A never-ending dropping in a very rainy day and a quarrelsome woman are alike.

27:16  Whoever hides her hides the wind, and his right hand encounters slippery oil.

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

27:18  Whoever keeps the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who waits on his master shall be honored.

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

27:20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

27:21  As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold, so is a man to his praise.

27:22  Though you should pound a fool in a bowl with a bar in the midst of wheat, his foolishness will not depart from him.

27:23  Know well the face of your flocks; set your heart on your herds.

27:24  For riches are not forever; nor the crown from generation to generation?

27:25  When the hay is removed, and the tender grass is seen, and mountain-plants are gathered,

27:26  the lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

27:27  And you shall have goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and a living for your young women.

Chapter 28

28:1  The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are bold as a lion.

28:2  Because of the transgression of a land, many are its rulers; but it is prolonged by a man of discernment who knows right.

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

28:4  Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law plead against them.

28:5  Evil men do not understand judgment; but those who seek the LORD understand all things.

28:6  Better is the poor who walks in his uprightness than he who is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.

28:7  Whoever keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

28:8  He who increases his wealth by interest and unjust gain, he shall gather it for him who will pity the poor.

28:9  He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is a hateful thing.

28:10  Whoever causes the righteous man to go astray in an evil way, he himself shall fall into his own pit; but the upright shall inherit good.

28:11  The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding searches him out.

28:12  When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

28:13  He who covers his sins shall not be blessed; but whoever confesses and leaves them shall have mercy.

28:14  Blessed is the man dreading God, but he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

28:15  Like a roaring lion and a ranging bear, so is a wicked ruler over the helpless people.

28:16  A ruler lacking understanding even adds oppressions; he who hates unjust gain shall prolong his days.

28:17  A man who is pressed down with the blood of a soul shall flee to the pit; do not let them uphold him.

28:18  Whoever walks uprightly shall be saved; 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 pursuing vanities shall have poverty enough.

28:20  A faithful man shall overflow with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

28:21  To have respect of persons is not good; yea, for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

28:22  He who hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and does not know that poverty will come upon him.

28:23  He who rebukes a man shall afterwards find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

28:24  Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, It is no sin he shall be a companion to a destroyer.

28:25  He who is of a proud heart stirs up fighting; but he who puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

28:26  He who trusts in his own heart is a fool; but whoever 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, a man hides himself, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Chapter 29

29:1  A man who hardens his neck when reproved shall be suddenly broken, and there will be no healing.

29:2  When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.

29:3  Whoever loves wisdom rejoices his father; but a companion of harlots wastes wealth.

29:4  The king establishes the land by judgment; but he taking bribes tears it down.

29:5  A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

29:6  In the sin of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous sings and rejoices.

29:7  The righteous knows the plea of the poor; the wicked cares not to know it.

29:8  Scornful men bring a city into a snare, but the wise turn away wrath.

29:9  If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, there is no rest.

29:10  Men of blood hate the upright; but the just seek his soul.

29:11  A fool speaks all his mind; but a wise one keeps it in until afterwards.

29:12  If a ruler listens to lies, all his servants are wicked.

29:13  The poor and the deceitful man meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

29:14  A king who truly judges the weak, his throne shall be established forever.

29:15  The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a boy sent off causes shame to his mother.

29:16  When the wicked are multiplied, sin increases; but the righteous shall see their fall.

29:17  Correct your son, and he shall give you rest; yea, he shall give delight to your soul.

29:18  Where there is no wisdom, the people perish; but he who keeps the law, he is blessed.

29:19  A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understands, he will not answer.

29:20  Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

29:21  He pampering his servant from youth, that one in his after days shall his successor.

29:22  An angry man stirs up fighting, and a furious man abounds in sin.

29:23  A man's pride shall bring him low; but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.

29:24  He who shares with a thief hates his own soul; he hears an oath and does not tell.

29:25  The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

29:26  Many seek the ruler's favor; but each man's judgment comes from the LORD.

29:27  An unjust man is a hateful thing to the just; and he who is upright in the way is hateful to the wicked.

Chapter 30

30:1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the prophecy: The man spoke to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal, saying,

30:2  Surely I am more like an animal than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man.

30:3  I have not learned wisdom, nor the knowledge of the holy.

30:4  Who has gone up to Heaven and has come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garments? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name? Surely you know.

30:5  Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

30:6  Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you and you be found a liar.

30:7  I have asked two things from You; do not deny them before I die;

30:8  remove far from me vanity and a lying word; give me neither poverty or riches; tear for me my portion of bread,

30:9  lest I be full and deceive, and say, Who is the LORD? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and violate the name of my God.

30:10  Do not accuse a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.

30:11  There is a generation that curses their father, and does not bless their mother.

30:12  There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their own filth.

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 like swords, and their jaw teeth like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

30:15  The leech has two daughters, crying, Give, give! Three things are never satisfied, yea, four things never say, Enough!

30:16  The grave; and the barren womb, the earth not filled with water, and the fire, have not said, 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  Three things are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I do not know:

30:19  the way of an eagle in the air; the way of a snake on a rock; the way of a ship in the middle of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden.

30:20  Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no evil.

30:21  Under three things the earth quakes, and under four it is not able to bear up:

30:22  for a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with food;

30:23  for a hateful woman when she is married; and a servant girl that is heir to her mistress.

30:24  Four things are little on 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 rock-badgers are not a mighty people, yet they make their houses in the rock;

30:27  the locusts have no king, yet they go forth by bands, all of them;

30:28  you can take the lizard with the hands, yet it is in king's palaces.

30:29  There are three things which go well in a march, yea, four that go well in walking:

30:30  a lion is mighty among beasts and does not turn away for any;

30:31  one girded in the loins; and a he-goat; and a king when his army is with him.

30:32  If you have done foolishly in lifting yourself up, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand on your mouth.

30:33  Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth fighting.

Chapter 31

31:1  The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him.

31:2  What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows?

31:3  Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to lust for strong drink;

31:5  lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

31:6  Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to those who are of heavy hearts.

31:7  Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

31:8  Open your mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the sons of those passing away.

31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

31:10  Who can find a woman of virtue? For her value is far above rubies.

31:11  The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no need of plunder.

31:12  She will do 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 merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.

31:15  She also rises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and a share to her young women.

31:16  She considers a field, and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

31:17  She binds her loins with strength, and makes her arms strong.

31:18  She sees that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night.

31:19  She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

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 herself coverings; her clothing is silk and purple.

31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24  She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers girdles to the merchants.

31:25  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

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 well, but you excel them all.

31:30  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31:31  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.