Bible: Prov 10:1-22:16
The First Collection of Solomonic Proverbs 1
10:1 The Proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child 2 makes a father rejoice, 3
but a foolish child 4 is a grief to his mother. 5
10:2 Treasures gained by wickedness 6 do not profit,
but righteousness 7 delivers from mortal danger. 8
10:3 The
but he thwarts 11 the craving 12 of the wicked.
10:4 The one who is lazy 13 becomes poor, 14
but the one who works diligently 15 becomes wealthy. 16
10:5 The one who gathers crops 17 in the summer is a wise 18 son,
but the one who sleeps 19 during the harvest
is a son who brings shame to himself. 20
10:6 Blessings 21 are on the head of the righteous,
but the speech 22 of the wicked conceals 23 violence. 24
10:7 The memory 25 of the righteous is a blessing,
but the reputation 26 of the wicked will rot. 27
10:8 The wise person 28 accepts instructions, 29
but the one who speaks foolishness 30 will come to ruin. 31
10:9 The one who conducts himself 32 in integrity 33 will live 34 securely,
but the one who behaves perversely 35 will be found out.
10:10 The one who winks 36 his 37 eye causes 38 trouble,
and the one who speaks foolishness 39 will come to ruin.
10:11 The teaching 40 of the righteous is a fountain of life, 41
but the speech 42 of the wicked conceals 43 violence. 44
10:12 Hatred 45 stirs up dissension,
but love covers all transgressions. 46
10:13 Wisdom is found in the words 47 of the discerning person, 48
but the one who lacks wisdom 49 will be disciplined. 50
10:14 Those who are wise 51 store up 52 knowledge,
but foolish speech 53 leads to imminent 54 destruction.
10:15 The wealth of a rich person is like 55 a fortified city, 56
but the poor are brought to ruin 57 by 58 their poverty.
10:16 The reward 59 which the righteous receive 60 is life;
the recompense 61 which the wicked receive 62 is judgment. 63
10:17 The one who heeds instruction 64 is on the way to 65 life,
but the one who rejects 66 rebuke goes astray.
10:18 The one who conceals hatred utters lies, 67
and the one who spreads 68 slander 69 is certainly 70 a fool.
10:19 When words abound, transgression is inevitable, 71
but the one who restrains 72 his words 73 is wise.
10:20 What the righteous say 74 is like 75 the best 76 silver,
but what the wicked think 77 is of little value. 78
10:21 The teaching 79 of the righteous feeds 80 many,
but fools die 81 for lack of wisdom. 82
10:22 The blessing 83 from the
and he adds no sorrow 86 to 87 it.
10:23 Carrying out a wicked scheme 88 is enjoyable 89 to a fool,
and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment. 90
10:24 What the wicked fears 91 will come on him;
what the righteous desire 92 will be granted. 93
10:25 When the storm 94 passes through, the wicked are swept away, 95
but the righteous are an everlasting foundation. 96
10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, 97
so is the sluggard to those 98 who send him.
10:27 Fearing the
but the life span 101 of the wicked will be shortened. 102
10:28 The hope 103 of the righteous is joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled. 104
10:29 The way of the
but it is destruction 108 to evildoers. 109
10:30 The righteous will never be moved,
but the wicked will not inhabit the land. 110
10:31 The speech 111 of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, 112
but the one who speaks perversion 113 will be destroyed. 114
10:32 The lips of the righteous know 115 what is pleasing, 116
but the speech 117 of the wicked is perverse.
11:1 The
but an accurate weight 120 is his delight.
11:2 When pride 121 comes, 122 then comes disgrace, 123
but with humility 124 comes 125 wisdom.
11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, 126
but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroys them. 127
11:4 Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath, 128
but righteousness delivers from mortal danger. 129
11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way, 130
but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness. 131
11:6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, 132
but the faithless will be captured 133 by their own desires. 134
11:7 When a wicked person dies, his expectation perishes, 135
and the hope of his strength 136 perishes. 137
11:8 The righteous person is delivered 138 out of trouble,
and the wicked turns up in his stead. 139
11:9 With his speech 140 the godless person 141 destroys 142 his neighbor,
but by knowledge 143 the righteous will be delivered.
11:10 When the righteous do well, 144 the city rejoices; 145
when the wicked perish, there is joy.
11:11 A city is exalted by the blessing provided from 146 the upright,
but it is destroyed by the counsel 147 of the wicked. 148
11:12 The one who denounces 149 his neighbor lacks wisdom, 150
but the one who has discernment 151 keeps silent. 152
11:13 The one who goes about slandering others 153 reveals 154 secrets,
but the one who is trustworthy 155 conceals a matter.
11:14 When there is no guidance 156 a nation falls,
but there is success 157 in the abundance of counselors.
11:15 The one who puts up security for a stranger 158 will surely have trouble, 159
but whoever avoids 160 shaking hands 161 will be secure.
11:16 A generous woman 162 gains honor,
and ruthless men 163 seize wealth. 164
11:17 A kind person 165 benefits 166 himself, 167
but a cruel person brings himself trouble. 168
11:18 The wicked person 169 earns 170 deceitful wages, 171
but the one who sows 172 righteousness reaps 173 a genuine 174 reward. 175
11:19 True 176 righteousness leads to 177 life,
but the one who pursues evil pursues it 178 to his own death. 179
11:20 The
but those who are blameless in their ways 182 are his delight. 183
11:21 Be assured that 184 the evil person will certainly be punished, 185
but the descendants of the righteous 186 will not suffer unjust judgment. 187
11:22 Like a gold ring 188 in a pig’s snout 189
is 190 a beautiful woman who rejects 191 discretion. 192
11:23 What the righteous desire 193 leads 194 only to good,
but what the wicked hope for 195 leads 196 to wrath.
11:24 One person is generous 197 and yet grows more wealthy, 198
but another withholds more than he should 199 and comes to poverty. 200
11:25 A generous person 201 will be enriched, 202
and the one who provides water 203 for others 204 will himself be satisfied. 205
11:26 People will curse 206 the one who withholds grain, 207
but they will praise 208 the one who sells it. 209
11:27 The one who diligently seeks 210 good seeks favor,
but the one who searches 211 for evil – it will come to him. 212
11:28 The one who trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous 213 will flourish like a green leaf. 214
11:29 The one who troubles 215 his family 216 will inherit nothing, 217
and the fool 218 will be a servant to the wise person. 219
11:30 The fruit of the righteous is like 220 a tree producing life, 221
and the one who wins souls 222 is wise. 223
11:31 If the righteous are recompensed on earth, 224
how much more 225 the wicked sinner! 226
12:1 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, 227
but the one who hates reproof is stupid. 228
12:2 A good person obtains favor from the
but the
12:3 No one 231 can be established 232 through wickedness,
but a righteous root 233 cannot be moved.
12:4 A noble wife 234 is the crown 235 of her husband,
but the wife 236 who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. 237
12:5 The plans 238 of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 239
12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait 240 to shed innocent blood, 241
but the words 242 of the upright will deliver them.
12:7 The wicked are overthrown 243 and perish, 244
but the righteous household 245 will stand.
12:8 A person 246 is praised in accordance with 247 his wisdom,
but the one who has a twisted mind 248 is despised.
12:9 Better is a person of humble standing 249 who nevertheless has a servant, 250
than one who pretends to be somebody important 251 yet has no food.
12:10 A righteous person cares for 252 the life of his animal,
but even the most compassionate acts 253 of the wicked are cruel.
12:11 The one who works 254 his field will have plenty 255 of food,
but whoever chases daydreams 256 lacks wisdom. 257
12:12 The wicked person desires a stronghold, 258
but the righteous root 259 endures. 260
12:13 The evil person is ensnared 261 by the transgression of his speech, 262
but the righteous person escapes out of trouble. 263
12:14 A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, 264
and the work of his hands 265 will be rendered to 266 him.
12:15 The way of a fool 267 is right 268 in his own opinion, 269
but the one who listens to advice is wise. 270
12:16 A fool’s annoyance 271 is known at once, 272
but the prudent 273 overlooks 274 an insult.
12:17 The faithful witness 275 tells what is right, 276
but a false witness 277 speaks 278 deceit.
12:18 Speaking recklessly 279 is like the thrusts of a sword,
but the words 280 of the wise bring 281 healing. 282
12:19 The one who tells the truth 283 will endure forever,
but the one who lies 284 will last only for a moment. 285
12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, 286
but those who promote peace 287 have joy.
12:21 The righteous do not encounter 288 any harm, 289
but the wicked are filled with calamity. 290
12:22 The
but those who deal truthfully 293 are his delight. 294
12:23 The shrewd person 295 conceals 296 knowledge,
but foolish people 297 publicize folly. 298
12:24 The diligent 299 person 300 will rule,
but the slothful 301 will become a slave. 302
12:25 Anxiety 303 in a person’s heart 304 weighs him down, 305
but an encouraging 306 word brings him joy. 307
12:26 The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, 308
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
12:27 The lazy person does not roast 309 his prey,
but personal possessions 310 are precious to the diligent.
12:28 In the path of righteousness there is life,
but another path leads to death. 311
13:1 A wise son accepts 312 his father’s discipline, 313
but a scoffer 314 does not listen to rebuke.
13:2 From the fruit of his speech 315 a person eats good things, 316
but the faithless 317 desire 318 the fruit of violence. 319
13:3 The one who guards his words 320 guards his life,
but 321 whoever is talkative 322 will come to ruin. 323
13:4 The appetite 324 of the sluggard 325 craves 326 but gets nothing,
but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied. 327
13:5 The righteous person hates anything false, 328
but the wicked person acts in shameful disgrace. 329
13:6 Righteousness 330 guards the one who lives with integrity, 331
but wickedness 332 overthrows the sinner.
13:7 There is one who pretends to be rich 333 and yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor 334 and yet possesses great wealth. 335
13:8 The ransom 336 of a person’s 337 life is his wealth,
but the poor person hears no threat. 338
13:9 The light 339 of the righteous shines brightly, 340
but the lamp 341 of the wicked goes out. 342
13:10 With pride 343 comes only 344 contention,
but wisdom is with the well-advised. 345
13:11 Wealth gained quickly 346 will dwindle away, 347
but the one who gathers it little by little 348 will become rich. 349
13:12 Hope 350 deferred 351 makes the heart sick, 352
but a longing fulfilled 353 is like 354 a tree of life.
13:13 The one who despises instruction 355 will pay the penalty, 356
but whoever esteems instruction 357 will 358 be rewarded. 359
13:14 Instruction 360 from the wise 361 is like 362 a life-giving fountain, 363
to turn 364 a person 365 from deadly snares. 366
13:15 Keen insight 367 wins 368 favor,
but the conduct 369 of the unfaithful is harsh. 370
13:16 Every shrewd 371 person acts with knowledge,
but a fool displays 372 his folly.
13:17 An unreliable 373 messenger falls 374 into trouble, 375
but a faithful envoy 376 brings 377 healing.
13:18 The one who neglects 378 discipline ends up in 379 poverty and shame,
but the one who accepts reproof is honored. 380
13:19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools abhor 381 turning away from evil.
13:20 The one who associates 382 with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm. 383
13:21 Calamity 384 pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous. 385
13:22 A benevolent 386 person leaves an inheritance 387 for his grandchildren, 388
but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous. 389
13:23 There is abundant food in the field 390 of the poor,
but it is swept away by injustice. 391
13:24 The one who spares his rod 392 hates 393 his child, 394
but the one who loves his child 395 is diligent 396 in disciplining 397 him.
13:25 The righteous has enough food to satisfy his appetite, 398
but the belly of the wicked lacks food. 399
14:1 Every wise woman 400 builds 401 her household, 402
but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
14:2 The one who walks in his uprightness fears the
but the one who is perverted in his ways 404 despises him.
14:3 In 405 the speech 406 of a fool is a rod for his back, 407
but the words 408 of the wise protect them.
14:4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean,
but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen. 409
14:5 A truthful witness 410 does not lie,
but a false witness 411 breathes out lies. 412
14:6 The scorner 413 seeks wisdom but finds none, 414
but understanding is easy 415 for a discerning person.
14:7 Leave the presence of a foolish person, 416
or 417 you will not understand 418 wise counsel. 419
14:8 The wisdom of the shrewd person 420 is to discern 421 his way,
but the folly of fools is deception. 422
14:9 Fools mock 423 at reparation, 424
but among the upright there is favor. 425
14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness, 426
and with its joy no one else 427 can share. 428
14:11 The household 429 of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent 430 of the upright will flourish.
14:12 There is a way that seems right to a person, 431
but its end is the way that leads to death. 432
14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, 433
and the end 434 of joy may be 435 grief.
14:14 The backslider 436 will be paid back 437 from his own ways,
but a good person will be rewarded 438 for his.
14:15 A naive person 439 believes everything,
but the shrewd person discerns his steps. 440
14:16 A wise person is cautious 441 and turns from evil,
but a fool throws off restraint 442 and is overconfident. 443
14:17 A person who has a quick temper 444 does foolish things,
and a person with crafty schemes 445 is hated. 446
14:18 The naive inherit 447 folly,
but the shrewd 448 are crowned 449 with knowledge.
14:19 Those who are evil will bow 450 before those who are good,
and the wicked will bow 451 at the gates 452 of the righteous.
14:20 A poor person is disliked 453 even by his neighbors,
but those who love the rich are many.
14:21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,
but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed.
14:22 Do not those who devise 454 evil go astray?
But those who plan good exhibit 455 faithful covenant love. 456
14:23 In all hard work 457 there is profit,
but merely talking about it 458 only brings 459 poverty. 460
14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches, 461
but the folly 462 of fools is folly.
14:25 A truthful witness 463 rescues lives, 464
but the one who breathes lies brings 465 deception. 466
14:26 In the fear of the
and it will be a refuge 469 for his children.
14:27 The fear of the
to turn 473 people 474 from deadly snares. 475
14:28 A king’s glory is 476 the abundance of people,
but the lack of subjects 477 is the ruin 478 of a ruler.
14:29 The one who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but the one who has a quick temper 479 exalts 480 folly.
14:30 A tranquil spirit 481 revives the body, 482
but envy 483 is rottenness to the bones. 484
14:31 The one who oppresses 485 the poor insults 486 his Creator,
but whoever shows favor 487 to the needy honors him.
14:32 The wicked will be thrown down in his trouble, 488
but the righteous have refuge 489 even in the threat of death. 490
14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning;
it is known 491 even in the heart 492 of fools.
14:34 Righteousness exalts 493 a nation,
but sin is a disgrace 494 to any people.
14:35 The king shows favor 495 to a wise 496 servant,
but his wrath falls 497 on one who acts shamefully.
15:1 A gentle response 498 turns away anger,
but a harsh word 499 stirs up wrath. 500
15:2 The tongue of the wise 501 treats knowledge correctly, 502
but the mouth of the fool spouts out 503 folly.
15:3 The eyes of the
keeping watch 505 on those who are evil and those who are good.
15:4 Speech 506 that heals 507 is like 508 a life-giving tree, 509
but a perverse tongue 510 breaks the spirit.
15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline,
but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense. 511
15:6 In the house 512 of the righteous is abundant wealth, 513
but the income of the wicked brings trouble. 514
15:7 The lips of the wise spread 515 knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools. 516
15:8 The
but the prayer 520 of the upright pleases him. 521
15:9 The
but he loves those 523 who pursue 524 righteousness.
15:10 Severe discipline 525 is for the one who abandons the way;
the one who hates reproof 526 will die.
15:11 Death and Destruction 527 are before the
how much more 528 the hearts of humans! 529
15:12 The scorner does not love 530 one who corrects him; 531
he will not go to 532 the wise.
15:13 A joyful heart 533 makes the face cheerful, 534
but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.
15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 535
15:15 All the days 536 of the afflicted 537 are bad, 538
but one with 539 a cheerful heart has a continual feast. 540
15:16 Better 541 is little with the fear of the
than great wealth and turmoil 542 with it. 543
15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love 544
than a fattened ox where there is hatred. 545
15:18 A quick-tempered person 546 stirs up dissension,
but one who is slow to anger 547 calms 548 a quarrel. 549
15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, 550
but the path of the upright is like 551 a highway. 552
15:20 A wise child 553 brings joy to his father,
but a foolish person 554 despises 555 his mother.
15:21 Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, 556
but one who has understanding 557 follows an upright course. 558
15:22 Plans fail 559 when there is no counsel,
but with abundant advisers they are established. 560
15:23 A person has joy 561 in giving an appropriate answer, 562
and a word at the right time 563 – how good it is!
15:24 The path of life is upward 564 for the wise person, 565
to 566 keep him from going downward to Sheol. 567
15:25 The
but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. 569
15:26 The
but pleasant words 573 are pure. 574
15:27 The one who is greedy for gain 575 troubles 576 his household, 577
but whoever hates bribes 578 will live.
15:28 The heart of the righteous considers 579 how 580 to answer, 581
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. 582
15:29 The
but he hears 584 the prayer of the righteous. 585
15:30 A bright look 586 brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the body. 587
15:31 The person 588 who hears the reproof that leads to life 589
is at home 590 among the wise. 591
15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself, 592
but whoever hears 593 reproof acquires understanding. 594
15:33 The fear of the
and before honor comes humility. 596
16:1 The intentions of the heart 597 belong to a man, 598
but the answer of the tongue 599 comes from 600 the
16:2 All a person’s ways 602 seem right 603 in his own opinion, 604
but the
16:3 Commit 607 your works 608 to the
and your plans will be established. 609
16:4 The
even the wicked for the day of disaster. 612
16:5 The
rest assured 615 that they will not go unpunished. 616
16:6 Through loyal love and truth 617 iniquity is appeased; 618
through fearing the
16:7 When a person’s 622 ways are pleasing to the
he 624 even reconciles his enemies to himself. 625
16:8 Better to have a little with righteousness 626
than to have abundant income without justice. 627
16:9 A person 628 plans his course, 629
but the
16:10 The divine verdict 632 is in the words 633 of the king,
his pronouncements 634 must not act treacherously 635 against justice.
16:11 Honest scales and balances 636 are from the
all the weights 637 in the bag are his handiwork.
16:12 Doing wickedness 638 is an abomination to kings,
because a throne 639 is established in righteousness.
16:13 The delight of kings 640 is righteous counsel, 641
and they love the one who speaks 642 uprightly. 643
16:14 A king’s wrath 644 is like 645 a messenger of death, 646
but a wise person appeases it. 647
16:15 In the light of the king’s face 648 there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds 649 of the spring rain. 650
16:16 How much better it is to acquire 651 wisdom than gold;
to acquire understanding is more desirable 652 than silver.
16:17 The highway 653 of the upright is to turn 654 away from evil;
the one who guards 655 his way safeguards his life. 656
16:18 Pride 657 goes 658 before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall. 659
16:19 It is better to be lowly in spirit 660 with the afflicted
than to share the spoils 661 with the proud.
16:20 The one who deals wisely 662 in a matter 663 will find success, 664
and blessed 665 is the one who trusts in the
16:21 The one who is wise in heart 667 is called 668 discerning,
and kind speech 669 increases persuasiveness. 670
16:22 Insight 671 is like 672 a life-giving fountain 673 to the one who possesses it,
but folly leads to the discipline of fools. 674
16:23 A wise person’s heart 675 makes his speech wise 676
and it adds persuasiveness 677 to his words. 678
16:24 Pleasant words are like 679 a honeycomb, 680
sweet to the soul and healing 681 to the bones.
16:25 There is a way that seems right to a person, 682
but its end is the way that leads to death. 683
16:26 A laborer’s 684 appetite 685 works on his behalf, 686
for his hunger 687 urges him to work. 688
16:27 A wicked scoundrel 689 digs up 690 evil,
and his slander 691 is like a scorching fire. 692
16:28 A perverse person 693 spreads dissension,
and a gossip separates the closest friends. 694
16:29 A violent person 695 entices 696 his neighbor,
and leads him down a path that is terrible. 697
16:30 The one who winks his eyes 698 devises perverse things,
and 699 one who compresses his lips 700 brings about 701 evil.
16:31 Gray hair is like 702 a crown of glory; 703
it is attained 704 in the path of righteousness. 705
16:32 Better to be slow to anger 706 than to be a mighty warrior,
and one who controls his temper 707 is better than 708 one who captures a city. 709
16:33 The dice are thrown into the lap, 710
but their every decision 711 is from the
17:1 Better is a dry crust of bread 713 where there is quietness 714
than a house full of feasting with strife. 715
17:2 A servant who acts wisely 716 will rule
over 717 an heir 718 who behaves shamefully, 719
and will share the inheritance along with the relatives. 720
17:3 The crucible 721 is for refining 722 silver and the furnace 723 is for gold,
likewise 724 the
17:4 One who acts wickedly 726 pays attention to evil counsel; 727
a liar listens 728 to a malicious tongue. 729
17:5 The one who mocks the poor 730 insults 731 his Creator;
whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.
17:6 Grandchildren 732 are like 733 a crown 734 to the elderly,
and the glory 735 of children is their parents. 736
17:7 Excessive 737 speech 738 is not becoming for a fool; 739
how much less are lies 740 for a ruler! 741
17:8 A bribe works like 742 a charm 743 for the one who offers it; 744
in whatever he does 745 he succeeds. 746
17:9 The one who forgives 747 an offense seeks 748 love,
but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends. 749
17:10 A rebuke makes a greater impression on 750 a discerning person
than a hundred blows on a fool. 751
17:11 An evil person seeks only rebellion, 752
and so 753 a cruel messenger 754 will be sent against him.
17:12 It is better for a person to meet 755 a mother bear being robbed of her cubs,
than 756 to encounter 757 a fool in his folly. 758
17:13 As for the one who repays 759 evil for good,
evil will not leave 760 his house. 761
17:14 Starting a quarrel 762 is like letting out water; 763
stop it before strife breaks out! 764
17:15 The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent 765 –
both of them are an abomination to the
17:16 Of what 767 use is money in the hand of a fool, 768
since he has no intention 769 of acquiring wisdom? 770
17:17 A friend 771 loves at all times,
and a relative 772 is born to help in adversity. 773
17:18 The one who lacks wisdom 774 strikes hands in pledge, 775
and puts up financial security 776 for his neighbor. 777
17:19 The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; 778
whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction. 779
17:20 The one who has a perverse heart 780 does not find good, 781
and the one who is deceitful in speech 782 falls into trouble.
17:21 Whoever brings a fool 783 into the world 784 does so 785 to his grief,
and the father of a fool has no joy. 786
17:22 A cheerful heart 787 brings good healing, 788
but a crushed spirit 789 dries up the bones. 790
17:23 A wicked person receives a bribe secretly 791
to pervert 792 the ways of justice.
17:24 Wisdom is directly in front of 793 the discerning person,
but the eyes of a fool run 794 to the ends of the earth. 795
17:25 A foolish child is a grief 796 to his father,
and bitterness to the mother who bore him. 797
17:26 It is terrible 798 to punish 799 a righteous person,
and to flog 800 honorable men is wrong. 801
17:27 The truly wise person 802 restrains 803 his words,
and the one who stays calm 804 is discerning.
17:28 Even a fool who remains silent is considered 805 wise,
and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning. 806
18:1 One who has isolated himself 807 seeks his own desires; 808
he rejects 809 all sound judgment.
18:2 A fool takes no pleasure 810 in understanding
but only in disclosing 811 what is on his mind. 812
18:3 When a wicked person 813 arrives, contempt 814 shows up with him,
and with shame comes 815 a reproach.
18:4 The words of a person’s mouth are like 816 deep waters, 817
and 818 the fountain of wisdom 819 is like 820 a flowing brook. 821
18:5 It is terrible 822 to show partiality 823 to the wicked, 824
by depriving 825 a righteous man of justice.
18:6 The lips of a fool 826 enter into strife, 827
and his mouth invites 828 a flogging. 829
18:7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare for his life. 830
18:8 The words of a gossip 831 are like choice morsels; 832
they go down into the person’s innermost being. 833
18:9 The one who 834 is slack 835 in his work
is a brother 836 to one who destroys. 837
18:10 The name of the
the righteous person runs 841 to it and is set safely on high. 842
18:11 The wealth 843 of a rich person is like 844 a strong city, 845
and it is like a high wall in his imagination. 846
18:12 Before destruction the heart 847 of a person is proud,
but humility comes 848 before honor. 849
18:13 The one who gives an answer 850 before he listens 851 –
that is his folly and his shame. 852
18:14 A person’s spirit 853 sustains him through sickness –
but who can bear 854 a crushed spirit? 855
18:15 The discerning person 856 acquires knowledge,
and the wise person 857 seeks 858 knowledge.
18:16 A person’s gift 859 makes room for him,
and leads him 860 before important people.
18:17 The first to state his case 861 seems 862 right,
until his opponent 863 begins to 864 cross-examine him. 865
18:18 A toss of a coin 866 ends 867 disputes,
and settles the issue 868 between strong opponents. 869
18:19 A relative 870 offended 871 is harder to reach than 872 a strong city,
and disputes are like the barred gates 873 of a fortified citadel. 874
18:20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth 875 his stomach is satisfied, 876
with the product of his lips is he satisfied.
18:21 Death and life are in the power 877 of the tongue, 878
and those who love its use 879 will eat its fruit.
18:22 The one who finds 880 a wife finds what is enjoyable, 881
and receives a pleasurable gift 882 from the
18:23 A poor person makes supplications, 884
but a rich man answers harshly. 885
18:24 A person who has friends 886 may be harmed by them, 887
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
19:1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity 888
than one who is perverse in his speech 889 and is a fool. 890
19:2 It is dangerous 891 to have zeal 892 without knowledge,
and the one who acts hastily 893 makes poor choices. 894
19:3 A person’s folly 895 subverts 896 his way,
and 897 his heart rages 898 against the
19:4 Wealth adds many friends,
but a poor person is separated 899 from his friend. 900
19:5 A false witness 901 will not go unpunished,
and the one who spouts out 902 lies will not escape punishment. 903
19:6 Many people entreat the favor 904 of a generous person, 905
and everyone is the friend 906 of the person who gives gifts. 907
19:7 All the relatives 908 of a poor person hate him; 909
how much more do his friends avoid him –
he pursues them 910 with words, but they do not respond. 911
19:8 The one who acquires wisdom 912 loves himself; 913
the one who preserves understanding will prosper. 914
19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and the one who spouts out 915 lies will perish. 916
19:10 Luxury is not appropriate 917 for a fool; 918
how much less for a servant to rule over princes! 919
19:11 A person’s wisdom 920 makes him slow to anger, 921
and it is his glory 922 to overlook 923 an offense.
19:12 A king’s wrath is like 924 the roar of a lion, 925
but his favor is like dew on the grass. 926
19:13 A foolish child 927 is the ruin of his father,
and a contentious wife 928 is like 929 a constant dripping. 930
19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from parents, 931
but a prudent wife 932 is from the
19:15 Laziness brings on 933 a deep sleep, 934
and the idle person 935 will go hungry. 936
19:16 The one who obeys commandments guards 937 his life;
the one who despises his ways 938 will die. 939
19:17 The one who is gracious 940 to the poor lends 941 to the
and the
19:18 Discipline your child, for 945 there is hope,
but do not set your heart 946 on causing his death. 947
19:19 A person with great anger bears the penalty, 948
but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again. 949
19:20 Listen to advice 950 and receive discipline,
that 951 you may become wise 952 by the end of your life. 953
19:21 There are many plans 954 in a person’s mind, 955
but it 956 is the counsel 957 of the
19:22 What is desirable 958 for a person is to show loyal love, 959
and a poor person is better than a liar. 960
19:23 Fearing the
and one who does so will live 964 satisfied; he will not be afflicted 965 by calamity.
19:24 The sluggard plunges 966 his hand in the dish,
and he will not even bring it back to his mouth! 967
19:25 Flog 968 a scorner, and as a result the simpleton 969 will learn prudence; 970
correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. 971
19:26 The one who robs 972 his father 973 and chases away his mother
is a son 974 who brings shame and disgrace.
19:27 If you stop listening to 975 instruction, my child,
you will stray 976 from the words of knowledge.
19:28 A crooked witness 977 scorns justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours 978 iniquity.
19:29 Judgments 979 are prepared for scorners,
and floggings for the backs of fools.
20:1 Wine 980 is a mocker 981 and strong drink is a brawler;
whoever goes astray by them is not wise. 982
20:2 The king’s terrifying anger 983 is like the roar of a lion;
whoever provokes him 984 sins against himself. 985
20:3 It is an honor for a person 986 to cease 987 from strife,
but every fool quarrels. 988
20:4 The sluggard will not plow 989 during the planting season, 990
so at harvest time he looks 991 for the crop 992 but has nothing.
20:5 Counsel 993 in a person’s heart 994 is like 995 deep water, 996
but an understanding person 997 draws it out.
20:6 Many people profess their loyalty, 998
but a faithful person 999 – who can find? 1000
20:7 The righteous person 1001 behaves in integrity; 1002
blessed are his children after him. 1003
20:8 A king sitting on the throne to judge 1004
separates out 1005 all evil with his eyes. 1006
20:9 Who can say, 1007 “I have kept my heart clean; 1008
I am pure 1009 from my sin”?
20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures 1010 –
the
20:11 Even a young man 1012 is known 1013 by his actions,
whether his activity is pure and whether it is right. 1014
20:12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees 1015 –
the
20:13 Do not love sleep, 1017 lest you become impoverished;
open your eyes so that 1018 you might be satisfied with food. 1019
20:14 “It’s worthless! It’s worthless!” 1020 says the buyer, 1021
but when he goes on his way, he boasts. 1022
20:15 There is gold, and an abundance of rubies,
but 1023 words of knowledge 1024 are like 1025 a precious jewel.
20:16 Take a man’s 1026 garment 1027 when he has given security for a stranger, 1028
and when he gives surety for strangers, 1029 hold him 1030 in pledge.
20:17 Bread gained by deceit 1031 tastes sweet to a person, 1032
but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 1033
20:18 Plans 1034 are established by counsel,
so 1035 make war 1036 with guidance.
20:19 The one who goes about gossiping 1037 reveals secrets;
therefore do not associate 1038 with someone who is always opening his mouth. 1039
20:20 The one who curses 1040 his father and his mother,
his lamp 1041 will be extinguished in the blackest 1042 darkness.
20:21 An inheritance gained easily 1043 in the beginning
will not be blessed 1044 in the end. 1045
20:22 Do not say, 1046 “I will pay back 1047 evil!”
Wait 1048 for the
20:23 The
and dishonest scales are wicked. 1051
20:24 The steps of a person 1052 are ordained by 1053 the
so how can anyone 1054 understand his own 1055 way?
20:25 It is a snare 1056 for a person 1057 to rashly cry, 1058 “Holy!”
and only afterward to consider 1059 what he has vowed. 1060
20:26 A wise king separates out 1061 the wicked;
he turns the threshing wheel over them. 1062
20:27 The human spirit 1063 is like 1064 the lamp 1065 of the
searching all his innermost parts. 1066
20:28 Loyal love and truth 1067 preserve a king,
and his throne is upheld by loyal love. 1068
20:29 The glory 1069 of young men is their strength,
and the splendor 1070 of old men is gray hair. 1071
20:30 Beatings and wounds cleanse away 1072 evil,
and floggings cleanse 1073 the innermost being. 1074
21:1 The king’s heart 1075 is in the hand 1076 of the
he turns it wherever he wants.
21:2 All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, 1078
but the
21:3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable 1081 to the
21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart –
the agricultural product 1083 of the wicked is sin.
21:5 The plans of the diligent 1084 lead 1085 only to plenty, 1086
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 1087
21:6 Making a fortune 1088 by a lying tongue is like 1089 a vapor driven back and forth; 1090
they seek death. 1091
21:7 The violence 1092 done by the wicked 1093 will drag them away
because 1094 they refuse to do what is right. 1095
21:8 The way of the guilty person 1096 is devious, 1097
but as for the pure, 1098 his way is upright.
21:9 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop 1099
than in a house in company 1100 with a quarrelsome wife. 1101
21:10 The appetite 1102 of the wicked desires 1103 evil;
his neighbor is shown no favor 1104 in his eyes.
21:11 When a scorner is punished, the naive 1105 becomes wise;
when a wise person is instructed, 1106 he gains knowledge.
21:12 The Righteous One 1107 considers 1108 the house 1109 of the wicked;
he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. 1110
21:13 The one who shuts his ears 1111 to the cry 1112 of the poor,
he too will cry out and will not be answered. 1113
21:14 A gift given 1114 in secret subdues 1115 anger,
and a bribe given secretly 1116 subdues 1117 strong wrath. 1118
21:15 Doing 1119 justice brings 1120 joy to the righteous
and terror 1121 to those who do evil.
21:16 The one who wanders 1122 from the way of wisdom 1123
will end up 1124 in the company of the departed. 1125
21:17 The one who loves 1126 pleasure 1127 will be 1128 a poor person; 1129
whoever loves wine and anointing oil 1130 will not be rich.
21:18 The wicked become 1131 a ransom 1132 for the righteous,
and the faithless 1133 are taken 1134 in the place of the upright.
21:19 It is better to live 1135 in a desert land 1136
than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked 1137 woman.
21:20 There is desirable treasure and olive oil 1138 in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish person 1139 devours all he has. 1140
21:21 The one who pursues righteousness and love 1141
finds life, bounty, 1142 and honor.
21:22 The wise person 1143 can scale 1144 the city of the mighty
and bring down the stronghold 1145 in which they trust. 1146
21:23 The one who guards his mouth and his tongue 1147
keeps his life 1148 from troubles. 1149
21:24 A proud 1150 and arrogant 1151 person, whose name is “Scoffer,” 1152
acts 1153 with overbearing pride. 1154
21:25 What the sluggard desires 1155 will kill him, 1156
for his hands 1157 refuse to work.
21:26 All day long he craves greedily, 1158
but the righteous gives and does not hold back. 1159
21:27 The wicked person’s sacrifice 1160 is an abomination;
how much more 1161 when he brings it with evil intent! 1162
21:28 A lying witness 1163 will perish, 1164
but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. 1165
21:29 A wicked person 1166 shows boldness with his face, 1167
but as for the upright, 1168 he discerns 1169 his ways.
21:30 There is no wisdom and there is no understanding,
and there is no counsel against 1170 the
21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory is from the
22:1 A good name 1173 is to be chosen 1174 rather than great wealth,
good favor 1175 more than silver or gold.
22:2 The rich and the poor meet together; 1176
the
22:3 A shrewd person 1178 sees danger 1179 and hides himself,
but the naive keep right on going 1180 and suffer for it. 1181
22:4 The reward 1182 for humility 1183 and fearing the
is riches and honor and life.
22:5 Thorns and snares 1185 are in the path of the perverse,
but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.
22:6 Train 1186 a child 1187 in the way that he should go, 1188
and when he is old he will not turn from it. 1189
22:7 The rich rule over 1190 the poor,
and the borrower is servant 1191 to the lender.
22:8 The one who sows 1192 iniquity will reap trouble,
and the rod of his fury 1193 will end.
22:9 A generous person 1194 will be blessed, 1195
for he gives some of his food 1196 to the poor.
22:10 Drive out the scorner 1197 and contention will leave;
strife and insults will cease. 1198
22:11 The one who loves a pure heart 1199
and whose speech is gracious 1200 – the king will be his friend. 1201
22:12 The eyes of the
but he overthrows the words of the faithless person. 1204
22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion 1205 outside!
I will be killed in the middle of the streets!” 1206
22:14 The mouth 1207 of an adulteress is like 1208 a deep pit; 1209
the one against whom the
22:15 Folly is bound up 1212 in the heart of a child, 1213
but the rod of discipline 1214 will drive it far from him.
22:16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain
and the one who gives to the rich 1215 – both end up only in poverty.