\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Proverbs}

{\MT Proverbs


\par }\ChapOne{1}{\PP \VerseOne{1}The proverbs of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}These proverbs are to teach wisdom and instruction,

\par }{\Q to teach words of insight,


\par }{\Q \VS{3}that you may receive instruction in order to live

\par }{\Q by doing what is right, just, and fair.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}These proverbs are also to give wisdom to the naive,

\par }{\Q and to give knowledge and discretion to young people.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Let wise people listen and increase their learning,

\par }{\Q and let discerning people get guidance,


\par }{\Q \VS{6}to understand proverbs, sayings,

\par }{\Q and words of wise people and their riddles.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge—

\par }{\Q fools despise wisdom and instruction.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}My son, hear the instruction of your father

\par }{\Q and do not lay aside the rules of your mother;


\par }{\Q \VS{9}they will be a graceful wreath for your head

\par }{\Q and pendants hanging from your neck.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}My son, if sinners try to entice you into their sin,

\par }{\Q refuse to follow them.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}If they say, “Come with us,

\par }{\Q let us lie in wait for blood,

\par }{\Q let us hide and attack innocent people for no reason.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Let us swallow them up alive, like Sheol takes away those who are healthy,

\par }{\Q and make them like those who fall into the pit.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}We shall find all kinds of valuable things;

\par }{\Q we will fill our houses with what we steal from others.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Throw in your lot with us;

\par }{\Q we will all have one purse together.”


\par }{\Q \VS{15}My son, do not walk down that road with them;

\par }{\Q do not let your foot touch where they walk;


\par }{\Q \VS{16}their feet run to evil

\par }{\Q and they hurry to shed blood.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}For it is useless to spread the net in the sight of any bird.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}These men lie in wait for their own blood—

\par }{\Q they set an ambush for their own lives.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}So are the ways of everyone who gains riches by injustice;

\par }{\Q unjust gain takes away the lives of those who hold on to it.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Wisdom cries aloud in the street,

\par }{\Q she raises her voice in the open places;


\par }{\Q \VS{21}at the head of the noisy streets she cries out,

\par }{\Q at the entrance of the city gates she speaks,


\par }{\Q \VS{22}“How long, you naive people, will you love being naive?

\par }{\Q How long, you mockers, will you delight in mockery,

\par }{\Q and how long, you fools, will you hate knowledge?


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Pay attention to my correction;

\par }{\Q I will pour out my thoughts to you;

\par }{\Q I will make my words known to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}I have called, and you have refused to listen;

\par }{\Q I reached out with my hand, but there was no one who paid attention.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}But you have ignored all my instruction

\par }{\Q and paid no attention to my correction.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}I will laugh at your calamity,

\par }{\Q I will mock you when the terror comes—


\par }{\Q \VS{27}when your fearful dread comes like a storm

\par }{\Q and disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,

\par }{\Q when distress and anguish come upon you.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Then they will call upon me, and I will not answer;

\par }{\Q they will desperately call for me, but they will not find me.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Because they hate knowledge

\par }{\Q and did not choose the fear of Yahweh,


\par }{\Q \VS{30}they would not follow my instruction,

\par }{\Q and they despised all my correction.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}They will eat the fruit of their ways,

\par }{\Q and with the fruit of their schemes they will be filled.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}For the naive are killed when they turn away,

\par }{\Q and the indifference of fools will destroy them.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}But whoever listens to me will live in safety

\par }{\Q and will rest secure with no fear of disaster.”



\par }\PoetryChap{2}{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, if you receive my words

\par }{\Q and treasure up my commandments with you,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}make your ears pay attention to wisdom

\par }{\Q and incline your heart to understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}If you cry out for understanding

\par }{\Q and raise your voice for it,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}if you seek it like you would seek silver

\par }{\Q and search for understanding as you would seek hidden treasures,


\par }{\Q \VS{5}then you will understand the fear of Yahweh

\par }{\Q and you will find the knowledge of God.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}For Yahweh gives wisdom,

\par }{\Q from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}He stores up sound wisdom for those who please him,

\par }{\Q he is a shield for those who walk in integrity,


\par }{\Q \VS{8}he guards the paths of justice

\par }{\Q and he will preserve the way of those who are faithful to him.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and equity,

\par }{\Q and every good path.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}For wisdom will come into your heart,

\par }{\Q and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Discretion will watch over you,

\par }{\Q understanding will guard you.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}They will rescue you from the way of evil,

\par }{\Q from those who speak perverse things,


\par }{\Q \VS{13}who abandon the right paths

\par }{\Q and walk in the ways of darkness.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}They rejoice when they do evil

\par }{\Q and delight in the perversities of evil.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}They follow crooked paths,

\par }{\Q and using deception they hide their tracks.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Wisdom and discretion will save you from an adulterous woman,

\par }{\Q from an immoral woman and her flattering words.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}She forsakes the companion of her youth

\par }{\Q and forgets the covenant of her God.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}For her house leads down to death

\par }{\Q and her tracks will lead you to those in the grave.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}All who go in to her will not return again

\par }{\Q and they will not find the paths of life.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}So you will walk in the way of good people

\par }{\Q and follow the paths of righteous people.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}For those doing right will make a home in the land,

\par }{\Q and those with integrity will remain in it.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}But the wicked will be cut off from the land,

\par }{\Q and the faithless will be cut off from it.



\par }\PoetryChap{3}{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, do not forget my commands

\par }{\Q and keep my teachings in your heart,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}for length of days and years of life

\par }{\Q and peace they will add to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Do not let covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness ever leave you,

\par }{\Q tie them together about your neck,

\par }{\Q write them on the tablet of your heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Then you will find favor and a good reputation

\par }{\Q in the sight of God and man.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Trust in Yahweh with all your heart

\par }{\Q and do not lean on your own understanding;


\par }{\Q \VS{6}in all your ways acknowledge him

\par }{\Q and he will make your paths straight.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Do not be wise in your own eyes;

\par }{\Q fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}It will be healing to your flesh

\par }{\Q and refreshment for your body.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Honor Yahweh with your wealth

\par }{\Q and with the firstfruits of all your produce,


\par }{\Q \VS{10}and your storehouses will be filled up

\par }{\Q and your vats will be bursting, full of new wine.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}My son, do not despise Yahweh's instruction

\par }{\Q and do not hate his rebuke,


\par }{\Q \VS{12}for Yahweh disciplines those he loves,

\par }{\Q as a father deals with a son who pleases him.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The one who finds wisdom is blessed;

\par }{\Q he also gets understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}What you gain from wisdom is better than what silver will give in return

\par }{\Q and its profit is better than gold.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Wisdom is more precious than jewels

\par }{\Q and nothing you desire can compare to her.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}She has length of days in her right hand;

\par }{\Q in her left hand are riches and honor.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Her ways are ways of kindness

\par }{\Q and all her paths are peace.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}She is a tree of life to those who take hold of it,

\par }{\Q those who hold on to it are happy.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth,

\par }{\Q by understanding he established the heavens.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}By his knowledge the depths broke open

\par }{\Q and the clouds dropped their dew.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}My son, keep sound judgment and discernment,

\par }{\Q and do not lose sight of them.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}They will be life to your soul

\par }{\Q and an adornment of favor to wear around your neck.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Then you will walk on your way in safety

\par }{\Q and your foot will not stumble;


\par }{\Q \VS{24}when you lie down, you will not be afraid;

\par }{\Q when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Do not be afraid of sudden terror

\par }{\Q or devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes,


\par }{\Q \VS{26}for Yahweh will be on your side

\par }{\Q and will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,

\par }{\Q when it is in your power to act.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Do not say to your neighbor,

\par }{\Q “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,”

\par }{\Q when you have the money with you.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Do not make a plan to harm your neighbor—

\par }{\Q the one who lives close and trusts you.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}Do not argue with a person without a reason,

\par }{\Q when he has done nothing to harm you.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Do not envy a violent person

\par }{\Q or choose any of his ways.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}For the devious person is detestable to Yahweh,

\par }{\Q but he brings the upright person into his confidence.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked person,

\par }{\Q but he blesses the home of righteous people.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}He mocks mockers,

\par }{\Q but he gives his favor to humble people.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}Wise people inherit honor,

\par }{\Q but fools will be lifted up in their shame.



\par }\PoetryChap{4}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Listen, sons, to a father's instruction,

\par }{\Q and pay attention so you will know what understanding is.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}I am giving you good instructions;

\par }{\Q do not forsake my teaching.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}When I was a son of my father,

\par }{\Q the tender and only child of my mother,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}he taught me and said to me,

\par }{\Q “Let your heart hold fast to my words;

\par }{\Q keep my commands and live.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Acquire wisdom and understanding;

\par }{\Q do not forget and do not reject the words of my mouth;


\par }{\Q \VS{6}do not abandon wisdom and she will watch over you;

\par }{\Q love her and she will keep you safe.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Wisdom is the most important thing, so acquire wisdom

\par }{\Q and spend all you own so you can get understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Cherish wisdom and she will exalt you;

\par }{\Q she will honor you when you embrace her.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}She will put a wreath of honor on your head;

\par }{\Q she will give you a beautiful crown.”


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Listen, my son, and pay attention to my words,

\par }{\Q and you will have many years in your life.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}I direct you in the way of wisdom;

\par }{\Q I lead you down straight paths.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}When you walk, no one will stand in your way

\par }{\Q and if you run, you will not stumble.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;

\par }{\Q guard it, for it is your life.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Do not follow the path of the wicked

\par }{\Q and do not go along the way of those who do evil.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Avoid it, do not go on it;

\par }{\Q turn away from it and go another way.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}For they cannot sleep until they do evil

\par }{\Q and they are robbed of sleep until they cause someone to stumble.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}For they eat the bread of wickedness

\par }{\Q and drink the wine of violence.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}But the path of righteous people is like the first light that grows brighter;

\par }{\Q it shines more and more until the fullness of the day comes.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}The way of the wicked is like darkness—

\par }{\Q they do not know what it is they stumble over.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}My son, pay attention to my words;

\par }{\Q incline your ear to my sayings.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Do not let them turn away from your eyes;

\par }{\Q keep them in your heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}For my words are life to those who find them

\par }{\Q and health to their whole body.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Keep your heart safe and guard it with all diligence,

\par }{\Q for from it flow the springs of life.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Put crooked speech away from you

\par }{\Q and put corrupt talk far from you.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Let your eyes look straight ahead

\par }{\Q and fix your gaze straight before you.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Make a level path for your foot;

\par }{\Q then all your ways will be secure.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Do not turn aside to the right or to the left;

\par }{\Q turn your foot away from evil.



\par }\PoetryChap{5}{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, pay attention to my wisdom;

\par }{\Q incline your ears to my understanding,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}so you may learn about discretion

\par }{\Q and your lips may protect knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}For the lips of an adulteress drip with honey

\par }{\Q and her mouth is smoother than oil,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,

\par }{\Q cutting like a sharp sword.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Her feet go down to death;

\par }{\Q her steps go all the way to Sheol.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}She gives no thought to the path of life.

\par }{\Q Her footsteps wander; she does not know where she is going.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Now, my sons, listen to me;

\par }{\Q do not turn away from listening to the words of my mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Keep your path far away from her

\par }{\Q and do not come near the door of her house.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}In that way you will not give away your honor to others

\par }{\Q or years of your life to a cruel person;


\par }{\Q \VS{10}strangers will not feast on your wealth;

\par }{\Q what you have worked for will not go into the house of strangers.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}At the end of your life you will groan

\par }{\Q when your flesh and your body waste away.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}You will say, “How I hated instruction

\par }{\Q and my heart despised correction!


\par }{\Q \VS{13}I would not obey my teachers

\par }{\Q or incline my ear to my instructors.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}I was almost completely ruined

\par }{\Q in the midst of the assembly, among the gathering of the people.”


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Drink water from your own cistern

\par }{\Q and drink running water from your own well.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Should your springs overflow everywhere

\par }{\Q and your streams of water flow in the public squares?


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Let them be for yourself alone

\par }{\Q and not for strangers with you.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}May your fountain be blessed

\par }{\Q and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth,


\par }{\Q \VS{19}for she is a loving deer and a graceful doe.

\par }{\Q Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;

\par }{\Q may you be continually intoxicated by her love.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}For why should you, my son, be captivated by an adulteress;

\par }{\Q why should you embrace the breasts of an immoral woman?


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Yahweh sees everything a person does

\par }{\Q and watches all the paths he takes.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}A wicked person will be seized by his own iniquities;

\par }{\Q the cords of his sin will hold him tight.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}He will die because he lacks instruction;

\par }{\Q he is led astray by his great foolishness.



\par }\PoetryChap{6}{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, if you set aside your money as a guarantee for your neighbor's loan,

\par }{\Q if you gave your promise for a loan of someone you do not know,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}then you have laid a trap for yourself by your promise

\par }{\Q and you have been caught by the words of your mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}When you are caught by your words, my son, do this and save yourself,

\par }{\Q since you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor;

\par }{\Q go and humble yourself and make your case before your neighbor.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Give your eyes no sleep

\par }{\Q and your eyelids no slumber.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,

\par }{\Q like a bird from the hand of the fowler.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Look at the ant, you lazy person,

\par }{\Q consider her ways, and be wise.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}It has no commander,

\par }{\Q officer, or ruler,


\par }{\Q \VS{8}yet it prepares its food in the summer

\par }{\Q and during the harvest it stores up what it will eat.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}How long will you sleep, you lazy person?

\par }{\Q When will you rise from your sleep?


\par }{\Q \VS{10}“A little sleep, a little slumber,

\par }{\Q a little folding of the hands to rest”—


\par }{\Q \VS{11}and your poverty will come like a robber

\par }{\Q and your needs like an armed soldier.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}A worthless person—a wicked man—

\par }{\Q lives by the crookedness of his speech,


\par }{\Q \VS{13}winking his eyes, making signals with his feet

\par }{\Q and pointing with his fingers.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}He plots evil with deceit in his heart;

\par }{\Q he always stirs up discord.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Therefore his disaster will overtake him in an instant;

\par }{\Q in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}There are six things that Yahweh hates,

\par }{\Q seven that are disgusting to him.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}The eyes of a proud person, a tongue that lies,

\par }{\Q hands that shed the blood of innocent people,


\par }{\Q \VS{18}a heart that invents wicked schemes,

\par }{\Q feet that quickly run to do evil,


\par }{\Q \VS{19}a witness who breathes out lies

\par }{\Q and one who sows discord among brothers.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}My son, obey the command of your father

\par }{\Q and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Always bind them on your heart;

\par }{\Q tie them about your neck.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}When you walk, they will guide you;

\par }{\Q when you sleep, they will watch over you;

\par }{\Q and when you wake up, they will teach you.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}For the commands are a lamp, and the teaching is a light;

\par }{\Q the corrections that come by instruction are the way of life.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}It keeps you from the immoral woman,

\par }{\Q from the smooth words of an immoral woman.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Do not lust in your heart after her beauty

\par }{\Q and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Sleeping with a prostitute can cost the price of a loaf of bread,

\par }{\Q but the wife of another may cost you your very life.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Can a man carry a fire against his chest

\par }{\Q without burning his clothes?


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Can a man walk on hot coals

\par }{\Q without scorching his feet?


\par }{\Q \VS{29}So is the man who sleeps with his neighbor's wife;

\par }{\Q the one who sleeps with her will not go unpunished.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}People do not despise a thief if he steals

\par }{\Q to satisfy his need when he is hungry.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Yet if he is caught, he will pay back seven times what he stole;

\par }{\Q he must give up everything of value in his house.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}The one who commits adultery has no sense;

\par }{\Q the one who does it destroys himself.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}Wounds and shame are what he deserves

\par }{\Q and his disgrace will not be wiped away.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}For jealousy makes a man furious;

\par }{\Q he will show no mercy when he takes his revenge.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}He will accept no compensation

\par }{\Q and he cannot be bought off, though you offer him many gifts.



\par }\PoetryChap{7}{\Q \VerseOne{1}My son, keep my words

\par }{\Q and store up my commands within yourself.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Keep my commands and live

\par }{\Q and keep my instruction as the apple of your eye.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Tie them on your fingers;

\par }{\Q write them on the tablet of your heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

\par }{\Q and call understanding your kinsman,


\par }{\Q \VS{5}in order to keep yourself from the adulterous woman,

\par }{\Q from the immoral woman with her smooth words.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}At the window of my house

\par }{\Q I was looking out through the lattice.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}I looked at the naive people,

\par }{\Q and I noticed among the young men

\par }{\Q a youth who had no sense.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}That young man passed down the street near her corner,

\par }{\Q and he went toward her house.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}It was twilight, in the evening of the day,

\par }{\Q at the time of night and darkness.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}There a woman met him,

\par }{\Q dressed like a prostitute, with a false heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}She was loud and wayward;

\par }{\Q her feet did not stay at home.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Now in the streets, then in the market place,

\par }{\Q and at every corner she waited in ambush.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}So she grabbed him and kissed him,

\par }{\Q with a strong face she said to him,


\par }{\Q \VS{14}“I made my peace offering today,

\par }{\Q I paid my vows,


\par }{\Q \VS{15}so came I out to meet you,

\par }{\Q to eagerly seek your face, and I have found you.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}I have spread coverings on my bed,

\par }{\Q colored linens from Egypt.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}I have sprinkled my bed

\par }{\Q with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;

\par }{\Q let us take great pleasure in acts of love.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}For my husband is not at his house;

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


\par }{\Q \VS{20}He took a bag of money with him;

\par }{\Q he will return on the day of the full moon.”


\par }{\Q \VS{21}With much talk she turned him;

\par }{\Q with her smooth lips she misled him.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}He went after her suddenly

\par }{\Q like an ox going to slaughter,

\par }{\Q like a deer caught in a trap,
\FTNT{*}{{\FR 7:22 }{\FT{}}{\FQA{Deer
 could be a stag or an antelope. The Vulgate has:
}}{\FQA{lamb
. The LXX has:
}}{\FQA{like a dog to the muzzle
 .
}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{23}until an arrow pierces through its liver.

\par }{\Q He was like a bird rushing into a snare.

\par }{\Q He did not know that it would cost his life.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Now, my sons, listen to me;

\par }{\Q pay attention to the words of my mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}May your heart not turn aside onto her paths;

\par }{\Q do not be led astray onto her paths.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}She has caused many people to fall down pierced;

\par }{\Q her dead victims are very many.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Her house is on the paths to Sheol;

\par }{\Q they go down to the dark bedrooms of death.



\par }\PoetryChap{8}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Does not Wisdom call out?

\par }{\Q Does not Understanding raise her voice?


\par }{\Q \VS{2}On the hilltops beside the road,

\par }{\Q at the crossroads, Wisdom has taken her stand.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Before the gates at the entrance into the city,

\par }{\Q at the entrances into the city, she calls out.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}“It is to you, people, that I call;

\par }{\Q my voice is for the sons of mankind.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}You who are naive, learn wisdom;

\par }{\Q and you who are foolish, you must get an understanding mind.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Listen, because I will speak of noble things,

\par }{\Q and when my lips open I will say upright things.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}For my mouth speaks what is trustworthy,

\par }{\Q and wickedness is disgusting to my lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}All the words of my mouth are just;

\par }{\Q in them is nothing twisted or misleading.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}All of them are straight for the person who understands;

\par }{\Q my words are upright for those who find knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Acquire my instruction rather than silver;

\par }{\Q acquire knowledge rather than pure gold.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}For Wisdom is better than jewels;

\par }{\Q no treasure is equal to her.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}I, Wisdom, live with Prudence,

\par }{\Q and I possess knowledge and discretion.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.

\par }{\Q I hate pride and arrogance, the evil way,

\par }{\Q and perverted speech. I hate them.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}I have good advice and sound wisdom;

\par }{\Q I am insight; strength belongs to me.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}By me kings reign, and rulers make laws that are just.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}By me princes rule,

\par }{\Q nobles, and all who govern with justice.


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

\par }{\Q and those who diligently seek me, find me.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}With me are riches and honor,

\par }{\Q lasting wealth and righteousness.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold;

\par }{\Q my produce is better than pure silver.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}I walk in the path of righteousness,

\par }{\Q in the midst of the paths of justice.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}As a result, I make those who love me inherit wealth;

\par }{\Q I fill up their treasuries.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Yahweh created me at the beginning,

\par }{\Q the first of his deeds then.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}In ages long ago I was made—from the first,

\par }{\Q from the beginnings of the earth.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Before there were oceans, I was given birth—

\par }{\Q before there were springs abounding with water.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Before the mountains were settled

\par }{\Q and before the hills, I was born.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}I was born before Yahweh had made the earth or the fields,

\par }{\Q or even the first dust in the world.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}I was there when he established the heavens,

\par }{\Q when he drew a circle on the surface of the deep.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}I was there when he established the clouds above and

\par }{\Q when the springs in the deep became fixed.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}I was there when he made his limit for the sea,

\par }{\Q so the waters should not spread beyond his command,

\par }{\Q and when there was set the limit for the foundations of the dry land.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}I was beside him, as a skilled craftsman;

\par }{\Q I was his delight day after day,

\par }{\Q always rejoicing before him.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}I was rejoicing in his whole world,

\par }{\Q and my delight was in the sons of mankind.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}Now, my sons, listen to me,

\par }{\Q for those who keep my ways will be blessed.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}Listen to my instruction and be wise;

\par }{\Q do not neglect it.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}The one who listens to me will be blessed.

\par }{\Q He will be watching every day at my doors,

\par }{\Q waiting beside the posts of my doors.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}For whoever finds me, finds life,

\par }{\Q and he will find the favor of Yahweh.


\par }{\Q \VS{36}But he who fails, harms his own life;

\par }{\Q all who hate me love death.”



\par }\PoetryChap{9}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Wisdom has built her own house;

\par }{\Q she has carved seven pillars out of rocks.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine;

\par }{\Q and she has set her table.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}She has sent out her maids; she calls out

\par }{\Q from the highest points of the city,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}“Who is naive? Let him turn aside here!”

\par }{\Q To the one lacking good sense she speaks.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}“Come, eat my food,

\par }{\Q and drink the wine I have mixed.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Leave your naive actions and live;

\par }{\Q walk in the path of understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Whoever disciplines a mocker receives abuse,

\par }{\Q and whoever rebukes a wicked person receives insults.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Do not reprove a mocker, or he will hate you;

\par }{\Q reprove a wise man, and he will love you.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Give to a wise person, and he will become even wiser;

\par }{\Q teach a righteous person, and he will add to his learning.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom,

\par }{\Q and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}For through me your days will be multiplied,

\par }{\Q and years of life will be added to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,

\par }{\Q and if you mock, you will carry it by yourself.”


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The woman of foolishness is ignorant;

\par }{\Q she is untaught and knows nothing.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}She sits at the door of her house,

\par }{\Q on a seat in the highest places of the town.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}She is calling out to those who pass by in the streets,

\par }{\Q to people walking straight on their way.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}“Let anyone who is naive turn aside here,”

\par }{\Q she says to those who have no sense.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}“Stolen waters are sweet,

\par }{\Q and bread of secrecy is delicious.”


\par }{\Q \VS{18}But he does not know that the dead are there,

\par }{\Q that her invited guests are in the depths of Sheol.



\par }\Chap{10}{\PP \VerseOne{1}The proverbs of Solomon.

\par }{\Q A wise son makes his father rejoice

\par }{\Q but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Treasures accumulated by wickedness have no value,

\par }{\Q but doing what is right keeps you from death.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Yahweh does not let the soul of the righteous person go hungry,

\par }{\Q but he frustrates the cravings of the wicked.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}A lazy hand causes a person to be poor,

\par }{\Q but the hand of the diligent person gains riches.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}A wise son gathers a crop in the summer,

\par }{\Q but it is disgraceful for him to sleep during harvest.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Gifts from God are upon the head of the righteous person,

\par }{\Q but the mouth of the wicked covers up violence.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The righteous person makes those who remember him happy,

\par }{\Q but the name of the wicked will rot away.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Those who are sensible accept commands,

\par }{\Q but a talkative fool will come to ruin.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}He who walks in integrity walks in safety,

\par }{\Q but the one who makes his ways crooked, he will be found out.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}He who winks the eye causes grief,

\par }{\Q but a talkative fool will be thrown down.
\FTNT{*}{{\FR 10:10 }{\FT{Some modern versions have
}}{\FQA{but one who bravely corrects makes peace
 .
}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The mouth of the righteous person is a water spring of life,

\par }{\Q but the mouth of the wicked covers up violence.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Hatred stirs up conflicts,

\par }{\Q but love covers over all offenses.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Wisdom is found on the lips of a discerning person,

\par }{\Q but a rod is for the back of the one who has no sense.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Wise men store up knowledge,

\par }{\Q but the mouth of a fool brings destruction near.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The wealth of a rich man is his fortified city;

\par }{\Q the poverty of the poor is their destruction.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The wage of the righteous person leads to life;

\par }{\Q the profit of the wicked leads them to sin.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}There is a path to life for the one who follows discipline,

\par }{\Q but the one who rejects correction is led astray.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips,

\par }{\Q and whoever spreads slander is a fool.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}When there are many words, transgression is not lacking,

\par }{\Q but he who is careful in what he says is wise.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}The tongue of the righteous person is pure silver;

\par }{\Q there is little value in the heart of the wicked.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}The lips of the righteous person nourish many,

\par }{\Q but fools die because of their lack of sense.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}The good gifts of Yahweh bring wealth

\par }{\Q and he adds no pain to it.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Wickedness is a game a fool plays,

\par }{\Q but wisdom is a pleasure to a man of understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The fear of the wicked person will overtake him,

\par }{\Q but the desire of righteous people will be granted.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}The wicked are like the storm that passes by, and they are no more,

\par }{\Q but the righteous person is a foundation that lasts forever.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Like vinegar on the teeth and smoke in the eyes,

\par }{\Q so is the sluggard to those who send him.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The fear of Yahweh prolongs life,

\par }{\Q but the years of the wicked will be short.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}The hope of righteous people is their joy,

\par }{\Q but the years of wicked people will be short.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}The way of Yahweh protects those who have integrity,

\par }{\Q but it is destruction for the wicked.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}The righteous person will never be overthrown,

\par }{\Q but the wicked will not remain in the land.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Out of the mouth of the righteous person comes the fruit of wisdom,

\par }{\Q but the perverse tongue will be cut out.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}The lips of the righteous person know what is acceptable,

\par }{\Q but the mouth of the wicked, they know what is perverse.



\par }\PoetryChap{11}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Yahweh hates scales that are not accurate,

\par }{\Q but he delights in a precise weight.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

\par }{\Q but with humility comes wisdom.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}The integrity of the upright guides them,

\par }{\Q but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Wealth is worthless on the day of wrath,

\par }{\Q but doing right keeps you from death.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}The right conduct of a blameless person makes his way straight,

\par }{\Q but the wicked will fall because of their own wickedness.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}The right conduct of those who please God keeps them safe,

\par }{\Q but the treacherous are trapped by their cravings.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes

\par }{\Q and the hope that was in his strength comes to nothing.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}The righteous person is kept away from trouble

\par }{\Q and it comes upon the wicked instead.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor,

\par }{\Q but through knowledge righteous people are kept safe.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}When righteous people prosper, a city rejoices;

\par }{\Q when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Through the good gifts of those who please God, the city becomes great;

\par }{\Q by the mouth of the wicked, the city is torn down.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The man who has contempt for his friend has no sense,

\par }{\Q but a man of understanding keeps quiet.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Whoever goes around slandering reveals secrets,

\par }{\Q but a faithful person keeps a matter covered.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Where there is no wise direction, a nation falls,

\par }{\Q but victory comes by consulting many advisors.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger will surely suffer harm,

\par }{\Q but the one who hates giving a pledge in that kind of promise is safe.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}A gracious woman gets honor,

\par }{\Q but ruthless people grasp for wealth.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}A kind person benefits himself,

\par }{\Q but one who is cruel hurts himself.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}The wicked person lies to get his wages,

\par }{\Q but one who sows what is right reaps the wages of truth.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}An honest person who does what is right will live,

\par }{\Q but the one who pursues evil will die.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Yahweh hates those whose hearts are perverse,

\par }{\Q but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Be sure of this—the wicked person will not go unpunished,

\par }{\Q but the descendants of righteous people will be kept safe.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Like a gold ring in a pig's nose

\par }{\Q is a beautiful woman without discretion.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}The desires of righteous people result in good,

\par }{\Q but wicked people can only hope for wrath.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}There is one who scatters—he will accumulate even more;

\par }{\Q another withholds what he should give—he comes to poverty.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}The generous person will prosper

\par }{\Q and the one who gives water to others will have water for himself.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}People curse the man who refuses to sell grain,

\par }{\Q but good gifts crown the head of him who sells it.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The one who diligently seeks good is also seeking favor,

\par }{\Q but the one who searches for evil will find it.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Those who trust in their riches will fall,

\par }{\Q but like the leaf, righteous people will flourish.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}The one who brings trouble on his own household will inherit the wind

\par }{\Q and the fool will become a servant to the wise of heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}The righteous person will be like a tree of life,

\par }{\Q but violence takes away lives.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Behold! The righteous person receives what he deserves;

\par }{\Q how much more the wicked and the sinner!



\par }\PoetryChap{12}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

\par }{\Q but the one who hates correction is stupid.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Yahweh gives favor to a good man,

\par }{\Q but he condemns a man who makes evil plans.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}A person cannot be established by wickedness,

\par }{\Q but righteous people cannot be uprooted.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}A worthy wife is her husband's crown,

\par }{\Q but she who brings shame is like a disease that rots his bones.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}The plans of the righteous are just,

\par }{\Q but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}The words of wicked people are an ambush waiting for a chance to kill,

\par }{\Q but the words of the upright keep them safe.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Wicked people are overthrown and they are gone,

\par }{\Q but the house of the righteous person will stand.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}A person is praised by how much wisdom he has,

\par }{\Q but the one who makes perverse choices is despised.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Better to have an unimportant position—only being a servant—

\par }{\Q than to brag about your importance but have no food.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The righteous person cares about the needs of his animal,

\par }{\Q but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

\par }{\Q but whoever chases after worthless projects has no sense.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The wicked person desires what evil men have stolen from others,

\par }{\Q but the fruit of righteous people comes from themselves.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}An evil person is trapped by his wicked talk,

\par }{\Q but the righteous person escapes from trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}From the fruit of his words a person is filled with good things,

\par }{\Q just as the work of his hands rewards him.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

\par }{\Q but a wise man listens to advice.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}A fool shows his anger at once,

\par }{\Q but one who ignores an insult is prudent.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}The one who speaks the truth says what is right,

\par }{\Q but a false witness tells lies.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}The words of one who speaks rashly are like the thrusts of a sword,

\par }{\Q but the tongue of the wise brings healing.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Truthful lips last forever,

\par }{\Q but a lying tongue is only for a moment.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}There is deceit in the hearts of those who plan to do evil,

\par }{\Q but joy comes to the advisors of peace.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}No ill comes on the righteous person,

\par }{\Q but wicked people are filled with difficulties.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Yahweh hates lying lips,

\par }{\Q but those who live faithfully are his delight.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}A prudent man conceals his knowledge,

\par }{\Q but the heart of fools shouts out folly.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The hand of the diligent will rule,

\par }{\Q but lazy people will be put to forced labor.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Anxiety in the heart of a person weighs him down,

\par }{\Q but a good word makes him glad.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}The righteous person is a guide for his friend,

\par }{\Q but the way of the wicked leads them astray.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Lazy people would not roast their own game,

\par }{\Q but the diligent man will obtain precious wealth.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Those who walk in the right way find life

\par }{\Q and in its path there is no death.



\par }\PoetryChap{13}{\Q \VerseOne{1}A wise son hears his father's instruction,

\par }{\Q but a mocker will not listen to rebuke.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}From the fruit of his mouth a person enjoys good things,

\par }{\Q but the appetite of the treacherous is for violence.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}The one who guards his mouth protects his life,

\par }{\Q but the one who opens wide his lips will ruin himself.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The appetite of lazy people craves but gets nothing,

\par }{\Q but the appetite of diligent people will be richly satisfied.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}The righteous person hates lies,

\par }{\Q but a wicked person makes himself repugnant, and he does what is shameful.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Righteousness protects those who are faultless in their path,

\par }{\Q but wickedness turns away those who commit sin.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}There is someone who enriches himself, but has nothing at all,

\par }{\Q and there is someone who gives everything away, yet is truly wealthy.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}The ransom of a rich man's life is his wealth,

\par }{\Q but a poor person does not hear a threat.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}The light of righteous people rejoices,

\par }{\Q but the lamp of wicked people will be put out.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Pride only breeds conflict,

\par }{\Q but for those who listen to good advice there is wisdom.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Wealth dwindles away when there is too much vanity,

\par }{\Q but the one who makes money by working with his hand will make his money grow.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}When hope is postponed, it breaks the heart,

\par }{\Q but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Whoever despises instruction brings destruction on himself,

\par }{\Q but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life,

\par }{\Q turning you away from the snares of death.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Good insight wins favor,

\par }{\Q but the way of the treacherous is never-ending.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Prudent people act out of knowledge in every decision,

\par }{\Q but a fool parades his folly.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

\par }{\Q but a faithful envoy brings reconciliation.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}The one who ignores instruction will have poverty and shame,

\par }{\Q but honor will come to him who learns from correction.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}A longing realized is sweet to the appetite,

\par }{\Q but fools hate to turn away from evil.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Walk with wise people and you will be wise,

\par }{\Q but the companion of fools will suffer harm.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Disaster runs after sinners,

\par }{\Q but righteous people are rewarded with good.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren,

\par }{\Q but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous person.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}An unplowed field owned by the poor could produce much food,

\par }{\Q but it is swept away by injustice.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The one who does not discipline his son hates him,

\par }{\Q but one who loves his son is careful to instruct him.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}The righteous person eats until he satisfies his appetite,

\par }{\Q but the stomach of the wicked is always hungry.



\par }\PoetryChap{14}{\Q \VerseOne{1}The wise woman builds her house,

\par }{\Q but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}The one who walks uprightly fears Yahweh,

\par }{\Q but the one who is dishonest in his ways despises him.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}From the mouth of a fool comes an offshoot of his pride,

\par }{\Q but the lips of the wise will preserve them.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Where there are no cattle the feeding trough is clean,

\par }{\Q but an abundant crop can come by the strength of an ox.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}A faithful witness does not lie,

\par }{\Q but a false witness breathes out lies.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}A mocker seeks wisdom and there is none,

\par }{\Q but knowledge comes easy to the one who is discerning.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Walk away from a foolish person,

\par }{\Q for you will not find knowledge on his lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}The wisdom of the prudent person is to understand his own way,

\par }{\Q but the folly of fools is deception.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Fools mock when the guilt offering is sacrificed,

\par }{\Q but among the upright favor is shared.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The heart knows its own bitterness

\par }{\Q and no stranger shares its joy.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The house of wicked people will be destroyed,

\par }{\Q but the tent of upright people will flourish.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}There is a way that seems right to a man,

\par }{\Q but its end only leads to death.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}A heart can laugh but still be in pain

\par }{\Q and joy may end up being grief.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}The one who is not faithful will get what his ways deserve,

\par }{\Q but a good person will get what is his.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The one who is naive believes everything,

\par }{\Q but the prudent man thinks about his steps.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}A wise man fears and turns away from evil,

\par }{\Q but the fool confidently dismisses a warning.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}One who is quick to become angry does foolish things,

\par }{\Q and a person who makes evil schemes is hated.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}The naive inherit foolishness,

\par }{\Q but prudent people are crowned with knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Evil people will bow down before those who are good

\par }{\Q and those who are wicked will bow down at the gates of the righteous person.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}The poor person is hated even by his own companions,

\par }{\Q but the rich people have many friends.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}The one who shows contempt for his neighbor is sinning,

\par }{\Q but the one who shows favor to the poor is blessed.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Do not those who plot evil go astray?

\par }{\Q But those who plan to do good will receive covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}With all hard work comes a profit,

\par }{\Q but when there is only talk, it leads to poverty.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The crown of wise people is their wealth,

\par }{\Q but the folly of fools brings them only more folly.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}A truthful witness saves lives,

\par }{\Q but a false witness breathes out lies.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}When someone fears Yahweh, he also has much confidence in him;

\par }{\Q these things will be like a strong place of protection for this man's children.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,

\par }{\Q so that a person may turn away from the snares of death.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}The glory of a king is found in the great number of his people,

\par }{\Q but without people the prince is ruined.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}A patient person has great understanding,

\par }{\Q but the quick-tempered person exalts folly.

\VS{30}A tranquil heart is life for the body,

\par }{\Q but envy rots the bones.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}The one who oppresses the poor curses his Maker,

\par }{\Q but the one who shows favor to the needy honors him.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}The wicked person is brought down by his evil actions,

\par }{\Q but the righteous person has a refuge even in death.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning,

\par }{\Q but even among fools she lets herself be known.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}Doing what is right exalts a nation,

\par }{\Q but sin is a disgrace to any people.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}The favor of the king is with the servant who acts prudently,

\par }{\Q but his anger is for the one who acts shamefully.



\par }\PoetryChap{15}{\Q \VerseOne{1}A gentle answer turns away wrath,

\par }{\Q but a harsh word stirs up anger.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge,

\par }{\Q but the mouth of fools pours out folly.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere,

\par }{\Q keeping watch over the evil and the good.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}A healing tongue is a tree of life,

\par }{\Q but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}A fool has contempt for his father's instruction,

\par }{\Q but he who learns from correction is prudent.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure,

\par }{\Q but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about,

\par }{\Q but not so the hearts of fools.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people,

\par }{\Q but the prayer of upright people is his delight.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Yahweh hates the way of wicked people,

\par }{\Q but he loves the one who pursues what is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way

\par }{\Q and he who hates correction will die.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh;

\par }{\Q how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind?


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The mocker resents correction;

\par }{\Q he will not go to the wise.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}A joyful heart makes the face cheerful,

\par }{\Q but heartache crushes the spirit.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge,

\par }{\Q but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}All the days of oppressed people are miserable,

\par }{\Q but a cheerful heart has an unending feast.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Better is little with the fear of Yahweh

\par }{\Q than great treasure with confusion.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love

\par }{\Q than a fatted calf served with hatred.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}An angry man stirs up arguments,

\par }{\Q but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}The path of the sluggard is like a place with a hedge of thorns,

\par }{\Q but the path of the upright is a built-up highway.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}A wise son brings joy to his father,

\par }{\Q but a foolish person despises his mother.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Folly delights a person who lacks sense,

\par }{\Q but the one who has understanding walks a straight path.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Plans go wrong where there is no advice,

\par }{\Q but with numerous advisors they succeed.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply;

\par }{\Q how good is a timely word!


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The path of life leads upward for prudent people,

\par }{\Q that they may turn away from Sheol beneath.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Yahweh tears down the house of the proud,

\par }{\Q but he protects the property of the widow.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people,

\par }{\Q but the words of kindness are pure.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The robber brings trouble to his family,

\par }{\Q but the one who hates bribes will live.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}The heart of the righteous person ponders before it answers,

\par }{\Q but the mouth of wicked people pours out all its evil.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Yahweh is far away from wicked people,

\par }{\Q but he hears the prayer of righteous people.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart

\par }{\Q and good news is health to the body.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live,

\par }{\Q you will remain among wise people.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}The one who rejects discipline despises himself,

\par }{\Q but he who listens to correction gains understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom

\par }{\Q and humility comes before honor.



\par }\PoetryChap{16}{\Q \VerseOne{1}The plans of the heart belong to a person,

\par }{\Q but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes,

\par }{\Q but Yahweh weighs the spirits.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Commit your works to Yahweh

\par }{\Q and your plans will succeed.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Yahweh has made everything for its purpose,

\par }{\Q even the wicked for the day of trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart,

\par }{\Q but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for

\par }{\Q and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}When a person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh,

\par }{\Q he makes even that person's enemies to be at peace with him.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Better is a little with what is right,

\par }{\Q than a large income with injustice.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}In his heart a person plans out his way,

\par }{\Q but Yahweh directs his steps.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king,

\par }{\Q his mouth should not betray justice.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Honest scales come from Yahweh;

\par }{\Q all the weights in the bag are his work.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised,

\par }{\Q for a throne is established by doing what is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}A king delights in lips that say what is right

\par }{\Q and he loves the one who speaks directly.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}A king's wrath is a messenger of death

\par }{\Q but a wise man will try to calm his anger.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}In the light of a king's face is life

\par }{\Q and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}How much better it is to get wisdom than gold.

\par }{\Q To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}The highway of upright people turns away from evil;

\par }{\Q the one who protects his life guards his way.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Pride comes before destruction

\par }{\Q and a haughty spirit before a downfall.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}It is better to be humble among poor people

\par }{\Q than to divide the spoil with proud people.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good,

\par }{\Q and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}The one who is wise in heart is called discerning

\par }{\Q and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it,

\par }{\Q but the instruction of fools is their foolishness.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth

\par }{\Q and adds persuasiveness to his lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Pleasant words are a honeycomb—

\par }{\Q sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}There is a way that seems right to a man,

\par }{\Q but its end is the way to death.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}The laborer's appetite works for him;

\par }{\Q his hunger urges him on.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}A worthless person digs up mischief

\par }{\Q and his speech is like a scorching fire.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}A perverse person stirs up conflict

\par }{\Q and a gossip separates close friends.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}A man of violence lies to his neighbor

\par }{\Q and leads him down a path that is not good.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things;

\par }{\Q those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Gray hair is a crown of glory;

\par }{\Q it is gained by living the right way.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}It is better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior

\par }{\Q and one who rules his spirit is stronger than one who conquers a city.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}The lots are cast into the lap,

\par }{\Q but the decision is from Yahweh.



\par }\PoetryChap{17}{\Q \VerseOne{1}It is better to have quiet with a dry morsel of bread

\par }{\Q than a house full of feasting with strife.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}A wise servant will rule over a son who acts shamefully

\par }{\Q and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}The crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold,

\par }{\Q but Yahweh refines hearts.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The evildoer pays attention to wicked lips;

\par }{\Q a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker

\par }{\Q and the one who rejoices at misfortune will not go unpunished.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Grandchildren are the crown of the aged

\par }{\Q and parents bring honor to their children.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Eloquent speech is not suitable for a fool;

\par }{\Q much less are lying lips suitable for royalty.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}A bribe is like a magic stone to the one who gives it;

\par }{\Q wherever he turns, he succeeds.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Whoever overlooks an offense seeks love,

\par }{\Q but the one who repeats a matter alienates close friends.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}A rebuke goes deeper into a person who has understanding

\par }{\Q than a hundred blows go into a fool.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}An evil person only seeks rebellion,

\par }{\Q so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

\par }{\Q than to meet a fool in his foolishness.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}When someone returns evil for good,

\par }{\Q evil will never leave his house.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}The beginning of conflict is like one who releases water everywhere,

\par }{\Q so walk away from the dispute before it has broken out.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The person who acquits the wicked person and the person who condemns the righteous person—

\par }{\Q both are an abomination to Yahweh.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Why should a fool pay money to learn about wisdom,

\par }{\Q when he has no ability to learn it?


\par }{\Q \VS{17}A friend is loving at all times

\par }{\Q and a brother is born for times of trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}A man having no sense makes binding promises

\par }{\Q and becomes responsible for his neighbor's debts.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Whoever loves conflict loves sin;

\par }{\Q the one who makes the threshold of his door too high causes bones to be broken.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}A person who has a crooked heart finds nothing that is good;

\par }{\Q the one who has a perverse tongue falls into calamity.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Whoever is the parent of a fool brings grief to himself;

\par }{\Q and the father of a fool has no joy.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}A cheerful heart is good medicine,

\par }{\Q but a broken spirit dries up the bones.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}A wicked man accepts a secret bribe

\par }{\Q to pervert the ways of justice.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The one who has understanding sets his face toward wisdom,

\par }{\Q but the eyes of a fool are set on the ends of the earth.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}A foolish son is a grief to his father

\par }{\Q and bitterness to the woman who bore him.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Also, it is never good to punish the righteous person;

\par }{\Q neither is it good to flog noble men who have integrity.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}One who has knowledge uses few words

\par }{\Q and one with understanding is even-tempered.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Even a fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent;

\par }{\Q when he keeps his mouth shut, he is considered to be intelligent.



\par }\PoetryChap{18}{\Q \VerseOne{1}One who isolates himself seeks his own desire

\par }{\Q and he quarrels with all sound judgment.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}A fool finds no pleasure in understanding,

\par }{\Q but only in revealing what is in his own heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him—

\par }{\Q along with shame and reproach.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The words of a man's mouth are deep waters;

\par }{\Q the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}It is not good to be partial to the wicked person,

\par }{\Q nor to deny justice to the righteous person.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}A fool's lips bring him conflict

\par }{\Q and his mouth invites a beating.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}A fool's mouth is his ruin

\par }{\Q and he ensnares himself with his lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels

\par }{\Q and they go down into the inner parts of the body.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Also, one who is slack in his work

\par }{\Q is a brother to the one who destroys the most.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;

\par }{\Q the righteous person runs into it and is safe.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The wealth of the rich is his fortified city

\par }{\Q and in his imagination it is like a high wall.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Before his downfall a person's heart is proud,

\par }{\Q but humility comes before honor.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}One who answers before listening—

\par }{\Q it is his folly and shame.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}A person's spirit will survive sickness,

\par }{\Q but a broken spirit who can bear it?


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge

\par }{\Q and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}A man's gift may open the way

\par }{\Q and bring him before an important person.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}The first to plead his case seems right

\par }{\Q until his opponent comes and questions him.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Casting the lot settles disputes

\par }{\Q and separates strong opponents.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city,

\par }{\Q and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled;

\par }{\Q with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Death and life are controlled by the tongue,

\par }{\Q and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}He who finds a wife finds a good thing

\par }{\Q and receives favor from Yahweh.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}A poor person pleads for mercy,

\par }{\Q but a rich person answers harshly.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them,

\par }{\Q but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.



\par }\PoetryChap{19}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

\par }{\Q than one who is perverse in speech and is a fool.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Also, it is not good to have desire without knowledge

\par }{\Q and the one who runs too fast misses the path.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}A person's folly ruins his life

\par }{\Q and his heart rages against Yahweh.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Wealth adds many friends,

\par }{\Q but a poor person is separated from his friends.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}A false witness will not go unpunished

\par }{\Q and he who breathes out lies will not escape.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Many will ask for a favor from a generous person

\par }{\Q and everyone is a friend of the one who gives gifts.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}All the brothers of a poor man hate him;

\par }{\Q how much more do his friends who go far away from him!

\par }{\Q He calls out to them, but they are gone.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}He who gets wisdom loves his own life;

\par }{\Q he who keeps understanding will find what is good.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}A false witness will not go unpunished,

\par }{\Q but the one who breathes out lies will perish.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—

\par }{\Q much less for a slave to rule over princes.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Discretion makes a person slow to anger

\par }{\Q and it is his glory to overlook an offense.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The wrath of the king is like the roaring of a young lion,

\par }{\Q but his favor is like dew on the grass.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}A foolish son is ruin to his father

\par }{\Q and a quarreling wife is a constant dripping of water.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}A house and wealth are inherited from parents,

\par }{\Q but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Laziness throws a person into a deep sleep,

\par }{\Q but the one not willing to work will go hungry.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The one who obeys the command guards his life,

\par }{\Q but the person who does not think about his ways will die.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Whoever is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh

\par }{\Q and he will repay him for what he has done.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Discipline your son while there is hope

\par }{\Q and do not set your desire on putting him to death.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;

\par }{\Q if you rescue him, you will have to do it a second time.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Listen to advice and accept instruction,

\par }{\Q so you may become wise by the end of your life.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Many are the plans in a person's heart,

\par }{\Q but it is the purpose of Yahweh that will stand.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Loyalty is what a person desires

\par }{\Q and a poor person is better than a liar.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Honor for Yahweh leads people to life;

\par }{\Q anyone who has it will be satisfied

\par }{\Q and not afflicted by harm.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

\par }{\Q he will not even bring it back up to his mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Strike a mocker, and the naive person will become prudent;

\par }{\Q discipline one who is discerning, and he will gain knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}The one who robs his father and chases his mother away

\par }{\Q is a son who brings shame and reproach.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}If you cease to hear instruction, my son,

\par }{\Q you will stray from the words of knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}A corrupt witness mocks justice

\par }{\Q and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Condemnation is ready for mockers

\par }{\Q and flogging for the backs of fools.



\par }\PoetryChap{20}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler;

\par }{\Q whoever is led astray by drink is not wise.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}The fear of a king is like the fear of a young lion that is roaring;

\par }{\Q the one who makes him angry forfeits his life.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}It is an honor for anyone to avoid conflict,

\par }{\Q but every fool jumps into an argument.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The lazy person does not plow in autumn;

\par }{\Q he seeks a crop at harvest time but will have nothing.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}The purpose in a human heart is like deep water,

\par }{\Q but someone with understanding will draw it out.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Many a person proclaims he is loyal,

\par }{\Q but who can find one who is faithful?


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The righteous person walks in his integrity,

\par }{\Q and his sons who follow after him will be blessed.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}A king who sits on the throne performing the duties of a judge

\par }{\Q is winnowing with his eyes all the evil that is before him.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

\par }{\Q I am clean from my sin”?


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Differing weights and unequal measures—

\par }{\Q Yahweh hates them both.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Even a youth is known by his actions,

\par }{\Q by whether his conduct is pure and upright.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Ears that hear and eyes that see—

\par }{\Q Yahweh made them both.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty;

\par }{\Q open your eyes and you will have plenty to eat.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}“Bad! Bad!” says the buyer,

\par }{\Q but when he goes away he boasts.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}There is gold and an abundance of costly stones,

\par }{\Q but lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Take a garment of one who has put up security for a stranger,

\par }{\Q and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an immoral woman.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet,

\par }{\Q but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Plans are established by advice

\par }{\Q and only with wise guidance should you wage war.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}A gossip reveals secrets

\par }{\Q and so you should not associate with people who talk too much.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}If a person curses his father or his mother,

\par }{\Q his lamp will be snuffed out in the middle of darkness.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}An inheritance gained quickly at the beginning

\par }{\Q will do less good in the end.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Do not say, “I will pay you back for this wrong!”

\par }{\Q Wait for Yahweh and he will rescue you.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Yahweh hates unequal weights

\par }{\Q and dishonest scales are not good.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}A person's steps are directed by Yahweh;

\par }{\Q how then can he understand his way?


\par }{\Q \VS{25}It is a snare for a person to say rashly, “This thing is holy,”

\par }{\Q and begin to think about what it means only after making his vow.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}A wise king winnows the wicked

\par }{\Q and he turns a threshing wheel over them.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The spirit of a person is the lamp of Yahweh,

\par }{\Q searching all his inmost parts.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness preserve the king;

\par }{\Q his throne is made secure by love.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}The glory of young men is their strength

\par }{\Q and the splendor of old people is their gray hair.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}Blows that make a wound cleanse away evil

\par }{\Q and beatings make the innermost parts clean.



\par }\PoetryChap{21}{\Q \VerseOne{1}The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh;

\par }{\Q he turns it wherever he pleases.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Every person's way is right in his own eyes,

\par }{\Q but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}To do what is right and just

\par }{\Q is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

\par }{\Q the lamp of the wicked—are sin.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity,

\par }{\Q but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Acquiring riches by a lying tongue

\par }{\Q is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The violence of the wicked will drag them away,

\par }{\Q for they refuse to do what is just.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}The way of a guilty person is crooked,

\par }{\Q but the one who is pure does what is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}It is better to live on a corner of the roof

\par }{\Q than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The appetite of the wicked craves evil;

\par }{\Q his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise,

\par }{\Q and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person;

\par }{\Q he brings wicked people to disaster.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,

\par }{\Q he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}A gift in secret appeases anger

\par }{\Q and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person,

\par }{\Q but it brings terror to evildoers.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The one who wanders from the way of understanding,

\par }{\Q he will rest in the assembly of the dead.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;

\par }{\Q the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person,

\par }{\Q and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}It is better to live in the desert

\par }{\Q than with a quarreling and angry wife.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise,

\par }{\Q but a foolish person swallows it all up.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}The one who does right and is kind—

\par }{\Q this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones,

\par }{\Q and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Whoever guards his mouth and tongue

\par }{\Q keeps himself out of trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name—

\par }{\Q acts with arrogant pride.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}The desire of the lazy kills him,

\par }{\Q for his hands refuse to work.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}All day long he craves and craves more,

\par }{\Q but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable;

\par }{\Q it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}A false witness will perish,

\par }{\Q but the one who listens will speak for all time.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}A wicked man makes his face hard,

\par }{\Q but an upright person is certain about his ways.
\FTNT{*}{{\FR 21:29 }{\FT{Some modern versions have
}}{\FQA{but an upright person thinks about his way
 .
}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{30}There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice

\par }{\Q that can stand against Yahweh.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

\par }{\Q but the victory belongs to Yahweh.



\par }\PoetryChap{22}{\Q \VerseOne{1}A good name is to be chosen over great riches

\par }{\Q and favor is better than silver and gold.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Rich and poor people have this in common—

\par }{\Q Yahweh is the maker of all of them.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself,

\par }{\Q but the naive go on and suffer because of it.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The reward for humility and fear of Yahweh

\par }{\Q is riches, honor, and life.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse;

\par }{\Q whoever guards his life will keep far from them.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Teach a child the way he should go

\par }{\Q and when he is old he will not turn away from that instruction.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Rich people rule over poor people

\par }{\Q and one who borrows is a slave to the one who lends.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}He who sows injustice will reap trouble

\par }{\Q and the rod of his fury will fade away.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}The one who has a generous eye will be blessed,

\par }{\Q for he shares his bread with the poor.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Drive away the mocker, and out goes strife;

\par }{\Q disputes and insults will cease.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The one who loves a pure heart

\par }{\Q and whose speech is gracious,

\par }{\Q he will have the king for his friend.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}The eyes of Yahweh keep watch over knowledge,

\par }{\Q but he overthrows the words of the treacherous.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the street!

\par }{\Q I will be killed in the open places.”


\par }{\Q \VS{14}The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;

\par }{\Q Yahweh's anger is stirred up against anyone who falls into it.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child,

\par }{\Q but the rod of discipline drives it far away.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The one who oppresses poor people to increase his wealth,

\par }{\Q or gives to rich people, will come to poverty.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise

\par }{\Q and apply your heart to my knowledge,


\par }{\Q \VS{18}for it will be pleasant for you if you keep them within you,

\par }{\Q if all of them are ready on your lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}So your trust may be in Yahweh,

\par }{\Q I teach them to you today—even to you.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Have I not written for you thirty sayings

\par }{\Q of instruction and knowledge,


\par }{\Q \VS{21}to teach you truth in these trustworthy words,

\par }{\Q so you may give trustworthy answers to those who sent you?


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Do not rob the poor because he is poor,

\par }{\Q or crush the needy at the gate,


\par }{\Q \VS{23}for Yahweh will plead their case,

\par }{\Q and he will rob of life those who robbed them.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Do not make a friend of someone who is ruled by anger

\par }{\Q and you must not go with one who rages,


\par }{\Q \VS{25}or you will learn his ways

\par }{\Q and you will take bait for your soul.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Do not be one who strikes hands in making a pledge,

\par }{\Q or who puts up security for debts.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}If you lack the means to pay,

\par }{\Q what could stop someone from taking away your bed from under you?


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Do not remove the ancient boundary stone

\par }{\Q that your fathers have set.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Do you see a man skilled at his work? He will stand before kings;

\par }{\Q he will not stand before common people.



\par }\PoetryChap{23}{\Q \VerseOne{1}When you sit to eat with a ruler,

\par }{\Q observe carefully what is before you,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}and put a knife to your throat

\par }{\Q if you are a person who likes to eat a lot of food.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Do not crave his delicacies,

\par }{\Q for it is the food of lies.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Do not work too hard to gain wealth;

\par }{\Q be wise enough to know when to stop.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Will you let your eyes light upon it?

\par }{\Q It will be gone,

\par }{\Q for it will surely take up wings like an eagle

\par }{\Q and fly off to the sky.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Do not eat the food of one with an evil eye—

\par }{\Q and do not crave his delicacies,


\par }{\Q \VS{7}for he is the kind of man who counts the price of the food.

\par }{\Q “Eat and drink!” he says to you,

\par }{\Q but his heart is not with you.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}You will vomit up the little you have eaten

\par }{\Q and you will have wasted your compliments.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

\par }{\Q for he will despise the wisdom of your words.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Do not move an ancient boundary stone

\par }{\Q or encroach on the fields of orphans,


\par }{\Q \VS{11}for their Redeemer is strong

\par }{\Q and he will plead their case against you.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Apply your heart to instruction

\par }{\Q and your ears to words of knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Do not withhold instruction from a child,

\par }{\Q for if you discipline him, he will not die.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}It is you who must beat him with the rod

\par }{\Q and save his soul from Sheol.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}My son, if your heart is wise,

\par }{\Q then my heart also will be glad;


\par }{\Q \VS{16}my inmost being will rejoice

\par }{\Q when your lips speak what is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Do not let your heart envy sinners,

\par }{\Q but continue in the fear of Yahweh all the day.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Surely there is a future

\par }{\Q and your hope will not be cut off.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Hear—you!—my son, and be wise

\par }{\Q and direct your heart in the way.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Do not associate with drunkards,

\par }{\Q or with gluttonous eaters of meat,


\par }{\Q \VS{21}for the drunkard and the glutton become poor

\par }{\Q and slumber will clothe them with rags.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Listen to your father who begot you

\par }{\Q and do not despise your mother when she is old.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Buy the truth, but do not sell it;

\par }{\Q buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}The father of the righteous person will greatly rejoice,

\par }{\Q and he who begets a wise child will be glad in him.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Let your father and your mother be glad

\par }{\Q and let her who bore you rejoice.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}My son, give me your heart

\par }{\Q and let your eyes observe my ways.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}For a prostitute is a deep pit,

\par }{\Q and an immoral woman is a narrow well.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}She lies in wait like a robber

\par }{\Q and she increases the number of the treacherous among humanity.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has fights?

\par }{\Q Who has complaining? Who has wounds for no reason?

\par }{\Q Who has bloodshot eyes?


\par }{\Q \VS{30}Those who linger over wine,

\par }{\Q those who try the mixed wine.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Do not look at the wine when it is red,

\par }{\Q when it sparkles in the cup

\par }{\Q and goes down smoothly.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}In the last it bites like a serpent

\par }{\Q and it stings like an adder.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}Your eyes will see strange things

\par }{\Q and your heart will utter perverse things.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}You will be as one who sleeps on the high seas

\par }{\Q or lies on the top of a mast.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}“They hit me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt.

\par }{\Q They beat me, but I did not feel it.

\par }{\Q When will I wake up? I will seek another drink.”



\par }\PoetryChap{24}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Do not be envious of those who are evil,

\par }{\Q nor desire to associate with them,


\par }{\Q \VS{2}because their hearts plot violence

\par }{\Q and their lips talk about trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Through wisdom a house is built

\par }{\Q and by understanding it is established.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}By knowledge the rooms are filled

\par }{\Q with all precious and pleasant riches.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}A warrior of wisdom is strong,

\par }{\Q and a man of knowledge increases his strength;


\par }{\Q \VS{6}for by wise direction you can wage your war

\par }{\Q and with many advisors there is victory.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Wisdom is too high for a fool;

\par }{\Q in the gate he does not open his mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}There is one who plans to do evil—

\par }{\Q people call him a master of schemes.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}A foolish plan is sin

\par }{\Q and men despise a mocker.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}If you become weak with fear in the day of trouble,

\par }{\Q then your strength is small.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Rescue those who are being taken away to death

\par }{\Q and hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}If you say, “Behold, we knew nothing about this,”

\par }{\Q does not the one who weighs the heart understand what you are saying?

\par }{\Q The one who guards your life, does he not know it?

\par }{\Q Will God not give to each one what he deserves?


\par }{\Q \VS{13}My son, eat honey because it is good,

\par }{\Q because the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Such is wisdom for your soul—

\par }{\Q if you find it, there will be a future

\par }{\Q and your hope will not be cut off.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Do not lie in wait like the wicked person

\par }{\Q who attacks the house of the righteous person.

\par }{\Q Do not destroy his home!


\par }{\Q \VS{16}For the righteous person falls down seven times and rises again,

\par }{\Q but wicked people are brought down by calamity.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Do not celebrate when your enemy falls

\par }{\Q and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,


\par }{\Q \VS{18}or Yahweh will see and disapprove

\par }{\Q and turn away his wrath from him.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Do not worry because of evildoers,

\par }{\Q and do not envy wicked people,


\par }{\Q \VS{20}for the evil person has no future

\par }{\Q and the lamp of wicked people will go out.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Fear Yahweh, and fear the king, my son;

\par }{\Q do not associate with those who rebel against them,


\par }{\Q \VS{22}for suddenly their disaster will come

\par }{\Q and who knows the extent of the destruction that will come from both of them?


\par }{\PP \VS{23}These also are sayings of the wise.

\par }{\Q Partiality in judging a case at law is not good.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Whoever says to the wicked person, “You are a righteous person,”

\par }{\Q will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}But those who discipline the wicked will have delight

\par }{\Q and gifts of goodness will come to them.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}The one who gives an honest answer

\par }{\Q gives a kiss on the lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Prepare your outdoor work,

\par }{\Q and make everything ready for yourself in the field;

\par }{\Q after that, build your house.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Do not bear witness against your neighbor without cause

\par }{\Q and do not deceive with your lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Do not say, “I will do to him what he has done to me;

\par }{\Q I will pay him back for what he has done.”


\par }{\Q \VS{30}I went by the field of a lazy man,

\par }{\Q past the vineyard of the man having no sense.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Thorns had grown up everywhere,

\par }{\Q the ground was covered with nettles,

\par }{\Q and its stone wall was broken down.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}Then I saw and considered it;

\par }{\Q I looked and received instruction.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}A little sleep, a little slumber,

\par }{\Q a little folding of the hands to rest—


\par }{\Q \VS{34}and poverty comes marching upon you,

\par }{\Q and your needs like an armed soldier.



\par }\Chap{25}{\PP \VerseOne{1}These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

\par }{\Q but the glory of kings to search it out.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth,

\par }{\Q so the heart of kings is unsearchable.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Remove the dross from the silver

\par }{\Q and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king

\par }{\Q and his throne will be established by doing what is right.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Do not honor yourself in the king's presence

\par }{\Q and do not stand in the place designated for great people.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

\par }{\Q than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.

\par }{\Q What you have witnessed,


\par }{\Q \VS{8}do not bring quickly to trial.

\par }{\Q For what will you do in the end

\par }{\Q when your neighbor puts you to shame?


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself

\par }{\Q and do not disclose another's secret,


\par }{\Q \VS{10}or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you

\par }{\Q and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Apples of gold in settings of silver

\par }{\QB is a word spoken in the right situation.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold

\par }{\Q is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Like the cold of snow at harvest time

\par }{\Q is a faithful messenger for those who sent him;

\par }{\Q he brings back the life of his masters.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Clouds and wind without rain

\par }{\Q is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}With patience a ruler can be persuaded

\par }{\Q and a soft tongue can break a bone.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}If you find honey, eat just enough—

\par }{\Q otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often,

\par }{\Q he may become tired of you and hate you.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}A man who bears false witness against his neighbor

\par }{\Q is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble

\par }{\Q is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather,

\par }{\Q or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda,

\par }{\Q is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,

\par }{\Q and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,


\par }{\Q \VS{22}for you will shovel coals of fire on his head

\par }{\Q and Yahweh will reward you.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}As surely as the north wind brings rain,

\par }{\Q so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}It is better to live on a corner of the roof

\par }{\Q than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Like cold waters to one who is thirsty,

\par }{\Q so is good news from a far country.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain

\par }{\Q is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}It is not good to eat too much honey;

\par }{\Q that is like searching for honor after honor.
\FTNT{*}{{\FR 25:27 }{\FT{Modern versions have different interpretations of this difficult verse.
}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{28}A person without self-control

\par }{\Q is like a city breached and without walls.



\par }\PoetryChap{26}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

\par }{\Q so a fool does not deserve honor.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly,

\par }{\Q so an undeserved curse does not alight.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey

\par }{\Q and a rod is for the back of fools.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

\par }{\Q or you will become like him.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Answer a fool and join in on his folly,

\par }{\Q so he will not become wise in his own eyes.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool

\par }{\Q cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down

\par }{\Q is a proverb in the mouth of fools.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Like tying a stone in a sling

\par }{\Q is giving honor to a fool.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard

\par }{\Q is a proverb in the mouth of fools.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Like an archer who wounds all those around him

\par }{\Q is one who hires a fool or hires anyone who passes by.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}As a dog returns to his own vomit,

\par }{\Q so is a fool who repeats his folly.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Do you see someone who is wise in his own eyes?

\par }{\Q There is more hope for a fool than for him.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road!

\par }{\Q There is a lion between the open places!”


\par }{\Q \VS{14}As the door turns on its hinges,

\par }{\Q so is the lazy person upon his bed.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The lazy person puts his hand into the dish

\par }{\Q and yet he has no strength to lift it up to his mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes

\par }{\Q than seven men who respond with good judgment.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Like one who takes hold of the ears of a dog,

\par }{\Q is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,


\par }{\Q \VS{19}is the one who deceives his neighbor

\par }{\Q and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”


\par }{\Q \VS{20}For lack of wood, the fire goes out;

\par }{\Q and where there is no gossiper quarreling ceases.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire,

\par }{\Q so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels;

\par }{\Q they go down into the inner parts of the body.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel

\par }{\Q so are burning lips and an evil heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips

\par }{\Q and he lays up deceit within himself.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}He will speak graciously, but do not believe him,

\par }{\Q for there are seven abominations in his heart.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Though his hatred is covered with deception,

\par }{\Q his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Whoever digs a pit will fall into it

\par }{\Q and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}A lying tongue hates the people it crushes

\par }{\Q and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.



\par }\PoetryChap{27}{\Q \VerseOne{1}Do not boast about tomorrow,

\par }{\Q for you do not know what a day may bring.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Let someone else praise you and not your own mouth;

\par }{\Q a stranger and not your own lips.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Consider the heaviness of a stone and the weight of sand—

\par }{\Q the provocation of a fool is heavier than both.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}There is the cruelty of rage and the flood of anger,

\par }{\Q but who is able to stand before jealousy?


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Better is an open rebuke

\par }{\Q than hidden love.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Faithful are the wounds caused by a friend,

\par }{\Q but an enemy may kiss you profusely.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}A person who has eaten to the full rejects even a honeycomb,

\par }{\Q but to the hungry person, every bitter thing is sweet.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Like a bird that wanders from its nest

\par }{\Q is a man who strays from where he lives.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Perfume and incense make the heart rejoice,

\par }{\Q but the sweetness of a friend comes from his sincere counsel.
\FTNT{*}{{\FR 27:9 }{\FT{Modern versions have different interpretations of this difficult verse.
}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Do not forsake your friend and your friend's father,

\par }{\Q and do not go to your brother's house on the day of your calamity.

\par }{\Q Better is a neighbor who is nearby than a brother who is far away.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice;

\par }{\Q then I will give back an answer to the one who mocks me.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself,

\par }{\Q but the naive people go on and suffer because of it.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Take a garment of one who has put up security for a stranger,

\par }{\Q and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an immoral woman.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Whoever gives his neighbor a blessing with a loud voice early in the morning,

\par }{\Q that blessing will be considered to be a curse!


\par }{\Q \VS{15}A quarreling wife is like

\par }{\Q the constant dripping on a rainy day;


\par }{\Q \VS{16}restraining her is like restraining the wind,

\par }{\Q or trying to catch oil in your right hand.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Iron sharpens iron;

\par }{\Q in the same way, a man sharpens his friend.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,

\par }{\Q and the one who protects his master will be honored.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Just as water reflects a person's face,

\par }{\Q so a person's heart reflects the person.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Just as Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,

\par }{\Q so a man's eyes are never satisfied.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold;

\par }{\Q and a person is tested when he is praised.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Even if you crush a fool with the pestle—along with the grain—

\par }{\Q yet his foolishness will not leave him.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Be sure you know the condition of your flocks

\par }{\Q and be concerned about your herds,


\par }{\Q \VS{24}for wealth is not forever.

\par }{\Q Does a crown endure for all generations?


\par }{\Q \VS{25}You should know when the hay is gone and the new growth appears,

\par }{\Q and the time when the grass from the hills is gathered in.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Those lambs will provide your clothing

\par }{\Q and the goats will provide the price of the field.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}There will be goats' milk for your food—the food for your household—

\par }{\Q and nourishment for your servant girls.



\par }\PoetryChap{28}{\Q \VerseOne{1}The wicked people run away when no one chases them,

\par }{\Q but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers,

\par }{\Q but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}A poor person who oppresses other poor people

\par }{\Q is like a beating rain that leaves no food.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Those who forsake the law praise wicked people,

\par }{\Q but those who keep the law fight against them.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Evil men do not understand justice,

\par }{\Q but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity,

\par }{\Q than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding,

\par }{\Q but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest

\par }{\Q gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,

\par }{\Q even his prayer is detestable.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way

\par }{\Q will fall into his own pit,

\par }{\Q but the blameless will have a good inheritance.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The rich person may be wise in his own eyes,

\par }{\Q but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;

\par }{\Q but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The one who hides his sins will not prosper,

\par }{\Q but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}The one who always lives with reverence is blessed,

\par }{\Q but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

\par }{\Q is a wicked ruler over poor people.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,

\par }{\Q but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood,

\par }{\Q he will be a fugitive until death

\par }{\Q and no one will help him.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe,

\par }{\Q but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

\par }{\Q but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}A faithful man will have great blessings,

\par }{\Q but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}It is not good to show partiality,

\par }{\Q but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}A stingy man hurries after riches,

\par }{\Q but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Whoever disciplines someone,

\par }{\Q afterward will find more favor from him

\par }{\Q than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,”

\par }{\Q he is the companion of the one who destroys.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}A greedy man stirs up conflict,

\par }{\Q but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}One who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

\par }{\Q but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing,

\par }{\Q but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}When the wicked arise, people hide themselves;

\par }{\Q but when they perish, the righteous increase.



\par }\PoetryChap{29}{\Q \VerseOne{1}A person who has received many rebukes but who stiffens his neck

\par }{\Q will be broken in a moment beyond healing.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}When righteous people increase, the people rejoice,

\par }{\Q but when a wicked person is the ruler, the people sigh.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,

\par }{\Q but he who keeps company with prostitutes destroys his wealth.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}The king establishes the land by justice,

\par }{\Q but the one who demands bribes tears it down.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}A man who flatters his neighbor

\par }{\Q is spreading a net for his feet.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}In the sin of an evil person is a trap,

\par }{\Q but the righteous person sings and rejoices.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}The righteous person knows the rights of the poor;

\par }{\Q the wicked person does not understand such knowledge.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Mockers set a city on fire,

\par }{\Q but those who are wise turn away wrath.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}When a wise person has an argument with a fool,

\par }{\Q he rages and laughs, and there will be no rest.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}The bloodthirsty hate the one who is blameless

\par }{\Q and seek the life of the upright.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}A fool reveals all his anger,

\par }{\Q but a wise man holds it back and calms himself down.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}If a ruler pays attention to lies,

\par }{\Q all his officials will be wicked.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}The poor person and the oppressor are similar,

\par }{\Q for Yahweh gives light to the eyes of them both.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}If a king judges the poor by the truth,

\par }{\Q his throne will be established forever.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The rod and reproof give wisdom,

\par }{\Q but a child freed from discipline puts his mother to shame.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}When wicked people are in power, transgression increases,

\par }{\Q but righteous people will see the downfall of those wicked people.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}Discipline your son and he will give you rest;

\par }{\Q he will bring delights into your life.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Where there is no prophetic vision the people run wild,

\par }{\Q but the one who keeps the law is blessed.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}A slave will not be corrected by words,

\par }{\Q for though he understands, there will be no response.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}See a man who is hasty in his words?

\par }{\Q There is more hope for a fool than for him.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}One who pampers his slave from youth,

\par }{\Q at the end of it there will be trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}An angry person stirs up strife

\par }{\Q and a master of rage commits many sins.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}A person's pride brings him low,

\par }{\Q but one who has a humble spirit will be given honor.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}One who shares with a thief hates his own life;

\par }{\Q he hears the curse and says nothing.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}The fear of man makes a snare,

\par }{\Q but the one who trusts in Yahweh will be protected.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Many are those who seek the face of the ruler,

\par }{\Q but from Yahweh is justice for a person.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}An unjust man is an abomination to righteous people,

\par }{\Q but the one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked person.



\par }\Chap{30}{\PP \VerseOne{1}The words of Agur son of Jakeh—the utterance:

\par }{\Q This man declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
\FTNT{*}{{\FR 30:1 }{\FT{Some versions have
}}{\FQA{This man declared, “I am weary, O God, I am weary. I am unable to do anything.”

}}}


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Surely I am more like an animal than any human

\par }{\Q and I do not have the understanding of a human being.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}I have not learned wisdom,

\par }{\Q nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Who has gone up to heaven and come down?

\par }{\Q Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?

\par }{\Q Who has gathered up the waters in a cloak?

\par }{\Q Who has established all the ends of the earth?

\par }{\Q What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Every word of God is tested;

\par }{\Q he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Do not add to his words,

\par }{\Q or he will discipline you,

\par }{\Q and you will be proved to be a liar.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Two things I ask of you,

\par }{\Q do not withhold them from me before I die:


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Put vanity and lies far away from me.

\par }{\Q Give me neither poverty nor riches,

\par }{\Q just give me the food I need.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}For if I have too much, I might deny you and say, “Who is Yahweh?”

\par }{\Q Or if I become poor,

\par }{\Q I might steal and profane the name of my God.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Do not slander a slave before his master,

\par }{\Q or he will curse you and you will be held guilty.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}There is a generation that curses their father

\par }{\Q and does not bless their mother.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes,

\par }{\Q and yet they are not washed of their filth.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}There is a generation whose eyes are raised up,

\par }{\Q and how high are their eyelids lifted up!


\par }{\Q \VS{14}There is a generation whose teeth are swords,

\par }{\Q and their jawbones are like knives,

\par }{\Q so they may devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}The leech has two daughters: “Give and give” they cry.

\par }{\Q There are three things that are never satisfied,

\par }{\Q four that never say, “Enough”:


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Sheol; the barren womb;

\par }{\Q land that is never satisfied with water;

\par }{\Q and the fire that never says, “Enough!”


\par }{\Q \VS{17}The eye that mocks a father

\par }{\Q and scorns obedience to a mother,

\par }{\Q his eyes will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley,

\par }{\Q and he will be eaten by the vultures.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}There are three things that are too wonderful for me,

\par }{\Q four that I do not understand:


\par }{\Q \VS{19}the way of an eagle in the sky;

\par }{\Q the way of a snake on a rock;

\par }{\Q the way of a ship in the heart of the sea;

\par }{\Q and the way of a man with a young woman.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}This is the way of an adulteress:

\par }{\Q she eats and she wipes her mouth

\par }{\Q and says, “I have done nothing wrong.”


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Under three things the earth trembles,

\par }{\Q and under four it cannot bear up:


\par }{\Q \VS{22}a slave when he becomes king;

\par }{\Q a fool when he is filled with food;


\par }{\Q \VS{23}a hated woman when she marries;

\par }{\Q and a maid when she takes the place of her mistress.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Four things on earth are small

\par }{\Q and yet they are very wise:


\par }{\Q \VS{25}the ants are creatures that are not strong,

\par }{\Q but they prepare their food in the summer;


\par }{\Q \VS{26}the rock badgers are not mighty creatures,

\par }{\Q but they make their homes in the rocks.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Locusts have no king,

\par }{\Q but all of them march in rank.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}As for the lizard, you can hold it in your two hands,

\par }{\Q yet they are found in kings' palaces.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}There are three things that are stately in their stride

\par }{\Q and four that are stately in how they walk:


\par }{\Q \VS{30}a lion, strongest among wild animals—

\par }{\Q it does not turn away from anything;


\par }{\Q \VS{31}a strutting rooster; a goat;

\par }{\Q and a king whose soldiers are beside him.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,

\par }{\Q or if you have been devising evil—

\par }{\Q put your hand over your mouth.


\par }{\Q \VS{33}As churning milk makes butter

\par }{\Q and as one's nose will produce blood if it is twisted,

\par }{\Q so deeds done in anger produce conflict.



\par }\Chap{31}{\PP \VerseOne{1}The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}What, my son? What is it, son of my womb?

\par }{\Q What do you want, son of my vows?


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Do not give your strength to women,

\par }{\Q or your ways to those who destroy kings.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine,

\par }{\Q or for rulers to crave strong drink,


\par }{\Q \VS{5}because when they drink they forget what has been decreed,

\par }{\Q and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Give strong drink to a person who is perishing

\par }{\Q and wine to those in bitter distress.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}He will drink and he will forget his poverty

\par }{\Q and he will not remember his trouble.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Speak for those who cannot speak,

\par }{\Q for the causes of all who are perishing.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right

\par }{\Q and plead the cause of poor and needy people.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Who can find a capable wife?

\par }{\Q Her value is far more than jewels.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}The heart of her husband trusts in her,

\par }{\Q and he will never be poor.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}She does good things for him and not evil

\par }{\Q all the days of her life.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}She selects wool and flax,

\par }{\Q and works with the delight of her hands.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}She is like the merchant ships;

\par }{\Q she brings her food from far away.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}She rises while it is night

\par }{\Q and gives food to her household,

\par }{\Q and she distributes the work for her female servants.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}She considers a field and buys it,

\par }{\Q with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}She dresses herself with strength

\par }{\Q and makes her arms strong.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}She perceives what will make a good profit for her;

\par }{\Q all night long her lamp is not extinguished.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}She puts her hands on the spindle,

\par }{\Q and she holds the twisting thread.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}She reaches out with her hand to poor people;

\par }{\Q she reaches out with her hands to needy people.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

\par }{\Q for all her household are clothed in scarlet.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}She makes coverings for her bed,

\par }{\Q and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Her husband is known at the gates,

\par }{\Q when he sits with the elders of the land.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}She makes linen garments and sells them,

\par }{\Q and she supplies sashes to the merchants.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}She is clothed with strength and honor,

\par }{\Q and she laughs at the time to come.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}She opens her mouth with wisdom

\par }{\Q and the law of kindness is on her tongue.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}She watches over the ways of her household

\par }{\Q and does not eat the bread of idleness.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Her children rise up and call her blessed,

\par }{\Q and her husband praises her, saying,


\par }{\Q \VS{29}“Many women have done well,

\par }{\Q but you surpassed them all.”


\par }{\Q \VS{30}Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain,

\par }{\Q but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.


\par }{\Q \VS{31}Give her the fruit of her hands

\par }{\Q and let her works praise her in the gates.


\par }