Proverbs 10-22

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Proverbs 10-22

10¹The proverbs of Solomon.

Introduction to Wisdom and Righteousness

A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

²Treasures gained by wickedness produce no profit,

but righteousness saves from death.

³The Lord will not allow the righteous to starve,

but he frustrates the greed of the wicked.

⁴Lazy hands produce poverty,

but hardworking hands bring riches.

⁵Whoever gathers crops in summer is a sensible^[] son.

Whoever sleeps at harvest time is a disgraceful son.

Wise Words and Wise Ways

⁶Blessings crown the head of a righteous person,

but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.^[]

⁷To remember a righteous person is a blessing,

but the name of the wicked will rot.

⁸A wise heart accepts commands,

but a babbling fool will be ruined.

⁹Whoever walks with integrity walks safely,

but whoever follows crooked ways will be found out.

¹⁰Whoever winks at evil causes trouble,

and a babbling fool will be ruined.

¹¹The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked^[] conceals violence.

¹²Hatred stirs up a quarrel,

but love covers over all sins.

¹³Wisdom is found on the lips of a discerning person,

but a rod is appropriate for the back of one who lacks sense.

¹⁴Wise people store up knowledge,

but the mouth of a stubborn fool brings ruin.

¹⁵A rich person's wealth is his strong city.

Poverty is the ruin of poor people.

¹⁶The work of a righteous person leads to life.

The income of a wicked person leads to sin.

¹⁷Whoever practices discipline is on the path to life,

but whoever rejects a warning goes astray.

¹⁸Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips,

and whoever spreads gossip is a fool.

¹⁹When there are many words, sin never stops,^[]

but a person who restrains his lips acts wisely.

²⁰The tongue of a righteous person is fine silver.

The heart of a wicked person has little value.

²¹The lips of a righteous person shepherd many,

but stubborn fools die for lack of sense.

²²The blessing of the Lord makes a person wealthy,

and he adds no sorrow to it.^[]

²³Carrying out a wicked scheme is a game for the fool,

but wisdom gives pleasure to a person with understanding.

Contrasts Between the Righteous and the Wicked

²⁴What the wicked person dreads will come upon him,

but the Lord will grant what the righteous desire.

²⁵When the storm has passed, the wicked person is no more,

but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation.

²⁶Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes,

so is a lazy person to those who send him.

²⁷The fear of the Lord will add days to a person's life,

but the years of wicked people will be cut short.

²⁸The confident hope of the righteous is joy,

but the ambitions of the wicked will perish.

²⁹The way of the Lord is a fortress for a person who has integrity,

but it brings destruction for evildoers.

³⁰A righteous person will never be toppled,^[]

but wicked people will not dwell on earth.

³¹The mouth of a righteous person produces the fruit of wisdom,

but a perverse tongue will be cut off.

³²The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,^[]

but the mouth of the wicked produces depraved words.

Righteous Behavior

11¹Dishonest scales are disgusting^[] to the Lord,

but an accurate weight wins his approval.

²When arrogance comes, shame follows,

but with humility comes wisdom.

³The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the dishonesty of the treacherous destroys them.

⁴Riches are of no help on the day of fury,

but righteousness saves from death.

⁵The righteousness of honest people makes their way smooth,

but because of his wickedness a wicked person falls.

⁶The righteousness of upright people rescues them,

but treacherous people are trapped by their own desire.

⁷At the death of a wicked man, his hope will perish,

and his confidence in his strength^[] perishes.

⁸A righteous person is rescued from trouble,

and a wicked person takes his place.

⁹With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor,

but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.

¹⁰When the righteous prosper, a city rejoices,

and when the wicked perish, there is a shout of joy.

¹¹Through the blessing of upright citizens, a city is raised up,

but by the mouth of the wicked, it is torn down.

¹²A person who lacks sense despises his neighbor,

but an understanding person keeps silent.

¹³A gossip goes around betraying secrets,

but a trustworthy spirit keeps a matter confidential.

¹⁴Without guidance people fall,

but in many advisors there is safety.

¹⁵Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger leads to trouble,

but one who hates to shake hands^[] remains secure.

¹⁶A gracious woman takes hold of honor,

but ruthless men take hold of riches.^[]

¹⁷A merciful man benefits his own soul,

but a cruel man brings trouble on his own flesh.

¹⁸A wicked person earns deceptive wages,

but one who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.

¹⁹Just as righteousness leads to life,

pursuing evil leads to death.

²⁰Perverted hearts are disgusting to the Lord,

but his favor rests on those whose way possesses integrity.

²¹Be sure of this: An evil person will not go unpunished,

but the children of the righteous will escape.

²²The beauty of a woman who lacks moral judgment

is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.

²³The desire of the righteous leads only to good.

The hope of the wicked leads to fury.

²⁴One person scatters his wealth, but it still increases.

Another hoards it unjustly, but this leads only to poverty.

²⁵A person who spreads blessings will be enriched.

One who gives a refreshing drink will be refreshed.

²⁶People curse the person who hoards grain,

but a blessing rests on the head of one who sells it.

²⁷Whoever searches for good seeks favor,

but whoever pursues evil will find it.

²⁸Whoever trusts his wealth will fall,

but righteous people will flourish like green plants,

and a stubborn fool will be a slave to a person with a wise heart.

²⁹Whoever troubles his household will inherit the wind,

and a stubborn fool will be a slave to person with a wise heart.

³⁰The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life,

and one who harvests souls is wise.

³¹If a righteous person is paid back on earth,

how much more a wicked person or a sinner!

More Examples of Righteous Behavior

12¹A person who loves discipline loves knowledge,

but one who hates correction is stupid.

²A good person will obtain favor from the Lord,

but he will condemn a schemer.

³A person cannot be made secure by wickedness,

but the roots of the righteous will never be uprooted.

⁴A wife with strong character is a crown to her husband,

but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones.

⁵The plans of the righteous are just,

but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

but the mouths of the upright will save them.

⁷Wicked people are overthrown, and they are no more,

but the house of the righteous continues to stand.

⁸A person is praised for the good sense that he speaks,

but a person with a twisted heart will be despised.

⁹Better to be underestimated and have a servant

than to pretend to be wealthy and lack bread.

¹⁰A righteous person understands the needs of his livestock,

but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

¹¹A person who works his land will have enough food,

but whoever pursues fantasies lacks sense.

¹²A wicked man covets the fortress^[] of evil people,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

¹³The rebellion on his lips is a trap for an evil person,

but a righteous person gets out of trouble.

¹⁴From the fruit of his lips a person is filled with good,

and the labor of a person's hands returns to him.

¹⁵The way of a stubborn fool seems correct to him,

but whoever listens to advice is wise.

¹⁶A stubborn fool immediately lets his annoyance be known,

but a sensible person overlooks an insult.

¹⁷Whoever breathes the truth proclaims righteousness,

but a lying witness is deceitful.

¹⁸Some people wield reckless words like the thrusts of a sword,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹Truthful lips are established forever,

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²⁰Deceit lies in the heart of those who plot evil,

but for those who promote peace there will be joy.

²¹No disaster will strike a righteous person,

but wicked people are filled with trouble.

²²Lying lips are disgusting to the Lord,

but those who act truthfully gain his favor.

²³A man who is shrewd conceals his knowledge,

but the hearts of fools broadcast stupidity.

²⁴Hardworking hands will rule,

but laziness results in forced labor.^[]

²⁵Anxiety in a person's heart weighs him down,

but a good word brings him joy.

²⁶A righteous person guides his neighbor,^[]

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷A lazy person does not roast his game,

but a diligent person uses his wealth wisely.

²⁸In the path of righteousness there is life,

and there is no death in following this path.^[]

Wise Ways to Live

13¹A wise son accepts his father's discipline,

but a scornful son does not listen to a reprimand.

²From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well,

but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

³Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life.

Whoever opens his lips carelessly ruins himself.

⁴The appetite of a lazy person craves things, but he gets nothing.

The appetite of hardworking people is fully satisfied.

⁵A righteous person hates everything false,

but a wicked person causes disgrace and shame.

⁶Righteousness guards a person who has integrity,

but wickedness perverts a sinner.

⁷One person pretends to be rich but has nothing.

Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.

⁸A man's riches may ransom his life,

but a poor man does not hear a threat.

⁹The light of the righteous brings joy,

but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

¹⁰Insolence produces only strife,

but wisdom resides with those who take advice.

¹¹Wealth gained out of thin air^[] shrinks,

but wealth accumulated by steady work grows.

¹²Hope delayed makes a heart sick,

but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

¹³The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price,

but the person who respects a command will be rewarded.

¹⁴The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life.

It can turn someone away from the snares of death.

¹⁵Good sense yields grace,

but the way of the treacherous is unchanging.^[]

¹⁶Every sensible person acts with knowledge,

but a fool displays stupidity.

¹⁷A wicked^[] messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

¹⁸A person who ignores discipline ends up with poverty and shame,

but one who conforms to correction will be honored.

¹⁹A desire that is fulfilled tastes sweet to the soul,

but to fools it is disgusting^[] to turn from evil.

²⁰Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but a companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹Trouble pursues sinners,

but goodness repays the righteous.

²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,

but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

²³The farmland of the poor may produce much food,

but it may be swept away by injustice.

²⁴A person who withholds his rod hates his son,

but one who loves him administers discipline promptly.

²⁵A righteous person eats until his appetite is satisfied,

but the stomach of the wicked is always empty.

More Wise Ways to Live

14¹A wise woman builds her house,

but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

²Whoever walks in the right way fears the Lord,

but a person who is devious in his ways despises him.

³In the mouth of a stubborn fool there is a proud rod,^[]

but the lips of the wise protect them.

⁴Without cattle the manger is empty,

but a great harvest is gained by the strength of an ox.

⁵A faithful witness does not lie,

but a false witness breathes lies.

⁶A scoffer seeks wisdom yet finds none,

but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

⁷Keep away from a foolish person,

since you will not learn anything from his lips.

⁸The wisdom of a sensible^[] person is that he understands his way,

but the stupidity of fools is deceptive.^[]

⁹Fools scoff at the idea of guilt,^[]

but favor is found among the upright.

¹⁰A heart knows its own bitterness,

and no stranger can share its joy.

¹¹The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will thrive.

¹²There is a way that seems right to a man,

but in the end it is the road to death.

¹³Even in laughter a heart can ache,

and the end of joy may be grief.

¹⁴A backslider^[] will be satisfied with his ways,^[]

and a good man will be satisfied with his.

¹⁵A gullible person trusts anything,

but a sensible person considers his steps.

¹⁶A wise person fears and turns from evil,

but a fool is rash and overconfident.

¹⁷A short-tempered person acts foolishly,

and a schemer is hated.

¹⁸Gullible people inherit stupidity,

but sensible people embrace knowledge.

¹⁹Evil people will bow down to good people,

and wicked people will bow at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰A poor person is hated even by his neighbor,

but those who love a rich person are many.

²¹A person who despises his neighbor is sinning,

but one who is kind to the oppressed is blessed.

²²Don't those who plan evil go astray?

But those who plan to do good find mercy and truth.

²³In all hard work there is gain,

but empty talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴Their wealth is a crown for the wise,

but the stupidity of fools is just stupidity.

²⁵A truthful witness saves lives,

but a liar breathes deceit.

²⁶In the fear of the Lord a person gains strong confidence,

and his children will have a refuge.

²⁷The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.

It turns a person away from the snares of death.

²⁸A large population brings glory to a king.

Without people a ruler is ruined.

²⁹A patient person has great understanding,

but an impatient person exalts foolishness.

³⁰A contented heart^[] gives life to the flesh,

but envy rots the bones.

³¹A person who oppresses the poor insults his Maker,

but one who is gracious to the needy honors him.

³²A wicked person is brought down by his own evil,

but a righteous person finds refuge even at his death.

³³Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning.

It can be recognized even among fools.

³⁴Righteousness lifts up a nation,

but sin brings shame to a people.

³⁵A king favors a servant who acts wisely,

but he is furious with one who acts shamefully.

More Wise Ways to Live

15¹A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

²The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge,

but the mouths of fools spout stupidity.

³The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,

watching evil people as well as the good.

⁴A healing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue shatters the spirit.

⁵A stubborn fool despises his father's discipline,

but whoever heeds correction is sensible.

⁶The house of the righteous contains great wealth,

but the income of the wicked brings trouble.

⁷The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

but the heart of fools—not so.

⁸A sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination^[] to the Lord,

but a prayer of the upright gains his favor.

⁹The way of a wicked person is repulsive^[] to the Lord,

but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

¹⁰Harsh discipline waits for anyone who leaves the path,

and a person who hates correction will die.

¹¹Death and Destruction^[] lie open before the Lord—

how much more human hearts!

¹²A scoffer does not love anyone who corrects him.

He will not go to wise people.

¹³A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,

but a sorrowful heart crushes the spirit.

¹⁴The heart of a discerning person seeks knowledge,

but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.

¹⁵All the days of an oppressed person are evil,

but a cheerful heart enjoys a continuous celebration.^[]

¹⁶Better a little with the fear of the Lord

than great wealth with turmoil.

¹⁷Better a meal of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened calf with hatred.

¹⁸A hothead stirs up a fight,

but a patient person calms a dispute.

¹⁹The way of a lazy person is like a thorny hedge,

but the path of upright people is a highway.

Advice for a Wise Son

²⁰A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish person despises his mother.

²¹Stupidity delights a person who lacks sense,

but one who has understanding stays on course.

²²Plans fail without advice,

but where there are many advisors the plans succeed.

²³Giving an apt response with his own mouth makes a person happy,

and a word at the right time—oh how good!

²⁴The path of life leads upward for a person with insight,

so that he may turn away from hell^[] below.

²⁵The Lord tears down the house of the arrogant,

but he maintains the property line of a widow.

²⁶The plans of the wicked are disgusting^[] to the Lord,

but pleasant words are pure to him.

²⁷Someone who is greedy for gain brings trouble to his own household,

but a person who hates bribes will live.

²⁸The heart of a righteous person ponders his answer,

but the mouth of a wicked person gushes evil.

²⁹The Lord is far away from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰A twinkle in the eyes delights the heart,

and good news gives health to the bones.

³¹An ear that listens to a life-giving warning

will find a home among the wise.

³²A person who ignores discipline despises himself,

but a person who listens to a warning acquires good sense.

³³The fear of the Lord gives discipline and wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

More Advice for a Wise Son

16¹A person may have thought things through in his heart,

but an apt answer from his tongue comes from the Lord.

²All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes,

but the Lord weighs motives.

³Commit what you do to the Lord,

and your plans will be established.

⁴The Lord has made everything for his^[] own purpose,

even a wicked person for a day of trouble.

⁵Anyone with an arrogant attitude is disgusting to the Lord.

Be sure of this: That person will not go unpunished.

⁶Through mercy and truth, guilt is atoned for,

and through the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.

⁷When the Lord is pleased with a man's ways,

he causes even his enemies to live at peace with him.

Wisdom for a King and His Subjects

⁸Better a little with righteousness

than a large income without justice.

⁹A person's heart plans his way,

but the Lord makes his steps secure.

¹⁰The king's lips speak for God,

so his mouth should not betray justice.

¹¹An accurate balance and scales belong to the Lord.

He has made all the weights in the bag.

¹²It is disgusting for kings to commit wickedness,

because a throne is established by righteousness.

¹³Kings approve of righteous lips.

They love a person who speaks upright things.

¹⁴The king's anger is a messenger of death,

but a wise person can appease it.

¹⁵There is life in the light from a king's face,

and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

¹⁶How much better to acquire wisdom rather than gold,

and to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

¹⁷The highway followed by upright people turns away from evil.

The person who guards his way preserves his life.

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit precedes a fall.

¹⁹Better to share a humble spirit with the oppressed

than to share stolen goods with the haughty.

²⁰Whoever gives careful consideration to a matter^[] will succeed,

and the person who trusts the Lord will be blessed.

²¹A wise heart will be called discerning,

and appealing speech increases learning.

²²Good sense is a fountain of life for the person who possesses it,

but the instruction given by stubborn fools is stupidity.

²³A wise heart produces edifying speech.

It makes a person's lips more persuasive.

²⁴Pleasant speech is honey from a honeycomb,

sweet to the spirit and healing for the bones.

Advice for a Wise Son

²⁵There is a way that seems right to a man,

but it ends up being the road to death.

²⁶A laborer's appetite labors for him,

because the hunger of his mouth drives him on.

²⁷A worthless scoundrel constantly plots evil,

and from his lips comes a scorching fire.

²⁸A perverse^[] man spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates intimate friends.

²⁹A violent man entices his neighbor.

He leads him on a way that is not good.

³⁰A person who squints his eyes is plotting something perverse.

One who purses his lips has completed some evil plot.

³¹Gray hair is a beautiful crown.

It is found on the way to righteousness.

³²Better to be patient than to be a hero,

better to control your temper than to capture a city.

³³Lots are cast into the pouch,^[]

but the Lord determines all their decisions.

More Advice for a Son

17¹Better a piece of dry bread with peace

than a house full of feasting with quarreling.

²A wise slave will rule over a shameful son.

He will share the inheritance with the brothers.

³There is a crucible for refining silver and a smelter for gold.

In the same way the Lord examines hearts.

⁴An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips.

A liar feeds upon^[] a destructive tongue.

⁵Whoever mocks a poor person insults his Maker.

A person who rejoices over calamity will not escape.

⁶Grandchildren are a crown for the elderly,

and parents are a source of pride for their children.

Introduction to Fools and Foolishness:

The Consequences of Being a Fool

⁷Eloquent lips are^[] not fitting for a fool.

How much less lying lips for a ruler!

⁸A bribe works like a charm for the person who gives it.

Wherever he turns, he prospers.

⁹A person who covers an offense pursues love,

but one who repeats the matter separates friends.

¹⁰A reprimand impresses a discerning person

more than receiving a hundred lashes impresses a fool.

¹¹An evil person promotes only rebellion,

and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

¹²Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

than to meet a fool in his stupidity.

¹³A person who repays evil for good—

evil will never leave his house.

¹⁴Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,

so stop the dispute before it gets started.

¹⁵Acquitting a guilty person

and convicting an innocent person—

both of these are disgusting^[] to the Lord.

¹⁶Why hand a fool money to buy wisdom,

since he has no aptitude for using it?

¹⁷A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a time of trouble.

¹⁸A person without sense shakes hands

to guarantee a loan for his neighbor.

¹⁹A person who loves sin loves conflict.

A person who builds his gate high invites destruction.

²⁰A crooked mind does not find good.

A perverted tongue will fall into disaster.

²¹The man who fathers a fool has grief,

and the father of an arrogant fool will have no joy.

²²A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

²³A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe

to pervert the ways of justice.

²⁴Wisdom is right in front of a discerning person,

but a fool's eyes wander to the end of the earth.

Avoiding Fools and Foolishness

²⁵A foolish son is an aggravation to his father

and bitterness to the woman who bore him.

²⁶It is not good to impose a fine on a righteous person

nor to flog officials because of their uprightness.

²⁷A person with knowledge restrains his words.

A person with understanding is even-tempered.

²⁸Even a stubborn fool who keeps silent will be considered wise.

He is considered to be perceptive if he keeps his lips shut.

18¹A person who is a loner seeks his own desires.

He fights against all sound judgment.

²A fool finds no pleasure in understanding,

but only in revealing his own opinions.

³When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him,

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴The words from a man's mouth are deep waters.

The fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.

⁵It is not good to show favoritism to a wicked person

in order to deprive a righteous person of justice.

⁶A fool's lips enter a fight,

and his mouth invites a beating.

⁷A fool's mouth is his destruction,

and his lips are a trap for his soul.^[]

⁸The words of a gossip are like delicious food.

People gobble them right down.^[]

⁹A person who fails to do his work

is a brother to a vandal.

¹⁰The name of the Lord is a strong tower.

A righteous person runs inside and is protected.

¹¹A rich person's wealth is his strong city.

In his imagination it is like a high wall.

¹²Before destruction a man's heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.

¹³If a person answers before he listens,

that is foolishness that brings disgrace.

¹⁴A man's spirit can endure illness,

but who can bear a broken spirit?

¹⁵A discerning heart acquires knowledge,

and the ears of the wise seek knowledge.

¹⁶A person's gift opens doors^[] for him.

It leads him into the presence of great people.

¹⁷The first person to state his case appears to be right.

Then his neighbor comes and cross-examines him.

¹⁸Casting lots^[] ends disputes and decides between powerful people.

¹⁹A brother who has been wronged is harder to regain than a strong city,

and disputes are like a bar across the gate of a citadel.

²⁰From the fruit of a man's mouth, his stomach is satisfied.

He is satisfied with the harvest of his lips.

²¹Life and death lie in the power of a tongue,

and those who love to use it will eat its fruit.

²²The man who finds a wife finds a good thing,

and he obtains favor from the Lord.

²³A poor man pleads for mercy,

but a rich man answers harshly.

²⁴A man with many acquaintances may suffer harm,

but there is a loving friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19¹Better to be a poor person who walks in his integrity

than one with perverse lips who is a fool.

²Zeal without knowledge is certainly not good,

and a person who acts hastily sins.^[]

³A person's own foolishness undermines his way,

but his heart rages against the Lord.

⁴Wealth adds many friends,

but a poor person is deserted by his friend.

⁵A false witness will not go unpunished.

He breathes lies and will not escape.

⁶Many seek the goodwill of a ruler,

and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.

⁷A poor person's brothers all hate him.

Even his friends keep their distance from him!

Though he pursues them with words, they are not there.

⁸A person who acquires intelligence^[] loves his life.^[]

A person who guards understanding finds a good thing.

⁹A false witness will not go unpunished.

He breathes lies, and he will perish.

¹⁰A life of luxury is not appropriate for a fool.

How much less appropriate for a slave to rule over princes.

¹¹Good sense makes a person slow to anger,

and it is to his credit when he overlooks an offense.

¹²The king's anger is like a lion's growl,

but his favor is refreshing like dew on the grass.

Dealing With Fools

¹³A foolish son is a disaster to his father,

and a nagging wife is like constantly dripping water.

¹⁴Home and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,

but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.

¹⁵Laziness makes a person fall into a deep sleep,

and an idle person will go hungry.

¹⁶A person who keeps a command preserves his life.

One who despises his ways will die.

¹⁷A person who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord.

He will repay him in full.

¹⁸Discipline your son while there is hope.

Do not make yourself responsible for his death.

¹⁹Someone who has a lot of anger pays the penalty.

If you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

²⁰Listen to advice and accept discipline,

so that you will be wise in the future.

²¹There are many plans in a man's heart,

but it is the Lord's purpose that will prevail.

²²A desirable trait in a person is loyalty.^[]

It is better to be poor than a liar.

²³The fear of the Lord leads to life.

One who has it rests content.

He will not be disturbed by trouble.

²⁴A lazy person buries his hand in the dish,

but he does not even bring the food up to his mouth.

²⁵Strike a scoffer, and an undisciplined^[] person may learn caution.

Warn a person with understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

²⁶A son who attacks his father and chases away his mother

brings shame and disgrace.

²⁷If you stop listening to discipline, my son,

you will stray from the sayings that give knowledge.

²⁸A malicious witness mocks justice,

and the mouth of the wicked swallows evil.

²⁹Punishments have been prepared for scoffers

and beatings for the backs of fools.

More Dealing With Fools

20¹Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler.

Whoever is intoxicated by them is not wise.

²The king's rage is like a lion's growl.

Whoever intrudes on him endangers his life.

³Avoiding strife brings honor to a man,

but every stubborn fool is always fighting.

⁴A lazy person fails to plow when it is the season for planting.^[]

He expects something in harvest time, but nothing will be there.

⁵The intentions in a person's heart are deep water,

but a person with understanding can draw them out.

⁶Many people claim to be loyal,^[]

but who can find a trustworthy man?

⁷A righteous person walks in his integrity.

How blessed are his children after him!

⁸When a king sits on his throne as judge,

he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

⁹Who can say, “I have purified my heart.

I am cleansed from my sinfulness”?

¹⁰Differing weights and differing measures—

both of them are disgusting to the Lord.

¹¹Even a youth makes himself known by his acts,

by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

¹²An ear that hears and an eye that sees—

the Lord has made both of them.

¹³Do not love sleep, or you will become poor.

Keep your eyes open, and you will have enough to eat.

¹⁴“It's no good! It's no good!” says the buyer,

but then he goes away and brags.

¹⁵There is gold, and there are many gems,^[]

but lips that have knowledge are a precious vessel.

¹⁶Take the garment from someone who guarantees a loan for a stranger.

Hold on to it when he offers it as collateral for a foreigner.

¹⁷Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person,

but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

¹⁸Plans are strengthened by obtaining advice,

so do not wage war without consultation.

¹⁹A person who goes around spreading gossip reveals secrets,

so do not associate with anyone whose lips are always open.

²⁰The person who curses his father and his mother—

his lamp will be snuffed out in total darkness.

²¹An inheritance easily obtained^[] in the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

²²Do not say, “I'll get even with you!”

Wait for the Lord, and he will rescue you.

²³Differing weights are disgusting^[] to the Lord,

and dishonest scales are not good.

²⁴The steps a man takes come from the Lord,

so how can anyone understand his own way?

²⁵A person falls into a trap if he pledges something to God impulsively

and considers his pledge only later.

²⁶A wise king winnows out the wicked.

He rolls the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷A man's spirit is the lamp of the Lord.

It illuminates the depths of his heart.

²⁸Mercy and truth protect a king,

and he maintains his throne with mercy.

²⁹The splendor of young men is their strength,

but the majesty of old men is their gray hair.

³⁰Wounds and bruises scrub away evil,

and a beating scrubs the depths of the heart.

Wise and Foolish Behaviors

21¹A king's heart is like streams of water in the hand of the Lord.

He directs it wherever he desires.

²In a person's own eyes all his ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the motives of the heart.

³Practicing righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the Lord than a sacrifice.

⁴Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart,

the unplowed field^[] of the wicked, produce sin.

⁵The plans of a hard worker lead to abundance,

but everyone in a hurry rushes toward scarcity.

⁶Piling up treasure by a lying tongue

is a vanishing vapor for those who seek death.

⁷The violence of the wicked will drag them away,

because they refuse to do what is just.

⁸A guilty person's way is very crooked,

but the conduct of a pure person is straight.

⁹Better to live on the corner of a roof

than in a house shared with a nagging wife.

¹⁰The soul of a wicked person craves evil.

He does not look on his neighbor with mercy.

¹¹When a scoffer is punished, an undisciplined person becomes wise,

and when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

¹²The Righteous One^[] carefully watches the house of the wicked.

He throws the wicked down to ruin.

¹³Whoever shuts his ear to the cries of the poor—

he too will cry out and not be answered.

¹⁴A gift given in secret soothes anger,

and a bribe slipped into the pocket soothes fury.

¹⁵It is a joy for a righteous person to practice justice,

but destruction waits for those who practice evil.

¹⁶A person who wanders from the way of understanding

will rest in the company of departed spirits.

¹⁷Whoever loves pleasure will be poor.

Whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

¹⁸The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous make a payment for the upright.

¹⁹Better to live in an arid region

than with a nagging, ill-tempered wife.

²⁰Good food and olive oil are stored up in the dwellings of the wise,

but a foolish person devours everything he has.

²¹A person who pursues righteousness and mercy

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

²²A wise man can climb up to a city full of warriors

and pull down the strong defenses in which they trust.

²³The person who guards his mouth and his tongue

guards himself from troubles.

²⁴The contemptuous, insolent person—“Scoffer” is his name—

behaves with overflowing arrogance.

²⁵A lazy person's craving will kill him,

because his hands refuse to work.

²⁶All day long he craves something more,

but a righteous person gives and does not hold back.

²⁷A sacrifice offered by wicked people is an abomination.^[]

How much more when they bring it with evil intent!

²⁸A lying witness will perish,

but a man who listens will keep speaking forever.^[]

²⁹A wicked person puts on a bold front,

but an upright person gives thought to^[] his way.

³⁰There is no wisdom, no cleverness, and no advice

that can stand up against the Lord.

³¹A horse is made ready for a day of battle,

but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Wise and Foolish Behaviors

22¹A good name is worth more than great wealth.

Respect is worth more than silver and gold.

²Rich and poor have this in common:

The Lord is the Maker of them all.

³A sensible person sees trouble and hides,

but the naïve keep going and pay the penalty.

⁴The outcome of humility and of the fear of the Lord

is wealth, honor, and life.

⁵Thorns and traps are on the road followed by the crooked.

Whoever guards his soul^[] will stay far away from them.

⁶Dedicate^[] a child to the way he should go,

and even when he becomes old, he will not turn away from it.

⁷A rich person rules over poor people,

and a borrower is a slave to a lender.

⁸Whoever sows injustice reaps trouble,

and the rod that inflicts his fury will be destroyed.

⁹A generous person will be blessed,

because he gives some of his food to the poor.

¹⁰Drive away a scoffer, and conflict leaves.

Quarrels and insults cease.

¹¹A person who loves a pure heart and whose lips are gracious

will have a king as his friend.

¹²The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge.

He overturns the words of a treacherous person.

¹³A lazy person says, “There's a lion outside!

I'll be murdered in the streets!”

¹⁴The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit.

The man who is under the Lord's wrath will fall there.

¹⁵Foolishness is bound tightly to a child's heart.

A rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

¹⁶Whoever oppresses the poor to become great,

and whoever gives gifts to the rich—

both are sure to suffer loss.

Sayings of the Wise

¹⁷Open your ears and listen to the words of the wise,

and set your heart on the knowledge that I offer,

¹⁸for it is pleasant when you keep my words deep within you,^[]

and you have them ready on your lips.

¹⁹Today I make my words known to you—yes, to you,

so that your trust will be in the Lord.

²⁰Have I not written to you already^[] with advice and knowledge,

²¹in order to make accurate, true words known to you,

so that you may reply with true words to those who sent you?

²²Do not rob a poor person because he is poor,

and do not crush an oppressed person in court,^[]

²³because the Lord will defend their cause,

and he will rob those who rob them of their lives.

²⁴Do not be friends with a hothead.

Do not go along with someone who has a hot temper.

²⁵If you do, you will learn his ways

and set a trap for yourself.^[]

²⁶Do not be among those who shake hands to guarantee debts.

²⁷If you do not have enough to repay,

why should your bed be taken out from under you?

²⁸Do not move an ancient boundary marker that your ancestors made.

²⁹Do you see a person who is efficient in his work?

He will serve kings.

He will not serve nobodies.^[]

Footnotes

10:5 Or far-sighted
10:6 Or the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
10:11 Or the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
10:19 Or cannot be avoided
10:22 Or hard work adds nothing to it or worry adds nothing to it
10:30 Or knocked off his foundation
10:32 Or know what finds favor
11:1 Or repulsive or an abomination
11:7 Or wealth
11:15 Or make a deal
11:16 The Greek text has a longer double proverb here: A gracious woman takes hold of honor, ⸤and she who hates virtue sets up a throne for dishonor. The lazy become destitute,⸥ but ruthless men take hold of riches.
12:12 Or net. The verse is difficult and the meaning is uncertain.
12:24 Or leads to debtor's prison
12:26 Or is cautious in friendship or works to learn about his friend
12:28 The translation follows the main Hebrew reading. A variant in some Hebrew manuscripts and the ancient versions reads and another path leads to death.
13:11 Or dishonestly. A variant in the versions is too quickly.
13:15 Or inescapable. The Hebrew reads the way of the treacherous always flows (that is, it is enduring). The translation above attempts to make sense of this difficult reading without emendation. Common emendations are to add the word not to the sentence (the way of the treacherous does not endure) or to change enduring to hard.
13:17 Or an unreliable
13:19 Or an abomination
14:3 The meaning of a proud rod is uncertain, but there is no textual support for the common emendation, a rod for his back.
14:8 Or prudent
14:8 Or deceives them
14:9 Or the need for a guilt offering
14:14 Or a person who deserts God
14:14 Or will be repaid for his ways
14:30 Literally a healing heart
15:8 Or is disgusting or is repulsive
15:9 Or is an abomination
15:11 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon
15:15 The word celebration refers to a feast which includes drinking.
15:24 Or the grave. The Hebrew word is sheol.
15:26 Or are an abomination
16:4 Or its
16:20 Or to a word or to God's word
16:28 Or twisted
16:33 Or lap. It is not clear what this line means. It may allude to the pouch containing the Urim and Thummim, which the high priest wore on his chest.
17:4 Hebrew variant listens to
17:7 Or excessive chatter is
17:15 Or repulsive
18:7 Or his life
18:8 Literally they go down to the rooms of the belly
18:16 Or makes room
18:18 This probably does not refer to the Urim and Thummim but to ordinary ways of making a choice, like a coin toss.
19:2 Or a person who runs too quickly loses his way
19:8 Literally heart
19:8 Or his soul
19:22 Or what a person desires is loyalty. The word translated loyalty often refers to mercy.
19:25 Or inexperienced
20:4 Literally at the start of the rainy season
20:6 The word translated loyal often means merciful. The line is difficult.
20:15 The identity of these gems is uncertain. Rubies and red coral are among the suggestions.
20:21 The translation easily obtained is an alternate Hebrew reading. The main Hebrew reading is gotten by greed.
20:23 Or repulsive or an abomination
21:4 Or lamp. The meaning of the word and the point of comparison are unclear.
21:12 Or righteous one
21:27 Or a disgusting thing
21:28 The line is cryptic. Another suggestion is one who listens to him will perish forever.
21:29 The translation follows an alternate Hebrew reading. The main Hebrew reading is establishes.
22:5 Or his life
22:6 Or consecrate. The Hebrew word used here is not one of the usual words for teaching or training, but it is the same word used for dedicating a temple. It adds the connotation of entrusting the child to the Lord, as Hannah did.
22:18 Literally in your belly
22:20 The translation already follows the main Hebrew reading (literally the day before yesterday). An alternate Hebrew reading is Have I not written to you excellent sayings? Many recent English translations emend the text to read: Have I not written to you thirty wise sayings? This change is based on the belief that thirty sayings follow this heading. The supposed divisions between these thirty sayings are marked by spacer lines in the translation.
22:22 Literally in the city gate
22:25 Or for your soul
22:29 Or unimportant people