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 Lord satisfies ⁹  the appetite ¹⁰  of the righteous,

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 Lord ⁸⁴  makes a person rich, ⁸⁵ 

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 Lord ⁹⁹  prolongs life, ¹⁰⁰ 

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 Lord ¹⁰⁵  is like ¹⁰⁶  a stronghold for the upright, ¹⁰⁷ 

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 Lord abhors ¹¹⁸  dishonest scales, ¹¹⁹ 

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 Lord abhors ¹⁸⁰  those who are perverse in heart, ¹⁸¹ 

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 Lord,

but the Lord ²²⁹  condemns a person with wicked schemes. ²³⁰ 

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 Lord ²⁹¹  abhors a person who lies, ²⁹² 

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 Lord, ⁴⁰³ 

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 Lord one has ⁴⁶⁷  strong confidence, ⁴⁶⁸ 

and it will be a refuge ⁴⁶⁹  for his children.

14:27 The fear of the Lord ⁴⁷⁰  is like ⁴⁷¹  a life-giving fountain, ⁴⁷² 

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 Lord ⁵⁰⁴  are in every place,

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 Lord abhors ⁵¹⁷  the sacrifices ⁵¹⁸  of the wicked, ⁵¹⁹ 

but the prayer ⁵²⁰  of the upright pleases him. ⁵²¹ 

15:9 The Lord abhors ⁵²²  the way of the wicked,

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 Lord –

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 Lord

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 Lord tears down the house of the proud, ⁵⁶⁸ 

but he maintains the boundaries of the widow. ⁵⁶⁹ 

15:26 The Lord abhors ⁵⁷⁰  the plans ⁵⁷¹  of the wicked, ⁵⁷² 

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 Lord is far ⁵⁸³  from the wicked,

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 Lord provides wise instruction, ⁵⁹⁵ 

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 Lord. ⁶⁰¹ 

16:2 All a person’s ways ⁶⁰²  seem right ⁶⁰³  in his own opinion, ⁶⁰⁴ 

but the Lord evaluates ⁶⁰⁵  the motives. ⁶⁰⁶ 

16:3 Commit ⁶⁰⁷  your works ⁶⁰⁸  to the Lord,

and your plans will be established. ⁶⁰⁹ 

16:4 The Lord works ⁶¹⁰  everything for its own ends ⁶¹¹  –

even the wicked for the day of disaster. ⁶¹² 

16:5 The Lord abhors ⁶¹³  every arrogant person; ⁶¹⁴ 

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 Lord ⁶¹⁹  one avoids ⁶²⁰  evil. ⁶²¹ 

16:7 When a person’s ⁶²²  ways are pleasing to the Lord, ⁶²³ 

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 Lord directs ⁶³⁰  his steps. ⁶³¹ 

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 Lord;

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 Lord. ⁶⁶⁶ 

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 Lord. ⁷¹² 

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 Lord tests ⁷²⁵  hearts.

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 Lord. ⁷⁶⁶ 

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 Lord ⁸³⁸  is like ⁸³⁹  a strong tower; ⁸⁴⁰ 

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 Lord. ⁸⁸³ 

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 Lord.

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 Lord.

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 Lord,

and the Lord ⁹⁴²  will repay him ⁹⁴³  for his good deed. ⁹⁴⁴ 

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 Lord which will stand.

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 Lord ⁹⁶¹  leads ⁹⁶²  to life, ⁹⁶³ 

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 Lord abhors ¹⁰¹¹  both of them.

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 Lord has made them both. ¹⁰¹⁶ 

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 Lord, so that he may vindicate you. ¹⁰⁴⁹ 

20:23 The Lord abhors ¹⁰⁵⁰  differing weights,

and dishonest scales are wicked. ¹⁰⁵¹ 

20:24 The steps of a person ¹⁰⁵²  are ordained by ¹⁰⁵³  the Lord –

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 Lord,

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 Lord like channels of water; ¹⁰⁷⁷ 

he turns it wherever he wants.

21:2 All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, ¹⁰⁷⁸ 

but the Lord evaluates ¹⁰⁷⁹  the motives. ¹⁰⁸⁰ 

21:3 To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable ¹⁰⁸¹  to the Lord than sacrifice. ¹⁰⁸² 

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 Lord. ¹¹⁷¹ 

21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but the victory is from the Lord. ¹¹⁷² 

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 Lord is the creator of them both. ¹¹⁷⁷ 

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 Lord ¹¹⁸⁴ 

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 Lord ¹²⁰²  guard knowledge, ¹²⁰³ 

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 Lord is angry ¹²¹⁰  will fall into it. ¹²¹¹ 

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.

22:17 Incline your ear ¹²¹⁷  and listen to the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my instruction. ¹²¹⁸ 

22:18 For it is pleasing if ¹²¹⁹  you keep these sayings ¹²²⁰  within you,

and ¹²²¹  they are ready on your lips. ¹²²² 

22:19 So that ¹²²³  your confidence may be in the Lord,

I am making them known to you today ¹²²⁴  – even you.

22:20 Have I not written thirty sayings ¹²²⁵  for you,

sayings ¹²²⁶  of counsel and knowledge,

22:21 to show you true and reliable words, ¹²²⁷ 

so that you may give accurate answers ¹²²⁸  to those who sent you?

22:22 Do not exploit ¹²²⁹  a poor person because he is poor

and do not crush the needy in court, ¹²³⁰ 

22:23 for the Lord will plead their case ¹²³¹ 

and will rob those who are robbing ¹²³²  them.

22:24 Do not make friends with an angry person, ¹²³³ 

and do not associate with a wrathful person,

22:25 lest you learn ¹²³⁴  his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare. ¹²³⁵ 

22:26 Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge

or who puts up security for debts.

22:27 If you do not have enough to pay,

your bed ¹²³⁶  will be taken ¹²³⁷  right out from under you! ¹²³⁸ 

22:28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone ¹²³⁹ 

which was put in place by your ancestors. ¹²⁴⁰ 

22:29 Do you see a person skilled ¹²⁴¹  in his work?

He will take his position before kings;

he will not take his position ¹²⁴²  before obscure people. ¹²⁴³ 

23:1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

consider carefully ¹²⁴⁴  what ¹²⁴⁵  is before you,

23:2 and put a knife to your throat ¹²⁴⁶ 

if you possess a large appetite. ¹²⁴⁷ 

23:3 Do not crave that ruler’s ¹²⁴⁸  delicacies,

for ¹²⁴⁹  that food is deceptive. ¹²⁵⁰ 

23:4 Do not wear yourself out to become rich;

be wise enough to restrain yourself. ¹²⁵¹ 

23:5 When you gaze upon riches, ¹²⁵²  they are gone,

for they surely make wings for themselves,

and fly off into the sky like an eagle! ¹²⁵³ 

23:6 Do not eat the food of a stingy person, ¹²⁵⁴ 

do not crave his delicacies;

23:7 for he is ¹²⁵⁵  like someone calculating the cost ¹²⁵⁶  in his mind. ¹²⁵⁷ 

“Eat and drink,” he says to you,

but his heart is not with you;

23:8 you will vomit up ¹²⁵⁸  the little bit you have eaten,

and will have wasted your pleasant words. ¹²⁵⁹ 

23:9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, ¹²⁶⁰ 

for he will despise the wisdom of your words. ¹²⁶¹ 

23:10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone,

or take over ¹²⁶²  the fields of the fatherless,

23:11 for their Protector ¹²⁶³  is strong;

he will plead their case against you. ¹²⁶⁴ 

23:12 Apply ¹²⁶⁵  your heart to instruction

and your ears to the words of knowledge.

23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;

even if you strike him with the rod, he will not die.

23:14 If you strike ¹²⁶⁶  him with the rod,

you will deliver him ¹²⁶⁷  from death. ¹²⁶⁸ 

23:15 My child, ¹²⁶⁹  if your heart is wise,

then my heart also will be glad;

23:16 my soul ¹²⁷⁰  will rejoice

when your lips speak what is right. ¹²⁷¹ 

23:17 Do not let your heart envy ¹²⁷²  sinners,

but rather be zealous in fearing the Lord ¹²⁷³  all the time.

23:18 For surely there is a future, ¹²⁷⁴ 

and your hope will not be cut off. ¹²⁷⁵ 

23:19 Listen, my child, ¹²⁷⁶  and be wise,

and guide your heart on the right way.

23:20 Do not spend time ¹²⁷⁷  among drunkards, ¹²⁷⁸ 

among those who eat too much ¹²⁷⁹  meat,

23:21 because drunkards and gluttons become impoverished,

and drowsiness ¹²⁸⁰  clothes them with rags. ¹²⁸¹ 

23:22 Listen to your father who begot you,

and do not despise your mother when she is old.

23:23 Acquire ¹²⁸²  truth and do not sell it –

wisdom, and discipline, and understanding.

23:24 The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; ¹²⁸³ 

whoever fathers a wise child ¹²⁸⁴  will have joy in him.

23:25 May your father and your mother have joy;

may she who bore you rejoice. ¹²⁸⁵ 

23:26 Give me your heart, my son, ¹²⁸⁶ 

and let your eyes observe my ways;

23:27 for a prostitute is like ¹²⁸⁷  a deep pit;

a harlot ¹²⁸⁸  is like ¹²⁸⁹  a narrow well. ¹²⁹⁰ 

23:28 Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber, ¹²⁹¹ 

and increases the unfaithful ¹²⁹²  among men. ¹²⁹³ 

23:29 Who has woe? ¹²⁹⁴  Who has sorrow?

Who has contentions? Who has complaints?

Who has wounds without cause? Who has dullness ¹²⁹⁵  of the eyes?

23:30 Those who linger over wine,

those who go looking for mixed wine. ¹²⁹⁶ 

23:31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,

when it sparkles ¹²⁹⁷  in the cup,

when it goes down smoothly. ¹²⁹⁸ 

23:32 Afterward ¹²⁹⁹  it bites like a snake,

and stings like a viper.

23:33 Your eyes will see strange things, ¹³⁰⁰ 

and your mind will speak perverse things.

23:34 And you will be like one who lies down in the midst ¹³⁰¹  of the sea,

and like one who lies down on the top of the rigging. ¹³⁰² 

23:35 You will say, ¹³⁰³  “They have struck me, but I am not harmed!

They beat me, but I did not know it! ¹³⁰⁴ 

When will I awake? I will look for another drink.” ¹³⁰⁵ 

24:1 Do not envy evil people, ¹³⁰⁶ 

do not desire ¹³⁰⁷  to be with them;

24:2 for their hearts contemplate violence,

and their lips speak harm. ¹³⁰⁸ 

24:3 By ¹³⁰⁹  wisdom a house is built, ¹³¹⁰ 

and through understanding it is established;

24:4 by knowledge its rooms are filled

with all kinds of precious and pleasing treasures.

24:5 A wise warrior ¹³¹¹  is strong, ¹³¹² 

and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;

24:6 for with guidance you wage your war,

and with numerous advisers there is victory. ¹³¹³ 

24:7 Wisdom is unattainable ¹³¹⁴  for a fool;

in court ¹³¹⁵  he does not open his mouth. ¹³¹⁶ 

24:8 The one who plans to do evil

will be called a scheming person. ¹³¹⁷ 

24:9 A foolish scheme ¹³¹⁸  is sin,

and the scorner is an abomination to people. ¹³¹⁹ 

24:10 If you faint ¹³²⁰  in the day of trouble, ¹³²¹ 

your strength is small! ¹³²² 

24:11 Deliver those being taken away to death,

and hold back those slipping to the slaughter. ¹³²³ 

24:12 If you say, “But we did not know about this,”

does not the one who evaluates ¹³²⁴  hearts consider?

Does not the one who guards your life know?

Will he not repay each person according to his deeds? ¹³²⁵ 

24:13 Eat honey, ¹³²⁶  my child, for it is good,

and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

24:14 Likewise, know ¹³²⁷  that wisdom is sweet ¹³²⁸  to your soul;

if you find it, ¹³²⁹  you will have a future, ¹³³⁰ 

and your hope will not be cut off.

24:15 Do not lie in wait like the wicked ¹³³¹  against the place where the righteous live;

do not assault ¹³³²  his home.

24:16 Although ¹³³³  a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again,

but the wicked will be brought down ¹³³⁴  by calamity.

24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, ¹³³⁵ 

and when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice,

24:18 lest the Lord see it, and be displeased, ¹³³⁶ 

and turn his wrath away from him. ¹³³⁷ 

24:19 Do not fret because of evil people

or be envious of wicked people,

24:20 for the evil person has no future, ¹³³⁸ 

and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. ¹³³⁹ 

24:21 Fear the Lord, my child, ¹³⁴⁰  as well as the king,

and do not associate ¹³⁴¹  with rebels, ¹³⁴² 

24:22 for suddenly their destruction will overtake them, ¹³⁴³ 

and who knows the ruinous judgment both the Lord and the king can bring? ¹³⁴⁴ 

24:23 These sayings also are from the wise:

To show partiality ¹³⁴⁵  in judgment is terrible: ¹³⁴⁶ 

24:24 The one who says to the guilty, ¹³⁴⁷  “You are innocent,” ¹³⁴⁸ 

peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce ¹³⁴⁹  him.

24:25 But there will be delight ¹³⁵⁰  for those who convict ¹³⁵¹  the guilty, ¹³⁵² 

and a pleasing blessing ¹³⁵³  will come on them.

24:26 Like a kiss on the lips ¹³⁵⁴ 

is the one who gives an honest answer.

24:27 Establish your work outside and get your fields ready;

afterward build ¹³⁵⁵  your house. ¹³⁵⁶ 

24:28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, ¹³⁵⁷ 

and do not deceive with your words. ¹³⁵⁸ 

24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;

I will pay him back ¹³⁵⁹  according to what he has done.” ¹³⁶⁰ 

24:30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,

by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. ¹³⁶¹ 

24:31 I saw ¹³⁶²  that thorns had grown up all over it,

the ground ¹³⁶³  was covered with weeds,

and its stone wall was broken down.

24:32 When I saw this, I gave careful consideration to it; ¹³⁶⁴ 

I received instruction from what I saw: ¹³⁶⁵ 

24:33 “A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to relax,

24:34 and your poverty will come like a bandit,

and your need like an armed robber.” ¹³⁶⁶ 

25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,

which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied: ¹³⁶⁷ 

25:2 It is the glory of God ¹³⁶⁸  to conceal ¹³⁶⁹  a matter,

and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.

25:3 As the heaven is high ¹³⁷⁰  and the earth is deep

so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. ¹³⁷¹ 

25:4 Remove the dross from the silver,

and material ¹³⁷²  for the silversmith will emerge;

25:5 remove the wicked from before the king, ¹³⁷³ 

and his throne ¹³⁷⁴  will be established in righteousness. ¹³⁷⁵ 

25:6 Do not honor yourself before the king,

and do not stand in the place of great men;

25:7 for it is better for him ¹³⁷⁶  to say to you, “Come up here,” ¹³⁷⁷ 

than to put you lower ¹³⁷⁸  before a prince,

whom your eyes have seen. ¹³⁷⁹ 

25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation, ¹³⁸⁰ 

or ¹³⁸¹  what will you do afterward

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

25:9 When you argue a case ¹³⁸²  with your neighbor,

do not reveal the secret of another person, ¹³⁸³ 

25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame

and your infamy ¹³⁸⁴  will never go away.

25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver, ¹³⁸⁵ 

so is a word skillfully spoken. ¹³⁸⁶ 

25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, ¹³⁸⁷ 

so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. ¹³⁸⁸ 

25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, ¹³⁸⁹ 

so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

for he refreshes the heart ¹³⁹⁰  of his masters.

25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, ¹³⁹¹ 

so is the one who boasts ¹³⁹²  of a gift not given. ¹³⁹³ 

25:15 Through patience ¹³⁹⁴  a ruler can be persuaded, ¹³⁹⁵ 

and a soft tongue ¹³⁹⁶  can break a bone. ¹³⁹⁷ 

25:16 When you find ¹³⁹⁸  honey, eat only what is sufficient for you,

lest you become stuffed ¹³⁹⁹  with it and vomit it up. ¹⁴⁰⁰ 

25:17 Don’t set foot too frequently ¹⁴⁰¹  in your neighbor’s house,

lest he become weary ¹⁴⁰²  of you and hate you.

25:18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, ¹⁴⁰³ 

so is the one who testifies against ¹⁴⁰⁴  his neighbor as a false witness. ¹⁴⁰⁵ 

25:19 Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, ¹⁴⁰⁶ 

so is confidence ¹⁴⁰⁷  in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble. ¹⁴⁰⁸ 

25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, ¹⁴⁰⁹ 

or like vinegar poured on soda, ¹⁴¹⁰ 

so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. ¹⁴¹¹ 

25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, ¹⁴¹² 

and the Lord will reward you. ¹⁴¹³ 

25:23 The north wind ¹⁴¹⁴  brings forth rain,

and a gossiping tongue ¹⁴¹⁵  brings forth ¹⁴¹⁶  an angry look. ¹⁴¹⁷ 

25:24 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop

than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. ¹⁴¹⁸ 

25:25 Like cold water to a weary person, ¹⁴¹⁹ 

so is good news from a distant land. ¹⁴²⁰ 

25:26 Like a muddied ¹⁴²¹  spring and a polluted ¹⁴²²  well,

so is a righteous person who gives way ¹⁴²³  before the wicked.

25:27 It is not good ¹⁴²⁴  to eat too much honey,

nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory. ¹⁴²⁵ 

25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without a wall,

so is a person who cannot control his temper. ¹⁴²⁶ 

26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

so honor ¹⁴²⁷  is not fitting for a fool. ¹⁴²⁸ 

26:2 Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow,

so a curse without cause ¹⁴²⁹  does not come to rest. ¹⁴³⁰ 

26:3 A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey,

and a rod for the backs of fools! ¹⁴³¹ 

26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, ¹⁴³² 

lest you yourself also be like him. ¹⁴³³ 

26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, ¹⁴³⁴ 

lest he be wise in his own estimation. ¹⁴³⁵ 

26:6 Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, ¹⁴³⁶ 

so is sending ¹⁴³⁷  a message by the hand of a fool. ¹⁴³⁸ 

26:7 Like legs that hang limp ¹⁴³⁹  from the lame,

so ¹⁴⁴⁰  is a proverb ¹⁴⁴¹  in the mouth of fools.

26:8 Like tying a stone in a sling, ¹⁴⁴² 

so is giving honor to a fool.

26:9 Like a thorn ¹⁴⁴³  that goes into the hand of a drunkard,

so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. ¹⁴⁴⁴ 

26:10 Like an archer who wounds at random, ¹⁴⁴⁵ 

so is the one who hires ¹⁴⁴⁶  a fool or hires any passer-by.

26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, ¹⁴⁴⁷ 

so a fool repeats his folly. ¹⁴⁴⁸ 

26:12 Do you see ¹⁴⁴⁹  a man wise in his own eyes? ¹⁴⁵⁰ 

There is more hope for a fool ¹⁴⁵¹  than for him.

26:13 The sluggard ¹⁴⁵²  says, “There is a lion in the road!

A lion in the streets!” ¹⁴⁵³ 

26:14 Like ¹⁴⁵⁴  a door that turns on its hinges, ¹⁴⁵⁵ 

so a sluggard turns ¹⁴⁵⁶  on his bed.

26:15 The sluggard plunges ¹⁴⁵⁷  his hand in the dish;

he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. ¹⁴⁵⁸ 

26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation ¹⁴⁵⁹ 

than seven people who respond with good sense. ¹⁴⁶⁰ 

26:17 Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, ¹⁴⁶¹ 

so is the person passing by who becomes furious ¹⁴⁶²  over a quarrel not his own.

26:18 Like a madman ¹⁴⁶³  who shoots

firebrands and deadly arrows, ¹⁴⁶⁴ 

26:19 so is a person ¹⁴⁶⁵  who deceives his neighbor,

and says, “Was I not only joking?” ¹⁴⁶⁶ 

26:20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out,

and where there is no gossip, ¹⁴⁶⁷  contention ceases. ¹⁴⁶⁸ 

26:21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

so is a contentious person ¹⁴⁶⁹  to kindle strife. ¹⁴⁷⁰ 

26:22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels;

they go down into a person’s innermost being. ¹⁴⁷¹ 

26:23 Like a coating of glaze ¹⁴⁷²  over earthenware

are fervent ¹⁴⁷³  lips with an evil heart. ¹⁴⁷⁴ 

26:24 The one who hates others disguises ¹⁴⁷⁵  it with his lips,

but he stores up ¹⁴⁷⁶  deceit within him. ¹⁴⁷⁷ 

26:25 When ¹⁴⁷⁸  he speaks graciously, ¹⁴⁷⁹  do not believe him, ¹⁴⁸⁰ 

for there are seven ¹⁴⁸¹  abominations ¹⁴⁸²  within him.

26:26 Though his ¹⁴⁸³  hatred may be concealed ¹⁴⁸⁴  by deceit,

his evil will be uncovered ¹⁴⁸⁵  in the assembly.

26:27 The one who digs a pit ¹⁴⁸⁶  will fall into it;

the one who rolls a stone – it will come back on him.

26:28 A lying tongue ¹⁴⁸⁷  hates those crushed by it,

and a flattering mouth works ruin. ¹⁴⁸⁸ 

27:1 Do not boast ¹⁴⁸⁹  about tomorrow; ¹⁴⁹⁰ 

for you do not know ¹⁴⁹¹  what a day may bring forth.

27:2 Let another ¹⁴⁹²  praise you, and not your own mouth; ¹⁴⁹³ 

someone else, ¹⁴⁹⁴  and not your own lips.

27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,

but vexation ¹⁴⁹⁵  by a fool is more burdensome ¹⁴⁹⁶  than the two of them.

27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, ¹⁴⁹⁷ 

but who can stand before jealousy? ¹⁴⁹⁸ 

27:5 Better is open ¹⁴⁹⁹  rebuke

than hidden ¹⁵⁰⁰  love.

27:6 Faithful ¹⁵⁰¹  are the wounds of a friend,

but the kisses ¹⁵⁰²  of an enemy are excessive. ¹⁵⁰³ 

27:7 The one whose appetite ¹⁵⁰⁴  is satisfied loathes honey,

but to the hungry mouth ¹⁵⁰⁵  every bitter thing is sweet.

27:8 Like a bird that wanders ¹⁵⁰⁶  from its nest,

so is a person who wanders from his home. ¹⁵⁰⁷ 

27:9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, ¹⁵⁰⁸ 

likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel. ¹⁵⁰⁹ 

27:10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,

and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster;

a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away. ¹⁵¹⁰ 

27:11 Be wise, my son, ¹⁵¹¹  and make my heart glad,

so that I may answer ¹⁵¹²  anyone who taunts me. ¹⁵¹³ 

27:12 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,

but the naive keep right on going ¹⁵¹⁴  and suffer for it.

27:13 Take a man’s ¹⁵¹⁵  garment when he has given security for a stranger,

and when he gives surety for a stranger, ¹⁵¹⁶  hold him in pledge. ¹⁵¹⁷ 

27:14 If someone blesses ¹⁵¹⁸  his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, ¹⁵¹⁹ 

it will be counted as a curse to him. ¹⁵²⁰ 

27:15 A continual dripping on a rainy day

and a contentious wife ¹⁵²¹  are alike. ¹⁵²² 

27:16 Whoever hides her hides the wind ¹⁵²³ 

or grasps ¹⁵²⁴  oil with his right hand. ¹⁵²⁵ 

27:17 As ¹⁵²⁶  iron sharpens ¹⁵²⁷  iron,

so a person ¹⁵²⁸  sharpens his friend. ¹⁵²⁹ 

27:18 The one who tends a fig tree ¹⁵³⁰  will eat its fruit, ¹⁵³¹ 

and whoever takes care of ¹⁵³²  his master will be honored.

27:19 As in water the face is reflected as a face, ¹⁵³³ 

so a person’s heart ¹⁵³⁴  reflects the person.

27:20 As ¹⁵³⁵  Death and Destruction are never satisfied, ¹⁵³⁶ 

so the eyes of a person ¹⁵³⁷  are never satisfied. ¹⁵³⁸ 

27:21 As the crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, ¹⁵³⁹ 

so a person ¹⁵⁴⁰  is proved ¹⁵⁴¹  by the praise he receives. ¹⁵⁴² 

27:22 If you should pound ¹⁵⁴³  the fool in the mortar

among the grain ¹⁵⁴⁴  with the pestle,

his foolishness would not depart from him. ¹⁵⁴⁵ 

27:23 Pay careful attention to ¹⁵⁴⁶  the condition of your flocks, ¹⁵⁴⁷ 

give careful attention ¹⁵⁴⁸  to your herds,

27:24 for riches do not last ¹⁵⁴⁹  forever,

nor does a crown last ¹⁵⁵⁰  from generation to generation.

27:25 When the hay is removed and new grass appears,

and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

27:26 the lambs will be for your clothing,

and the goats will be for the price of a field. ¹⁵⁵¹ 

27:27 And there will be enough goat’s milk for your food, ¹⁵⁵² 

for the food of your household,

and for the sustenance ¹⁵⁵³  of your servant girls.

28:1 The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, ¹⁵⁵⁴ 

but the righteous person is as confident ¹⁵⁵⁵  as a lion.

28:2 When a country is rebellious ¹⁵⁵⁶  it has many princes, ¹⁵⁵⁷ 

but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable ¹⁵⁵⁸  order is maintained. ¹⁵⁵⁹ 

28:3 A poor person ¹⁵⁶⁰  who oppresses the weak

is like ¹⁵⁶¹  a driving rain without food. ¹⁵⁶² 

28:4 Those who forsake the law ¹⁵⁶³  praise the wicked, ¹⁵⁶⁴ 

but those who keep the law contend ¹⁵⁶⁵  with them.

28:5 Evil people ¹⁵⁶⁶  do not understand justice, ¹⁵⁶⁷ 

but those who seek the Lord ¹⁵⁶⁸  understand it all.

28:6 A poor person ¹⁵⁶⁹  who walks in his integrity is better

than one who is perverse in his ways ¹⁵⁷⁰  even though ¹⁵⁷¹  he is rich. ¹⁵⁷² 

28:7 The one who keeps the law ¹⁵⁷³  is a discerning child, ¹⁵⁷⁴ 

but a companion of gluttons brings shame ¹⁵⁷⁵  to his parents. ¹⁵⁷⁶ 

28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest ¹⁵⁷⁷ 

gathers it for someone who is gracious ¹⁵⁷⁸  to the needy.

28:9 The one who turns away his ear ¹⁵⁷⁹  from hearing the law,

even his prayer ¹⁵⁸⁰  is an abomination. ¹⁵⁸¹ 

28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way

will himself fall into his own pit, ¹⁵⁸² 

but the blameless will inherit what is good. ¹⁵⁸³ 

28:11 A rich person ¹⁵⁸⁴  is wise in his own eyes, ¹⁵⁸⁵ 

but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly. ¹⁵⁸⁶ 

28:12 When the righteous rejoice, ¹⁵⁸⁷  great is the glory, ¹⁵⁸⁸ 

but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out. ¹⁵⁸⁹ 

28:13 The one who covers ¹⁵⁹⁰  his transgressions will not prosper, ¹⁵⁹¹ 

but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. ¹⁵⁹² 

28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious, ¹⁵⁹³ 

but whoever hardens his heart ¹⁵⁹⁴  will fall into evil.

28:15 Like ¹⁵⁹⁵  a roaring lion or a roving bear, ¹⁵⁹⁶ 

so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. ¹⁵⁹⁷ 

28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, ¹⁵⁹⁸ 

but the one who hates ¹⁵⁹⁹  unjust gain will prolong his days.

28:17 The one who is tormented ¹⁶⁰⁰  by the murder ¹⁶⁰¹  of another will flee to the pit; ¹⁶⁰² 

let no one support him.

28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, ¹⁶⁰³ 

but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall ¹⁶⁰⁴  at once. ¹⁶⁰⁵ 

28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, ¹⁶⁰⁶ 

but whoever chases daydreams ¹⁶⁰⁷  will have his fill ¹⁶⁰⁸  of poverty.

28:20 A faithful person ¹⁶⁰⁹  will have an abundance of blessings,

but the one who hastens ¹⁶¹⁰  to gain riches will not go unpunished.

28:21 To show partiality ¹⁶¹¹  is terrible, ¹⁶¹² 

for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread. ¹⁶¹³ 

28:22 The stingy person ¹⁶¹⁴  hastens after riches

and does not know that poverty will overtake him. ¹⁶¹⁵ 

28:23 The one who reproves ¹⁶¹⁶  another ¹⁶¹⁷  will in the end ¹⁶¹⁸  find more favor

than the one who flatters ¹⁶¹⁹  with the tongue.

28:24 The one who robs ¹⁶²⁰  his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”

is a companion ¹⁶²¹  to the one ¹⁶²²  who destroys.

28:25 The greedy person ¹⁶²³  stirs up dissension, ¹⁶²⁴ 

but the one who trusts ¹⁶²⁵  in the Lord will prosper. ¹⁶²⁶ 

28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart ¹⁶²⁷  is a fool,

but the one who walks in wisdom ¹⁶²⁸  will escape. ¹⁶²⁹ 

28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack, ¹⁶³⁰ 

but whoever shuts his eyes to them ¹⁶³¹  will receive ¹⁶³²  many curses. ¹⁶³³ 

28:28 When the wicked gain control, ¹⁶³⁴  people ¹⁶³⁵  hide themselves, ¹⁶³⁶ 

but when they perish, ¹⁶³⁷  the righteous increase.

29:1 The one who stiffens his neck ¹⁶³⁸  after numerous rebukes ¹⁶³⁹ 

will suddenly be destroyed ¹⁶⁴⁰  without remedy. ¹⁶⁴¹ 

29:2 When the righteous become numerous, ¹⁶⁴²  the people rejoice;

when the wicked rule, the people groan. ¹⁶⁴³ 

29:3 The man ¹⁶⁴⁴  who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, ¹⁶⁴⁵ 

but whoever associates ¹⁶⁴⁶  with prostitutes wastes ¹⁶⁴⁷  his wealth. ¹⁶⁴⁸ 

29:4 A king brings stability ¹⁶⁴⁹  to a land ¹⁶⁵⁰  by justice,

but one who exacts tribute ¹⁶⁵¹  tears it down.

29:5 The one ¹⁶⁵²  who flatters ¹⁶⁵³  his neighbor

spreads a net ¹⁶⁵⁴  for his steps. ¹⁶⁵⁵ 

29:6 In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare, ¹⁶⁵⁶ 

but a righteous person can sing ¹⁶⁵⁷  and rejoice. ¹⁶⁵⁸ 

29:7 The righteous person cares for ¹⁶⁵⁹  the legal rights ¹⁶⁶⁰  of the poor;

the wicked does not understand such ¹⁶⁶¹  knowledge.

29:8 Scornful people ¹⁶⁶²  inflame ¹⁶⁶³  a city, ¹⁶⁶⁴ 

but those who are wise turn away wrath.

29:9 If a wise person ¹⁶⁶⁵  goes to court ¹⁶⁶⁶  with a foolish person,

there is no peace ¹⁶⁶⁷  whether he is angry or laughs. ¹⁶⁶⁸ 

29:10 Bloodthirsty people ¹⁶⁶⁹  hate someone with integrity; ¹⁶⁷⁰ 

as for the upright, they seek his life. ¹⁶⁷¹ 

29:11 A fool lets fly with all his temper, ¹⁶⁷² 

but a wise person keeps it back. ¹⁶⁷³ 

29:12 If a ruler listens to ¹⁶⁷⁴  lies, ¹⁶⁷⁵ 

all his ministers ¹⁶⁷⁶  will be wicked. ¹⁶⁷⁷ 

29:13 The poor person and the oppressor ¹⁶⁷⁸  have this in common: ¹⁶⁷⁹ 

the Lord gives light ¹⁶⁸⁰  to the eyes of them both.

29:14 If a king judges the poor in truth, ¹⁶⁸¹ 

his throne ¹⁶⁸²  will be established forever.

29:15 A rod and reproof ¹⁶⁸³  impart ¹⁶⁸⁴  wisdom,

but a child who is unrestrained ¹⁶⁸⁵  brings shame ¹⁶⁸⁶  to his mother. ¹⁶⁸⁷ 

29:16 When the wicked increase, ¹⁶⁸⁸  transgression increases,

but the righteous will see ¹⁶⁸⁹  their downfall.

29:17 Discipline your child, and he will give you rest; ¹⁶⁹⁰ 

he will bring you ¹⁶⁹¹  happiness. ¹⁶⁹² 

29:18 When there is no prophetic vision ¹⁶⁹³  the people cast off restraint, ¹⁶⁹⁴ 

but the one who keeps the law, ¹⁶⁹⁵  blessed is he! ¹⁶⁹⁶ 

29:19 A servant ¹⁶⁹⁷  cannot be corrected ¹⁶⁹⁸  by words,

for although ¹⁶⁹⁹  he understands, there is no answer. ¹⁷⁰⁰ 

29:20 Do you see someone ¹⁷⁰¹  who is hasty in his words? ¹⁷⁰² 

There is more hope for a fool than for him. ¹⁷⁰³ 

29:21 If ¹⁷⁰⁴  someone pampers his servant from youth,

he will be a weakling ¹⁷⁰⁵  in the end.

29:22 An angry person ¹⁷⁰⁶  stirs up dissension,

and a wrathful person ¹⁷⁰⁷  is abounding in transgression. ¹⁷⁰⁸ 

29:23 A person’s pride ¹⁷⁰⁹  will bring him low, ¹⁷¹⁰ 

but one who has a lowly spirit ¹⁷¹¹  will gain honor.

29:24 Whoever shares with a thief ¹⁷¹²  is his own enemy; ¹⁷¹³ 

he hears the oath to testify, ¹⁷¹⁴  but does not talk.

29:25 The fear of people ¹⁷¹⁵  becomes ¹⁷¹⁶  a snare, ¹⁷¹⁷ 

but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high. ¹⁷¹⁸ 

29:26 Many people seek the face ¹⁷¹⁹  of a ruler,

but it is from the Lord that one receives justice. ¹⁷²⁰ 

29:27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,

and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked. ¹⁷²¹ 

30:1 The words of Agur, the son of Jakeh; an oracle: ¹⁷²³ 

This ¹⁷²⁴  man says ¹⁷²⁵  to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ukal: ¹⁷²⁶ 

30:2 Surely ¹⁷²⁷  I am more brutish ¹⁷²⁸  than any other human being, ¹⁷²⁹ 

and I do not have human understanding; ¹⁷³⁰ 

30:3 I have not learned wisdom,

nor do I have knowledge ¹⁷³¹  of the Holy One. ¹⁷³² 

30:4 Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended? ¹⁷³³ 

Who has gathered up the winds in his fists? ¹⁷³⁴ 

Who has bound up the waters in his cloak? ¹⁷³⁵ 

Who has established all the ends of the earth? ¹⁷³⁶ 

What is his name, and what is his son’s name? ¹⁷³⁷  – if you know!

30:5 Every word of God is purified; ¹⁷³⁸ 

he is like ¹⁷³⁹  a shield for those who take refuge in him. ¹⁷⁴⁰ 

30:6 Do not add to his words,

lest he reprove you, and prove you to be a liar. ¹⁷⁴¹ 

30:7 Two things ¹⁷⁴²  I ask from you; ¹⁷⁴³ 

do not refuse me before I die:

30:8 Remove falsehood and lies ¹⁷⁴⁴  far from me;

do not give me poverty or riches,

feed me with my allotted portion ¹⁷⁴⁵  of bread, ¹⁷⁴⁶ 

30:9 lest I become satisfied and act deceptively ¹⁷⁴⁷ 

and say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or lest I become poor and steal

and demean ¹⁷⁴⁸  the name of my God.

30:10 Do not slander ¹⁷⁴⁹  a servant to his master,

lest he curse you, and you are found guilty. ¹⁷⁵⁰ 

30:11 There is a generation ¹⁷⁵¹  who curse their fathers

and do not bless their mothers. ¹⁷⁵² 

30:12 There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes

and yet are not washed ¹⁷⁵³  from their filthiness. ¹⁷⁵⁴ 

30:13 There is a generation whose eyes are so lofty, ¹⁷⁵⁵ 

and whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully. ¹⁷⁵⁶ 

30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like ¹⁷⁵⁷  swords ¹⁷⁵⁸ 

and whose molars ¹⁷⁵⁹  are like knives

to devour ¹⁷⁶⁰  the poor from the earth

and the needy from among the human race.

30:15 The leech ¹⁷⁶¹  has two daughters: ¹⁷⁶² 

“Give! Give!” ¹⁷⁶³ 

There are three things that are never satisfied,

four ¹⁷⁶⁴  that never say, “Enough” ¹⁷⁶⁵  –

30:16 the grave, ¹⁷⁶⁶  the barren womb, ¹⁷⁶⁷ 

land that is not satisfied with water,

and fire that never says, “Enough!” ¹⁷⁶⁸ 

30:17 The eye ¹⁷⁶⁹  that mocks at a father

and despises obeying ¹⁷⁷⁰  a mother –

the ravens of the valley will peck it out

and the young vultures will eat it. ¹⁷⁷¹ 

30:18 There are three things that are too wonderful for me, ¹⁷⁷² 

four that I do not understand:

30:19 the way ¹⁷⁷³  of an eagle in the sky,

the way of a snake on a rock,

the way of a ship in the sea,

and the way of a man with a woman. ¹⁷⁷⁴ 

30:20 This is the way ¹⁷⁷⁵  of an adulterous ¹⁷⁷⁶  woman:

she eats and wipes her mouth ¹⁷⁷⁷ 

and says, “I have not done wrong.” ¹⁷⁷⁸ 

30:21 Under three things the earth trembles, ¹⁷⁷⁹ 

and under four things it cannot bear up:

30:22 under a servant ¹⁷⁸⁰  who becomes king,

under a fool who is stuffed with food, ¹⁷⁸¹ 

30:23 under an unloved ¹⁷⁸²  woman who is married,

and under a female servant who dispossesses ¹⁷⁸³  her mistress.

30:24 There are four things on earth that are small, ¹⁷⁸⁴ 

but they are exceedingly wise: ¹⁷⁸⁵ 

30:25 ants are creatures with little strength,

but they prepare ¹⁷⁸⁶  their food in the summer;

30:26 rock badgers ¹⁷⁸⁷  are creatures with little power,

but they make their homes in the crags;

30:27 locusts have no king,

but they all go forward by ranks; ¹⁷⁸⁸ 

30:28 a lizard ¹⁷⁸⁹  you can catch with the hand,

but it gets into the palaces of the king. ¹⁷⁹⁰ 

30:29 There are three things that are magnificent ¹⁷⁹¹  in their step,

four things that move about magnificently: ¹⁷⁹² 

30:30 a lion, mightiest ¹⁷⁹³  of the beasts,

who does not retreat from anything;

30:31 a strutting rooster, ¹⁷⁹⁴  a male goat,

and a king with his army around him. ¹⁷⁹⁵ 

30:32 If you have done foolishly by exalting yourself ¹⁷⁹⁶ 

or if you have planned evil,

put ¹⁷⁹⁷  your hand over your mouth!

30:33 For as the churning ¹⁷⁹⁸  of milk produces butter

and as punching the nose produces blood,

so stirring up anger ¹⁷⁹⁹  produces strife. ¹⁸⁰⁰ 

31:1 The words of King Lemuel, ¹⁸⁰¹ 

an oracle ¹⁸⁰²  that his mother taught him:

31:2 O ¹⁸⁰³  my son, O son of my womb,

O son ¹⁸⁰⁴  of my vows,

31:3 Do not give your strength ¹⁸⁰⁵  to women,

nor your ways ¹⁸⁰⁶  to that which ruins ¹⁸⁰⁷  kings.

31:4 It is not for kings, ¹⁸⁰⁸  O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine, ¹⁸⁰⁹ 

or for rulers to crave strong drink, ¹⁸¹⁰ 

31:5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed,

and remove ¹⁸¹¹  from all the poor ¹⁸¹²  their legal rights. ¹⁸¹³ 

31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, ¹⁸¹⁴ 

and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; ¹⁸¹⁵ 

31:7 let them ¹⁸¹⁶  drink and forget ¹⁸¹⁷  their poverty,

and remember their misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth ¹⁸¹⁸  on behalf of those unable to speak, ¹⁸¹⁹ 

for the legal rights of all the dying. ¹⁸²⁰ 

31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, ¹⁸²¹ 

and plead the cause ¹⁸²²  of the poor and needy.

31:10 Who can find ¹⁸²⁴  a wife ¹⁸²⁵  of noble character? ¹⁸²⁶ 

For her value ¹⁸²⁷  is far more than rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband has confidence ¹⁸²⁸  in her,

and he has no lack of gain. ¹⁸²⁹ 

31:12 She brings him ¹⁸³⁰  good and not evil ¹⁸³¹ 

all the days of her life.

31:13 She obtains ¹⁸³²  wool and flax,

and she is pleased to work with her hands. ¹⁸³³ 

31:14 She is like ¹⁸³⁴  the merchant ships; ¹⁸³⁵ 

she brings her food from afar.

31:15 She also gets up ¹⁸³⁶  while it is still night,

and provides food ¹⁸³⁷  for her household and a portion ¹⁸³⁸  to her female servants.

31:16 She considers ¹⁸³⁹  a field and buys it;

from her own income ¹⁸⁴⁰  she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She begins ¹⁸⁴¹  her work vigorously,

and she strengthens ¹⁸⁴²  her arms.

31:18 She knows ¹⁸⁴³  that her merchandise is good,

and her lamp ¹⁸⁴⁴  does not go out in the night.

31:19 Her hands ¹⁸⁴⁵  take hold ¹⁸⁴⁶  of the distaff,

and her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20 She extends ¹⁸⁴⁷  her hand ¹⁸⁴⁸  to the poor,

and reaches out her hand to the needy.

31:21 She is not ¹⁸⁴⁹  afraid of the snow ¹⁸⁵⁰  for her household,

for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. ¹⁸⁵¹ 

31:22 She makes for herself coverlets; ¹⁸⁵² 

her clothing is fine linen and purple. ¹⁸⁵³ 

31:23 Her husband is well-known ¹⁸⁵⁴  in the city gate ¹⁸⁵⁵ 

when he sits with the elders ¹⁸⁵⁶  of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments ¹⁸⁵⁷  and sells them,

and supplies the merchants ¹⁸⁵⁸  with sashes.

31:25 She is clothed ¹⁸⁵⁹  with strength ¹⁸⁶⁰  and honor, ¹⁸⁶¹ 

and she can laugh ¹⁸⁶²  at the time ¹⁸⁶³  to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth ¹⁸⁶⁴  with wisdom,

and loving instruction ¹⁸⁶⁵  is on her tongue.

31:27 She watches over ¹⁸⁶⁶  the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness. ¹⁸⁶⁷ 

31:28 Her children rise up ¹⁸⁶⁸  and call her blessed,

her husband ¹⁸⁶⁹  also praises her:

31:29 “Many ¹⁸⁷⁰  daughters ¹⁸⁷¹  have done valiantly, ¹⁸⁷² 

but you surpass them all!”

31:30 Charm is deceitful ¹⁸⁷³  and beauty is fleeting, ¹⁸⁷⁴ 

but a woman who fears the Lord ¹⁸⁷⁵  will be praised.

31:31 Give ¹⁸⁷⁶  her credit for what she has accomplished, ¹⁸⁷⁷ 

and let her works praise her ¹⁸⁷⁸  in the city gates. ¹⁸⁷⁹