\NormalFont\ShortTitle{PROVERBS}

{\MTB This book contains many wise things that King Solomon said. We call this book

\par }{\MT Proverbs



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH The purpose of Proverbs
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}These are the ◄proverbs/wise sayings► that come from Solomon, the King of Israel, who was the son of
{\ADD{King}} David.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}◄These proverbs [PRS] can teach people/By studying these proverbs, people can learn► how to be wise

\par }{\QB and how to obey what these proverbs teach them.

\par }{\Q They will
{\ADD{also}} help people to understand which teachings are wise.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}These proverbs [PRS] will teach you how to discipline/control yourselves,

\par }{\QB how to conduct your lives,

\par }{\QB and how to do what is right and just [DOU].


\par }{\Q \VS{4}They will show
{\ADD{people}} who do not
{\ADD{yet}} know much how to do things that are smart.

\par }{\QB They will show young people how to become wise and how to make good plans/decisions.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Those who are wise should also pay attention
{\ADD{to these proverbs}},

\par }{\QB in order to become more wise,

\par }{\Q and those who understand
{\ADD{these teachings}} will receive good advice/guidance.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Then they will be able to understand the meaning of proverbs and parables/metaphors,

\par }{\QB these wise sayings and ◄riddles/sayings that are difficult to understand►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}If
{\ADD{you want to be}} wise, you must begin by revering Yahweh.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{Only}} foolish people despise wisdom and good advice/discipline.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH Warnings about sinful people
\par }
{\Q \VS{8}My son, pay attention to what
{\ADD{I}}, your father, am teaching you.

\par }{\Q And do not reject what your mother teaches you.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}What we teach you
{\ADD{will make you respected like having}} a lovely turban around your head

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{like}} a
{\ADD{beautiful}} necklace to put around your neck.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}My son, if sinners tempt/entice you
{\ADD{to do what is wrong}},

\par }{\Q say “No” to them.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}They may say, “Come with us! Join us!

\par }{\QB We will hide and then kill [MTY] someone
{\ADD{who passes by}}.

\par }{\QB We will ambush some helpless/innocent people.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}We will kill them [HYP] and get rid of them completely,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{just}} like
{\ADD{people who are buried in}} graves are gone forever.

\par }{\Q While they are in good health, we will send them to the place where dead people are.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}And we will seize all the things that they own.

\par }{\QB We will fill our houses with these things!


\par }{\Q \VS{14}{\ADD{So}}, come with us!

\par }{\Q Join our group!

\par }{\QB We will share with you the things that we steal.”


\par }{\Q \VS{15}My son, do not accompany them!

\par }{\QB Do not walk on the roads with them!


\par }{\Q \VS{16}They rush to do evil deeds!

\par }{\QB They hurry to murder [MTY] people.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}It is useless to put out a ◄trap/net to catch a bird► because when a bird sees it,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it stays away from it}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}But those wicked people are not like the birds,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{because they do not realize}}

\par }{\QB that when they prepare to ambush someone to kill him,

\par }{\Q they will be killed themselves!


\par }{\Q \VS{19}That is what happens to people who eagerly try to get things
{\ADD{by violently attacking others}}.

\par }{\QB They will only destroy themselves!


\par }{\SH Wisdom shouts in the streets
\par }
{\Q \VS{20}Wisdom [PRS] shouts to people in the streets,

\par }{\QB and calls out to people in the ◄plazas/town squares►.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Wisdom calls out in noisy places,

\par }{\QB and at the entrances to cities.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{Wisdom says}}, “How long will you stupid people continue to enjoy doing foolish things [RHQ]?

\par }{\QB How long will you people who ridicule God enjoy doing that [RHQ]?

\par }{\QB How long will you foolish people refuse to know
{\ADD{what things are right}} [RHQ]?


\par }{\Q \VS{23}If you pay attention to me when I rebuke you,

\par }{\QB I will tell you what I am thinking in my inner being;

\par }{\QB I will give you some good advice.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}But when I called to you, you refused to listen.

\par }{\Q I beckoned to you to come to me,

\par }{\QB but you ignored me.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}I tried to advise you,

\par }{\QB but you refused to listen to me.

\par }{\Q I tried to correct you,

\par }{\QB but you rejected what I told you.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}So
{\ADD{now}}, when you are experiencing troubles/disasters,

\par }{\QB I will laugh at you.

\par }{\Q When things happen that cause you to be afraid,

\par }{\QB I will make fun of you.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}When calamities strike you like a big storm,

\par }{\Q when disasters hit you like a violent wind,

\par }{\Q when
{\ADD{all kinds of things}} distress you and give you trouble,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{I will ridicule you!}}


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}{\ADD{Wisdom also says}}, “When foolish people call to me
{\ADD{to help them}},

\par }{\QB I will not answer them.

\par }{\Q They will search for me diligently/everywhere,

\par }{\QB but they will not find me.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}They refused to know
{\ADD{what things are right}},

\par }{\QB and they decided not to revere Yahweh.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}They would not accept my advice,

\par }{\QB and they did not pay attention when I tried to correct them.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}So they will endure what will result [MET, DOU] from the evil way they have lived/behaved

\par }{\QB and the evil things they have planned to do.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}Those who turn away from me are stupid/foolish;

\par }{\QB they will die because of doing that.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}But those who pay attention to me will live peacefully and safely,

\par }{\QB and they will not be afraid that something will harm them.”




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH The results of wisdom
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, listen to what I say,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{consider my instructions to be as valuable as}} [MET] a treasure.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Pay attention to wisdom

\par }{\QB and try hard to understand it.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Call out
{\ADD{to God}} to get insight;

\par }{\QB plead with him to help you to understand more
{\ADD{of what he wants you to know}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Search
{\ADD{eagerly}} for wisdom, like you would search for silver,

\par }{\QB like you would search for a treasure that someone has hidden.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}If you do that, you will understand how to revere Yahweh,

\par }{\QB and you will succeed in knowing God.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Yahweh is the one who gives us wisdom.

\par }{\QB He is the one who tells us things that we need to know and understand.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}He gives good advice to those who conduct their lives as they should.

\par }{\QB He protects [MET] those who do what is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}He guards those who act justly/fairly
{\ADD{toward others}},

\par }{\QB and he watches over those who are faithful/loyal
{\ADD{to him}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}{\ADD{If you ask God for wisdom}}, you will understand what is right and just [DOU]
{\ADD{to do}},

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{you will know}} the right way to conduct your life,


\par }{\Q \VS{10}because you will be wise in your inner being;

\par }{\QB and knowing
{\ADD{what God wants you to know}} will cause you to be joyful.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}If you know [PRS] how to choose what is right to do

\par }{\Q and if you understand
{\ADD{what God wants}} you to do,

\par }{\QB God will protect you and guard you and keep you safe.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}If you are wise [PRS], you will not do what evil people do,

\par }{\QB and you will not
{\ADD{believe what}} deceitful people say.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Deceitful people have stopped acting fairly/justly
{\ADD{toward others}}

\par }{\QB and ◄walk on dark and evil paths/do what evil people do► [MET].


\par }{\Q \VS{14}They enjoy doing what is wrong;

\par }{\QB they like to do what is evil and to deceive
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}They ◄walk on crooked paths/always deceive others►

\par }{\QB and are always dishonest.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}If you are wise [PRS], you will
{\ADD{also}} be saved from ◄immoral women/prostitutes►;

\par }{\QB you will not pay attention when adulterous women try to ◄seduce/entice you by what they say.►


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Those women have left the husbands whom they married when they were young;

\par }{\QB they have disregarded the solemn promise they made to God
{\ADD{not to commit adultery}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}If you go into houses of women who are like that,

\par }{\QB you will die
{\ADD{when you are still young}};

\par }{\QB the road
{\ADD{to their houses}} leads to hell.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}No man who ◄visits/sleeps with► a woman like that will again
{\ADD{live harmoniously with his family}}.

\par }{\QB He will never have a
{\ADD{happy}} life again.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}If
{\ADD{you are wise}}, you should behave like good men behave.

\par }{\QB You should ◄stay on the paths that righteous
{\ADD{people}} walk on/do what godly people do► [MET],


\par }{\Q \VS{21}because only godly people will live in this land
{\ADD{and receive God’s blessings}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{only}} those who have not done wrong will stay here
{\ADD{for a long time}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} will be expelled from this land,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{people}} who are not trustworthy will be thrown $\{$God will throw them$\}$ out of it.




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH More advice to Solomon’s son
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, do not forget what I have taught you.

\par }{\Q Keep my commands in your inner being,


\par }{\QB \VS{2}because
{\ADD{if you obey them}} you will live a long time and things will go well for you


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Always faithfully love others and ◄be faithful/do what you say that you will do►;

\par }{\QB doing those things
{\ADD{will cause others to be pleased with you}};

\par }{\QB it will be as though you are wearing a beautiful necklace.

\par }{\QB Keep those things in your mind/inner being.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}If you do, God and people will approve of you

\par }{\QB and think highly of you [MTY].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Trust in Yahweh completely,

\par }{\QB and do not rely on what you yourself understand.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Always allow him to lead you.

\par }{\QB If you do that, he will ◄show you the right path/direct your life►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Do not be proud of being wise.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{Instead}}, revere Yahweh

\par }{\QB and turn away from doing evil.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}If you do that, your body will be healthy/strong;

\par }{\QB it will be
{\ADD{like}} medicine for you.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Honor Yahweh by
{\ADD{what you do with}} your money;

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{by giving him}} the first part of your harvest.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}If you do that,
{\ADD{you will have a good harvest}}.

\par }{\QB Yahweh will fill your barns
{\ADD{with grain}},

\par }{\QB and your vats/containers will be overflowing with
{\ADD{grape juice for making}} wine.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}My son, when Yahweh disciplines/corrects you, do not despise it,

\par }{\QB and if he rebukes you, do not resent it.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{I say that}} because it is the people whom Yahweh loves that he corrects/reproves,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{just}} like parents correct/reprove their sons whom they love.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{Yahweh}} is pleased with those who become wise and have good understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Being wise and having good understanding is worth more than silver,

\par }{\QB better than gold.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Being wise is more precious than ◄jewels/precious stones►;

\par }{\QB there is nothing that you could desire
{\ADD{that would be as valuable}} as wisdom.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}On the one hand, wisdom [PRS] enables
{\ADD{you}} to live a long life,

\par }{\QB and on the other hand, wisdom enables
{\ADD{you}} to become rich and to be honored.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}If
{\ADD{you}} are wise,
{\ADD{your}} life will be pleasant,

\par }{\QB and things will go well
{\ADD{for you}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Wisdom is
{\ADD{like}} a tree that gives long life to those who
{\ADD{eagerly}} take hold of it,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{Yahweh}} is pleased with those who hold onto it tightly.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}By his wisdom Yahweh created the earth,

\par }{\QB and by his understanding he put everything in the skies.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}By his knowledge
{\ADD{he caused}} the water that was beneath the earth to burst forth,

\par }{\QB and he caused rain to fall from the clouds.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}My son,
{\ADD{always}} keep doing things that are right and things that are smart.

\par }{\QB If you do that,


\par }{\Q \VS{22}you will live
{\ADD{many years}} and be honored and respected $\{$people will honor and respect you$\}$.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}If you do what is right and wise, you will
{\ADD{be able to}} walk safely,

\par }{\QB and you will not ◄stumble/do things that are wrong► [MET].


\par }{\Q \VS{24}You will
{\ADD{be able to}} lie down
{\ADD{at night}} and not be afraid
{\ADD{of anything}},

\par }{\QB and you will sleep peacefully.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}You will not be afraid that something disastrous will happen to you

\par }{\QB or that storms that strike the wicked will strike you,


\par }{\Q \VS{26}because you will be confident that Yahweh
{\ADD{will take care of you}}.

\par }{\QB He will not let your foot be caught in a trap/snare.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}If you are able to help people who deserve it,

\par }{\QB do not refuse to help them.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}If you are able to help someone you interact with,

\par }{\QB do not say, “Come back later;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{perhaps}} I can help you tomorrow.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}Do not make plans to harm those you interact with regularly,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{because}} they live near you, and they trust you.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}If someone has not harmed you,

\par }{\QB do not accuse him
{\ADD{by saying that he has harmed you}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}Do not envy people who
{\ADD{obtain things by}} violent actions,

\par }{\QB and do not imitate/do what they do.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}{\ADD{I say that}} because Yahweh considers such people to be abominable/detestable;

\par }{\QB but he is a friend to
{\ADD{all}} those who do what is right.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{33}Yahweh curses the families [MTY] of those who are wicked,

\par }{\QB but he blesses the families of those who are good/righteous.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}Yahweh makes fun of those who make fun
{\ADD{of others}},

\par }{\QB but he kindly helps those who are humble.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}Wise
{\ADD{people}} will be honored $\{$people will honor wise people$\}$,

\par }{\QB but foolish people will be dishonored/disgraced.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH Advice to young people
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My children, listen to what I am teaching you.

\par }{\QB If you pay attention, you will understand what is wise.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}What I am teaching you is good,

\par }{\QB so do not turn away from it.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}When I was a young boy, loved by my mother,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}my father told me, “Remember my words;

\par }{\Q if you obey my commandments,

\par }{\QB you will live
{\ADD{a long time}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Obtain wisdom and understanding,

\par }{\QB and ◄do not abandon/hold fast to► [LIT] what I have taught you.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Do not turn away from wisdom,

\par }{\QB because if you are wise, you will be protected
{\ADD{from all evil/danger}}.

\par }{\Q If you love wisdom, wisdom [PRS] will guard you.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The most important thing that you can do is to get wisdom.

\par }{\QB Even if you obtain many other things,

\par }{\QB the best thing is to know what things are wise.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}If you consider being wise to be very valuable,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{people}} will think very highly of you.

\par }{\Q If you cling to wisdom
{\ADD{like you would cling to a woman you love}},

\par }{\QB {\ADD{many people}} will honor you.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}If you become wise, that will for you be
{\ADD{like}} a beautiful wreath that is put $\{$someone puts$\}$ on your head;

\par }{\QB it will be
{\ADD{like}} a king’s glorious crown.”

\par }{\QC {\ADD{That is what my father told me}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}{\ADD{So now I say}}, “My son, heed what I say.

\par }{\QB If you do that, you will live a
{\ADD{good}} long life.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}I am teaching you the way to live wisely;

\par }{\QB I am showing you how to act justly
{\ADD{toward others}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}If you live wisely,

\par }{\QB when you decide to do something, you will succeed [LIT].


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Hold fast to the things I have taught you to do,

\par }{\QB and do not let them go.

\par }{\Q Guard them,

\par }{\QB because they
{\ADD{will be the source of a good}} life.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Do not do the things that wicked people do;

\par }{\Q {\ADD{do not behave like they do}};

\par }{\QB do not even walk on the roads that evil
{\ADD{people}} walk on [MET].


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Stay away from those roads;

\par }{\QB turn aside and walk on other roads;


\par }{\Q \VS{16}because evil people cannot sleep if they have not done some evil deed
{\ADD{on that day}}.

\par }{\QB They cannot rest if they have not harmed someone.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}What they eat and what they drink are things that they have obtained by acting wickedly and violently.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}The behavior of good/righteous
{\ADD{people}} is like the light
{\ADD{that begins to shine}} at dawn

\par }{\QB and then
{\ADD{continues to}} shine brighter until the brightest time of day.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}{\ADD{But}} the behavior of wicked
{\ADD{people}} is like deep/thick darkness.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{Because it is very dark}}, they cannot see the things that cause them to stumble.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}My son, pay attention to what I am saying.

\par }{\QB Listen to my words carefully.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Keep them close to you;

\par }{\Q let them penetrate your inner being,


\par }{\QB \VS{22}because you will have [PRS]
{\ADD{a good}} life and
{\ADD{good}} health if you
{\ADD{search for them and}} find them.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}It is very important that you be careful about what you think,

\par }{\QB because what you think controls [MET] the things that you do.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Do not say anything that deceives
{\ADD{others}}

\par }{\QB and never say what is not true.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Keep looking straight ahead toward the events that are before you,

\par }{\QB and do not turn aside.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Plan carefully where you will go and what you will do,

\par }{\QB and then stay on that road.

\par }{\Q Then what you do will be right.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Do not leave the straight road by turning to the left or to the right.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Do only what is right}}

\par }{\QB and keep yourself from
{\ADD{doing what is}} evil.




\par }{\BB \par }
\Chap{5}{\SH A warning about adultery
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, listen carefully to some
{\ADD{more}} wise things that I will tell you.

\par }{\QB Listen well to what I am going to teach you.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}If you do that, you will be able to choose wisely
{\ADD{what to do}},

\par }{\QB and you will know
{\ADD{the right things}} to say [MTY].


\par }{\Q \VS{3}What an immoral woman says
{\ADD{to you may be}} as sweet as honey,

\par }{\QB and sound smoother than olive oil
{\ADD{feels on your skin}},


\par }{\Q \VS{4}but the result
{\ADD{of being with her}} will be bitter like gall

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{injure you as badly}}, like being cut with a sharp two-edged sword.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}If you go where she goes [MTY], you will go down to where the dead people are.

\par }{\QB Her steps will lead you straight to the grave.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}She is not concerned about the roads that lead to a
{\ADD{long}} life.

\par }{\Q She walks
{\ADD{down}} a crooked path,

\par }{\QB and she does not realize
{\ADD{that she is on the wrong road}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}So now, my sons, listen to me.

\par }{\Q ◄Never turn aside from/always remember► [LIT] what I am about to tell you.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Run away from immoral women!

\par }{\QB Do not go near the doors of their houses!


\par }{\Q \VS{9}If you enter the home of one of them, you will lose your ◄self-respect/good reputation►

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{that woman’s husband}} will not act mercifully toward you;

\par }{\Q he will
{\ADD{kill you and}} take everything that you have acquired during your life!


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Foreigners will take your money,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{all}} the good things that you have worked for will ◄end up in their hands/become their possessions►.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}And when you are about to die,

\par }{\Q you will groan
{\ADD{with severe pain}}

\par }{\QB because diseases
{\ADD{that you have gotten from being immoral}} will be destroying your body.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Then you will say, “I hated it
{\ADD{when people tried to}} correct me.

\par }{\QB I despised
{\ADD{people when they}} reproved/rebuked me.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}I did not heed what my teachers said!

\par }{\QB I paid no attention to those who
{\ADD{tried to}} teach me
{\ADD{something about my behavior}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}{\ADD{Now}} I am almost ruined,

\par }{\QB and I will be disgraced in public gatherings.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Like a man is refreshed by drinking water from his own well [MET],

\par }{\QB enjoy
{\ADD{having sex}} [EUP] only with your own wife.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Like you would not waste good water by pouring it into the street,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{you should not have sex with other women}}. [MET, EUP]


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Enjoy
{\ADD{having sex}} only with your wife;

\par }{\QB do not
{\ADD{have sex with}} other women.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Let your wife be a source of great pleasure to you.

\par }{\Q ◄Be happy/{\ADD{Enjoy sex}}► with the woman whom you married when you were both young.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}She is as pretty and graceful
{\ADD{as}} a young female deer.

\par }{\QB Allow her breasts to always satisfy you.

\par }{\QB Allow her lovemaking to excite you.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}My son, do not be [RHQ] captivated/charmed by an immoral woman!

\par }{\QB Do not fondle the breasts of another man’s wife!


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}{\ADD{I say that}} because Yahweh sees clearly everything that we do;

\par }{\QB he knows
{\ADD{where we are going on}} the roads that we walk on.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Evil men’s sinful desires hold them fast;

\par }{\QB their sins are
{\ADD{like}} ropes that bind them.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Evil men
{\ADD{will}} die because they are unable to say “No” to their desires;

\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{will}} ◄go astray/be lost► because of the foolish things that they do.




\par }\Chap{6}{\SH Warnings against foolish behavior
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, if someone has borrowed money from a friend or a stranger,

\par }{\QB and if you have promised that you will pay the money back if that person is unable to pay back the money he borrowed,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}you may be trapped by what you have agreed to do,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{because if the one who borrowed the money is not able to pay it back, you will have to pay it}}.

\par }{\QB What you have said that you will do will be like a snare to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}So, my son, I will tell you what you should do to escape from your difficulty,

\par }{\QB so that the moneylender does not get control over your
{\ADD{wealth:}}

\par }{\Q Humbly go to your friend and plead with him
{\ADD{to cancel the agreement}}!


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Do not wait until tomorrow;
{\ADD{go immediately}}!

\par }{\QB Do not rest until you
{\ADD{go and talk with him}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Save yourself,

\par }{\QB like a deer that escapes from a deer hunter

\par }{\QB {\ADD{or}} like a bird that flees from a bird hunter.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}You lazy individual, learn something from
{\ADD{watching}} the ants.

\par }{\QB Become wise from observing what they do.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}They do not have a king or a governor or any
{\ADD{other}} person who rules them
{\ADD{and forces them to work}},


\par }{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{but}} they work hard
{\ADD{all}} during the summer,

\par }{\QB gathering and storing food to eat during the winter.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}{\ADD{But}}, you lazy loafer, how long will you
{\ADD{continue to}} sleep [RHQ]?

\par }{\QB Are you never going to get up from sleeping
{\ADD{and go to work}}?


\par }{\Q \VS{10}You sleep a for a little time;
{\ADD{you say, “I will take}} just a short nap.”

\par }{\QB You lie down and fold/lay your hands
{\ADD{across your chest}} and rest;


\par }{\Q \VS{11}and suddenly you will become poor.

\par }{\QB It will be as though a bandit suddenly comes and takes all that you have.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{I will describe for you what}} worthless and evil people
{\ADD{are like}}.

\par }{\QB They constantly lie;


\par }{\QB \VS{13}by winking their eyes and moving their feet and making signs with their fingers,

\par }{\QB they signal
{\ADD{to their friends what they are intending/planning to do}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}They plan to do evil things.

\par }{\QB They constantly cause strife/trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}But disasters will hit them suddenly;

\par }{\QB they will be crushed/ruined and nothing will be able to heal them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}There are six,
{\ADD{maybe}} seven, kinds of people that Yahweh hates.
{\ADD{They are}}:


\par }{\QC \VS{17}People who show by their eyes that they are very proud;

\par }{\QC people who lie [MTY];

\par }{\QC people [SYN] who kill others [SYN] who have done nothing wrong;


\par }{\QC \VS{18}people who plan to do evil deeds;

\par }{\QC people [SYN] who run quickly to do wrong things;


\par }{\QC \VS{19}people who easily tell lies in court;

\par }{\QC and people who cause strife between family members.


\par }{\SH More warnings about adultery
\par }
{\Q \VS{20}My son, obey my commands,

\par }{\QB and do not ignore what your mother has taught you.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Remember the things that we have said.

\par }{\QB Those things should be
{\ADD{like a beautiful necklace}} around your neck.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{If you follow our advice, it will be as though}} what we have taught you [PRS] will lead you, wherever you go.

\par }{\QB When you sleep, they will protect you.

\par }{\QB And when you wake up in the morning, they will teach/instruct you.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}These commands and what we teach you
{\ADD{will be like}} a lamp to light your path [MET].

\par }{\Q When we rebuke you and correct/punish you,

\par }{\QB we will be showing you the road to having
{\ADD{a good}} life.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Heeding [PRS] these commands and things that we have taught you will enable you to keep away from immoral women

\par }{\QB and from
{\ADD{listening to}} the enticing words of an adulterous woman.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}{\ADD{Even}} if such a woman is beautiful and has lovely eyes, do not desire to go with her.

\par }{\QB Do not let her persuade you to go with her ◄with her eyes/by the way she looks at you►.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}{\ADD{Do not forget that}} you can hire a prostitute for only a loaf of bread,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{if you sleep with}} another man’s wife, ◄it may cost you/you may lose► your life.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Can you carry hot coals in your pocket and not be burned [RHQ]?


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Can you walk on burning coals and not scorch/burn your feet?


\par }{\Q \VS{29}{\ADD{No}}! And in the same way, anyone who ◄sleeps with/has sex with► another man’s wife will
{\ADD{suffer for doing that}}.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{He will certainly}} [LIT] be punished severely.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}We do not despise a thief if he steals some food because he is very hungry.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}But
{\ADD{if he steals something and then}} is caught
{\ADD{by the police}},

\par }{\Q he will have to pay back ◄seven times as much as/much more than► he stole.

\par }{\Q He may need to sell everything that is in his house
{\ADD{to get enough money to pay it back}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}{\ADD{But}} a man who commits adultery with some woman is very foolish,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{because}} he is destroying his own self/soul
{\ADD{by what he is doing}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}{\ADD{That woman’s husband}} will wound him badly,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{other people}} will despise him.

\par }{\Q His shame will never end.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}Because that woman’s husband will ◄be jealous/not want anyone else to sleep with her►, he will become furious,

\par }{\QB and when he gets revenge, he will not act mercifully
{\ADD{toward the man who slept with his wife}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}And he will not accept any bribe/money, even if it is a big bribe, to ◄appease him/cause him to stop being angry►.




\par }\Chap{7}{\SH More warnings about adultery
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, heed my advice,

\par }{\QB and guard my instructions
{\ADD{as you would}} [MET]
{\ADD{guard}} a treasure.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Obey my commands,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{as a result you will}} live
{\ADD{a good life}}.

\par }{\Q Consider the things that I teach you
{\ADD{to be very precious}};

\par }{\QB guard them,
{\ADD{just}} like you protect your eyes.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Tie my commands around your fingers
{\ADD{in order that they will remind you to obey them}}.

\par }{\QB Always keep them in mind [MET].


\par }{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{Love}} wisdom
{\ADD{like you love}} your sister.

\par }{\QB Understand what is wise,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{and let that be as dear to you as}} members of your family.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}If you are wise and if you understand what is wise [PRS], you will not
{\ADD{sleep with}} an immoral woman;

\par }{\QB you will not listen to a woman who tries to entice you
{\ADD{to sleep with her}} by what she says.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}One day, I was standing at the window inside my house,

\par }{\QB and I looked outside.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}I saw some young men who did not have good sense.

\par }{\QB Among them was a man who was very foolish.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}He crossed the street near
{\ADD{the house of}} an immoral woman.

\par }{\QB He was walking along the path toward her house


\par }{\Q \VS{9}at twilight, when it was getting dark [DOU].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Suddenly the woman came out to see/meet him.

\par }{\QB She was dressed ◄seductively/like a prostitute►, wanting to persuade him to sleep with her.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}She was a loud talker, one who was rebellious;

\par }{\QB she [SYN] never stayed at home.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}She often went into the city streets and plazas/markets,

\par }{\QB waiting to trap some man.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{When she saw that young man}}, she put her arms around him and kissed him.

\par }{\QB Then without being a bit ashamed, she said,


\par }{\Q \VS{14}“I have
{\ADD{some meat that is left over from}} a sacrifice that I made today
{\ADD{to maintain fellowship with Yahweh}};

\par }{\QB I have fulfilled/done what I promised him that I would do.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}And now I have come out to meet/see you.

\par }{\QB I was searching for you, and
{\ADD{now}} I have found you!


\par }{\Q \VS{16}I have put on my bed sheets/bedspreads that were made from
{\ADD{very fine}} linen
{\ADD{that were imported}} $\{${\ADD{people brought}}$\}$ from Egypt.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}I have sprinkled
{\ADD{sweet-smelling}} perfumes on my bed—

\par }{\QB myrrh and aloes and cinnamon.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Come
{\ADD{with me}}; let us enjoy having sex until
{\ADD{tomorrow}} morning.

\par }{\QB Let’s enjoy making love.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}My husband is not at home;

\par }{\QB he has gone away on a long journey.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}He is carrying a wallet filled with money,

\par }{\QB and he will not return until the middle of this month.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}{\ADD{So}} she persuaded him by
{\ADD{her}} enticing/tempting words.

\par }{\QB She allured him by her smooth/sweet talk.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{And}} he went with her immediately,

\par }{\QB like an ox that was going to where it would be slaughtered,

\par }{\QB or like a deer (OR, a fool) that is stepping into a noose/trap,


\par }{\QB \VS{23}where it will remain/stay until someone shoots an arrow into its liver
{\ADD{and kills it}}.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{He was}} like a bird that flew into a trap.

\par }{\QB He did not know that ◄it would cost him his life/he would die as a result►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}My son, listen to what I say;

\par }{\QB pay
{\ADD{careful}} attention to my words.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Do not allow anything to arouse/persuade you to go with an immoral woman like that.

\par }{\QB Do not go where she goes.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}She has caused many men to be ruined;

\par }{\QB truly, no one can count the men she has killed.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The road to her house is the road to the grave.

\par }{\QB Those who enter her bedroom [PRS] will die as a result.




\par }\Chap{8}{\SH Wisdom calls to us
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}It is as if wisdom, with great understanding
{\ADD{of many things}}, is calling [PRS] out
{\ADD{to people}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Wisdom stands on hilltops and at crossroads.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{Wisdom also stands}} at the city gates and shouts loudly,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}“I am calling to everyone!

\par }{\QB I am shouting loudly to all people!


\par }{\Q \VS{5}You people who do not know how to do things that are smart to do, get sound judgment;

\par }{\QB you foolish people, get good understanding!


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Listen to me, because I have some excellent/important things to say.

\par }{\QB What I say is what is fair/right.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}I speak what is true;

\par }{\QB I detest speaking [MTY] what is false/deceptive.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Everything that I say is honest;

\par }{\QB there is nothing that I say that deceives
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}My words are clear to those who have good sense;

\par }{\QB those who are wise know that what I say is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}{\ADD{If someone offers you the kind of teaching I give}} or offers you silver,

\par }{\QB choose my teaching.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{If he offers to show you how to be wise}} or offers you gold,

\par }{\QB choose to know how to be wise,


\par }{\QB \VS{11}because wisdom is more valuable than jewels.

\par }{\QB Nothing that you desire
{\ADD{is as valuable}} as being wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}I, wisdom, and understanding of what is smart to do, cannot be separated.

\par }{\QB We are like two people who live in the same house.

\par }{\Q I know how to be wise and how to make smart decisions.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{All the people}} who revere Yahweh hate evil.

\par }{\QB I, wisdom, hate
{\ADD{people who are}} proud and
{\ADD{people}} who think they are more important
{\ADD{than others}}.

\par }{\QB I hate
{\ADD{people who
}} behave in an evil way and those who say things to deceive
{\ADD{others}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}I give
{\ADD{people}} good advice and I enable them to do things that are wise.

\par }{\QB I understand how things really are, and I am strong.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}When kings are wise, they rule
{\ADD{well}};

\par }{\QB and when rulers are wise, they make laws that are just/fair.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Rulers govern their people with the help of me, wisdom,

\par }{\QB and those who have authority decide things fairly/just with my help.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}I,
{\ADD{wisdom}}, love
{\ADD{all}} those who love me,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{all}} those who truly seek me
{\ADD{will}} find me.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}I enable
{\ADD{people}} to become rich and to be honored;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{I enable them to have}} wealth that will last and to be successful.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}What I can give people is more valuable than fine/pure gold and the best silver.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}I always do what is righteous and just/fair.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}I give wealth to those who love me;

\par }{\QB I fill their houses with valuable things.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Yahweh created me,
{\ADD{wisdom}}, when he began
{\ADD{to create the world}};

\par }{\QB he created me
{\ADD{to do my work}} before he created anything else.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}He appointed me long ago, before he created the earth.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}I was born before the oceans were
{\ADD{created}},

\par }{\QB when there were no springs from which water flowed.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}I was born before the hills and mountains were formed;


\par }{\Q \VS{26}{\ADD{I, wisdom}}, was born before Yahweh made the earth,

\par }{\QB before he made the fields and the soil on the earth.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}I was there when Yahweh put the sky in place,

\par }{\QB when he marked the place
{\ADD{in the distance}} where the sky and the oceans
{\ADD{seem to}} come together.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}I was there when Yahweh put the clouds above
{\ADD{the earth}}

\par }{\QB and when he caused the water that is inside the earth to be secure.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}I was there when he fixed a boundary for the seas,

\par }{\QB so that the water in the seas would not go past those boundaries,

\par }{\Q and when he put down the foundations which support the earth.


\par }{\QB \VS{30}I was at the side of Yahweh, the master worker (OR, as though I was his child).

\par }{\Q I caused him to be happy every day, and I was always rejoicing when I was with him.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}I was delighted with the world that he created;

\par }{\QB I was happy with the people whom he created, too.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{32}So,
{\ADD{you people who are like}} my sons, listen to me.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{I am}} pleased with
{\ADD{all}} those who obey my teachings.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}Listen
{\ADD{carefully}} to what I teach you and become wise.

\par }{\QB Do not reject my teaching!


\par }{\Q \VS{34}{\ADD{I am}} pleased with those who listen to me,

\par }{\QB those who are outside my house every day, waiting
{\ADD{for me to come out}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}Those who find me will have
{\ADD{a long}} life,

\par }{\QB and Yahweh
{\ADD{will}} be pleased with them.


\par }{\Q \VS{36}But those who stray away from me
{\ADD{just}} harm themselves.

\par }{\QB All those who hate me,
{\ADD{it is as though}} [IRO] they are loving death.”




\par }\Chap{9}{\SH Being wise and being foolish
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}{\ADD{It is as though}} wisdom
{\ADD{is a woman who}} has built a
{\ADD{big}} house for herself,

\par }{\QB and has set up seven columns
{\ADD{to support the roof}},


\par }{\Q \VS{2}and has slaughtered an animal
{\ADD{and cooked the meat}},

\par }{\QB and has mixed
{\ADD{nice spices}} in the wine,

\par }{\QB and has put
{\ADD{the food}} on the table.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{It is as though then}} she sent out her servant women to call out from the highest place in the town,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}“You people who need to understand more, come in!”

\par }{\Q And to those who are ignorant,
{\ADD{it is as though}} she calls out,


\par }{\Q \VS{5}“Come and eat the food that I
{\ADD{have prepared}},

\par }{\QB and drink the
{\ADD{good}} wine that I have mixed!


\par }{\Q \VS{6}◄Leave/Go away from►
{\ADD{other}} foolish people, and
{\ADD{if you do that, you will continue to}} live.

\par }{\QB Walk on the road that will enable you to ◄have knowledge/know what is true and what is not true►.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}If you rebuke someone who will not allow others to correct him, he will insult you.

\par }{\Q If you reprove/scold an evil man, he will hurt you.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Do not rebuke someone who will not allow others to ◄correct him/tell him what he has done is wrong►, because he will hate you for doing that.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{But}} if you rebuke a wise person, he will respect you.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}If you give instruction to wise people, they will become wiser.

\par }{\QB And if you teach righteous people, they will learn more.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}If you want to be wise, you must start by revering Yahweh,

\par }{\QB and if you know God, the Holy One, you will understand
{\ADD{which teachings are wise/true}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}If you become wise, you will live many years [DOU].


\par }{\Q \VS{12}If you are wise, you are the one who will benefit from it;

\par }{\QB if you ridicule
{\ADD{becoming wise}}, you are the one who will suffer.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Foolish women talk loudly;

\par }{\QB they are ignorant and are never ashamed
{\ADD{of the wrong things that they do}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}They sit at the doors of their houses

\par }{\QB {\ADD{or}} they sit on the top
{\ADD{of the hills}} in the town,


\par }{\Q \VS{15}and they call out to the men who are passing by,

\par }{\QB who are trying to be concerned with their own affairs,


\par }{\Q \VS{16}“You people who need to understand more, come into
{\ADD{my house}}!”

\par }{\QB And to those who are ignorant, they call out,


\par }{\Q \VS{17}“{\ADD{Just as}} water which you have stolen tastes very good

\par }{\QB and food that you eat by yourself tastes the best,

\par }{\Q {\ADD{if you have sex secretly with someone to whom you are not married, you will enjoy it very much}}.”


\par }{\Q \VS{18}But men who go to those women’s houses do not know that those who have gone there are now dead;

\par }{\QB they have descended down into the deepest parts of the place where dead people are.




\par }\Chap{10}{\SH Wise sayings from Solomon
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}These
{\ADD{are more}} proverbs/wise sayings from Solomon:

\par }{\Q If children are wise, they cause their parents to be happy;

\par }{\QB but if children are foolish, they cause their parents to be very sad.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Money that you get by doing dishonest/wicked things will really not benefit you;

\par }{\QB but by living righteously you will live for ◄a long time/many years►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Yahweh does not allow righteous
{\ADD{people}} to starve,

\par }{\QB but he will prevent wicked
{\ADD{people}} from getting what they want.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Lazy people
{\ADD{soon}} become poor;

\par }{\QB it is those who work hard who become rich.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Those who are wise, harvest the crops when they are ripe;

\par }{\QB it is shameful/disgraceful to sleep
{\ADD{and not work}} during harvest time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Righteous
{\ADD{people will}} be blessed
{\ADD{by God}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{the nice things}} that wicked
{\ADD{people}} say [MTY]
{\ADD{sometimes}} conceal the fact that they
{\ADD{are planning to}} act violently.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}After righteous
{\ADD{people die}}, other people are blessed as they remember
{\ADD{what those people did before they died}};

\par }{\QB but we will soon forget wicked people [MTY] after they die.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Wise people heed good instruction/advice,

\par }{\QB but people who talk foolishly will ruin themselves.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Honest people will be safe,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{others}} (OR, God) will find out those who are dishonest.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Those who signal with their eyes
{\ADD{that they are about to do something that is wrong}} cause trouble,

\par }{\QB but those who rebuke others truthfully cause them to be peaceful.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}What righteous
{\ADD{people}} say [MTY] is
{\ADD{like}} a fountain that ◄gives life/enables people to live many years► [MET],

\par }{\QB but what wicked
{\ADD{people}} say [MTY] hides
{\ADD{the fact}} that they intend to act violently.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}When we hate others, it causes quarrels,

\par }{\QB but if we love others, we forgive them
{\ADD{for the wrong things that they do}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Those who have good sense say [MTY] what is wise,

\par }{\QB but people who do not have good sense must be punished.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}Wise people continue to learn all that they can,

\par }{\QB but when foolish people speak, they soon cause trouble.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}The wealth that rich people have
{\ADD{protects them like a city is protected by a}} strong wall around it [MET],

\par }{\QB but people who are poor suffer much
{\ADD{because they have no one to help them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}If you are righteous, your reward will be a good life,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but}} all that sinful people gain is to sin more.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Those who pay attention when others try to ◄correct them/teach them what they are doing that is wrong► will live ◄happily/for many years►;

\par }{\QB but those who reject being rebuked will not find the road to life (OR, cause others to go astray).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Those who will not admit that they hate
{\ADD{others}} are liars,

\par }{\QB and those who slander
{\ADD{others}} are foolish.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}When people talk a lot, that will lead them to sin a lot
{\ADD{by what they say}};

\par }{\QB if you are wise, you will refuse to say very much.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}What righteous/good
{\ADD{people}} say [MTY] is
{\ADD{as valuable as}} pure silver [MET];

\par }{\QB what wicked
{\ADD{people}} think is worthless.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}What righteous
{\ADD{people}} say [MTY] benefits many
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB but foolish people die because of the stupid
{\ADD{things that they do}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Yahweh blesses
{\ADD{some people}} by enabling them to become rich,

\par }{\QB and working hard will not make them to become richer (OR, and he will not also cause them to become sad).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Foolish people ◄have fun/enjoy► doing what is wrong,

\par }{\QB but wise/sensible people enjoy doing what is wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Righteous
{\ADD{people}} will get the good things that they want/desire,

\par }{\QB but what wicked
{\ADD{people}} are afraid of is what will happen to them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}When storms come, the wicked will ◄be blown away/never be safe►,

\par }{\QB but righteous
{\ADD{people will}} be safe forever.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}We do not like a lazy person who refuses to do the job that he is given to do,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{just}} like we do not like vinegar in our mouths or smoke in our eyes.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}If you revere Yahweh, you will live for a long time;

\par }{\QB but wicked
{\ADD{people}} die before they become old.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Righteous
{\ADD{people}} confidently expect
{\ADD{that good things will happen to them}}, and that causes them to be happy/joyful;

\par }{\QB but when wicked
{\ADD{people}} confidently expect something good to happen, it does not happen.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}Yahweh protects [MET] those who live righteously,

\par }{\QB but he destroys those who do what is evil.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}Righteous
{\ADD{people}} will always be secure [LIT],

\par }{\QB but wicked people will be removed from their land (OR, from this earth).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}Righteous people [MTY] say things that are wise,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{God}} will shut the mouths of people [MTY] who say what is not true.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{32}Righteous people [MTY] know what to say that is acceptable,

\par }{\QB but wicked
{\ADD{people}} [MTY] are
{\ADD{constantly}} saying things that are not true.




\par }\PoetryChap{11}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Yahweh detests
{\ADD{people who use}} scales that do not weigh correctly;

\par }{\QB he is delighted with
{\ADD{those who use}} correct weights on the scales.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}{\ADD{People who are}} proud will
{\ADD{eventually}} be disgraced;

\par }{\QB it is wise to be humble.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{People who are}} good are guided by
{\ADD{doing what is}} honest;

\par }{\QB those who are not honest will be ruined because of the wrong things that they do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{Your}} money will not help
{\ADD{you}} on the day that
{\ADD{God}} judges
{\ADD{and punishes people}};

\par }{\QB but if you live righteously, you will live a long time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}When people are honest and good, that will ◄direct their paths/show them what is right for them to do►;

\par }{\QB but wicked
{\ADD{people will}} experience disasters because of the evil things that they do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}{\ADD{God}} rescues/protects righteous
{\ADD{people}} because they ◄are honest/do what is right►,

\par }{\QB but those who ◄are treacherous/cannot be trusted► will be trapped because of their being greedy.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}When wicked
{\ADD{people}} die, they cannot confidently expect to receive anything
{\ADD{that is good}};

\par }{\QB they expect that
{\ADD{their money}} will help/save them, but it will not.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{Yahweh}} rescues righteous
{\ADD{people}} from their troubles/difficulties;

\par }{\QB instead, it is the wicked who will have troubles.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Godless people can ruin others by what they say [MTY],

\par }{\QB but righteous
{\ADD{people will}} be saved by
{\ADD{their ◄own}} good sense/being wise►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}When things go well for righteous
{\ADD{people}},
{\ADD{the people in}} [MTY] their city are happy,

\par }{\QB and they shout joyfully when wicked
{\ADD{people}} die.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}When righteous
{\ADD{people request God to}} bless a city, that city will become great,

\par }{\QB but cities are ruined by what wicked
{\ADD{people}} say [MTY].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}It is foolish to despise others;

\par }{\QB those who ◄have good sense/are wise► do not say anything
{\ADD{to criticize others}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Those who ◄spread gossip/tell bad things about others► will tell your secrets
{\ADD{to others}},

\par }{\QB but if there is someone whom you can trust, you can trust him to not tell your secrets
{\ADD{to others}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}A nation will be destroyed/ruined if it does not have
{\ADD{leaders}} who guide it
{\ADD{wisely}};

\par }{\QB but if there are many
{\ADD{good}} advisors, the nation remains secure.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}If you promise a stranger that you will pay his debt
{\ADD{if he cannot pay it himself}}, you will regret it.

\par }{\QB You will be safe if you refuse to guarantee that you will pay someone else’s debts.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}{\ADD{People}} honor/respect women who are kind/gracious;

\par }{\QB ruthless/violent people may get a lot of money,
{\ADD{but that is all that they will get}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Those who are kind benefit themselves
{\ADD{because others will be kind to them}},

\par }{\QB but those who are cruel will hurt themselves
{\ADD{because others will be cruel to them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}If wicked people earn a lot of money, that will deceive them
{\ADD{because they will not keep it for very long}},

\par }{\QB but those who do what is right will surely be rewarded
{\ADD{by God forever}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Those who always do what is right will live
{\ADD{a long/happy life}},

\par }{\QB but those who insist on doing what is wrong will not live
{\ADD{very long}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Yahweh hates those who are always thinking about doing evil things,

\par }{\QB but he is delighted with those who always do what is right.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}It is certain that
{\ADD{Yahweh}} will punish evil people

\par }{\QB and that righteous people will escape
{\ADD{from being punished}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{It is}} ◄{\ADD{unsuitable/not proper/disgusting}}► for a beautiful woman not to know what is right to do,

\par }{\QB like [SIM]
{\ADD{it is unsuitable/disgusting}} for a pig to have a gold ring in its snout/nose.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}When the things that righteous people want happen, it brings good
{\ADD{to them and to others}},

\par }{\QB but when the wicked get what they want, it causes everyone else to become angry.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Some people give
{\ADD{their money}} generously
{\ADD{to poor people}}, but they become richer
{\ADD{in spite of that}},

\par }{\QB and some people hold tightly to their money, but they still become poor
{\ADD{in spite of that}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Those who give generously
{\ADD{to others}} will prosper;

\par }{\QB if you help others,
{\ADD{they/someone}} will help you, too.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}People curse/despise someone who hoards his grain
{\ADD{and does not sell it}}, waiting to get a higher/bigger price for it,

\par }{\QB but they praise someone who sells it
{\ADD{when people need it, even when the price is not high}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}If you sincerely want to
{\ADD{do what is}} right,
{\ADD{people}} will respect you,

\par }{\QB but if you are wanting to cause trouble, trouble is what you will get.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Those who trust in their money will
{\ADD{disappear like the}} withered
{\ADD{leaves that fall from the trees}},

\par }{\QB but righteous
{\ADD{people}} will keep going strong, like green leaves
{\ADD{in the summer}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}Those who bring troubles to their families will inherit nothing [MET]
{\ADD{from them}},

\par }{\QB and those who do foolish things
{\ADD{like that}} will
{\ADD{some day}} become the servants of wise
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}Those who live righteously will live
{\ADD{for a long time}},

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{those who act}} violently will destroy
{\ADD{their own}} lives (OR, those who are wise will have many people come and live with them).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}{\ADD{Sometimes}} righteous
{\ADD{people}} are rewarded
{\ADD{here}} on the earth,

\par }{\QB but it is much more certain that very wicked people [DOU]
{\ADD{will be rewarded by being punished}}.




\par }\PoetryChap{12}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Those who want to know
{\ADD{what is right to do}} want to be ◄disciplined/corrected► when they do what is wrong;

\par }{\QB it is foolish to not want to be ◄corrected/told that what you did is wrong►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Yahweh is pleased with good people,

\par }{\QB but he condemns those who plan to harm
{\ADD{others}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}People do not become secure/safe by doing what is wicked;

\par }{\QB righteous
{\ADD{people}} will be very safe and secure [LIT] like [MET] a tree that has deep roots.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}A good wife is one who causes her husband to be greatly honored,

\par }{\QB but a wife who does things that cause her husband to be ashamed
{\ADD{will destroy him}} like [SIM] cancer
{\ADD{destroys}} his bones.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}What righteous
{\ADD{people}} want to do is
{\ADD{to treat people}} fairly;

\par }{\QB what wicked
{\ADD{people}} want to do is to deceive people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}What wicked
{\ADD{people}} say is like a trap [MET] that kills [MTY] people
{\ADD{who pass by}},

\par }{\QB but what righteous
{\ADD{people}} say [MTY] rescues those whom
{\ADD{wicked people threaten to harm}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} will die
{\ADD{before they become old and we will see}} them no more,

\par }{\QB but righteous people will live
{\ADD{for many years}} and have many descendants.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{People will}} praise those who have good sense,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{people will}} despise those ◄who are always thinking about doing evil things/whose thinking is twisted►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}It is better to be a humble/ordinary person who has only one servant

\par }{\QB than to think that you are very important while you have nothing to eat.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Righteous people take care of their domestic animals,

\par }{\QB but wicked people act cruelly
{\ADD{toward their animals}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Farmers who work hard in their fields will
{\ADD{produce good crops}} that will give them plenty to eat,

\par }{\QB but those who waste their time working on worthless projects are foolish.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} desire to take away what
{\ADD{other}} evil people have,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{Yahweh}} enables righteous/godly
{\ADD{people}} to be steadfast and productive [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Evil people are trapped by the evil things that they say [MTY],

\par }{\QB but righteous
{\ADD{people}} escape from trouble.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}People are rewarded for
{\ADD{the good things}} that they say
{\ADD{to others}},

\par }{\QB and people are
{\ADD{also}} rewarded for the good work that they do [MTY].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Foolish people
{\ADD{always}} think that what they are doing is right;

\par }{\QB wise people heed
{\ADD{other people when they give them good}} advice.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Foolish people quickly become angry when someone does something that they don’t like;

\par }{\QB but those who have good sense ignore it when others insult them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}{\ADD{In the courtroom}}, honest people say what is true,

\par }{\QB but untruthful/dishonest people tell
{\ADD{nothing but}} lies.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}What some people say
{\ADD{hurts people badly}}, as much as [SIM] a sword can;

\par }{\QB but what wise
{\ADD{people}} say ◄heals
{\ADD{others’ souls}}/comforts others►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}When people tell [MTY] lies, others soon realize that what they said is not true [IDM];

\par }{\QB but when people say what is true, others will remember that forever.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Those who plan to do what is evil are always wanting to deceive
{\ADD{others}},

\par }{\QB but things will go well for those who plan
{\ADD{to do}} good things.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Bad things
{\ADD{usually}} [HYP] do not happen to righteous
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB but wicked
{\ADD{people}} always have troubles.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Yahweh detests those [MTY] who tell lies,

\par }{\QB but he is delighted with those who faithfully do what they promise that they will do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Those with good sense do not reveal
{\ADD{all}} that they know;

\par }{\QB foolish people show
{\ADD{clearly}} by what they say that they ◄are ignorant/have not learned much►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Those [SYN] who work hard become rulers
{\ADD{of others}};

\par }{\QB those who are lazy become slaves
{\ADD{of others.}}


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}When people are anxious/worried, they become depressed/dejected,

\par }{\QB but when others speak kindly to them, it causes them to be cheerful again.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Godly/Righteous people try to
{\ADD{give good advice to}} their friends (OR, try to make friends with others),

\par }{\QB but the manner in which wicked
{\ADD{people}} live misleads their friends.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Lazy people do not even
{\ADD{cook the meat of}} the animals that they catch/kill,

\par }{\QB but those who work hard will acquire (OR, are like) a valuable treasure.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Those who ◄live righteously/continually do what is right► are
{\ADD{walking}} on the road to a long life;

\par }{\QB ◄it is not a road to death/they will not die when they are still young►.




\par }\PoetryChap{13}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Children who are wise ◄pay attention/heed it► when their parents discipline/correct them;

\par }{\QB but foolish children do not pay attention when someone rebukes them
{\ADD{for their bad behavior}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Good people are rewarded [IDM] for the good things [MET] that they say,

\par }{\QB but those who desire to deceive others are
{\ADD{very}} eager to act violently.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Those who are
{\ADD{very}} careful about what they say [MTY] will live a long life;

\par }{\QB those who talk ◄without thinking/too much► will ruin themselves.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}People who are lazy want things very much, but they will not get anything [HYP].

\par }{\QB People who work hard will get all that they want.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Righteous/Honest people hate/detest lies,

\par }{\QB but what wicked people do ◄is very disgraceful/stinks► [DOU].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}The behavior [PRS] of those who always do what is right will protect them,

\par }{\QB but sinful
{\ADD{behavior will}} ruin wicked people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Some people who have nothing pretend to be rich,

\par }{\QB but other people who are very rich pretend to be poor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Rich people are able to pay people who want to kill them,
{\ADD{with the result that they will be protected, not killed}},

\par }{\QB but poor people
{\ADD{do not have to worry about that because}} no one threatens to kill them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Righteous
{\ADD{people}} are like a lamp [MET] that shines brightly,

\par }{\QB but wicked
{\ADD{people}} are like [MET] a lamp that will
{\ADD{soon}} be extinguished.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}{\ADD{People}} who are arrogant/proud
{\ADD{always}} cause strife;

\par }{\QB those who are wise ask
{\ADD{other people}} for good advice.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Those who acquire a lot of money quickly
{\ADD{by doing what is wrong, probably}} will lose it
{\ADD{quickly}},

\par }{\QB but if people earn money slowly, the amount of money they have will increase.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}When people do not receive the things that they are expecting to receive, ◄it causes them to despair/they become very sad►;

\par }{\QB but if you receive what you are desiring to get, that
{\ADD{will be like a tree}} [MET]
{\ADD{whose fruit gives you}} life (OR, that will cause you to be joyful).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Those who despise
{\ADD{the good}} advice
{\ADD{that others give them}} are bringing ruin on themselves;

\par }{\QB those who pay attention to that advice will ◄be secure/succeed►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}What wise
{\ADD{people}} teach is
{\ADD{like}} a fountain whose
{\ADD{water}} gives life [MET];

\par }{\QB what they teach you will help you to escape when something dangerous is threatening to kill you [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}{\ADD{People}} respect those who have good sense,

\par }{\QB but those who cannot be trusted are on the road to being ruined/destroyed (OR, will have a lot of difficulties/troubles).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Those who have good sense always think carefully/wisely before they do something;

\par }{\QB foolish people show
{\ADD{by what they say and do}} that they are foolish.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Messengers who are not reliable cause trouble,

\par }{\QB but those who faithfully
{\ADD{deliver their messages}} cause people to act peacefully.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Those who refuse to pay attention when others discipline/correct them will become poor and disgraced;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{people}} respect those who accept it when they are rebuked
{\ADD{for their bad behavior}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}It is delightful to receive what we desire;

\par }{\QB foolish people hate/refuse to turn away from doing evil.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Those who habitually associate with wise people become wise;

\par }{\QB those who ◄are close friends of/associate with► foolish people will ◄regret it/be ruined►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Sinners have trouble [PRS] wherever they go,

\par }{\QB but things will go well for righteous
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}When good people
{\ADD{die}}, their grandchildren inherit their money;

\par }{\QB but when sinners
{\ADD{die}}, the money that they had will end up in the hands of righteous
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}{\ADD{Sometimes}} poor
{\ADD{people’s}} fields produce plenty of food,

\par }{\QB but unjust people take away all that food.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Those who do not punish their children
{\ADD{for bad behavior}} do not
{\ADD{really}} love them;

\par }{\QB those who love their children start to discipline them when the children are still young.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Righteous
{\ADD{people}} have enough food to eat and be satisfied,

\par }{\QB but the stomachs of wicked
{\ADD{people}} [SYN] are
{\ADD{always}} empty.




\par }\PoetryChap{14}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Wise women [PRS] hold their families together
{\ADD{by the wise things that they do}},

\par }{\QB but foolish women ruin their families by the foolish things that they do.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}By
{\ADD{continually}} behaving/acting righteously,
{\ADD{people show that they}} greatly revere Yahweh;

\par }{\QB those who ◄walk on crooked paths/always deceive others►
{\ADD{show that they}} despise him.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Foolish people will be punished [MTY] for what they say,

\par }{\QB but wise
{\ADD{people}} will be protected by what they say [MTY].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}If
{\ADD{a man has}} no oxen
{\ADD{to plow his field}}, he does not
{\ADD{need to put}} grain
{\ADD{in their feedbox}},

\par }{\QB but if
{\ADD{he has}} oxen, they will enable
{\ADD{him to produce}} an abundant crop.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Witnesses who are reliable
{\ADD{always}} say what ◄is true/really happened►,

\par }{\QB but witnesses who are not reliable constantly tell lies
{\ADD{about what happened}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Those who make fun
{\ADD{of being wise}} will never become wise,

\par }{\QB but those who understand
{\ADD{what is right}} learn things easily.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Stay away from foolish people,

\par }{\QB because they will not be able to teach you anything
{\ADD{useful}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Those who have good sense are wise, so they know what they should do
{\ADD{and what they should not do}};

\par }{\QB foolish people do not know what is right to do, but because they think that they do, they are deceiving themselves.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Foolish people make fun of their committing sins;

\par }{\QB but God is pleased with those who do what is right.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}If you are very sad or if you are joyful, only you know what you are experiencing;

\par }{\QB no one else
{\ADD{can}} know what you are feeling.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Houses built by wicked
{\ADD{people}} will be destroyed,

\par }{\QB but houses built by good/righteous
{\ADD{people}} will last for a long time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}There are some kinds of behavior [MET] that
{\ADD{some}} people
{\ADD{falsely}} think are right,

\par }{\QB but ◄walking on those roads/continually doing those things► causes
{\ADD{those people}} to die.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{Sometimes}} when people laugh, they are
{\ADD{really}} sad,

\par }{\QB and when they stop laughing, they are still sad.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}Those who stubbornly continue to do what is wrong will get what they deserve,

\par }{\QB and those who continually do what is good will
{\ADD{also}} get what they deserve.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Foolish people believe everything
{\ADD{that people tell them}};

\par }{\QB those who have good sense think carefully about what will be the result of their actions.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Wise people are careful and avoid
{\ADD{doing things that will give them}} trouble;

\par }{\QB foolish people are careless and act ◄too quickly/without thinking►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Those who quickly become angry [IDM] do foolish things;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{people}} hate those who plan to do wicked things (OR, those who have good sense remain calm/patient).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Foolish people get what they deserve for doing foolish things;

\par }{\QB those with good sense are rewarded [MET] by being able to learn a lot.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}{\ADD{Some day}} evil
{\ADD{people}} will bow down in front of righteous
{\ADD{people to show that they respect them}};

\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{will humbly stand}} at the gates of
{\ADD{the houses of}} righteous
{\ADD{people and request their help}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}{\ADD{No one likes}} poor
{\ADD{people}}; even their friends/neighbors do not like them;

\par }{\QB rich
{\ADD{people}} have many friends, but
{\ADD{only while the rich people still have money}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}It is sinful to despise your
{\ADD{poor}} neighbors;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{God}} is pleased with those who do kind things for the poor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Those who plan to do things that are evil/wrong are walking on the wrong road;

\par }{\QB people faithfully love, respect and are loyal to those who plan to do what is good.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}If you work hard, you will ◄accomplish something good/get a good income►,

\par }{\QB but if all you do is to talk
{\ADD{and not work}}, you will remain poor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}One of the rewards [MET] of being wise is to become rich;

\par }{\QB the reward of acting foolishly is to become more foolish.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}By saying
{\ADD{in court}} what is true, you
{\ADD{can}} save the life
{\ADD{of the one who is being falsely accused}};

\par }{\QB if you tell lies, you are abandoning someone who needs your help
{\ADD{to defend him}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Those who revere Yahweh are confident
{\ADD{that he will protect them}},

\par }{\QB and their family will
{\ADD{also}} be protected.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Having an awesome respect for Yahweh is
{\ADD{like}} [MET]
{\ADD{having}} a fountain that gives life;

\par }{\QB it will help you to escape when something dangerous is threatening to kill you [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}If a king rules over many people, many people will
{\ADD{be able to}} honor him;

\par }{\QB if he has only a few people in his kingdom, he will have very little [HYP] power.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}Those who do not quickly become angry are very wise;

\par }{\QB by quickly becoming angry, people show that they are foolish.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}Having a mind that is peaceful results in having a healthy body;

\par }{\QB having a mind that is
{\ADD{often}} in turmoil is
{\ADD{like}} [MET] cancer in
{\ADD{a person’s}} bones.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}Those who oppress poor people are insulting God, the one who made those poor people,

\par }{\QB but acting kindly toward them is respecting God.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{32}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} ruin themselves by the evil things that they do,

\par }{\QB but righteous/good
{\ADD{people}} are kept safe/protected even when they die (OR, because of their continually doing what is right).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{33}Those who have good sense always think what is wise;

\par }{\QB foolish people do not know anything about being wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{34}{\ADD{When}} the people of a nation
{\ADD{continually act}} righteously, it causes that nation to be great;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{continually doing what is}} evil causes a nation to be disgraced.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{35}Kings are pleased with officials who do their work competently/skillfully,

\par }{\QB but they punish [MTY] those who
{\ADD{do their work in a manner that}} causes the kings to be disgraced.




\par }\PoetryChap{15}{\Q \VerseOne{1}When people are angry with you, reply to them gently, and it will calm them;

\par }{\QB but if you reply harshly to them, it causes them to become more angry.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}When wise
{\ADD{people}} speak [MTY], it causes those who hear what they say to want to know more;

\par }{\QB foolish people continually say [MTY] what is foolish.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Yahweh sees [MTY]
{\ADD{what is happening}} everywhere;

\par }{\QB he observes what bad
{\ADD{people do}} as well as what good
{\ADD{people do}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Those who speak [MTY] kindly to people are
{\ADD{like}} [MET] trees
{\ADD{whose fruit gives}} life;

\par }{\QB speaking what is false causes people to ◄despair/feel very discouraged►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Foolish children despise their parents when their parents correct/discipline them;

\par }{\QB wise children accept it.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}There are many valuable things in the houses of righteous
{\ADD{people}};

\par }{\QB the wealth of wicked
{\ADD{people}} causes them to have troubles/difficulties.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}What wise
{\ADD{people}} teach [MTY] causes others to know much more,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but}} foolish people cannot teach others what is useful.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Yahweh detests the sacrifices that are offered by wicked
{\ADD{people}};

\par }{\QB what delights/pleases him very much are the prayers of righteous/good
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Yahweh hates/detests the behavior of wicked
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB but he loves those who always do what is righteous/just/fair.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Those who do what is wrong will be severely punished;

\par }{\QB those who do not want to be corrected will die.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Yahweh knows
{\ADD{what is happening in}} the place where dead people [DOU] are,

\par }{\QB so he certainly knows [RHQ] what people are thinking.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Some people do not want to be corrected;

\par }{\QB they never go to wise
{\ADD{people to seek good advice from them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}When people are happy, they have smiles on their faces;

\par }{\QB but when they are sad,
{\ADD{by looking at their faces we can see that}} they are sad.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}Those who have good sense want to learn more;

\par }{\QB foolish people [MTY] are very satisfied with being foolish/ignorant.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Those who are oppressed constantly have difficulties,

\par }{\QB but those who (OR, if they) are happy,
{\ADD{it is as though}} [MET] they are having a big feast every day.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Being poor and revering Yahweh

\par }{\QB is better than being rich and having a lot of troubles.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Eating meals with
{\ADD{people whom you}} love and having only vegetables to eat

\par }{\QB is better than eating with
{\ADD{people who}} hate
{\ADD{each other and}} having lots of good meat
{\ADD{to eat}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Those who quickly become angry cause arguments/quarreling,

\par }{\QB but those who do not quickly become angry cause people to act peacefully.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Lazy people constantly
{\ADD{have difficulties}} [MET];
{\ADD{it is as though they are}} walking through thorns;

\par }{\QB but those who are honest and hard-working
{\ADD{will have few difficulties; it is as though they are walking}} on a level highway [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Children who are wise cause their parents to be happy;

\par }{\QB it is foolish children who despise their parents.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Foolish people are happy to
{\ADD{continually}} act foolishly;

\par }{\QB those who have good sense do what is right.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}If there is no one to give us good advice, we will not accomplish what we are planning to do;

\par }{\QB but when we have many
{\ADD{good}} advisors, we will succeed.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}People rejoice when they are able to reply well to what others have asked them;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{truly}}, it is very delightful to be able to say the right thing at the right time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Wise people walk on a road that leads up to a long life;

\par }{\QB they do not walk on a road that leads down to the place where dead people are.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Yahweh tears down the houses of proud
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB but he protects the property of widows.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Yahweh detests what wicked
{\ADD{people}} are thinking
{\ADD{about doing}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but}} when people say what is kind, he considers those words to be pure.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Those who try hard to get money by acting dishonestly cause trouble for their family;

\par }{\QB those who refuse to accept bribes will live
{\ADD{for a long time}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Righteous/Good
{\ADD{people}} think carefully before they answer
{\ADD{what others ask them}};

\par }{\QB wicked
{\ADD{people}} very quickly say what is evil.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}Yahweh does not listen [MTY] to what wicked
{\ADD{people request him to do}};

\par }{\QB he listens to righteous
{\ADD{people}} when they pray.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}If people have a smile on their faces, it makes them/others happy,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{when people hear}} good news, it refreshes their spirits [MTY].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}If people pay attention when
{\ADD{people}} correct/warn them,

\par }{\QB they will become wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{32}If people refuse to listen
{\ADD{when others try}} to correct them, they are despising/hurting themselves;

\par }{\QB those who ◄pay attention/heed► when
{\ADD{others}} warn them ◄become wiser/acquire good sense►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{33}If you revere Yahweh, you will learn how to become wise,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{only}} after you become humble will
{\ADD{people}} honor you.




\par }\PoetryChap{16}{\Q \VerseOne{1}People plan what they want to do,

\par }{\QB but Yahweh is the one who decides [MTY] what really will happen.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}People may think that their actions are right,

\par }{\QB but Yahweh really knows why people do what they do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}◄Request/Rely on► Yahweh to direct what you plan to do;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{if you do that}}, you will succeed in what you plan.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Yahweh knows why he does everything that he does;

\par }{\QB he has even prepared the wicked for the time that he will punish them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Yahweh hates/detests everyone who is proud [IDM];

\par }{\QB you can be certain [IDM] that they will be punished [LIT].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Be loyal to Yahweh and faithfully
{\ADD{obey}} him; if you do that, he will forgive you for having sinned.

\par }{\QB If we revere him, nothing evil will happen to us (OR, he will prevent evil things from happening to us).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}When our behavior pleases Yahweh,

\par }{\QB he even causes our enemies to act peacefully toward us.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}It is better to have a small amount of money that is earned honestly

\par }{\QB than to have a lot of money that is acquired dishonestly.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}People plan what they want to do,

\par }{\QB but Yahweh directs/determines what they will
{\ADD{really}} be able to do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}{\ADD{If}} God directs what a king says,

\par }{\QB what he decides is
{\ADD{always}} right/fair.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Yahweh wants us to use scales that are correct;

\par }{\QB the weights in his bag are correct,
{\ADD{because}} he made them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Kings detest those who do evil,

\par }{\QB because
{\ADD{it is people doing what}} is fair/right that causes their governments to be [MTY] strong.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Kings are delighted to hear people say [MTY] what is true;

\par }{\QB they love those who say what is right/honest.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}If a king becomes angry, he
{\ADD{may}} command that someone be executed,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{so}} wise people will
{\ADD{try to}} cause him to be calm.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}If a king has a smile [MTY] on his face, he will enable people to have a
{\ADD{long}} life (OR, he will not order people to be executed);

\par }{\QB his being pleased
{\ADD{with people}} is
{\ADD{as delightful}} as rain in the springtime
{\ADD{when seeds are planted}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Becoming wise is better than aquiring gold;

\par }{\QB getting good understanding/insight is better than acquiring silver.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Those whose behavior [MET] is good/right turn away from doing evil;

\par }{\QB those who guard their conduct [MTY] protect their lives.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Being proud will ◄lead to your having/cause you to have► disasters;

\par }{\QB despising others will result in your being ruined.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}It is better to be humble and poor

\par }{\QB than
{\ADD{to associate with}} proud
{\ADD{people}} and
{\ADD{to become rich by}} dividing with them ◄plunder/goods captured in a battle►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Those who heed good teaching/instruction will prosper;

\par }{\QB happy are those who trust in Yahweh.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}People say that those who are wise learn what is right/good behavior,

\par }{\QB and those who talk pleasantly
{\ADD{are able to}} influence others
{\ADD{to do what is right}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Being wise is
{\ADD{like having}} a fountain that gives life [MET],

\par }{\QB but foolish people are punished as a result of their acting foolishly.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Those who are wise think carefully before they talk,

\par }{\QB and as a result they are able to influence/persuade others
{\ADD{to do what is right}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Kind words are like honey [SIM]:

\par }{\QB We enjoy them both, and both cause our bodies to be healthy/strong.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}There are some kinds of behavior [MET] that people think are right,

\par }{\QB but ◄walking on those roads [MET]/continually doing those things► causes those people to die.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}If a worker ◄has an appetite/is hungry►, that urges him to work hard

\par }{\QB because he [SYN] wants to
{\ADD{earn money to buy things to}} eat.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Worthless people plan
{\ADD{ways to cause}} trouble
{\ADD{for others}},

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{even}} what they say
{\ADD{injures people}} like a hot fire does [SIM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Deceitful people cause strife/quarreling among other people;

\par }{\QB those who say false things about other people cause people who are friends to become enemies.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}Those who act violently entice/encourage others
{\ADD{to also act violently}}

\par }{\QB and lead them along a road that will end in disaster.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}People
{\ADD{sometimes}} show with
{\ADD{one of}} their eyes
{\ADD{to signal to their friends that they are}} planning to do something to harm
{\ADD{others}};

\par }{\QB they smirk when they are about to do something evil.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}Gray hair is
{\ADD{like}} a glorious crown [MET]

\par }{\QB that is given to people who have always behaved righteously.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{32}Those who do not become angry quickly are better than those who are powerful;

\par }{\QB it is better to ◄control your temper/keep yourself from becoming very angry► than to conquer a city.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{33}People ◄cast lots/throw marked stones►
{\ADD{to decide what should be done}},

\par }{\QB but God is the one who truly decides what will happen.




\par }\PoetryChap{17}{\Q \VerseOne{1}It is better
{\ADD{to eat}} a dry piece
{\ADD{of bread}} and not have strife/quarrels

\par }{\QB than to have a big feast in a house where
{\ADD{everyone}} is quarreling.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}A slave who acts wisely will
{\ADD{some day}} be the boss of his master’s disgraceful son

\par }{\QB and when his master dies, the slave will receive part of his master’s possessions.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{Workers put}} silver and gold in a very hot furnace
{\ADD{to burn out what is impure}},

\par }{\QB and Yahweh
{\ADD{similarly}} examines people’s inner beings
{\ADD{to see if they are pure}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Those who do what is evil pay attention to people who say [MTY] what is evil,

\par }{\QB and liars pay attention to
{\ADD{other people’s}} lies.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Those who make fun of poor
{\ADD{people}} insult God, the one who made the poor
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB {\ADD{and}} those who are happy when
{\ADD{someone else has}} troubles will certainly be punished [LIT]
{\ADD{by God}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Old
{\ADD{people}} are
{\ADD{usually}} proud of [MET] their grandchildren,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{just like}} children are
{\ADD{usually}} proud of their parents.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Fine/Eloquent speech is not suitable for foolish people to say,

\par }{\QB just like lies are not suitable for rulers
{\ADD{to say}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}People think that a bribe is like a magic stone
{\ADD{to persuade someone to do what they want him to do}};

\par }{\QB they think that because of the bribe, that person will do whatever they want him to do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}If you want people to like/love you, forgive them for the wrong things that they do to you.

\par }{\QB If you continue to remind them about those wrong things, they will no longer be your friends.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Rebuking people who have good sense will accomplish more for them

\par }{\QB than hitting them 100 times
{\ADD{with a stick}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}{\ADD{Because}} wicked people are always trying to cause trouble,

\par }{\QB someone will be sent to severely punish them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}A mother bear whose cubs have been taken away from her is dangerous,

\par }{\QB but it is more dangerous to confront a foolish person who is doing something foolish.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}If someone does something evil in return for something good being done to him,

\par }{\QB evil/trouble will never leave that person’s family.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}Starting a quarrel is like allowing water to start to leak out of a dam;

\par }{\QB they both need to be stopped before they get worse.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}There are two things that Yahweh hates:

\par }{\QB ◄Condemning innocent
{\ADD{people}}/Saying that people who have done nothing wrong must be punished►,

\par }{\QB and declaring that people who have done wicked things should not be punished.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}It is useless to allow foolish people [RHQ] to try to become wise by paying for it,

\par }{\QB because they do not have enough good sense to become wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Friends love
{\ADD{others}} all the time,

\par }{\QB and relatives are able to help us when we have troubles.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}{\ADD{If someone borrows money from another person}}, it is foolish for you to promise [IDM] that you will pay the money back

\par }{\QB if that other person is unable to pay back the money that he borrowed.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Those who like to sin
{\ADD{also}} like to cause strife/trouble;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{and}} those who build fancy doors in their houses
{\ADD{to show that they are very wealthy}} (OR, speak proudly) are inviting disaster.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Those who ◄have perverse minds/are always thinking about doing evil things► will not prosper,

\par }{\QB and disasters will happen to those who always tell lies.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Children who are foolish
{\ADD{soon}} cause their parents to be very sad;

\par }{\QB their parents will not be joyful at all.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Being cheerful is
{\ADD{like swallowing}} good medicine;

\par }{\QB being discouraged/gloomy
{\ADD{all the time will}} ◄drain away your energy/cause you to become weak► [MTY].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Wicked people/judges accept bribes that are given to them secretly,

\par }{\QB and as a result they do not decide matters justly/fairly.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Those who have good sense determine to do what is wise,

\par }{\QB but foolish people are always thinking about many different things
{\ADD{and never decide what they should do}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Children who are foolish cause their father to be sad

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{also}} cause their mother to be very sorrowful.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}It is not right to force someone who has done nothing wrong to pay a fine;

\par }{\QB it is wrong to punish good/respected people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Those who have good sense do not talk a lot,

\par }{\QB and those who ◄control their tempers/keep themselves from becoming very angry► are
{\ADD{truly}} wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}People
{\ADD{may}} think that foolish people who do not say anything are wise;

\par }{\QB if foolish people ◄do not say anything/keep their mouths shut►, others will think that they are
{\ADD{very}} intelligent.




\par }\PoetryChap{18}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Those who separate themselves
{\ADD{from other people}} think
{\ADD{only}} about those things that they are interested in;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{if they would continually associate with}} those who have good judgment/sense, they would constantly disagree/quarrel with them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Foolish people do not want to understand
{\ADD{anything}};

\par }{\QB they only want to ◄express their
{\ADD{own}} opinions/say what they think► [IDM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Whenever people do wicked things, others will despise them;

\par }{\QB when people do things that cause themselves to no
{\ADD{longer}} be honored, they will be disgraced
{\ADD{also}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}What wise people say is
{\ADD{like}} a deep ocean
{\ADD{that you can never get to the bottom of}} [MET],

\par }{\QB and it
{\ADD{refreshes us like water from}} a rapidly flowing stream.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}It is not good
{\ADD{for a judge}} to decide matters in favor of those who ◄are guilty/have done wicked things►

\par }{\QB and to not do what is just for those who ◄are innocent/have not done what is wrong►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}When foolish people [SYN] start arguments,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it is as though}} they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined;

\par }{\QB their
{\ADD{own}} words are
{\ADD{like}} a trap [MET]
{\ADD{that catches/seizes}} them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{People enjoy listening to}} what gossips say like [SIM]
{\ADD{they enjoy}} tasty food;

\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{accept what gossips tell them like}} [MET] they swallow tasty food.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}People who are lazy while they work

\par }{\QB are
{\ADD{just as bad}} as [IDM] those who destroy things.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Yahweh [MTY] is
{\ADD{like}} a strong tower [MET];

\par }{\QB righteous people
{\ADD{can}} go to him and be safe
{\ADD{like they can run to a tower to be safe}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Rich people
{\ADD{are protected because they have}} a lot of money [PRS]

\par }{\QB like a city is protected because it has a high wall surrounding it [SIM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Proud people are on the road to being ruined,

\par }{\QB but being humble leads to being honored.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish;

\par }{\QB doing that is disgraceful.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}A desire to
{\ADD{continue to}} live can sustain someone when he is sick;

\par }{\QB if he loses that desire, he ◄cannot endure it/will become very discouraged► when he is sick [RHQ].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Intelligent people
{\ADD{are always wanting to}} learn more;

\par }{\QB wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}The first person to present his case in court seems right,

\par }{\QB but when ◄someone else/his opponent► begins to ask him questions,
{\ADD{it may become clear that what he said was not true}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}If two influential/important people are arguing,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{someone can}} settle the matter by ◄casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}If you help relatives, they will
{\ADD{protect you}} like [SIM] a strong wall
{\ADD{protects a city}},

\par }{\QB but if you quarrel with them,
{\ADD{that will separate you from them}} like bars on a city gate
{\ADD{separate the city from those who want to enter it}} [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}People are happy when they hear others say [MTY] something that is good,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{like}} they are happy when they eat food that is good [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}What you say can cause others to be killed or it can cause them to
{\ADD{continue to}} live;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{so}} those who like
{\ADD{to talk a lot}} must ◄accept the consequences/realize that what they say can cause much harm►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}If you marry a
{\ADD{good}} woman, that is
{\ADD{like}} finding a wonderful thing;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it shows that}} Yahweh is pleased with you.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}{\ADD{It is necessary for}} poor
{\ADD{people}} to speak politely when they request
{\ADD{rich people to do something for them}},

\par }{\QB but rich
{\ADD{people}} reply very impolitely when poor people speak to them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}There are
{\ADD{some}} people who
{\ADD{only}} pretend to be friends
{\ADD{with us}},

\par }{\QB but there are
{\ADD{some}} friends who are more loyal than members of our families.




\par }\PoetryChap{19}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Conducting our lives as we should
{\ADD{even though}} we are poor

\par }{\QB is better than being foolish and telling lies.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Being enthusiastic but not thinking carefully
{\ADD{about what we are about to do}} is not good;

\par }{\QB doing things hastily can cause us a lot of trouble [IDM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Some people are ruined as a result of their
{\ADD{own}} foolish actions,

\par }{\QB and when that happens, they [SYN] angrily say that it is Yahweh’s fault.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Those who are rich easily find people who want to be their friends,

\par }{\QB but when
{\ADD{people become}} poor, their friends
{\ADD{often}} desert them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Those who tell lies in court will surely be punished [LIT];

\par }{\QB they will not escape it.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Many
{\ADD{people}} try to persuade important people to do favors for them;

\par }{\QB everyone
{\ADD{wants to}} be a friend of those who give gifts.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}{\ADD{Even}} the relatives of someone who becomes poor hate him,

\par }{\QB and his friends certainly stay away from him, too;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{even}} if he tries to talk with them, they will not be his friends
{\ADD{again}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Those who become wise [IDM] are doing a favor for themselves;

\par }{\QB those who get good sense will prosper.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}Those who tell lies in court will certainly be punished [LIT];

\par }{\QB they will be ruined.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}It is not appropriate for foolish people to live ◄luxuriously/like rich people►,

\par }{\QB and it is even less appropriate for slaves to rule important officials.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Those who have good sense do not quickly become angry;

\par }{\QB people respect those who ignore offensive
{\ADD{things that people say to them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}When a king is angry,
{\ADD{that causes people to be afraid of him}}, like the roar of a lion
{\ADD{causes people to be afraid}} [SIM],

\par }{\QB but if he acts kindly toward people,
{\ADD{they like it just}} like
{\ADD{they like}} dew on the grass
{\ADD{in the morning}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Foolish children
{\ADD{can}} cause disasters to happen to their parents.

\par }{\QB A wife who constantly ◄nags/quarrels with►
{\ADD{her husband is as annoying as}} water that continually drips [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}We
{\ADD{can}} inherit a house or money from our parents
{\ADD{when they die}},

\par }{\QB but only Yahweh
{\ADD{can}} give someone a sensible wife.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Those who are lazy sleep soundly,

\par }{\QB but if they are lazy, they will be hungry
{\ADD{because of not earning money to buy food}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Those who obey
{\ADD{God’s}} commandments will remain alive
{\ADD{for a long time}};

\par }{\QB those who despise/disobey them (OR, those who do not control their own conduct) will die
{\ADD{while they are still young}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}When we give things to poor
{\ADD{people}},
{\ADD{it is as though}} we are lending to Yahweh,

\par }{\QB and he will ◄pay us back/reward us for what we did►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Discipline your children while
{\ADD{they are young}}, while you still hope that
{\ADD{they will learn to behave as they should}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{if you do not discipline them}}, you are helping them to destroy
{\ADD{themselves}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Those who ◄do not control their temper/quickly become very angry► will have to endure what happens as a result;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but}} if we rescue them
{\ADD{from those troubles once}}, we will have to continue rescuing them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Pay attention when
{\ADD{people give you good}} advice and learn from them,

\par }{\QB in order that you will become wise for the rest of your life.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}People plan to do many
{\ADD{kinds of things}},

\par }{\QB but what will happen is what Yahweh has decided will happen.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}People want others to be loyal to them;

\par }{\QB it is better to be poor than to tell a lie
{\ADD{to a judge in court in order to get money}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}{\ADD{Those who have}} an awesome respect for Yahweh will live
{\ADD{a long life}};

\par }{\QB they rest peacefully and are not harmed
{\ADD{during the night}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Some people are extremely lazy;

\par }{\QB they put their hand in a dish
{\ADD{to take some food}} but do not even lift the food up to their mouths.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}If you punish someone who makes fun of those who are wise, those who ◄are naive/need to be instructed► will learn to do what is smart;

\par }{\QB if you rebuke those who are wise, they will
{\ADD{listen to what you say and}} become wiser.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Anyone who mistreats/abuses his father or forces his mother to leave the home

\par }{\QB is a child who is acting shamefully and disgracefully.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}My son, if you stop learning things,

\par }{\QB you will
{\ADD{soon}} forget what
{\ADD{you already}} know.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Worthless witnesses
{\ADD{in court}} make fun of
{\ADD{judges who try to}} make fair decisions,

\par }{\QB and wicked people
{\ADD{enjoy}} doing evil
{\ADD{like}} they enjoy eating
{\ADD{good food}} [MET].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}{\ADD{God}} is ready to punish those who make fun
{\ADD{of him/religion}};

\par }{\QB those who do foolish things deserve to be flogged/whipped.




\par }\PoetryChap{20}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Drinking a lot of wine or
{\ADD{other}} strong drinks causes people to start fighting;

\par }{\QB it is foolish to become drunk/intoxicated.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Being afraid of a king when he is angry is like [SIM] being afraid of a lion when it growls/roars;

\par }{\QB if you cause the king to become angry, he may execute you.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{People}} respect those who stay away from disputes/arguments;

\par }{\QB foolish people
{\ADD{love to}} quarrel.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{If}} a lazy man does not plow
{\ADD{his fields at the right/proper time}},

\par }{\QB he will look for
{\ADD{crops}} at harvest
{\ADD{time}}, but there will be nothing there.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}{\ADD{Just}} as it is difficult to bring up water from a deep well, it is difficult to know what people are thinking,

\par }{\QB but someone who has good sense/insight will be able to find out what people are thinking.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Many people proclaim that they can be trusted
{\ADD{to do what they say that they will do}},

\par }{\QB but it is very difficult to find [RHQ] someone who can really be trusted.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}If parents conduct their lives as they should,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{God}} blesses their children (OR, their children are very happy/fortunate).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}A king who sits on his throne to judge people

\par }{\QB can
{\ADD{easily}} [MTY] find out what things that people have done are good and what things are evil.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}There is no one [RHQ] who can truthfully say, “I do not know of any wrong things that I have done;

\par }{\QB I have ◄gotten rid of all my sinful behavior/quit doing what is sinful►.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Yahweh detests people who use weights that are not right

\par }{\QB and measures that are not correct.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Even children show by what they do whether they are good or not;

\par }{\QB they show whether ◄what they do/their behavior► is honest and right
{\ADD{or not}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Two of the things that Yahweh has created
{\ADD{for us}}

\par }{\QB are ears to hear things and eyes to see things.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}If you want to sleep
{\ADD{all the time}}, you will become poor;

\par }{\QB if you stay awake
{\ADD{and work}}, you will have plenty of food.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}People
{\ADD{look at things that they are about}} to buy,
{\ADD{and in order to get it for a lower price sometimes they}} say, “◄It is no good/It is poor quality►,”

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{after they buy it}}, they go and boast
{\ADD{about having bought it for a cheap price}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Gold and precious stones are
{\ADD{valuable}},

\par }{\QB but wise words [MTY] are more valuable.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}If you foolishly promise to a stranger that you will pay what he owes if he is unable to pay it [DOU],

\par }{\QB {\ADD{you deserve to}} have someone take your coat from you.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}People
{\ADD{may}} think that food that they acquire by doing what is dishonest will taste very good,

\par }{\QB but later
{\ADD{they will not enjoy what they have done any more than they would enjoy}} eating gravel/sand.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}When people give you good advice,
{\ADD{if you do what they suggest}}, your plans will succeed;

\par }{\QB so be sure to get good advice from wise people before you start fighting a war.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Those who go around telling gossip are
{\ADD{always}} telling secrets to
{\ADD{others}};

\par }{\QB so stay away from people who foolishly talk
{\ADD{too much}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}If someone curses his father or his mother,

\par }{\QB his life will be ended,
{\ADD{just}} like a lamp is extinguished.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}If you very quickly take the property that your parents promise will be yours after they die,

\par }{\QB you will not receive any good/blessing from it.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Do not say, “I will do evil to those who do evil to me;”

\par }{\QB wait for Yahweh
{\ADD{to do something about it}}, and he will ◄help you/{\ADD{do what is right}}►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Yahweh detests
{\ADD{those who use}} dishonest scales

\par }{\QB and weights that are not accurate/correct.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Yahweh is the one who has decided what will happen to us,

\par }{\QB so ◄how can we <understand/know> what will happen before it happens?/we humans certainly cannot <understand/know> what will happen before it happens.► [RHQ]


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}You should think carefully before you solemnly promise to dedicate something to God,

\par }{\QB because later you might be sorry you have promised to do it.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Wise kings find out [MET] which people have done what is wrong,

\par }{\QB and they punish them very severely [IDM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Our consciences are
{\ADD{like}} lamps that Yahweh
{\ADD{has given to us to enable us to know what we are thinking}} [MET];

\par }{\QB they reveal what is hidden deep in our ◄minds/inner beings►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Kings will continue to rule as long as they faithfully love their people and are loyal to them

\par }{\QB and as long as they rule righteously/fairly.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}We honor/admire young people because they are strong,

\par }{\QB but we respect [MTY] old people more because they are wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}When we are beaten or whipped, it
{\ADD{can}} cause us to quit doing what is evil in our lives;

\par }{\QB when someone wounds us
{\ADD{by punishing us}}, it
{\ADD{can}} cause our behavior to become good.




\par }\PoetryChap{21}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Yahweh controls what kings do [MTY]
{\ADD{like}} he controls how streams flow;

\par }{\QB he causes kings to do just what he wants them to do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}People always think that what they do is right,

\par }{\QB but Yahweh judges our ◄motives/reasons
{\ADD{for doing things►}} [MTY].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to Yahweh

\par }{\QB than
{\ADD{bringing}} sacrifices
{\ADD{to him}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Being proud and arrogant [DOU] is
{\ADD{like}} a lamp [MTY]
{\ADD{that guides}} wicked people;

\par }{\QB being proud and arrogant characterizes ◄wicked people’s whole behavior/everything that wicked people do►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}People who plan carefully will surely have plenty
{\ADD{of what they need}};

\par }{\QB those who act too quickly
{\ADD{to become rich}} will become poor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Money that people acquire
{\ADD{by cheating others}} by lying [MTY] to them will soon disappear
{\ADD{like}} a mist,

\par }{\QB and doing that will
{\ADD{soon}} lead to their death.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} refuse to do what is right/just,

\par }{\QB but they will be ruined because of the violent things [PRS] that they do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Guilty
{\ADD{people continually do what is evil; it is as though}} [MET] they are walking on a crooked road;

\par }{\QB but righteous/innocent people
{\ADD{always}} do what is right.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}It is better to live in the corner of an attic/housetop
{\ADD{by yourself}}

\par }{\QB than to live inside the house with a wife who is always nagging.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} [SYN] are always wanting
{\ADD{to do what is}} evil;

\par }{\QB they never act mercifully toward anyone.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}When those who ridicule
{\ADD{others}} are punished,
{\ADD{even}} those who do not have good sense
{\ADD{see that, and}} they become wise,

\par }{\QB and when those who are wise are taught, they become wiser.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{God}}, the one
{\ADD{who is completely}} righteous, knows
{\ADD{what happens inside}} the houses of wicked
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{he will cause}} those people to be completely ruined/destroyed.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}There are people who refuse to listen when poor people cry out
{\ADD{for help}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but some day}} they themselves will cry out
{\ADD{for help}}, and no one will hear them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}When someone is angry
{\ADD{with you}},

\par }{\QB if you secretly give him a gift, he will stop being angry.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Good/Righteous
{\ADD{people}} are happy when they
{\ADD{see others do}} what is just/fair,

\par }{\QB but those who do what is evil are terrified
{\ADD{when they think about what may happen to them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Those who stop behaving like those who have good sense behave

\par }{\QB will
{\ADD{soon}} discover that they have gone to the place where dead people are.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Those who spend their money to buy ◄things that give them pleasure/things that cause them to feel happy► will become poor;

\par }{\QB those who love
{\ADD{to spend money to buy}} wine and nice/fancy food [MTY] will never become rich.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} bring on themselves the sufferings

\par }{\QB that they were trying to cause righteous
{\ADD{people}} to experience [DOU].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}It is better to live
{\ADD{alone}} in a desert

\par }{\QB than
{\ADD{to live}} with a wife who is
{\ADD{always}} nagging and complaining.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Wise people have many valuable things in their houses,

\par }{\QB but foolish people
{\ADD{quickly}} spend/waste
{\ADD{all their money}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}Those who
{\ADD{always}} try to act in a fair and kind way
{\ADD{toward others}}

\par }{\QB will live
{\ADD{a long time}} and be honored/respected.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}A wise army commander
{\ADD{helps his troops}} climb over a wall
{\ADD{to attack}} a city that is defended by a strong army,

\par }{\QB with the result that they are able to ◄get over/destroy► the high walls that their enemies trusted
{\ADD{would protect them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Those who are very careful about what they say [MTY]

\par }{\QB are
{\ADD{able to}} avoid trouble.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Those who make fun of
{\ADD{everything that is good}} are proud and conceited [DOU];

\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{always}} act in an inconsiderate way
{\ADD{toward others}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Lazy people, who refuse to work,
{\ADD{will}} die
{\ADD{of hunger}}

\par }{\QB because they [SYN] do not earn
{\ADD{money to buy food}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}All during the day
{\ADD{wicked people}} desire to obtain things,

\par }{\QB but righteous
{\ADD{people}} have plenty,
{\ADD{with the result that}} they
{\ADD{are able to}} give things generously to others.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}{\ADD{Yahweh}} detests the sacrifices that wicked
{\ADD{people}} offer
{\ADD{to him}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but he}} detests it even more when they
{\ADD{think that they will escape being punished for}} their evil deeds because of the sacrifices that they bring.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Those who tell lies in court will be punished;

\par }{\QB no one stops/silences witnesses who say what is truthful/reliable.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}Wicked people pretend
{\ADD{that they know everything}},

\par }{\QB but righteous people think carefully about
{\ADD{what will happen because of}} what they do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}{\ADD{Thinking that we are}} wise, and that we understand many things, and that we have good insight,

\par }{\QB does not help us if Yahweh is ◄acting against/not pleased with► us.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}We
{\ADD{can}} get horses ready to fight in a battle,

\par }{\QB but Yahweh is the one who enables us to ◄win victories/defeat our enemies►.




\par }\PoetryChap{22}{\Q \VerseOne{1}◄Having a good reputation/Being honored by people► is better than having a lot of money;

\par }{\QB being well respected is better than having plenty of gold or silver [DOU].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}There is one thing that is true about both rich people and poor people:

\par }{\QB Yahweh is the one who created all of them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Those who have good sense realize
{\ADD{that there is something}} dangerous ahead, and they avoid it;

\par }{\QB those who do not have good sense just keep going and later they will suffer because of doing that.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}The reward that Yahweh gives to those who are humble and who revere him

\par }{\QB is that he causes them to be rich and honored and to live for a long time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Because of the things that wicked people do,
{\ADD{they have difficulties/troubles}} that will be like thorns and traps on the roads that they walk on [MET];

\par }{\QB people who are careful/cautious will be able to stay away from those difficulties.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}If you train/teach children to do what is right,

\par }{\QB all during their life they will act/behave in that manner.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Rich people rule over poor people harshly,

\par }{\QB and those who borrow money become like slaves [MET] of the people who lend
{\ADD{money to them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{If you plant corn or rice, corn or rice will grow}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{similarly}}, if you act unjustly, you will have disasters [MET];

\par }{\Q and if you try to harm/oppress people
{\ADD{because you are angry with them}},

\par }{\QB you will not be able to harm them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}{\ADD{God}} will bless those who are generous [IDM],

\par }{\QB those who give some of their food to poor
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}If you get rid of those who make fun of
{\ADD{everything that is good}},

\par }{\QB there will no more arguing or quarreling or insulting
{\ADD{other people}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly,

\par }{\QB the king will be your friend.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Yahweh [SYN] ◄watches over/takes care of►
{\ADD{those who have}} good understanding/sense,

\par }{\QB but he ruins the plans/affairs of those who always try to deceive others.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Lazy people
{\ADD{remain in their houses}};

\par }{\QB they say, “A lion might attack me if I go out into the street
{\ADD{to go to work}}!”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}What ◄wives who commit adultery/immoral women► say
{\ADD{to men}} [MTY] is
{\ADD{like}} a deep pit [MET]
{\ADD{into which those men fall}};

\par }{\QB those with whom Yahweh is angry will fall into that pit.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Children [SYN] naturally do things that are foolish,

\par }{\QB but if you punish/spank them [PRS], they
{\ADD{will}} ◄stop doing foolish things/learn to behave as they should►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Those who oppress poor
{\ADD{people}} in order to become rich,

\par }{\Q and those who give
{\ADD{a bribe}} to rich
{\ADD{people in order that the rich people will do a favor for them}},

\par }{\QB will just lose their money.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH Thirty wise sayings
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}{\ADD{Now}} listen [MTY] to what wise
{\ADD{people}} have said;

\par }{\QB think carefully about what I am teaching you.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}It will be good to ◄keep these things in your minds/always remember them►,

\par }{\QB because if you do that, you will be able to quote/recite them
{\ADD{to others}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}{\ADD{I want you to}} trust in Yahweh,

\par }{\QB and that is the reason that I am telling them to you, now.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}I have written [RHQ] 30 ◄sayings/things that wise people have said►

\par }{\QB from which you will receive good advice and you will be able you to know
{\ADD{many good/useful things}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}From them, you will learn what is right and what is true,

\par }{\QB in order that you will be able to bring back a good report to those who sent you
{\ADD{to school}} (OR, give a good answer
{\ADD{to those who ask you questions}}).


\par }{\SH -1-
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{It is easy to}} rob poor
{\ADD{people}} who are helpless
{\ADD{and cannot defend themselves, but}} never
{\ADD{do that}};

\par }{\QB and do not oppress in court those who are needy/afflicted,


\par }{\Q \VS{23}because Yahweh will speak to defend them,

\par }{\QB and he will punish those who steal things from others—by causing them to die.


\par }{\SH -2-
\par }
{\Q \VS{24}Do not become friends with those who often become angry,

\par }{\QB and do not associate with those who cannot control their temper/anger,


\par }{\Q \VS{25}because you might start to act like they do

\par }{\QB and not be able to stop doing that.


\par }{\SH -3-
\par }
{\Q \VS{26}If someone borrows money,

\par }{\QB do not be one of those who promises to pay what that person owes

\par }{\QB he cannot pay it back,


\par }{\Q \VS{27}because if you cannot pay it back,

\par }{\QB people will surely [RHQ]
{\ADD{come and}} take away
{\ADD{everything you own}}, even your bed.


\par }{\SH -4-
\par }
{\Q \VS{28}Do not
{\ADD{steal some of your neighbors’ land by}} removing the boundary lines/markers that your ancestors placed/set.


\par }{\SH -5-
\par }
{\Q \VS{29}Know/Learn [RHQ] this about those who do their work very skillfully:

\par }{\QB They will quit working for ordinary people

\par }{\QB and will start working for kings

\par }{\QB {\ADD{because the kings will want people like that to work for them}}.




\par }\Chap{23}{\SH -6-
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}When you sit down to eat a meal with a ◄government official/king►,

\par }{\QB think carefully about what (OR, who) is in front of you.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}{\ADD{Even}} if you ◄have a big appetite/want to eat a lot of food►,

\par }{\QB restrain yourself.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Do not want to eat
{\ADD{a lot of}} his fine food,

\par }{\QB because he may be trying to trick you.


\par }{\SH -7-
\par }
{\Q \VS{4}Do not
{\ADD{cause yourself to become very tired by}} working very hard to become rich;

\par }{\QB be wise and stop doing that,


\par }{\Q \VS{5}because as soon as you look [MTY] at
{\ADD{all the money that you have acquired}}, it will be gone;

\par }{\QB it will
{\ADD{disappear as if it}} suddenly grew wings [SIM]

\par }{\QB and flew up into the sky like an eagle.


\par }{\SH -8-
\par }
{\Q \VS{6}{\ADD{If}} someone who is stingy
{\ADD{invites you to a meal}},

\par }{\Q do not eat
{\ADD{a lot of}} his fine food,


\par }{\QB \VS{7}because he will be thinking about how much
{\ADD{the food cost that you are eating}}.

\par }{\Q He
{\ADD{will}} say to you, “Eat and drink all that you want!”, but that is not what he
{\ADD{will}} really be thinking.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}{\ADD{When you realize what he is really thinking, it will cause you to want to}} vomit what you have eaten;

\par }{\QB and your kind words
{\ADD{telling him that you are enjoying the meal}} will be wasted.


\par }{\SH -9-
\par }
{\Q \VS{9}◄Do not
{\ADD{waste time by}}/It is useless► talking to foolish people;

\par }{\QB they will
{\ADD{only}} despise the wise things that you say.


\par }{\SH -10-
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}Do not
{\ADD{steal someone’s property by}} removing a boundary marker that has been there for a long time,

\par }{\QB and do not take for yourself the land that belongs to orphans,


\par }{\Q \VS{11}because Yahweh is strong, and he is
{\ADD{like}} a relative that has the responsibility to defend them,

\par }{\QB he will
{\ADD{stand up in court and}} argue for them and against you.


\par }{\SH -11-
\par }
{\Q \VS{12}Pay attention to what
{\ADD{your teachers}} teach you,

\par }{\QB and try to learn from the wise things that they say.


\par }{\SH -12-
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}Do not refuse to discipline your children;

\par }{\QB if you punish/spank them, it will not cause them to die,


\par }{\Q \VS{14}and it may save them from
{\ADD{going to}} the place where dead people are.


\par }{\SH -13-
\par }
{\Q \VS{15}My son/child, if you [SYN] become wise,

\par }{\QB I [SYN] will be very happy.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}I [SYN] will rejoice when I hear you [SYN] say what is right/wise.


\par }{\SH -14-
\par }
{\Q \VS{17}Do not envy sinful people;

\par }{\QB instead, revere Yahweh all of your life.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}{\ADD{If you do that}}, you will be happy in the future,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{God}} will certainly
{\ADD{do for you what you are}} confidently expecting him to do.


\par }{\SH -15-
\par }
{\Q \VS{19}My son/child, listen carefully to me and become wise,

\par }{\QB and think about ◄all that you do/your behavior►.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Do not associate with those who drink a lot of ◄wine/strong drink►

\par }{\QB or with those who ◄are gluttons/eat more than they should►,


\par }{\Q \VS{21}because drunkards and gluttons will become poor;

\par }{\QB and if all that you do is eat and sleep, you will
{\ADD{soon}} ◄be wearing rags/not have any money to buy clothes►.


\par }{\SH -16-
\par }
{\Q \VS{22}Pay attention to what your father tells you,

\par }{\QB and ◄do not neglect/take care of► [LIT] your mother when she is old.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Try to know/learn what is wise, and get good instruction and understanding;

\par }{\QB and do not throw those things away.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Righteous
{\ADD{children}} will cause their parents to be very happy;

\par }{\QB those whose children are wise are proud of them.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}{\ADD{Do what will}} cause your father to be glad

\par }{\QB and enable your mother
{\ADD{also}} to be happy.


\par }{\SH 17
\par }
{\Q \VS{26}My son, heed what I say to you,

\par }{\QB and allow what I do to be an example for you.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Prostitutes and immoral women [DOU] are
{\ADD{like}} [MET] a deep pit

\par }{\QB or a well
{\ADD{that you may fall into}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}They wait
{\ADD{for you}} like robbers [SIM],

\par }{\QB and they cause many men to ◄be unfaithful to/have sex with women who are not► their wives.


\par }{\SH -18-
\par }
{\Q \VS{29}I will tell you [RHQ] what kind of people are always miserable and sad.

\par }{\QB I will tell you [RHQ] which people are always causing arguments/quarrels and who are always complaining.

\par }{\Q I will tell you [RHQ] who are injured in fights

\par }{\QB and whose eyes are always red/bloodshot.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}{\ADD{It is}} those who drink a lot of wine,

\par }{\QB who try drinking other kinds of strong drinks.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Do not look with pleasure at red wine that looks nice, and which sparkles when it is
{\ADD{poured out}} into cups,

\par }{\QB and which tastes good as you drink it,


\par }{\Q \VS{32}because the next morning
{\ADD{you will feel like}} you have been bitten by a poisonous snake [DOU].


\par }{\Q \VS{33}You [SYN] will
{\ADD{think that you are}} seeing strange/weird things,

\par }{\QB and you [SYN] will not be able to think clearly or speak clearly.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}You will think you are in a ship that is tossing on the sea;

\par }{\QB you be like [SIM] someone who is trying to sleep when the ship is rolling from one side to the other.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}You will say, “{\ADD{I think that}} someone struck me, but he did not hurt me;

\par }{\QB he hit me, but I did not feel it.

\par }{\Q When will I ◄wake up/feel normal again►

\par }{\QB in order that I can drink some more wine?”




\par }\Chap{24}{\SH -19-
\par }
{\Q \VerseOne{1}Do not envy evil people;

\par }{\QB do not desire to associate with them,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}because they are
{\ADD{constantly}} thinking about acting violently,

\par }{\QB and whenever they speak [MTY], they talk about ◄causing trouble/hurting someone►.


\par }{\SH -20-
\par }
{\Q \VS{3}People make good houses (OR, families) by doing what is wise,

\par }{\QB and they make their houses (OR, families) strong by
{\ADD{heeding}} good advice.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}By using good sense,
{\ADD{they are able to buy}} valuable and beautiful things and put them in the rooms of their houses.


\par }{\SH -21-
\par }
{\Q \VS{5}Being wise is better than being strong/powerful;

\par }{\QB those who know
{\ADD{many things can accomplish more}} than those who are
{\ADD{very}} strong.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Leaders can fight battles if they have wise advisors,

\par }{\QB and they win those battles if they have many good advisors.


\par }{\SH -22-
\par }
{\Q \VS{7}Foolish people cannot understand wise sayings/talk;

\par }{\QB at public meetings they are not
{\ADD{able to}} say anything
{\ADD{that is useful}}.


\par }{\SH -23-
\par }
{\Q \VS{8}Those who are
{\ADD{always}} planning to do evil things will be called troublemakers.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}It is sinful to plan to do foolish things,

\par }{\QB and people hate those who make fun of
{\ADD{everything that is good}}.


\par }{\SH -24-
\par }
{\Q \VS{10}If you
{\ADD{act as though}} you are helpless when you have troubles,

\par }{\QB you are
{\ADD{truly very}} weak.


\par }{\SH -25-
\par }
{\Q \VS{11}{\ADD{If it is unjustly decided}} that someone must be executed,
{\ADD{try hard to}} rescue them [DOU].


\par }{\Q \VS{12}If you say, “I did not know anything about it,
{\ADD{so ◄it is not my concern/I did not try to help him►}},”

\par }{\QB remember that God knows what we have done,

\par }{\Q and he knows what we were thinking [IDM, RHQ],

\par }{\QB and he will certainly [RHQ] repay us as we deserve for what we have done or for not doing what we should have done.


\par }{\SH -26-
\par }
{\Q \VS{13}My child/son, eat honey, because it is good
{\ADD{for you}};

\par }{\QB the honey that drips from honeycombs tastes
{\ADD{very}} sweet.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Similarly, being wise is good for your soul;

\par }{\Q if you become wise,

\par }{\QB you will be
{\ADD{happy in}} the future,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{God}} will certainly
{\ADD{do for you what you are}} confidently expecting him to do [LIT].


\par }{\SH -27-
\par }
{\Q \VS{15}Do not be like wicked people who
{\ADD{hide and}} wait to break into the houses of righteous/good
{\ADD{people}}

\par }{\QB and rob/steal things.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}{\ADD{Even if}} good people fall down seven/many times,

\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{always}} stand/get up again,

\par }{\Q but when a disaster happens to wicked
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB it ruins/destroys them.


\par }{\SH -28-
\par }
{\Q \VS{17}Do not be happy when something bad happens to one of your enemies;

\par }{\QB do not rejoice when he stumbles and falls,


\par }{\Q \VS{18}because Yahweh will know what you are thinking, and he will not like it,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{as a result}} he will not punish that enemy of yours.


\par }{\SH -29-
\par }
{\Q \VS{19}Do not become angry/upset about those who do what is evil,

\par }{\QB and do not [SYN] envy them,


\par }{\Q \VS{20}because
{\ADD{nothing good}} will happen to wicked people;

\par }{\QB they are
{\ADD{like}} a lamp that will soon be extinguished [MET].


\par }{\SH -30-
\par }
{\Q \VS{21}My child/son, revere Yahweh and
{\ADD{also}} honor the king,

\par }{\QB and do not associate with people who want to rebel against either of them,


\par }{\Q \VS{22}because those people will suddenly experience disasters;

\par }{\QB and no one knows [RHQ] what great disasters that God or the king can cause to happen to them.


\par }{\SH More sayings from wise people
\par }
{\PP \VS{23}Here are more things that wise
{\ADD{people}} have said:

\par }{\Q It is wrong for judges to decide matters unfairly [IDM].


\par }{\Q \VS{24}If they say to people who are guilty, “You ◄are innocent/have not done something that is wrong►,”

\par }{\QB {\ADD{even}} people in other nations will curse and despise them,


\par }{\Q \VS{25}but if judges say that guilty people must be punished,

\par }{\QB things will go well for those judges, and ◄they will receive blessings/God will bless them►.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Those who answer others honestly show that they are truly their friends [IDM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}First, do the work
{\ADD{that needs to be done}} outside
{\ADD{your house}},

\par }{\QB and prepare your fields,
{\ADD{and then plant things}},

\par }{\QB and after you finish doing that, build your house.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}{\ADD{In the courtroom}} do not testify against someone when you have no reason to do that,

\par }{\QB and do not
{\ADD{try to}} deceive
{\ADD{people}} by what you say [MTY].


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Do not say, “I will do to him what he did to me;

\par }{\QB I will pay him back for
{\ADD{the bad things that}} he did to me.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}One day I walked by the vineyards of a lazy man,

\par }{\QB a man who did not have good sense.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}I was surprised to see that the fields were full of all kinds of thorny bushes,

\par }{\QB and the stone wall
{\ADD{around the garden}} had ◄collapsed/fallen down►.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}When I saw that, I thought about it, and I learned this:


\par }{\Q \VS{33}{\ADD{If you spend a lot of time}} sleeping and napping and folding your hands while you rest,


\par }{\Q \VS{34}{\ADD{soon}} you will become poor;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it will be as though}} [PRS, SIM] a bandit who had a weapon in his hand
{\ADD{attacked you and stole all that you had}}.




\par }\Chap{25}{\SH More wise sayings from Solomon
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Here are more wise sayings/words that Solomon
{\ADD{wrote}}. Some men who worked for Hezekiah, the king of Judah, copied them
{\ADD{from a scroll that Solomon had written}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}{\ADD{We consider}} God to be great because he ◄acts in mysterious ways/does things that we cannot understand►;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{we consider}} kings to be great because they explain things.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{It is not possible for anyone to measure}} how high the sky is or how deep the earth/ocean is;

\par }{\QB likewise [SIM], it is not possible for us to know
{\ADD{all}} that kings are thinking.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{If workers}} burn out the impure bits that are in silver,

\par }{\QB a man who makes things from silver can make something beautiful from the silver.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}{\ADD{Similarly, if}} wicked
{\ADD{advisors}} are taken away from a king,

\par }{\QB his government will remain secure, because
{\ADD{the king will be able to}} act justly.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}When you stand in front of a king, do not try to ◄impress him/honor yourself►

\par }{\QB and do not ◄act like you are important/ask to sit where important people sit;►


\par }{\Q \VS{7}it is better if someone tells you to sit closer
{\ADD{to the king}}

\par }{\QB than for
{\ADD{someone to tell you}}, while the king is listening, to sit further away in order that someone who is more important
{\ADD{may sit closer to the king}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Do not quickly go to a court
{\ADD{to tell the judge about}} something that you have seen,

\par }{\QB because another witness may later
{\ADD{say something that proves that you are wrong, and as a result}} you will be disgraced/ashamed.

\par }{\QB If that happens, ◄what will you do?/you will not know what to do.► [RHQ]


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}If you and someone else think differently about some matter,

\par }{\QB settle it between yourselves, and do not tell others any secret
{\ADD{that he has told you}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}If others find out that you have told secrets,

\par }{\QB you will be ashamed,

\par }{\QB and from that time on, ◄you will have a bad reputation/people will think badly about you►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}Something that is said that is
{\ADD{very}} appropriate

\par }{\QB is
{\ADD{as delightful as seeing}} [SIM] gold apples/ornaments in a silver bowl.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}When a wise person rebukes/warns someone [SYN] who is willing to listen,

\par }{\QB that is
{\ADD{as valuable as}} [SIM] a gold ring or a gold chain.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}A messenger who ◄is reliable/tells someone else exactly what he was told to say► refreshes
{\ADD{the spirits of}} his bosses who sent him

\par }{\QB like [SIM] ◄snow/cold water► refreshes
{\ADD{the ground}} at the time that
{\ADD{people}} harvest crops.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}When someone promises to give a gift to us but never gives it,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{that disappoints us}} as much as [SIM] clouds and wind that come but do not bring any rain.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}If someone keeps requesting a ruler long enough to do something, he will
{\ADD{often}} agree to do it;

\par }{\QB similarly, by speaking [MTY] gently we can
{\ADD{often}} convince
{\ADD{others that what we say is right}} [IDM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}If you find some honey, do not eat a lot of it,

\par }{\QB because doing that may cause you to vomit.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Do not go to your neighbor’s house very often
{\ADD{to talk with him}};

\par }{\QB if you go
{\ADD{very}} often, he will get tired of listening to you and start to hate you.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}To falsely accuse others
{\ADD{in court}}

\par }{\QB is like [SIM]
{\ADD{attacking them with}} a war-club or a sword or a sharp arrow.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Depending on unreliable people when you have troubles

\par }{\QB is
{\ADD{as bad}} as
{\ADD{trying to eat when}} you have a bad/hurting tooth or
{\ADD{trying to walk when}} your foot is crippled.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Singing to someone who is depressed
{\ADD{just causes him to feel worse}};

\par }{\QB it is like [SIM] taking off clothes on a very cold day

\par }{\QB or like putting vinegar on a wound.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat;

\par }{\QB if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;


\par }{\Q \VS{22}doing that will cause them to feel ashamed [IDM],

\par }{\QB and Yahweh will reward you for doing that.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}When wind blows from the right direction, it will rain;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{similarly}} [SIM], if we gossip about others, that causes them to look at us very angrily.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}It is better to live ◄{\ADD{alone/by yourself}}► in the corner of an attic/housetop

\par }{\QB than to live inside the house with a wife who is
{\ADD{always}} nagging.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Receiving good news from a country far away refreshes our spirits

\par }{\QB like [SIM] cold water refreshes us when we are very thirsty.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}When a righteous/good person ◄gives in/yields► to wicked
{\ADD{people}},

\par }{\QB that is
{\ADD{as bad}} as [SIM] a spring that becomes muddied or a fountain that becomes polluted.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}It is not good to eat too much honey,

\par }{\QB and trying to get people to praise you is also not good.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}People who ◄cannot control their tempers/quickly become very angry►
{\ADD{are unable to defend their behavior}};

\par }{\QB that is like
{\ADD{having}} a city without a wall around it,
{\ADD{with the result that no one can defend it}}.




\par }\PoetryChap{26}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Just
{\ADD{like}} [SIM]
{\ADD{it is not appropriate for}} snow
{\ADD{to fall}} in summer time, or rain
{\ADD{to fall}} at harvest time,

\par }{\QB it is not appropriate to praise/honor foolish people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Like [SIM] birds that fly by
{\ADD{and do not alight/land on anything}},

\par }{\QB if someone curses you, it cannot hurt you if you ◄do not deserve them/have not done to him what is wrong►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}It is necessary to whip a horse and to put a bridle on a donkey
{\ADD{to force them to go where we want them to go}},

\par }{\QB and similarly [SIM]
{\ADD{it is often necessary to strike}} foolish people with a stick
{\ADD{to cause them to do what is right}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}If a foolish person asks a foolish question,
{\ADD{do not answer him}},

\par }{\QB because
{\ADD{if you answer his question}}, you are just as foolish as he is.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}If you give a foolish answer to someone who asks a foolish question,

\par }{\QB he will realize that he is ◄not very wise/foolish►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Anyone who asks a foolish person to take a message to someone

\par }{\QB {\ADD{is himself doing something as foolish as}} cutting off his own feet

\par }{\QB or drinking poison.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}A lame man cannot use his legs,

\par }{\QB and similarly [SIM]
{\ADD{it is useless for}} a foolish person to speak [MTY] ◄proverbs/wise sayings►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Tying a stone in a sling
{\ADD{so that it cannot be thrown at a target}}

\par }{\QB is
{\ADD{as foolish as}} [SIM] honoring a foolish person.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}If a drunk person waves some thorns/brambles with his hand,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{he is not able to accomplish anything useful by doing that}} (OR,
{\ADD{he does not feel it when a thorn sticks in his hand}});

\par }{\Q similarly, if foolish people speak [MTY] proverbs,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{they do not help anyone who hears them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}A man who shoots arrows
{\ADD{to try}} to wound everybody who is near
{\ADD{is foolish}};

\par }{\QB similarly, anyone who hires a foolish person
{\ADD{who passes by is very foolish}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}A foolish person will foolishly do something stupid a second time;

\par }{\QB it is
{\ADD{like}} [SIM] a dog returning to
{\ADD{eat}} what it has vomited.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}{\ADD{God}} can help/bless foolish people more easily

\par }{\QB than he can help/bless people who are not wise [RHQ], but think that they are wise.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Lazy people
{\ADD{just stay inside their houses and do nothing}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{they keep}} saying “{\ADD{I think}} there is a lion in the street!”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}A door
{\ADD{continually}} swings back and forth on its hinges
{\ADD{and does not go anywhere}};

\par }{\QB similarly [SIM], lazy people
{\ADD{just continually turn over}} in their beds
{\ADD{and never do anything}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Some people are extremely lazy;

\par }{\QB they put their hand in a dish
{\ADD{to get some food}} but do not
{\ADD{even}} lift the food up to their mouths.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Lazy people think that they are wiser than seven/several people

\par }{\QB who can answer
{\ADD{others’ questions}} with good sense.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Anyone who ◄meddles/involves himself► in a quarrel that does not concern him

\par }{\QB is
{\ADD{as foolish as}} [SIM] someone who tries to grab a passing dog by its ears.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Crazy people who shoot burning arrows to kill people


\par }{\Q \VS{19}are as foolish as those who deceive someone else

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{then}} say, “I was only joking.”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}If there is no
{\ADD{more}} firewood
{\ADD{to put on the fire}}, the fire will go out;

\par }{\QB similarly [SIM], if there are no people who ◄gossip/tell people things that are not true►, quarreling will end.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}{\ADD{Putting}} charcoal on burning coals or
{\ADD{putting}} wood on a fire
{\ADD{causes the fire to keep burning}};

\par }{\QB similarly, people who like to quarrel cause people to keep arguing.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}People
{\ADD{enjoy listening to what gossips say about others just like}} [SIM] they enjoy tasty food;

\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{enjoy listening to what gossips tell them like}} they enjoy swallowing tasty food.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}People who say nice things when they are thinking about doing evil things

\par }{\QB are like a nice glaze/covering on a
{\ADD{cheap}} clay pot.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Those who hate someone and are saying [MTY] something very different from what they are thinking are hypocrites;

\par }{\QB they are only planning
{\ADD{to harm that person}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}When they say nice things, do not believe them,

\par }{\QB because in their inner beings are many things that
{\ADD{Yahweh}} hates.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}They try to deceive people to cause them to think that they do not hate
{\ADD{that person}},

\par }{\QB but in a public meeting, the people will find out the evil things
{\ADD{that they have done}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Those who dig a deep pit
{\ADD{for other people to fall into}} will fall into it themselves;

\par }{\QB rocks will roll down on those who start to cause rocks to roll down
{\ADD{to crush someone}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}Those [MTY] who tell lies to others
{\ADD{really}} hate them,

\par }{\QB and those who deceive
{\ADD{others}} ruin them.




\par }\PoetryChap{27}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Do not boast about
{\ADD{what you will do}} tomorrow,

\par }{\QB because you do not know what will happen [PRS] on any day.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Do not praise yourself [MTY, PRS]; allow others to praise you.

\par }{\QB If someone else praises you, that is okay.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}{\ADD{It causes pain to our bodies to carry heavy}} stones or
{\ADD{a pail full of}} sand,

\par }{\QB but doing something stupid/foolish
{\ADD{can cause}} great
{\ADD{pain to other people’s spirits.}}


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}It is cruel to be angry
{\ADD{with others}}, and our being angry sometimes destroys
{\ADD{others}},

\par }{\QB but being jealous of someone is [RHQ] often more cruel than that.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}It is better to correct someone openly

\par }{\QB than to show that you l don’t love that person
{\ADD{by not correcting him}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}If a friend criticizes you,
{\ADD{he is a good friend and}} you can trust him;

\par }{\QB but if one of your enemies kisses you, he is
{\ADD{probably wanting to}} deceive you.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}When someone’s stomach is full, he does not want to eat honey;

\par }{\QB but when someone is
{\ADD{very}} hungry, he thinks that
{\ADD{even}} bitter things taste sweet.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Anyone who wanders
{\ADD{far}} from his home/family

\par }{\QB is like [SIM] a bird that is far from its nest.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}{\ADD{Putting olive}} oil and perfume on a person’s skin causes him to feel good,

\par }{\QB but having a friend
{\ADD{who gives}} good advice
{\ADD{is even better}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Do not neglect your friends or your parents’ friends;

\par }{\QB and at a time when you are experiencing a disaster, do not go to a relative
{\ADD{who lives far away to request his help}};

\par }{\QB someone who lives near you can help you more than relatives who live far away.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}My child/son, cause me to be happy by becoming wise,

\par }{\QB in order that I will
{\ADD{know how to}} reply to those who would criticize me
{\ADD{about your behavior}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}Those who have good sense will realize that there is something dangerous ahead, and they will hide;

\par }{\QB those who do not have good sense
{\ADD{just}} keep going, and later they will suffer because of
{\ADD{doing}} that.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}{\ADD{You deserve to}} have your property taken from you

\par }{\QB if you
{\ADD{foolishly}} promise to a stranger (OR, a strange woman) that you will pay what she owes if she is unable to pay it [DOU].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}If you rise early in the morning and call out a greeting to your neighbor
{\ADD{while he is still sleeping}},

\par }{\QB he will consider it to be a curse,
{\ADD{not a blessing}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}{\ADD{Having}} a wife that is
{\ADD{constantly}} nagging

\par }{\QB is as
{\ADD{bad as listening}} to rain continually dripping on a rainy day.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}{\ADD{Trying}} to restrain/stop her
{\ADD{from doing that}} is as
{\ADD{difficult}} [SIM]
{\ADD{as trying}} to stop the wind

\par }{\QB or
{\ADD{trying}} to hold oil in your hand.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}{\ADD{We can use one}} iron tool to sharpen
{\ADD{another}} iron
{\ADD{tool}};

\par }{\QB similarly [SIM],
{\ADD{when one person shares}} what he is thinking, it can help other people
{\ADD{to think more clearly}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Those who take care of fig trees will have figs to eat;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{similarly}}, servants who protect their master will be honored
{\ADD{by him}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}{\ADD{When a person looks}} in the water, he sees his own face;

\par }{\QB similarly [SIM],
{\ADD{when we look at}} a person’s behavior, we know what he is thinking.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}{\ADD{It is as though}} the place where the dead people are is always wanting more people to
{\ADD{die and}} come there;

\par }{\QB and humans [SYN] are always wanting to acquire more things,
{\ADD{too}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}{\ADD{Workers put}} silver and gold in a very hot furnace
{\ADD{to burn out what is impure}},

\par }{\QB and [SIM] people learn
{\ADD{what we are really like when they see how we react when people}} praise us.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Even if you beat/crush a fool severely
{\ADD{like}} [MET] you pulverize grain with a pestle,

\par }{\QB you
{\ADD{probably}} will not be able to cause him to stop ◄being foolish/doing foolish things►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Take good care of your flocks of sheep

\par }{\Q and herds of cattle,


\par }{\QB \VS{24}because the money
{\ADD{that you acquired from selling animals previously}} will not ◄last/stay with you► forever;

\par }{\QB similarly [SIM], governments [MTY] certainly do not [RHQ] last forever.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}After you cut the hay [DOU] and
{\ADD{store it to feed the animals in the winter while}} a new crop of hay is growing,


\par }{\Q \VS{26}you will be able to
{\ADD{shear the sheep and}} make clothes from the wool,

\par }{\QB and you will get money from selling
{\ADD{some of}} the goats to buy
{\ADD{more}} land,


\par }{\Q \VS{27}and you will get enough milk from the
{\ADD{other}} goats

\par }{\QB for you and your family and your female servants.




\par }\PoetryChap{28}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Wicked
{\ADD{people}} run away
{\ADD{even}} when no one is pursuing them,

\par }{\QB but righteous/good
{\ADD{people are not afraid}}; they are as brave as lions.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}When
{\ADD{the people of}} a nation sin, they will have one ruler after another;

\par }{\QB but when their leaders are wise and have good sense, their government will last for a long time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}A poor person who oppresses
{\ADD{other}} poor
{\ADD{people}}

\par }{\QB is
{\ADD{like}} [MET] a very heavy/hard rain that
{\ADD{destroys the crops}}, with the result that there is no food
{\ADD{for people to eat}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Those who reject/disobey
{\ADD{God’s}} laws always speak well of wicked
{\ADD{people}};

\par }{\QB but those who obey
{\ADD{God’s}} laws
{\ADD{always}} oppose what wicked people do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Evil people do not understand what it means to act justly,

\par }{\QB but those who try to obey/worship Yahweh understand that very well.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}It is better to be honest
{\ADD{even}} though you are poor

\par }{\QB than to be dishonest
{\ADD{even}} though you are rich.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Young people who obey the laws are wise [IDM];

\par }{\QB parents whose children associate with those who ◄carouse/go to wild parties► are humiliated/disgraced because of what their children do.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}When people become very rich by charging very high interest [DOU],

\par }{\QB their money will
{\ADD{eventually}} go to someone who does kind things for the poor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}If people do not obey [MTY]
{\ADD{God’s}} laws,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{God}} ◄detests their prayers/considers that their prayers stink►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Those who cause honest/good
{\ADD{people}} to do what is evil

\par }{\QB will fall into their own pits/traps,

\par }{\QB but good things will happen to those who ◄are innocent/have not done what is wrong►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}{\ADD{Many}} rich people think that they are wise,

\par }{\QB but poor people who have good sense will find out whether rich people really are wise or not.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}When righteous/good
{\ADD{people}} ◄succeed/win
{\ADD{elections}}►, everyone ◄celebrates/is happy►;

\par }{\QB but when wicked
{\ADD{people win}}, everyone hides
{\ADD{because they are afraid of what the wicked people will do}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Those who refuse to confess/admit their sins will not prosper,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{God}} acts mercifully/kindly toward those who confess their sins and turn away from their sinful behavior.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}{\ADD{God}} is pleased with those who always revere him,

\par }{\QB but those who are stubborn [IDM] will experience disasters.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Wicked people who
{\ADD{mistreat}} poor people whom they rule

\par }{\QB are
{\ADD{as dangerous to them as}} [SIM] a lion roaring
{\ADD{at them}} or a bear springing up
{\ADD{to attack them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress
{\ADD{the people they rule}},

\par }{\QB but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving
{\ADD{people}} will live (OR, rule) for a long time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person

\par }{\QB will ◄be fugitives/keep running away► until they die;

\par }{\QB do not help them to escape.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Those who
{\ADD{continually}} do what is right will be safe/protected,

\par }{\QB but those who are dishonest will
{\ADD{suddenly}} be ruined.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Farmers who work
{\ADD{hard}} in their fields will
{\ADD{produce good crops and always}} have plenty of food
{\ADD{to eat}},

\par }{\QB but those who spend all their time ◄on useless projects/doing things that do not benefit anyone► will become very poor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}{\ADD{God}} will greatly bless those who ◄are trustworthy/always do what they say that they will do►,

\par }{\QB but he will certainly punish [LIT] those who try to become rich quickly.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}It is not good
{\ADD{for judges}} to decide matters unfairly/unjustly,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{some}} people will do what is wrong
{\ADD{even}} if they receive
{\ADD{only}} a very small bribe [HYP]
{\ADD{for doing it}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly;

\par }{\QB they do not realize that they will
{\ADD{soon}} become poor.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Those who rebuke someone will be appreciated/thanked more

\par }{\QB than those who
{\ADD{say nice things to others merely}} to ◄flatter them/cause them to feel good►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Anyone who steals things from his father or his mother

\par }{\QB and says “That is not sinful”

\par }{\QB is as bad as a bandit.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Greedy people cause trouble/strife;

\par }{\QB those who trust in Yahweh will prosper [IDM].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Those who believe that what they think
{\ADD{is always right}} are foolish;

\par }{\QB those who act wisely will ◄escape danger/be safe►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Those who give things to poor
{\ADD{people}} will not become poor,

\par }{\QB but many
{\ADD{people}} will curse those who refuse to help [IDM] poor people.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}When wicked
{\ADD{people}} become rulers, people hide
{\ADD{because they are afraid of what those wicked people will do}};

\par }{\QB but when wicked people are no longer rulers, good/righteous
{\ADD{people will}} become the rulers.




\par }\PoetryChap{29}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Some people remain stubborn [IDM]
{\ADD{even}} though they are often reproved/warned
{\ADD{about doing what is wrong}},

\par }{\Q {\ADD{but some day}} they will be crushed/ruined, and nothing will be able to heal them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}When righteous
{\ADD{people}} are rulers, people are happy,

\par }{\QB but when wicked
{\ADD{people}} rule, people ◄groan/are miserable►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Those who are eager to become wise cause their parents to be glad;

\par }{\QB those who spend their time with prostitutes will end up giving all their money to them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}When a king rules justly/fairly, he causes his nation to be strong,

\par }{\QB but a king who is concerned
{\ADD{only}} with getting more money from the people ruins his nation.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Those who ◄flatter others/say nice things to others
{\ADD{merely}} to cause them to feel good► are really setting a trap for them (OR, for themselves) [SYN].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Evil people will be trapped by the sins that they commit,

\par }{\QB but righteous/honest people will sing and be joyful/happy.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Righteous/Good people know that poor
{\ADD{people}} should be treated fairly/justly,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but}} wicked people ◄are not concerned about/do not pay attention to► those matters at all.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Those who make fun of
{\ADD{everything that is good say things that}} cause
{\ADD{everyone in}} the city to ◄be agitated/in turmoil►;

\par }{\QB those who are wise enable
{\ADD{people}} to remain calm.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{9}If a wise person sues a foolish person,

\par }{\QB the foolish person merely laughs
{\ADD{at him}} and yells
{\ADD{at him}} and will not be quiet (OR,
{\ADD{the dispute will}} not be resolved).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Those who murder others hate people who ◄are honest/always do what is right►,

\par }{\QB but righteous
{\ADD{people}} try to protect them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}People who are wise are patient and restrain/control themselves when they are angry,

\par }{\QB but foolish people ◄quickly show others that they are very angry/do not restrain themselves at all►.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{12}If a ruler ◄pays attention to/believes►
{\ADD{people who tell}} lies,

\par }{\QB all his officials will
{\ADD{also}} become wicked.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}There is one thing that is true about both poor people and those who oppress them:

\par }{\QB Yahweh enables all of them to see.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}If kings judge poor
{\ADD{people}} fairly,

\par }{\QB they will continue to rule for a long time.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}If children are punished/spanked and reproved/warned,

\par }{\QB they become wise;

\par }{\Q but if they are allowed to do whatever they want to do,

\par }{\QB they
{\ADD{do things that}} cause their mothers to be ashamed of them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}When wicked
{\ADD{people}} rule, there are more crimes committed $\{$people commit more crimes$\}$,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{some day}} those wicked people will ◄be defeated/no longer rule►, and righteous
{\ADD{people}} will see that happen.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}If you discipline your children, they will no longer
{\ADD{do things that}} will cause you to be worried;

\par }{\QB instead, they
{\ADD{will do things that}} will delight you [SYN].


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}When the people
{\ADD{of a nation}} do not receive messages that come directly from God, they do not control their behavior.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{God}} is pleased with those who obey his laws.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}It is not possible to correct/discipline servants only by talking to them;

\par }{\QB they understand what you are saying, but they do not pay attention to it.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}{\ADD{God}} can help/bless foolish people more easily [RHQ]

\par }{\QB than he can help/bless people who speak without thinking first.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}If someone gives his servants everything that they want, starting from when they are young,

\par }{\QB some day those servants will take from him everything that he owns.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Those who
{\ADD{quickly}} become angry cause
{\ADD{many}} arguments,

\par }{\QB and they
{\ADD{also}} commit many sins.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{23}Proud people will be disgraced;

\par }{\QB those who are humble will be respected.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Those who help thieves
{\ADD{to steal}} only hurt themselves;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{when they are in court}}, they solemnly ask
{\ADD{God}} to curse them
{\ADD{if they do not tell the truth}},

\par }{\Q but they do not tell the truth
{\ADD{about the crime that was committed}},

\par }{\QB {\ADD{and as a result, God will curse them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}It is
{\ADD{like}} a dangerous trap [MET]
{\ADD{for people}} to be ◄afraid of/worried about► what others will think about them,

\par }{\QB but those who trust in Yahweh are safe/protected.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Many
{\ADD{people}} request rulers to do things to help them,

\par }{\QB but Yahweh is
{\ADD{the only one}} who surely does for people what is fair/just.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Righteous
{\ADD{people}} hate/detest those who do what is evil,

\par }{\QB and wicked
{\ADD{people}} hate
{\ADD{those whose behavior is always}} good.




\par }\Chap{30}{\SH Wise sayings from Agur
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}These are sayings/messages that God gave to Agur, the son of Jakeh.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{Agur wrote them}} for Ithiel and Ucal.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}It seems that I am very stupid;

\par }{\QB I do not deserve to be considered to be a human;

\par }{\Q I do not have the good sense that humans should have.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}I have not learned
{\ADD{how to become}} wise

\par }{\QB and I do not know
{\ADD{much}} about God.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}{\ADD{But let me say this}}:

\par }{\Q No one [RHQ] has ascended to heaven
{\ADD{to find out what God is like}} and returned
{\ADD{to tell us}}.

\par }{\Q No one [RHQ] has gathered/held the wind in his hand.

\par }{\Q No one [RHQ] has wrapped the water
{\ADD{in the ocean}} in
{\ADD{a piece of}} cloth,

\par }{\QB and no one [RHQ] has established the boundaries of the earth.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{If you know who has done those things, tell me}} [RHQ] his name, and the names of his children [SAR]!

\par }{\Q {\ADD{But you do not know who has done those things, so you cannot speak with authority about what God is like}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Everything that God has said is true;

\par }{\QB he is
{\ADD{like}} a shield [MET] for all those who request him to protect them.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Do not add to (OR, change) what God has said;

\par }{\QB if you do that, he will rebuke you and show that you are lying.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}{\ADD{God}}, I ask you to do two things for me;

\par }{\QB {\ADD{please}} do them before I die:


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Help me never to lie or deceive
{\ADD{people}}

\par }{\QB and do not cause me to become poor or to become rich.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{Just}} give me the food that I need;


\par }{\Q \VS{9}because if I become rich,

\par }{\QB I might say that I do not [RHQ] know you and that I do not need you;

\par }{\Q and if I become poor,

\par }{\QB I might dishonor you by stealing things.


\par }{\SH More wise sayings
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Do not ◄slander/say bad things about► a worker to his boss;

\par }{\QB if you do that, the worker will curse you, and cause you to have trouble.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{11}{\ADD{I will list four kinds of evil things that people do}}:

\par }{\Q Some people curse their fathers and do not
{\ADD{ask God to}} bless their mothers.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Some people think that they are perfect,

\par }{\QB but
{\ADD{really}} they have never been cleansed from their guilt for committing disgusting sins.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Some people are very proud;

\par }{\QB they think that they are very good and they despise others.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Some people
{\ADD{act very cruelly toward others}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{it is as though}} [MET] they have teeth that are
{\ADD{like}} sharp knives;

\par }{\Q they severely oppress poor
{\ADD{people}}

\par }{\QB and try to cause them to disappear from the land.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{15}Leeches
{\ADD{are always wanting more blood to suck}};

\par }{\QB {\ADD{similarly, greedy people are always}} saying “Give
{\ADD{me some}}!” or “Give
{\ADD{me more}}!” [MET]

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q There are four things that are never ◄satisfied/content with what they have►;

\par }{\QB they always want more [LIT]:


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The place where the dead people are;

\par }{\Q women who do not have any children;

\par }{\Q ground that needs water/rain;

\par }{\Q and a fire that always needs more wood.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Those who [SYN] make fun of their fathers

\par }{\QB or refuse to obey their mothers (OR, despise their aged mothers)

\par }{\Q should
{\ADD{die and}} have their eyes pecked out by crows,

\par }{\QB and the
{\ADD{rest of their corpses should be}} fed to the vultures.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}There are four things that are wonderful to me,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but}} I do not understand any of them:


\par }{\Q \VS{19}How eagles fly in the sky,

\par }{\Q how snakes
{\ADD{are able to}} move/crawl across a big rock,

\par }{\Q how ships sail on the seas,

\par }{\Q and how a man falls in love with a woman.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}This is what a woman who ◄is not faithful to/does not have sex only with► her husband does:

\par }{\QB She commits adultery [EUP], and
{\ADD{then}} bathes

\par }{\QB and says, “I have not done anything that is wrong!”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}There are four things that no
{\ADD{one in}} the world can tolerate:


\par }{\Q \VS{22}{\ADD{What}} a slave
{\ADD{does who}} becomes a king,

\par }{\Q a foolish person eating
{\ADD{too much}} food,


\par }{\Q \VS{23}{\ADD{what}} a woman who is hated
{\ADD{does when she}} gets married,

\par }{\Q and
{\ADD{what}} a female servant
{\ADD{does when she}} becomes the boss instead of her mistress.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}{\ADD{There are}} four animals on the earth that are small, but they are very wise:


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Ants are not strong,

\par }{\QB but they store up food during the summer
{\ADD{in order to have it during the winter}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Rock badgers
{\ADD{also}} are not strong,

\par }{\QB but they make their homes among the rocks
{\ADD{where they will be safe}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Locusts do not have a king,

\par }{\QB but they march like
{\ADD{the soldiers in}} an army.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Lizards/Geckos
{\ADD{are very small and}} you can hold them in your hand,

\par }{\QB but they are
{\ADD{cleverly able to get}} inside kings’ palaces.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{29}{\ADD{There are}} four animals that strut around and look very impressive while they walk [DOU]:


\par }{\Q \VS{30}Lions, which are stronger than all other animals

\par }{\QB and are not afraid of any of them;


\par }{\Q \VS{31}male goats, strutting roosters,

\par }{\Q and kings who ◄parade/walk proudly back and forth► in front of the people whom they rule.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{32}If you have acted foolishly, exalting yourself,

\par }{\QB or if you been planning
{\ADD{to do something}} evil,

\par }{\Q stop it immediately [IDM]!


\par }{\Q \VS{33}If you churn milk, it produces butter/curds,

\par }{\QB and if you hit
{\ADD{someone hard on his}} nose,
{\ADD{his nose}} bleeds;

\par }{\QB similarly, if you do something to cause
{\ADD{people to become}} angry, strife
{\ADD{usually}} results.




\par }\Chap{31}{\SH Wise sayings from King Lemuel
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}These are sayings/messages that
{\ADD{God gave to}} King Lemuel’s mother, and which his mother taught him:


\par }{\Q \VS{2}You are my son; I gave birth to you [RHQ];

\par }{\QB you are the son that
{\ADD{God gave me}} in answer to my prayers.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Do not exhaust your energy
{\ADD{having sex}} [EUP] with women
{\ADD{to whom you are not married}},

\par }{\QB with women who ruin kings
{\ADD{by having sex with them}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Lemuel, kings should not be
{\ADD{constantly}} drinking wine

\par }{\QB or
{\ADD{greatly}} desire
{\ADD{to drink other}} strong/alcoholic drinks.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}If they do that, they forget the laws
{\ADD{that they have made}},

\par }{\QB and they do not do what is right for poor/afflicted
{\ADD{people}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Give strong/alcoholic drinks to those who are dying

\par }{\QB and to those who are ◄greatly distressed/suffering very much►.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}If they drink, they will forget that they are poor,

\par }{\QB and they will not think about their distress/troubles any more.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Speak [MTY] to defend people who are unable to defend themselves;

\par }{\QB speak to encourage others to do what is right for those who are helpless.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Speak [MTY] ◄on their behalf/to help them► and try to cause judges to decide matters fairly/justly;

\par }{\QB try to cause others to do for poor and needy
{\ADD{people}} what should be done for them.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\SH Praise for a good wife
\par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}It is very difficult
{\ADD{for a man}} to [RHQ] find a wife who is good and who is capable
{\ADD{of doing many things}}.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{Any woman who is like that}} is worth more than jewels.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Her husband completely trusts her,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{because of her}}, he has everything that he needs [LIT].


\par }{\Q \VS{12}She never does anything that would harm him;

\par }{\QB she does good things for him all the days of her life.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}She finds wool and flax
{\ADD{in the market}},

\par }{\QB and she enjoys spinning it
{\ADD{to make yarn}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}She is like [SIM] a ship that brings from far away goods/merchandise to sell,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{because}} she buys food that comes from far away.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}She gets up before dawn to prepare food for her family.

\par }{\QB {\ADD{Then}} she plans the work that her servant girls will do on that day.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}She
{\ADD{goes out and}} looks at a field
{\ADD{that someone wants to sell}};

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{if it is a good field}}, she buys it.

\par }{\Q She
{\ADD{buys}} grapevines [MTY] with the money that she has earned,

\par }{\QB {\ADD{and then}} she plants them.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}She works very hard [IDM];

\par }{\QB she makes her arms strong
{\ADD{by the work she does}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}She knows when she is getting a good profit from her business.

\par }{\Q {\ADD{When it is necessary}}, she works [MTY] until it is late at night.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}She holds the ◄spindle/rod which twists the thread that she is making►,

\par }{\QB and
{\ADD{then}} she spins the thread [MTY]
{\ADD{that she will use}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}She generously helps [MTY] those who are poor and needy [DOU].


\par }{\Q \VS{21}She is not worried that
{\ADD{the people in her house will be cold in}} the winter,

\par }{\QB because
{\ADD{she has made}} warm clothes for all of them.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}She makes bedspreads/quilts for the beds.

\par }{\QB She wears fine linen clothes that are dyed purple,
{\ADD{like queens wear}}.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Her husband is
{\ADD{well}} known by the important people of the town;

\par }{\QB he sits with the
{\ADD{other}} town leaders in the meetings of the town council.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}She makes clothes from linen cloth and sells them.

\par }{\QB She sells sashes to shop owners.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}She is strong in her character and respected/dignified,

\par }{\QB and she ◄laughs at/is not afraid of►
{\ADD{what will happen in}} the future.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}When she speaks, she says what is wise.

\par }{\Q When she gives instructions,

\par }{\QB she speaks [MTY] kindly (OR, faithfully).


\par }{\Q \VS{27}She watches over everything that is done in her household,

\par }{\QB and she [IDM] is never lazy.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Her children all together speak highly of her,

\par }{\QB and her husband also praises her.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}{\ADD{He says to her}}, “There are many women who do admirable things,

\par }{\QB but you surpass them all!”


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{30}Some women who are attractive
{\ADD{are not really good women}},

\par }{\QB {\ADD{but}} they can deceive us
{\ADD{regarding what they are really like}}.

\par }{\Q Furthermore, women’s beauty does not last;

\par }{\QB but women who revere Yahweh should be honored.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Reward women who are like that,

\par }{\QB and praise them in public [MTY] for what they have done.


\par }