PROVERBS  
On the Worth of Wisdom
 1The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. 
The Aim of the Book 
 2That people may learn wisdom and discipline, 
and understand words of discernment; 
 3that they may win training in prudence,
in right and in justice and rectitude; 
 4that shrewdness be imparted to the simple,
and knowledge and insight to youth — 
 5the wise too, who listens, will grow wiser, 
and the prudent more skilled in direction — 
 6that proverbs and parables may be plain,
even the words of the wise and their riddles 
The Motto of the Book 
 7Reverence for the Lord is the basis of knowledge, 
but wisdom and discipline are scorned by fools. 
Exhortation and Warning 
 8Listen, my child, to your father's instruction, 
and do not forsake what you mother has taught you; 
 9they will be a garland to your head,
and a chain for your neck. 

 10My son, if sinners entice you, 
do not consent. 11If they say, 
“Come with us, let us lurk for the blameless,
and ambush the innocent for fun — 
 12let us swallow them up like the grave, alive 
and entire, just as those that go down to the pit. 
 13Precious wealth of all sorts will be ours, 
we will fill our houses with spoil.
 14Cast your lot with us; 
we will all share what we steal,” 
 15Do not go their way, my child. 
Keep your foot away from their path.
 16For their feet hasten to evil, 
and they rush to shed blood.
 17The net is spread in the sight of the birds, 
who hungrily take the bait. 
 18Their own is the blood they lurk for. 
Their own are the lives they ambush. 
 19So end all who would grasp at gain — 
it destroys the life of its owner. 
The Appeal of Wisdom 
 20Wisdom cries aloud in the streets, 
in the squares echoes her voice, 
 21she calls from the top of the walls, 
at the doors of the city gates she says: 
 22“How long will you fools love folly, 
and scoffers delight in scoffing, 
and fools in their hatred of knowledge? 
 23Respond to my rebuke. 
See! I speak my mind to you; 
I will tell you my thoughts. 
 24Because you refused my call, 
gave no heed to my hand when it beckoned you, 
 25rejected all my counsel,
and refused my admonition, 
 26when distress falls on you, I will laugh; 
I will mock, when your terror comes, 
 27when your terror comes as a storm, 
as a whirlwind your distress.
 28Then I will not answer their call; 
they may seek, but they will not find me. 
 29Because they hated knowledge, 
and rejected the fear of the Lord, 
 30would have nothing of my counsel. 
but despised all my admonition, 
 31they must eat the fruit of their ways, 
and be filled with their own devices. 
 32By their own choice will the simple be slain. 
Prosperous ease will bring fools to destruction. 
 33But he who listens to me will live securely, 
in a peace unruffled by fear of calamity.”          
The Blessed Fruits of Wisdom 
 2My child, if you welcome my words,
1and hold close my commandments, 
 2giving heedful ear to wisdom,
and bending your mind to reason; 
 3if you seek to invoke understanding. 
and lift up your voice to reason, 
 4seeking for her as if for silver,
and searching for her as if for treasure: 
 5then the fear of the Lord will be plain to you, 
and the knowledge of God you will find. 
 6For the Lord is the giver of wisdom. 
The source of knowledge and insight. 
 7He stores up ability for the upright; 
he shields the blameless life. 
 8He guards the paths of the just, 
and he watches the way of the faithful. 
 9Then justice and right will be plain to you; 
you will keep to all paths that are good. 

 10When wisdom will enter your mind, 
and in knowledge you find your pleasure, 
 11discretion will watch over you, 
and understanding will guard you, 
 12and save you from wicked ways, 
from people of perverse speech, 
 13who leave the paths of right,
to walk in ways of darkness — 
 14happy in doing wrong, 
exulting in wicked perverseness, 
 15all crooked in their paths. 
and devious in their ways.

 16From the adultress too, it will save you, 
the sinning woman of slippery speech, 
 17who forsakes the partner of her youth, 
and forgets her bond with her God; 
 18for her house sinks down to death, 
and her paths lead to the place of the dead. 
 19None that visit her ever come back, 
or arrive at the paths of life. 
 20Therefore walk in the way of good people. 
Keep in the paths of the righteous, 
 21for the upright will live in the land, 
and the blameless alone will enjoy it; 
 22while bad people are cut off from it. 
and the faithless uprooted.  
The Wisdom of Trusting and Honouring the Lord 
 3My son, do not forget my teaching, 
1keep my commandments in mind; 
 2for a long and happy life 
and fulness of peace will they bring you. 
 3Let not kindness and faithfulness leave you. 
Bind them about your neck; 
 4so favour and good repute will you find 
alike with God and people. 
 5Trust the Lord with all your heart. 
Lean not on your own understanding: 
 6in all your ways acknowledge him, 
and he will smooth your paths. 
 7Do not pride yourself on your wisdom; 
fear the Lord and turn from evil. 
 8Then there will be health to your body, 
and refreshment to your bones. 
 9If you honour the Lord with your wealth, 
with the first-fruits of all that comes in to you, 
 10your barns will be filled with corn,
and with wine will your vats overflow.         
The Worth of Wisdom 
 11Reject not, my son, the Lord's chastening. 
Do not spurn His reproof.
 12For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, 
he reproves the child he delights in. 
 13Happy those who find wisdom, 
they who obtain understanding.
 14For she brings a gain fairer than silver, 
a revenue better than gold. 
 15More precious is she than corals, 
and with her can no treasures compare. 
 16In her right hand is long life, 
in her left are riches and honour. 
 17Her ways are pleasant ways, 
and all her paths are peace. 
 18She is a tree of life to those who grasp her.
Happy they who hold her fast. 

 19The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, 
by understanding established the heavens. 
 20By knowledge he broke up the deeps. 
and the clouds he made drip with dew. *************
The Security that comes from Wisdom 
 21Observe, my child, discretion and wisdom, 
let them never out of your sight; 
 22so will they be life to you. 
An ornament round your neck. 
 23You will then go your way securely. 
Without ever striking your foot. 
 24You will sit down unafraid,
and your sleep will be sweet where you lie. 
 25You will fear no sudden terror, 
nor the tempest that falls on the wicked.
 26For the Lord is the ground of your hope. 
He will keep your foot from the snare. 

 27Withhold from your neighbour no good 
Which you have in your power to do them. 
 28Do not tell them — when you can afford it — to go 
and come back, with the promise of something tomorrow. 
 29Devise no mischief against your neighbour, 
while they are trustfully living beside you. 
 30Do not idly quarrel with anyone 
who has not done you any harm. 

 31Do not envy the violent, 
or choose any one of their ways.
 32For the Lord abhors the crooked, 
but the upright are his friends. 
 33The Lord's curse rests on the house of the wicked. 
But the home of the righteous he blesses. 
 34As for him, he scoffs at scoffers, 
but he gives grace to the lowly. 
 35Wise men come to honour, 
but shame is the portion of fools.  
The Excellence and Beneficent Power of Wisdom 
 4Listen, children, to a father's instruction. 
1Pay attention to gain understanding. 
 2For the counsel I give you is good.
Do not forsake my teaching. 

 3When I was my father's child,
loved by my mother, and tender, 
 4he used to say, as he taught me, 
“Hold fast my words in your mind. 
Keep my commandments and live.
 5Get wisdom, get understanding. 
 6If you do not leave her, she will keep you; 
If you hold her dear, she will guard you. 
 8Prize her and she will exalt you 
and honour you if you embrace her. 
 9She will set a fair wreath on your head
and a glorious crown she will give you.”

 10Listen, my son, and accept my words, 
and the years of your life will be many. 
 11I teach you the way of wisdom, 
I guide you in honour's paths. 
 12You will walk with steps unconstrained. 
You will run without ever stumbling. 
 13Keep unceasing hold of instruction; 
Guard her, for she is your life. 
 14Do not enter the path of the wicked.
Do now walk in the way of the evil. 
 15Do not cross it, avoid it.
Turn aside, and pass on. 
 16For they do not sleep unless they have done some harm. 
They are sleepless until they have wrought some ruin. 
 17For the bread that they eat is won by crime, 
and the wine that they drink is procured by cruelty. 
 19The way of the wicked is through deep darkness,
Which hides from them that they stumble into; 
 18but the way of the just is like light of the morning, 
which shines more and more till the day is full. 

 20My son, listen to my words.
Bend your ear to the things that I say. 
 21Do not let them out of your sight. 
Keep them within your heart.
 22They are life to those who find them,
and health to all their being. 
 23Guard your heart with all vigilance, 
for this is the way to life.
 24Put away all crooked speech, 
and banish all devious talk. 
 25Let your eyes look straight in front, 
and your eyelids right before you. 
 26Make a level path for your feet, 
and let all your ways be firm. 
 27Do not turn to the right or the left.
Keep your foot away from evil.  
The Wrong and Folly of Impurity 
The Deadly Power of an Evil Woman 
 5My son, listen to wisdom, 
1bend your ear to understanding; 
 2so that discretion may watch over you,
and that knowledge may preserve you. 
 3For the lips of the harlot drop honey, 
her mouth is smoother than oil; 
 4but at last she is bitter as wormwood,
and sharp as a two-edged sword. 
 5Her feet go down to Death; 
her steps lead straight into Sheol. 
 6No smooth way of life does she walk; 
her paths wander — she doesn't know where. 
 7And now, my son, listen to me; 
Do not turn from the words that I speak. 
 8Move far away from her. 
Do not go near the door of her house; 
 9or you might give your wealth to others, 
your years to the implacable,
 10and so strangers enjoy your substance,
and a family of foreigners your toil; 
 11and thus at the last you groan, 
when body and flesh are consumed: 
 12“Why did I hate instruction, 
and spurn reproof in my heart? 
 13Why did I not listen to my teachers, 
nor bent to instructors mine ear? 
 14All but utterly was I undone 
in the congregation assembled.”
Exhortation to Fidelity 
 15Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well. 
 16Do not let your springs be scattered abroad, 
on the streets your streams of water. 
 17Let them be for yourself alone, 
and not for strangers beside you. 
 18Let your fountain be your own, 
take joy from the wife of your youth — 
 19lovely hind and graceful doe — 
let her breasts make you happy at all times. 
be ravished with her love forever. 
 20For why be ravished by a stranger, 
and a foreigners's bosom embrace? 
 21For the ways of a man are before the Lord's eyes, 
and all his paths he weighs. 
 22His iniquities will snare him,
enmeshed in the toils of his sin. 
 23He will die for lack of instruction 
and perish for his vast folly.  
Warning against the Adulteress 
 6Observe, my child, the commands of your father,
20do not abandon your mother's instruction. 
 21Bind them onto your heart forever; 
hang them round about your neck. 
 22When you walk, Wisdom will guide you; 
when you lie down, she will watch you; 
when you wake up, she will talk with you. 
 23For precept illumines, instruction enlightens, 
and reproof that disciplines leads to life,
 24Preserving you safe from the wife of another, 
from the slippery tongue of the stranger. 

 25Do not long in your heart for her beauty. 
Do not be caught by her eyes. 
 26For, while harlotry costs but a morsel of bread, 
'Tis the precious life the adulteress hunts. 
 27Can a man take fire in his bosom 
without his clothes being burned? 
 28Or on glowing coals can he walk 
without his feet being scorched? 
 29So with him that approaches his neighbour's wife: 
no one that touches her ever may go unpunished. 
 30Do people not despise a thief, 
When he steals even to satisfy hunger? 
 31When caught, he must pay seven-fold. 
And give all that his house contains. 
 32But the adulterer is witless: 
he destroyes himself by his doings. 
 33For stripes and disgrace will be his, 
And a shame that will never be blotted. 
 34For jealousy maddens a man; 
in the day of revenge he is pitiless. 
 35He will accept no ransom, 
nor will gifts in profusion content him.  
Another Warning 
 7My son, observe my words, 
1And lay up with you my commandments. 
 2Keep my commandments and live, 
and my teaching as the pupil of your eye. 
 3Bind them upon your fingers; 
write them on the tablet of your heart. 
 4Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister”; 
call Understanding your friend — 
 5shun the dissolute woman, 
the stranger of slippery speech. 

 6At the window of her house 
she peers out through the lattice; 
 7and, looking at the simpletons, 
she detects a silly youth, 
 8as he passes near the street corner. 
Stepping the way to her house, 
 9just in the evening twilight, 
As the night is growing dark. 
 10See! The woman comes out to meet him, 
in a harlot's dress, all a-flutter. 
 11Boisterous and brazen is she: 
her feet are restless at home. 
 12Now in street, now in square is she. 
Lurking near every corner. 
 13So she catches and kisses him,
and with impudent face she accosts him: 
 14“I have ready a thanksgiving feast, 
for today I have paid my vows; 
 15and so I came out to meet you, 
to seek you, and now I have found you, so 
 16I have spread my couch with coverlets, 
striped with Egyptian yarn. 
 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, 
with cinnamon and with aloes. 
 18Come; let us drink love till the morning, 
and yield us to merry caresses. 
 19For my husband is not at home; 
he is far away on a journey. 
 20He has taken a money-bag with him, 
he will not come home till full moon.” 
 21With her fair speech she beguiled him, 
with her blandishing words she enticed him. 
 22So he followed her bewitched, 
like an ox that is brought to the slaughter, 
like a dog that is led on a chain,
 23like a bird rushing into a net, 
unaware that its life is at stake, 
till an arrow pierces its liver. 

 24And now, my son, listen to me. 
Give heed to the words that I utter. 
 25Let your heart not swerve to her ways, 
and wander not in her paths; 
 26for the dead she has cast down are many, 
and many are those she has slain. 
 27Her house is the road to Sheol, 
straight down to the chambers of Death.  
The Invitation and the Rewards of Wisdom 
Wisdom's Appeal to Men 
 8Listen! Wisdom is calling, 
1and Reason is lifting her voice: 
 2on a raised place, high by the way. 
on the streets she has taken her stand. 
 3By the gates that lead into the city. 
She cries aloud at the portals: 
 4“to you, O men, I call. 
And my voice is to all mankind. 
 5You simple ones, learn to be prudent; 
You foolish ones, get to know wisdom. 
 6O listen, for grave is my message. 
And right all the speech of my lips. 
 7It is truth that my mouth discourses, 
And falsehood my lips abhor. 
 8All the words that I utter are honest. 
Free from all that is crooked and tortuous, 
 9All clear to the man of sense,
and right to those that have knowledge. 
 10Choose instruction, then, rather than silver, 
and more than choice gold welcome knowledge. 
 11For better is Wisdom than corals; 
no treasures with her can compare. 
 12I, Wisdom, possess intelligence; 
knowledge and insight are mine. 
 14Mine are counsel and skill; 
understanding and might are mine. 
 15By me do monarchs reign 
and rulers administer justice, 
 16By me do princes govern 
and noblemen rule the earth. 
 17Those that love me I love,
and those that seek me find me. 
 18With me are riches and honour, 
prosperity and grandeur.
 19My fruit is better than finest gold, 
my revenue fairer than choicest silver. 
 20I walk in the way that is fair, 
and keep to the paths of justice, 
 21endowing with wealth those that love me, 
and filling their treasuries full. 
Wisdom's Ancient Origin 
 22At the very beginning God fashioned me 
as the first of His works of old. 
 23In the ancient time was I formed,
at the first, when the world began. 
 24I was born when as yet no depths were, 
no fountains laden with water; 
 25Ere yet the mountains were sunk, 
and before the hills was I born; 
 26Ere the earth and the fields were created, 
or the first of the clods of the world. 
 27When He set up the heavens, I was there; 
when He vaulted the face of the deep; 
 28When He made firm the skies above, 
and fixed the deep fast at its sources; 
 29When He set to the sea its bounds, 
as He marked off the base of the world. 
 30Then beside Him was I as His nursling,
and I was His daily delight, 
playing before Him at all times, 
 31playing about in His world. 
delighting in humankind. 
Wisdom's Concluding Appeal 
 32And now, children, listen to me: 
happy those that keep to my ways. 
 33Hear instruction, and thus get wisdom. 
Do not reject my admonition. 
 34Happy he who listens to me, 
daily watching at my gates, 
and waiting at my door-posts. 
 35For who finds me finds life, 
he wins the Lord's own favour; 
 36but who misses me wrongs himself, 
for all that hate me love death.  
The Two Hostesses — Wisdom and Folly 
The Invitation of Wisdom 
 9Wisdom has built her a house, 
1has set up her seven pillars, 
 2slain her beasts, and mingled her wine, 
and also spread her table. 
 3She has sent forth her maidens to cry 
on the thoroughfares of the city: 
 4“All simple ones, turn in hither, 
I would speak to him who lacks wisdom. 
 5Come and eat of my bread. 
and drink of the wine I have mingled, 
 6Abandon your folly, and live,
and walk in the way of reason. 
 11For by me your days will be many, 
and the years of your life increased.” 
The Invitation of Folly 
 13Dame Folly is loud and seductive, 
she is a stranger to shame. 
 14At the door of her house she sits,
on the thoroughfares of the city, 
 15calling to passers-by,
who are going straight on their way: 
 16“All simple ones, turn in hither, 
I would speak to him who lacks wisdom. 
 17Stolen waters are sweet, 
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” 
 18But he does not know that dead men are there, 
that her guests lie sunken in Sheol. 
A Group of Aphorisms 
 7Who corrects a scoffer but gets himself insult, 
and a stain rests on him that reproves the wicked. 
 8Reprove not a scoffer, or else he may hate you; 
but a wise man reprove, and for that he will love you. 
 9Give to a wise man, and he will grow wiser; 
instruct the righteous, and more he will learn. 
 10The fear of the Lord is the first step to wisdom, 
and to know the Holy One is understanding. 
 12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; 
And if you scoff, you must bear it alone.  
Warnings 
Against Suretyship 
 6My son if you have gone bail for your neighbour, 
1and given your pledge for another; 
 2if by your own lips you are snared, 
and are trapped by the words of your mouth: 
 3then this do, my son, and free yourself,
since you have come into his power.
Go, stir youself, besiege your neighbour; 
 4give no sleep to your eyes. 
nor slumber to your eyelids, 
 5shake yourself free, like a roe, from the snare, 
or a bird from the hand of the fowler. 
Against Indolence 
 6Go to the ant, you sluggard; 
consider her ways, and be wise,
 7without officer, ruler, or chief, 
 8she provides her bread in the summer. 
and gathers her food in the harvest. 

 9How long will you lie, O sluggard? 
When will you rise from your sleep? 
 10“Just a little more sleep, a little more slumber, 
a little more lying with folded hands.” 
 11So will poverty come on you like a robber, 
and want like an armed man. 
Against Underhand Mischief-making 
 12Sunk in wickedness is the man 
whose speech is ingrained with falsehood — 
 13who winks his eyes, 
or shuffles his feet, 
or makes signs with his fingers, 
 14gives his mind to the planning of mischief, 
and always is scattering discord. 
 15For these things will sudden disaster assail him; 
he will swiftly be crushed beyond all hope of healing. 
Seven Detestable Things 
 16Six things there are which the Lord detests, 
yes, seven does He abhor: 
 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, 
and hands that shed innocent blood, 
 18a mind that plans wicked devices,
and feet that are swift to do wrong, 
 19a false witness that utters lies, 
One that scatters strife among brethren.  
First Collection of Proverbs 
 10The Proverbs of Solomon: 
1A wise son makes his father glad, 
but a foolish son is a grief to his mother. 
 2Treasures wrongly acquired profit nothing, 
but righteousness saves from death. 
 3The Lord will not suffer the righteous to hunger, 
but He will frustrate the desire of the wicked. 
 4A slack hand creates poverty, 
but a diligent hand makes rich. 
 5He that gathers in summer acts wisely; 
he that sleeps in harvest acts shamefully. 
 6The blessing of God is on the head of the righteous, 
but sorrow will cover the face of the wicked. 
 7The memory of the righteous is blessed,
but the name of the wicked will rot. 
 8A wise man gives heed to commands, 
but a foolish talker will fall. 
 9He whose life is blameless walks safely, 
but he who lives crookedly smarts for it. 
 10He who winks the eye makes trouble,
but frank reproof makes peace. 
 11A fountain of life is the mouth of the righteous, 
but the mouth of the wicked is wrapped in violence. 
 12Hatred stirs up strife, 
but love hides all transgressions. 
 13On the lips of a prudent man wisdom is found,
but a man without sense needs a rod for his back. 
 14Wise men keep what they know to themselves, 
but the mouth of the fool is impending destruction. 
 15The rich man's wealth is his fortified city;
but the poor, by their poverty, come to destruction. 
 16The wage of the righteous conduces to life, 
but their revenue brings the wicked to ruin. 
 17The way to life is to heed instruction, 
but to turn from reproof is to go astray. 
 18Righteous lips cover up hatred,
but the slanderer is a fool. 
 19Where words are many, offences are certain; 
But he who controls his tongue does wisely. 
 20The tongue of the just is like choicest silver, 
but the mind of the wicked is little worth. 
 21The speech of the righteous is sustenance to many, 
but lack of sense is the death of fools. 
 22It is only the blessing of God that brings wealth, 
and He adds no sorrow therewith. 
 23To a fool the doing of wrong is as sport, 
but a man of sense abhors it. 
 24What the wicked feared will befall him, 
but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 
 25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked will vanish, 
but the righteous is firmly established forever. 
 26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, 
even so is the sluggard to them that send him. 
 27The fear of the Lord prolongs life, 
but the years of the wicked are shortened. 
 28The hope of the righteous will end in gladness,
but the wicked will fail of their expectation. 
 29To the man that is blameless the Lord is a strong-hold, 
but terror and ruin to those that do evil. 
 30The righteous will be unmoved forever, 
but the wicked will have no home in the land. 
 31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, 
but the man of false tongue will be rooted out. 
 32The lips of the righteous utter good-will; 
but the mouth of the wicked, malice. 
 11The Lord detests a false balance, 
1but a just weight is his delight. 
 2Pride is sure to be followed by shame,
but modesty is wisdom. 
 3Their integrity guides the upright, 
but the false are destroyed by their crookedness. 
 4In the day of wrath riches are useless,
but righteousness saves from death. 
 5The path of the blameless is smoothed by his righteousness, 
but the wicked will fall by his wickedness. 
 6The upright are saved by their righteousness, 
but the false are caught in their evil desires. 
 7When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes — 
the hope of the godless perishes. 
 8The righteous is rescued from trouble, 
and the wicked takes his place. 
 9By slander the godless would ruin his neighbour,
but the righteous are rescued by knowledge. 
 10When the righteous flourish, the city rejoices; 
when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. 
 11By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted; 
by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. 
 12A man has no sense that despises his neighbour; 
a man of prudence holds his tongue. 
 13Who carries tales divulges secrets, 
but a trustworthy man conceals a matter. 
 14Where guidance is lacking, a people must fall; 
but that people is safe that is rich in counsellors. 
 15He who goes bail for another will suffer,
but he who abhors being surety is sure. 
 16A gracious woman obtains honour, 
but a throne of dishonour is she who hates justice. 
Indolent men never come to wealth,
but riches are won by the men that are diligent. 
 17The kind man does good to himself; 
the cruel man injures himself. 
 18The gain of the wicked is but an illusion, 
but he who sows righteousness wins the true wages. 
 19Devotion to righteousness leads to life; 
the pursuit of wickedness ends in death. 
 20The Lord abhors the mind that is crooked, 
but those who walk blamelessly are his delight. 
 21Most surely the wicked will not go unpunished, 
but the righteous folk will escape. 
 22Like a golden ring in the snout of a swine 
is a beautiful woman without discretion. 
 23The desire of the righteous will issue in good, 
but the hope of the wicked in wrath. 
 24One man is generous, yet grows ever richer; 
another is mean, yet he only grows poorer. 
 25The liberal soul will be enriched; 
and he who waters, himself will be watered. 
 26He who holds up corn will be cursed by the people,
but blessings will be on his head that sells it. 
 27He who aims at the thing that is good will win favour, 
but ruin will come upon him who seeks evil. 
 28He who trusts in his riches will wither,
but like green leaves the righteous will flourish. 
 29He that harms his household will reap the wind,
and the fool will be slave to the man of wisdom. 
 30Life is the fruit of righteousness, 
but rapine destroys men's lives. 
 31If the righteous are punished on earth, 
how much more the sinful and wicked!  
 12He who loves knowledge loves discipline,
1but he that hates reproof is a boor. 
 2A good man wins the Lord's good-will, 
but a man of evil designs He condemns. 
 3By wickedness no man can stand forever, 
but the root of the righteous remains unmoved. 
 4A worthy wife is a crown to her husband,
but one that brings shame is as rot in his bones. 
 5The aims of the righteous are just; 
the designs of the wicked are treacherous. 
 6The words of the wicked lurk for blood, 
but the speech of the upright delivers. 
 7The wicked will be overthrown and vanish, 
but the house of the righteous will stand. 
 8A man is commended according to his insight. 
but a wrong-headed man is despised. 
 9Better a man of no rank, with a servant, 
than one who apes greatness and yet has no bread. 
 10A righteous man cares for the life of his beast, 
but the heart of the wicked is cruel. 
 11He who tills his land will have plenty of bread. 
but he who pursues empty aims will have none. 
 12The wicked is snared by his wickedness, 
but the root of the righteous endures. 
 13By the sin of his lips is the wicked ensnared, 
but the righteous escapes from trouble. 
 14The words of a man bring forth good fruit in plenty, 
and the deeds of his hands will come back upon him. 
 15A fool is certain his way is right, 
but a wise man listens to counsel. 
 16A fool displays his anger at once, 
but a prudent man hides an affront. 
 17One who speaks out the truth affirms justice. 
but a false witness utters lies. 
 18The chatter of some is like sword-thrusts. 
but the tongue of the wise is healing. 
 19The man who speaks truth stands forever, 
but the false tongue is but for a moment. 
 20Hearts of deceit have the men who plan evil, 
but happy are those who plan other men's good. 
 21No evil thing can befall the righteous, 
but the wicked are full of misfortune. 
 22The Lord abhors lying lips,
But delighteth in those that deal faithfully. 
 23A man of prudence conceals what he knows, 
but a fool shouts his folly aloud. 
 24The diligent comes to power, 
but the slothful becomes a serf. 
 25Care bows down a man's heart, 
but a good word makes it glad. 
 26The righteous departs from evil; 
but the way of the wicked is error. 
 27The indolent man will not hunt his game, 
but the diligent man wins precious wealth. 
 28In the path of righteousness there is life, 
but the way of wickedness leads to death.  
 13A wise son loves instruction,
1but a scorner listens not to rebuke. 
 2A good man enjoys the fruits of his speech, 
but the false are greedy for rapine. 
 3He that guards his mouth preserves his life, 
but a wide open mouth brings a man to ruin. 
 4The sluggard desires and has not. 
but the diligent is enriched. 
 5A righteous man hates deception, 
but the wicked act basely and shamefully. 
 6Righteousness guards the man of integrity, 
but sin overturns the wicked. 
 7Some pretend to be rich, and have nothing at all; 
some pretend to be poor, and are rolling in wealth. 
 8A man's riches may ransom his life. 
but a poor man listens not to rebuke. 
 9The light of the righteous shines on, 
but the lamp of the wicked goes out. 
 10Pride causes nothing but strife. 
but with those that take counsel is wisdom. 
 11Wealth gathered in haste will diminish, 
but amassed by degrees it will grow. 
 12Hope deferred makes sick the heart, 
but a wish fullilled is life.
 13He who scorns the word will perish, 
but who fears the commandment is safe.
 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, 
whereby to avoid the snares of death. 
 15Fine intelligence wins favour, 
but the way of the false is their ruin. 
 16The prudent act always with insight, 
but the fool flaunts his folly. 
 17An incompetent messenger ruins an enterprise, 
but a trustworthy envoy is healing. 
 18To reject instruction spells shame and poverty, 
but to heed admonition leads to honour. 
 19Sweet is desire fulfilled, 
but fools hate to turn from evil. 
 20He that walks with the wise will be wise, 
but the comrade of fools will smart for it. 
 21Sinners are chased by misfortune, 
but good overtakes the righteous. 
 22The good man leaves wealth to his children's children, 
but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous. 
 23The ground of the poor yields food in abundance, 
but some by injustice are swept away.
 24He that spares his rod hates his son, 
but he that loves him chastises him. 
 25The righteous, when hungry, may eat their fill. 
but the wicked are empty within.  
 14A wise woman builds her house,
1but a fool tears it down with her hands. 
 2The man who fears God lives honestly,
but the man that is crooked despises Him. 
 3The speech of a fool is a rod for his back, 
but the words of the wise preserve them 
 4Where no oxen are, there can be no corn; 
but plenty of oxen means plenty of produce. 
 5A trustworthy witness does not lie. 
but a false witness utters lies. 
 6A scorner seeks wisdom in vain, 
but to prudent men knowledge is easy. 
 7Get you out of a foolish man's presence, 
for his lips do not utter knowledge. 
 8The shrewd show their wisdom by watching their way,
but the folly of foolish men leads them astray. 
 9Guilt has its home among fools, 
but God's favour abides with the upright. 
 10The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger can share in its joy. 
 11The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish. 
 12Many a way seems straight to a man 
which leads at the last to death.
 13Even in laughter the heart may be sad, 
and the end of joy may be sorrow. 
 14He who swerves from the right will pay dearly for his conduct, 
but the good man will reap the fruit of his deeds. 
 15The simple believe every word,
but the shrewd look well to their steps. 
 16A wise man anxiously shrinks from evil, 
but a fool plunges into it jauntily. 
 17A man of quick temper acts foolishly, 
but a prudent man is patient. 
 18The simple come into possession of folly, 
But the wise win the crown of knowledge. 
 19The evil must bow before the good,
and the wicked crouch down at the gates of the righteous. 
 20The poor man is hated even by his neighbour, 
but the rich has many friends. 
 21He that despises his neighbour sins, 
but happy is he that does pity the poor. 
 22Surely those that plan evil will stray to destruction, 
but those that plan good meet with kindness and faithfulness. 
 23In all labour there is profit, 
but mere talk tends only to penury. 
 24The crown of the wise is their wisdom, 
and the garland of fools is their folly. 
 25A truthful witness saves life. 
but one who speaks falsely destroys it. 
 26He that fears the Lord has strong ground of confidence. 
To the children of such he is refuge. 
 27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, 
whereby to avoid the snares of death.
 28Glory falls to the monarch whose people are many, 
but a prince comes to ruin whose people are few. 
 29The man of patience shows much good sense, 
but the quick-tempered man shows great folly. 
 30A tranquil mind is the life of the body,
but passion rots the bones. 
 31He that crushes the needy reviles his maker, 
but he that is kind to the poor does him honour. 
 32The wicked is overthrown by his wickedness. 
but the righteous has a refuge in his integrity, 
 33wisdom dwells in the heart of the prudent, 
but folly in the heart of fools. 
 34Righteousness exalts a nation, 
but sin is a people's disgrace. 
 35A competent servant enjoys the king's favour,
but scandalous service incurs his wrath.  
 15A soft answer turns away wrath, 
1but provocative speech stirs up anger. 
 2The tongue of the wise drops knowledge, 
but the mouth of fools pours out folly. 
 3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
watching the bad and the good. 
 4A soothing tongue is life, 
but violent words break the spirit. 
 5A fool despises his father's instruction. 
but he that regards reproof shows wisdom. 
 6In the house of the righteous is abundance of wealth, 
but the revenue of the wicked is cut off. 
 7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, 
but the mind of fools is unstable. 
 8The Lord abhors the sacrifice of the wicked, 
but the prayer of the upright he welcomes. 
 9The Lord abhors the way of the wicked,
but he loves the man that is bent upon righteousness. 
 10He that leaves the way will have discipline sore, 
he that hates reproof will die. 
 11Before the Lord Sheol and Abaddon lie open; 
how much more the hearts of men! 
 12A scoffer loves not reproof, 
he refuses to go with the wise. 
 13Joyous heart makes happy face, 
but a sorrowful heart makes a stricken spirit 
 14The mind of the wise seeks knowledge, 
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 
 15To the sad every day is a bad day,
but an endless feast to the cheerful. 
 16Better is little, with the fear of the Lord, 
than abundance of treasure and trouble therewith. 
 17Better a dish of herbs, with love,
than a fatted ox, with hatred. 
 18An angry man stirs up strife, 
but a patient man stills contention. 
 19The way of the sluggard is hedged with thorns,
but the path of the diligent runs like a highway. 
 20A wise son makes his father glad, 
but a fool of a man despises his mother. 
 21Folly is joy to a man without sense, 
but a man of good sense is straightforward. 
 22Plans are frustrated where there is no counsel; 
but, when many advise, they succeed. 
 23Joy comes to the man who makes happy retort; 
and a word in season, how good it is! 
 24The wise man's path goes upward to life; 
He avoids the way to Sheol beneath. 
 25The Lord uproots the house of the proud, 
But the bounds of the widow he firmly maintains. 
 26Evil devices the Lord abhors, 
but gracious words are his delight. 
 27He that is grasping destroys his own house,
but he who hates presents will live. 
 28Faithfulness broods in the heart of the righteous,
but evil pours from the mouth of the wicked. 
 29The Lord is far from the wicked, 
but the prayer of the righteous he hears. 
 30Shining eyes gladden the heart, 
and good news fattens the bones. 
 31He that listens to wholesome reproof
will dwell among the wise. 
 32He despises himself who rejecteth instruction. 
but he gains understanding who heeds reproof. 
 33The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, 
and honour comes after humility.  
 16Man may order his thoughts, 
1but the word on his tongue is from God. 
 2A man's life may seem thoroughly pure to himself,
but the Lord weighs the spirit. 
 3Commit your work to the Lord, 
and so will your plans succeed. 
 4God created each thing for an end of its own, 
even the wicked for the day of disaster. 
 5All the proud-minded the Lord abhors; 
assuredly none will escape unpunished. 
 6By kindness and faithfulness sin is atoned for,
and through fear of the Lord men escape disaster. 
 7When the Lord is pleased with the ways of a man, 
he makes even his foes to become his friends. 
 8Better a little, with righteousness. 
than great revenues with injustice. 
 9Man plans out his way, 
but the Lord directs his steps. 

 10The lips of the king are an oracle,
and the sentence he utters infallible. 
 11Balance and scales are the Lord's, 
all the weights of the bag are his work. 
 12Kings shrink with abhorrence from wrong-doing, 
for a throne is established by righteousness. 
 13Honest lips are a king's delight; 
he loves the man that speaks truly. 
 14The wrath of a king bodes death,
but a wise man knows how to appease it. 
 15When the king's face shines, there is life: 
like a cloud of spring-rain is his favour.

 16Wisdom is better to win than gold, 
and understanding is choicer than silver. 
 17The path of the upright avoids misfortune; 
he guards his life who gives heed to his way. 
 18Pride goes before destruction. 
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
 19Better be lowly of mind with the poor 
than divide the spoil with the great. 
 20He that gives heed to the word will be prosperous; 
happy the man who trusts the Lord. 
 21Wise men are called men of insight, 
and winsome speech adds to persuasiveness. 
 22To a wise man is wisdom a fountain of life, 
but fools are chastised by their folly. 
 23A wise mind utters thoughtful speech. 
and touches the lips to persuasiveness. 
 24Winsome words are a honeycomb, 
sweet to the soul and healing to the body. 
 25Many a way seems straight to a man 
Which leads at the last to death.
 26The labourer's appetite labours for him,
for his hungry mouth urges him on. 
 27A depraved man digs a pit of mischief, 
while his lips are touched as with scorching fire. 
 28A false man scatters discord, 
and a whisperer separates friends. 
 29A man of violence entices his neighbour, 
and leads him into a hurtful way. 
 30He who closes his eyes is devising some lie; 
He who tightens his lips has concocted some mischief. 
 31The grey head is a crown of glory,
which is won by a righteous life. 
 32Patience is better than warrior's strength, 
and to rule o'er oneself than to capture a city. 
 33The lot is cast into the lap, 
but the issue lies wholly with God.  
 17Better a bit of dry bread, with peace,
1than a house full of feasting and strife. 
 2A wise slave becomes lord of a profligate son; 
he will share the estate with the brothers. 
 3Like the smelter for silver, the furnace for gold, 
is the Lord who tests the heart. 
 4A bad man gives heed to wicked words; 
a false man listens to mischievous speech. 
 5He that mocks the poor reviles his maker; 
he that joys at misfortune will not go unpunished. 
 6The crown of old men is children's children, 
and the glory of children is their father. 
 7On the lips of a fool honest words are unseemly; 
much more lying words on the lips of a noble man. 
 8A bribe is like a magic stone; 
he that offers it prospers wherever he turns. 
 9He that covers up wrong seeks love,
but the gossip estranges his friend. 
 10A rebuke cuts a wise man more deeply
than a hundred stripes cut a fool. 
 11The bad man is bent on playing the rebel; 
so a pitiless angel is sent against him. 
 12Meet a bear robbed of her whelps 
rather than a fool in his folly. 
 13Misfortune will haunt the house 
of the man who for good returns evil. 
 14Strife may be started by idle words;
so give over contention before there is quarrelling. 
 15To acquit the guilty and condemn the innocent 
are both alike to the Lord detestable. 
 16Why does the fool bring a fee 
to buy wisdom, when he has no mind? 
 17A true friend loves at all times; 
a brother is born for adversity. 
 18He that gives his hand is a fool — 
the man who goes bail for another.
 19He loves wounds who loves strife, 
and the man who builds loftily seeks destruction. 
 20The false heart finds no good. 
and the wily tongue comes to disaster. 
 21A man begets a fool to his sorrow; 
no joy can there be for the father of a fool. 
 22A happy heart is a healthful medicine, 
but a broken spirit dries up the bones. 
 23The wicked accept a bribe 
to deflect the course of justice. 
 24The man of good sense has his gaze fixed on wisdom, 
but a fool has his eyes at the end of the earth. 
 25A foolish son is a grief to his father, 
and bitterness to her that bore him. 
 26Since it is not right even to fine the innocent, 
to scourge men of honour is utterly wrong.
 27He that spares his words is truly wise,
and a cool-tempered man is a man of discretion. 
 28Even a fool may, if silent, be taken for wise — 
for a man of good sense, if he keeps his lips closed.  
 18The estranged friend seeks an occasion of quarrel; 
1he tries by all means to stir up strife. 
 2A fool has no pleasure in prudence,
but only in self-display. 
 3Wrongdoing brings down contempt, 
and disgrace follows dishonour. 
 4The words that are found on wise lips are deep waters, 
a bubbling brook, a fountain of life. 
 5It is wrong to favour the guilty, 
to give verdict against the innocent. 
 6A fool by his talk is involved in disputes, 
and his words cry aloud for a beating. 
 7The mouth of a fool is his ruin; 
his lips are a trap to him. 
 8Slanderous words are like dainty morsels; 
down they ghde to the innermost being. 
 9He that is slack in his business 
is brother to him that destroys. 
 10The Lord is a mighty tower; 
the righteous run in and are safe. 
 11A rich man's wealth is his fortified city, 
and like a high wall are his riches. 
 12Pride of heart goes before destruction,
and before honour goes humility.
 13For a man to answer before he has heard 
is folly and shame to him. 
 14A man's spirit sustains his weakness, 
but who can bear a crushed spirit? 
 15A sensible mind acquires knowledge, 
and a wise ear seeks out wisdom. 
 16Presents prepare a man's way, 
and bring him before the great. 
 17The first man to plead seems right, 
but then comes the other and tests him. 
 18The lot puts an end to disputes, 
and decides between the mighty. 
 19The rich man's wealth is his fortified city; 
his riches resemble the bars of a fortress. 
 20A man's words will bear for him plenty of fruit. 
and his speech will have an abundant harvest. 
 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, 
and those who love it must eat its fruit. 
 22He that finds a wife has found a blessing,
and won a sign of the Lord's good will. 
 23A poor man speaks like a supplicant, 
but the rich man answers gruffly. 
 24There are friends that seek nothing but company, 
and a friend who clings closer than brother.  
 19Better a poor man whose life is blameless 
1than one who is crooked, although he be rich. 
 2To act without knowledge is foolish; 
the hasty foot misses the goal. 
 3A man ruins his life by his folly, 
And then he fumes against God. 
 4Wealth adds many friends, 
but the friend of the poor man withdraws. 
 5A false witness will not go unpunished; 
he that utters lies will not escape. 
 6To the liberal many pay court; 
all are friends of the man who gives. 
 7A poor man's brothers all hate him; 
much more do his friends stand aloof. 
 8He loves his life who acquires wisdom, 
and he finds good who observes understanding. 
 9A false witness will not go unpunished; 
he that utters lies will perish. 
 10A luxurious life for a fool is unseemly; 
much more for a servant to rule over princes. 
 11By forbearance a man shows his wisdom; 
to ignore an offence is his glory. 
 12The wrath of a king is like the growl of a lion, 
his favour like dew on the grass. 
 13A silly son is his father's ruin, 
and a quarrelsome wife is an endless drip. 
 14House and wealth come to men from their fathers, 
but a prudent wife is the gift of the Lord. 
 15Indolence ends in a deep heavy sleep,
and the man that is slack will be hungry. 
 16He that keeps the commandment preserves his life; 
he that spurns the word will die. 
 17To be kind to the poor is to lend to the Lord, 
who will pay the good deed back. 
 18Chastise your son, while yet there is hope,
and set not your heart on having him ruined. 
 19He who pays a fine is very angry. 
but, if he should scoff, he must pay still more. 
 20Listen to counsel, receive instruction, 
so that you may be wise in the days to come. 
 21A man has many a plan in his mind; 
but the Lord has his purpose — and that will stand. 
 22A man's kindness brings him return; 
better be poor than a cheat. 
 23The fear of the Lord is the pathway to life, 
to that quiet content which no evil can visit. 
 24The lazy man buries his hand in the dish, 
and refuses to carry it back to his mouth. 
 25When a scoffer is beaten, a simpleton learns,
but reproof is enough to teach sensible men. 
 26That son is a thorough disgrace and scoundrel 
who maltreats his father and drives out his mother. 
 27Cease, my son, to despise instruction,
to wander away from the words of knowledge. 
 28An unprincipled witness scoffs at justice, 
and the mouth of the wicked pours out wrong. 
 29The scourgeo is prepared for the scoffer. 
and stripes for the back of the fool.  
 20Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, 
1and they who reel under it do not act wisely. 
 2The wrath of a king is like the growl of a lion, 
and he who provokes him endangers his life. 
 3It honours a man to keep from strife, 
but every fool shows his teeth. 
 4In autumn the lazy man will not plough; 
so in harvest he asks for a crop in vain. 
 5A plan may lie deep in the heart like well-water, 
but a skilful man knows how to draw it up. 
 6Many a man professes kindness, 
but who can find a man of fidelity? 
 7Happy the sons that come after the man 
whose life has been righteous and blameless. 
 8Throned on the seat of judgment, 
the king sifts all wrong with his eyes. 
 9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, 
pure and sinless am I”? 
 10Divers weights and divers measures 
are both alike to the Lord detestable. 
 11Even a child is known by his deeds, 
as his conduct is good or bad. 
 12The hearing ear and the seeing eye 
are both alike the Lord's creation. 
 13Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; 
open your eyes, that your bread may be plentiful. 
 14“Bad, bad,” says the buyer; 
but when he is gone, he brags. 
 15Lips of wisdom are store of gold, 
wealth of coral and precious vessels. 
 16Take the garment of him who goes bail for another, 
and hold it in pledge for that other. 
 17Bread won by deception tastes sweet to a man, 
but at last his mouth will be hiled with gravel. 
 18Take advice in arranging your plans,
and do not make war without guidance. 
 19Who carries tales divulges secrets; 
have nothing to do with a gossip. 
 20He who curses his father or mother — 
his lamp will go out in thick darkness. 
 21Wealth hastily gotten at first 
will remain unblessed in the end. 
 22Do not say, “I will pay back evil”; 
but wait for the help of the Lord. 
 23Divers weights the Lord abhors; 
false balances are not good. 
 24Since the Lord controls a man's steps, 
how can man understand his way? 
 25A man is ensnared if he dedicates rashly, 
and only makes inquiry after his vow. 
 26A wise king winnows the wicked, 
and passes the wheel over them, 
 27The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, 
searching every room of his being. 
 28Kindness and faithfulness guard the king, 
and his throne is established by justice. 
 29The glory of youth is its strength, 
but grey hair is the beauty of age. 
 30A bad man is doomed to the lash, whose stripes 
will cut to his inmost soul.  
 21The Lord guides the king's heart like watercourses,
1turning it whither He will. 
 2A man's life may seem thoroughly straight to himself, 
but the Lord weighs the heart. 
 3The doing of justice and right 
to the Lord is more welcome than sacrifice. 
 4A haughty look, a heart of pride, 
the soil of the wicked is sin. 
 5The plans of the diligent issue in gain,
but too much haste leads only to want. 
 6He that wins him wealth by a fraudulent tongue 
is pursuing a breath and a deadly snare. 
 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to act justly. 
 8The way of the vicious is crooked, 
but a pure man does what is straight. 
 9It is better to live on the roof in a corner, 
than in a spacious house with a quarrelsome woman. 
 10The wicked man's passion is all to do harm; 
he looks on his neighbour with pitiless eye. 
 11When a scoffer is punished, a fool becomes wise; 
but the wise are receptive, and learn by instruction. 
 12The Lord considers the righteous, 
but the house of the wicked he overthrows. 
 13He that stops his ears at the cry of the poor 
will find his own call unanswered. 
 14A gift in secret extinguishes anger, 
and a bribe in the bosom soothes strong indignation. 
 15When justice is done, the righteous rejoice; 
but evil-doers are ruined. 
 16The man who strays from wisdom's way 
will rest where the dead are gathered. 
 17The lover of pleasure will come to want, 
and lovers of wine and oil cannot grow rich. 
 18For the righteous the wicked is ransom; 
the false take the place of the upright. 
 19It is better to live in a desert land 
than with a provoking and quarrelsome woman. 
 20In the wise man's homestead is precious treasure, 
but a silly man swallows it up. 
 21The pursuit of justice and kindness 
is crowned with life and honour. 
 22The wise man scales the strong men's city, 
and brings down the stronghold in which they trusted. 
 23He who guards his mouth and his tongue 
preserves himself from trouble. 
 24Scoffers men call the proud and haughty 
who act with insolent pride. 
 25The desire of the sluggard will slay him, 
for his hands refuse to work. 
 26Desires and petitions are endless, 
but the righteous gives unsparingly. 
 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; 
much more when offered with vile intent. 
 28A lying witness will perish, 
but a trustworthy witness will stand forever.
 29The wicked put on a bold face, 
but the upright take heed to their conduct. 
 30No wisdom nor understanding 
nor counsel can match the Lord. 
 31For the day of battle the horse may be harnessed, 
but only the Lord can dispense the victory.  
 22A fair name is more to be chosen than wealth; 
1men's regard is far better than silver and gold. 
 2The rich and the poor meet together; 
the Lord is the maker of both. 
 3The prudent scent mischief and hide; 
the simple go on and are punished. 
 4The reward of the humble who fear the Lord 
is riches and honour and life. 
 5On the way of the crooked lie traps and snares; 
he who watches his life will keep far away. 
 6Train up a child for his destined way, 
and, even when old, he will not depart from it. 
 7The rich lords it over the poor, 
and the borrower is slave to the lender. 
 8He that sows wrong will reap trouble,
and the gain he has toiled for will vanish. 
 9The man with the kindly eye will be blessed, 
for he gives of his bread to the poor. 
 10Expel the scoffer and discord will vanish,
and strife and insult cease. 
 11The pure in heart are beloved of the Lord, 
and the winsome of speech have the king for a friend.
 12The Lord is watching, alert and aware, 
nd the aims of the false he subverts. 
 13The lazy man says, “There's a lion outside. 
on the street I am like to be murdered.”
 14The lewd woman's mouth is a deep, deep pit; 
he who angers the Lord will fall into it. 
 15Folly is bound to the mind of a child, 
but the rod of correction removes it. 
 16He who crushes the poor in the end but enriches him,
but a gift to the rich only tends to his poverty. 
Second Collection of Proverbs 
 22Incline your ear and hear my words, 
17and set your heart to know their beauty. 
 18Keep them in your mind, 
have them ever fixed on your lips. 
 19That your trust may be in the Lord 
I teach you them this day, 
 20As I wrote for you heretofore 
concerning counsels of wisdom — 
 21to acquaint you with words of truth, 
and with answers for those who would question you. 

 22Rob not the poor because he is poor,
and crush not the weak in the gate; 
 23For the Lord will defend their cause,
and will rob of their lives those who rob them. 

 24Make no friend of a man prone to anger, 
nor go with a man of passion, 
 25in case you learn his ways. 
and get yourself ensnared.

 26Be not one of those that give pledges, 
of those that are surety for debt; 
 27for if you have nothing to pay, 
your bed will be taken from under you. 

 28Remove not the ancient landmark 
established by your fathers. 
 29Do you see a man expert in his business? 
He will stand in the presence of kings. 
but before obscure men he will not stand.  
 23If you sit at a ruler's table, 
1consider well who is before you; 
 2and set a knife to your throat, 
if you be a hearty eater.

 4Toil not to make yourself rich, 
desist from this your purpose; 
 5for no sooner seen than gone. 
For riches make themselves wings
like an eagle that flies towards heaven. 

 6Do not dine with a niggardly man,
and do not fancy his dainties; 
 7for a reckoning soul has he. 
He tells you to eat and drink, 
but his heart is not with yours. 
 8You must spit out the piece you have eaten, 
for it is bread of deceit. 

 9Speak not in the ears of a fool. 
For your wisest words he despises — 
your fair discourse is in vain. 

 10Remove not the widow's landmark,
nor enter the fields of the fatherless; 
 11for they have a mighty champion, 
who will plead their cause against you. 

 12Apply your mind to instruction, 
your ear to the words of knowledge. 
 13Leave not a child unchastised,
for your beating will save him from death. 
 14It is for you to beat him. 
and so will you save him from Sheol. 
 15My son, if your heart be wise, 
then my heart too will be glad. 
 16I will rejoice from my soul, 
when your lips utter words of rectitude. 
 17Be not envious of sinners, 
but ever fear the Lord; 
 18for there is a future for you. 
and your hope will not be cut off. 

 19Listen, my son, and be wise, 
and walk in the way of prudence.
 20Mix not with men that drink wine, 
or that gorge themselves with flesh; 
 21for gorging and drink make men paupers, 
and drowsiness covers with rags. 

 22Listen to the father that begat you, 
and despise not your aged mother; 
 25But let your father be glad, 
and make your mother happy. 
 24For a righteous son makes a glad, glad father, 
and a prudent son is the joy of his mother. 

 26Give heed to me, my son. 
Let your eyes take note of my ways. 
 27For a deep, deep pit is the harlot, 
the lewd woman a narrow well. 
 28She lies in wait like a robber, 
and many are they she plunders. 
The Peril of Wine 
 29Who is it that cries, “Ah! Woe is me!” 
Who is it that has quarrels and plaints? 
Who is it that has senseless bruises? 
And who has the dull red eyes? 
 30Those that linger over wine, 
those that drink spiced wine with a relish. 
 31Look not on the ruddy wine, 
when in the cup it sparkles, 
smoothly it glides down; 
 32but at last it bites like a serpent, 
and stings like an adder. 
 33Strange things your eyes behold, 
your mind and your speech go a-wandering; 
 34Like one riding the sea are you 
in the throes of a violent storm. 
 35I was struck, but I feel no pain, 
of the blows I am all unconscious. 
O when will I wake from my wine? 
I would seek it once again.  
 24Be not envious of evil men, 
1and do not desire to be with them; 
 2for they cherish designs of plunder, 
and mischief is on their lips. 

 3By wisdom a house is built up, 
by intelligence it is established; 
 4by knowledge its shambers are filled 
with all precious and pleasant substance. 

 5Wise men are better than strong men, 
and knowledge is better than might; 
 6for wars are waged by wise guidance. 
and victory lies in counsellors. 

 7Wisdom is too high for a fool; 
so he opens not his mouth in the gate. 
 8The man who deviseth mischief 
is known among men as a schemer. 
 9The scheming of fools is sin, 
and the scoffer is hated of men.

 10If you have been slack, in the day of distress 
your resource will be scanty. 
 11Rescue those that are taken to death; 
save those that are tottering to slaughter. 
 12If you say, “It is not in my power,” 
he who weighs the heart, he discerns; 
He who watches your soul, he knows, 
and on each he will bring back his deeds. 

 13As the honey you eat, my son, is wholesome. 
and sweet to your taste is the honeycomb, 
 14even so, be assured, to your soul is wisdom. 

 15Lie not in wait for the home of the just, 
and do not assail his dwelling-place; 
 16for the just, though he fall seven times, will rise, 
but the wicked will stumble to ruin. 

 17At the fall of your foe rejoice not, 
and do not exult at his overthrow; 
 18lest the Lord be displeased when he sees it, 
and turn His anger away from him. 

 19Be not fretful because of evil-doers. 
nor envious of the wicked; 
 20for the bad man will have no future. 
The lamp of the wicked is quenched. 

 21Fear the Lord, my son, and the king, 
be not haughty to one or the other; 
 22for swift is the ruin they raise, 
the disaster they send unforeseen. 
Appendix to the Second Collection of Proverbs 
 23These also belong to the wise men: 
It is wrong to be partial in giving of judgment.
 24All men will curse and all people will execrate 
him who pronounces the guilty man innocent. 
 25But those whose decisions are just will fare pleasantly; 
blessings of fortune will rest upon them. 

 26As one who kisses the lips 
is he who returns a straight answer. 

 27Set your business in order without, 
make all ready in your fields: 
after that you may build up your house. 

 28Bear not false witness against your neighbour, 
nor let your lips be deceitful. 
 29Do not threaten to treat him as he treated you, 
and to visit his deed with retribution. 
On the Sluggard 
 30By the field of the sluggard I passed. 
by the vineyard of one that was foolish. 
 31It was all overgrown with thistles; 
its surface was covered with nettles; 
its wall of stone was in ruins. 
 32As I looked, I thought upon it, 
and I drew from the sight a lesson. 
 33“Just a little more sleep, a little more slumber, 
a little more lying with folded hands.” 
 34So will poverty come upon you like a robber, 
and want like an armed man.  
Third Collection of Proverbs
 25These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out. 
 2The glory of God is his mystery, 
but the glory of kings is investigation. 
 3Like the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth, 
so the purpose of kings is unsearchable. 

 4Remove the dross from silver,
and forth it comes pure altogether. 
 5Remove wicked men from the king. 
and his throne is established by righteousness. 

 6In the presence of a king claim not honour, 
nor stand in the place of the great. 
 7Better be told, “Come up hither,” 
than be humbled before the prince. 

 8Do not hastily bring up a law-suit
of something your eyes have seen. 
For what will you do in the end, 
when your neighbour has put you to shame? 
 9Discuss the affair with your neighbour, 
reveal not his secret to others; 
 10lest those that have heard it reproach you
and your infamy pass not away.

 11Like apples of gold in carvings of silver 
is a word that is fittingly spoken. 
 12Like an earring of gold and a necklace of fine gold 
is a wise man's reproof to a listening ear. 
 13Like a drink cooled by snow in the time of harvest 
is a faithful envoy to those that send him: 
he refreshes the soul of his master. 
 14As clouds and wind that yet bring no rain, 
so is one that boasts of gifts that he gives not. 
 15An angry man can be won by forbearance, 
and bones can be broken by gentle words.
 16If you find honey, eat just what you need. 
lest, after a surfeit, you vomit it up. 
 17In the house of your friend let your foot be but seldom, 
lest, sated with you, he detest you. 
 18One who bears false witness against his neighbour 
is a hammer, a sword, and a sharp-pointed arrow. 
 19In a crumbling tooth and a foot unsteady 
is the faithless man's trust in the day of distress. 
 20As vinegar to a wound
is a song to a sorrowful heart. 
 21Give your enemy food, if he hunger; 
and water, if he be thirsty: 
 22for so will you heap coals of fire on his head, 
and the Lord will give you recompense. 
 23As the north wind brings forth rain, 
so slander an angry countenance. 
 24It is better to live on the roof in a corner 
than in a spacious house with a quarrelsome woman. 
 25Like cool water to one that is weary 
is good news from a distant land. 
 26Like a fountain befouled or a ruined spring 
is a just man who falls before the wicked. 
 27It is not good to eat much honey; 
be sparing then of your compliments.
 28Like a city whose walls are broken down 
is a man without self-control.  
 26In a fool is honour as unbecoming 
1as snow in summer or rain in harvest. 
 2Like the aimless flight of a sparrow or swallow, 
the curse that is baseless does not come home. 
 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
and a rod for the back of fools. 
 4Do not answer a fool as beseems his folly,
in case you, too, become like him. 
 5Answer a fool as beseems his folly, 
lest he fancy himself to be wise. 
 6To send a fool with a message 
is to cut off one's feet and to drink disaster. 
 7Like the limp legs of the lame 
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 
 8Like a bundle of jewels on a heap of stones 
is honour conferred on a fool. 
 9Like a thorn-stick brandished by a drunken man 
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 
 10All fools must suffer sore anguish of body. 
and their insolence will be shattered.
 11Like a dog that returns to his vomit, 
a fool repeats his folly. 
 12If you see a man who thinks himself wise, 
there is far more hope for a fool than for him. 
On the Sluggard 
 13The lazy man saith, “There's a lion on the road, 
there's a lion on the street.” 
 14As the door turns on its hinges, 
so the lazy man in his bed. 
 15The lazy man buries his hand in the dish — 
too weary to carry it back to his mouth.
 16The lazy man thinks himself wiser 
than seven who can answer discreetly. 

 17To mix in a quarrel not your own 
is to catch a dog by the ears. 
 18Like a madman who hurls about 
deadly fire-brands and arrows, 
 19is the man who deceives his neighbour 
and says that he did it in jest. 
 20In the absence of wood the fire goes out. 
In the absence of slander contention ceases. 
 21As charcoal to embers or wood to fire 
is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 
 22Slanderous words are like dainty morsels, 
down they glide to the innermost being. 
On Hypocrisy 
 23Like a sherd overlaid with silver slag 
is a wicked heart with glowing lips. 
 24With his lips one who hates you dissembles. 
but he cherishes guile in his heart. 
 25When he speaks you fair, trust him not: 
in his heart lurk hateful things seven. 
 36One who veils his hatred with guile 
has his malice uncovered in public. 
 27He who digs a pit will fall into it; 
he who rolls a stone gets it back upon him, 
 28A false tongue brings destruction; 
a flattering mouth works ruin.  
 27Boast not yourself of tomorrow, 
1for you do not know what a day may bring forth. 
 2Let another mouth praise you, not yours — 
the lips of some other, not yours. 
 3A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, 
but heavier than both the vexation caused by fools. 
 4Indignation is fierce, anger pours like a flood; 
but who can stand before jealousy? 
 5Better an open reproof 
than affection that is concealed. 
 6The wounds of a friend are sincere,
but profuse are the kisses of a foe. 
 7Honey is scorned by a man that is full, 
but anything bitter is sweet to the hungry. 
 8Like a bird that strays from its nest 
is a man that wanders from home. 
 9Oil and perfume rejoice the heart, 
but sorrow of spirit does rend it asunder. 
 10Your friend and your father's friend forsake not; 
and in your day of distress 
do not enter the house of your brother, 
near neighbour is better than distant brother. 
 11Be wise, my son, and gladden my heart. 
that so I may answer the man who would taunt me. 
 12The prudent scent mischief and hide; 
the simple go on and are punished. 
 13Take the garment of him who goes bail for another, 
and hold it in pledge for that other. 
 14If early in the morning 
one loudly blesses another, 
it is reckoned to him as a curse. 
 15An endless drip on a rainy day 
and a quarrelsome wife are alike; 
 16he hides the wind that would hide her, 
and his hand grasps at oil.
 17As iron sharpens iron, 
so a man sharpens his friend. 
 18He that tends a fig-tree will eat its fruit; 
so one who attends to his lord will get honour. 
 19As face answers to face
so the mind of one man to another. 
 20Abaddon and Sheol are ever unsated. 
and ever unsated the eyes of men. 
 21As the smelter for silver, the furnace for gold,
so repute is the test of a man. 
 22Though you bray a fool with a pestle 
along with bruised grain in a mortar. 
you will not get him rid of his folly. 
Advice to Farmers 
 23Look well to the state of your flock, 
and give your mind to your herds; 
 24For wealth lasts not forever, 
nor riches through all generations. 
 25When the hay is removed and the new growth appears,
and the grass of the uplands is all gathered in, 
 26Then the lambs will supply you with clothing,
and the goats with the price of a field; 
 27goats' milk enough there will be for your food, 
and a livelihood for your slave-girls.  
 28The wicked flee, when no man pursues, 
1but the righteous are bold as a lion. 
 2By the sin of the violent quarrels arise, 
but a man of sense will extinguish them. 
 3A wicked man that oppresses the poor 
is a deluging rain that leaves no food. 
 4Those who turn from instruction admire the wicked, 
but those who observe it are zealous against them. 
 5The wicked have no understanding of justice, 
but who cares for the Lord understands it completely. 
 6Better a poor man whose life is blameless 
than one who is crooked, although he be rich. 
 7A son that is prudent observes instruction, 
but the comrade of profligates shames his father. 
 8He that adds to his substance by interest or increase 
but gathers for him that is kind to the poor. 
 9If one turns a deaf ear to instruction, 
his very prayers are detestable. 
 10He that turns the upright to wicked ways 
will himself fall into the pit that he dug; 
but the blameless will come to prosperity. 
 11A rich man may think himself wise, 
but a poor man with brains can see through him. 
 12What a pageant there is, when the just are triumphant! 
When the wicked emerge into power, men hide. 
 13No man will prosper that covers his sins, 
but those that confess and forsake them find mercy. 
 14Happy the man who fears always, 
but the obstinate plunge to disaster. 
 15A roaring lion, a prowling bear,
is a bad man who rules an impoverished people, 
 16That prince has no prudence that plays the oppressor. 
but long will he live that detests unjust gain. 
 17He who sheds the blood of a man — 
let him flee to a city, let none apprehend him. 
 18The blameless life will be kept in safety,
but the crooked life will suddenly fall. 
 19He that tills his land will have plenty of bread. 
but idle pursuits end in plenty of poverty. 
 20A trustworthy man will be richly blessed, 
but who hastes to get riches will not go unpunished. 
 21It is wrong for a man to be partial,
to sin for a piece of bread. 
 22A greedy man hastes to be rich, 
not knowing that want will befall him. 
 23A man who reproves gets more thanks in the end 
than a smooth-tongued flatterer. 
 24One who robs his parents and says, “It is no sin,” 
is companion to him who destroys. 
 25A greedy man stirs up strife; 
he who trusts in the Lord will flourish. 
 26He who trusts in himself is a fool; 
he who walks in wisdom is safe. 
 27He who gives to the poor will not come to want, 
but who veileth his eyes will have many a curse. 
 28When the wicked emerge into power, men hide; 
when they perish, the righteous increase.  
 29One who stiffens his neck against all reproof 
1will be suddenly crushed beyond healing. 
 2When the just are in power, the people are glad; 
when the wicked hold sway, the people groan. 
 3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, 
but the comrade of harlots consumes his substance. 
 4By justice a king sets his country erect, 
but one whose exactions are heavy destroys it. 
 5A man who cajols his neighbour 
is spreading a net for his steps. 
 6By his sin is a wicked man snared, 
but the righteous does shout for joy. 
 7To the righteous the cause of the poor is dear, 
but the wicked care nothing at all. 
 8Scoffers inflame a city (with discord), 
but wise men turn passions aside. 
 9When a wise man disputes with a fool, 
he storms and laughs, and peace there is none. 
 10Men of blood hate the blameless; 
the wicked seek for his life. 
 11The fool lets his temper go,
but a wise man restrains his anger. 
 12If a ruler pays heed to false tales, 
his officials all grow to be scoundrels. 
 13Oppressor and poor meet together, 
but the light in the eyes of them both is the Lord's. 
 14If a king be faithful and just to the poor,
his throne will stand forever. 
 15The rod of correction brings wisdom,
but a child let loose brings disgrace on his mother. 
 16When the wicked hold sway, wrong increases,
but the righteous will gloat on their downfall. 
 17Correct your son and your mind will be eased, 
and he will delight your soul. 
 18People break loose in the absence of vision, 
but he who observes instruction is happy. 
 19Not by words can a servant be trained; 
for he knows, but he will not obey. 
 20See you a man of hasty speech, 
there is far more hope for a fool than for him. 
 21The spoiled child will end as a servant, 
and come to grief at the last.
 22A passionate man stirs up strife, 
and much evil is wrought by hot temper. 
 23Pride will lay a man low, 
but the lowly attain to honour. 
 24His own foe is he who goes shares with a thief; 
he hears the curse, but he utters nothing. 
 25The fear of man brings a snare, 
but who trusts the Lord is safe. 
 26Many seek royal favour, 
but it is God who decides every man's fate. 
 27The righteous abhor the unjust,
and the wicked abhor the upright.  
Collection of Brief Discourses and Aphorisms 
 30The words of Agur, son of Jakeh, the Massaite. Oracle of the man. 
The Weary World-Problem 
1I have wearied myself, O God; 
O God, I am weary and spent: 
 2For dull as a brute am I, 
not a man with the mind of a man. 
 3I have not learned wisdom, 
and nothing I know of the Holy One. 
 4Who has climbed the heavens and come down? 
Who has gathered the wind in his fist? 
Who has tied in a garment the waters, 
or set up the bounds of the earth? 
What is his name, or his son's name? 
for surely you know. 

 5The words of God have all been tested, 
he shields those who take refuge in him. 
 6To his words add you nothing at all, 
lest He should convict you of being a liar. 
A Prayer for Preservation alike from Wealth and Poverty 
 7For two things I entreat you; 
deny me not, before I die. 
 8Put falseness and lying away from me; 
give me neither riches nor poverty, 
grant me the food I need; 
 9lest, if surfeited, I deny you, 
and say, “Who then is the Lord?” 
Or poverty drive me to steal, 
and profane the name of my God. 
Against Defamation 
 10To a master defame not his servant, 
lest he curse you and you have to smart for it. 
Four Evil Types 
 11There are those who curse their fathers, 
and leave their mothers unblessed. 
 12There are others that think themselves pure, 
yet are all unwashed of their filthiness. 
 13There are others with haughty eyes 
and supercilious eyebrows. 
 14There are others whose teeth are swords — 
the teeth in their jaws are knives,
to devour the poor from the earth. 
and the needy from off the ground. 
Four Insatiable Things 
 15There are three things that never are satisfied — 
four that say never, “Enough!” 
 16Sheol; the womb that is barren; 
the earth unsated with water; 
and fire that says never, “Enough!” 
Against Contempt of Parents 
 17The eye that mocks a father, 
and scornes an aged mother,
will be picked by the crows of the valley 
and clean devoured by vultures. 
Four Mysterious Things 
 18Three things are too wonderful for me — 
four are beyond my knowledge: 
 19the way of a vulture in air, 
the way of a snake on a rock, 
the way of a ship on the sea,
and the way of a man with a woman. 
Four Intolerable Things 
 21Under three things the earth does tremble — 
four she cannot bear: 
 22A slave when he comes to the throne, 
a fool who has more than enough, 
 23a plain woman when she gets married, 
a maid that is heir to her mistress. 
Four Things Little but Wise 
 24Of the small things of earth there are four. 
and wiser they are than the wisest. 
 25The ants are a feeble folk, 
yet they lay up their food in the summer. 
 26A feeble folk, too, are the conies, 
yet they make their house in the rocks. 
 27The locusts again, though kingless, 
yet march, every one, in good order. 
 28And a lizard you could crush in your hand 
finds her way into royal palaces. 
Four Stately Things 
 29Three creatures there are whose step is stately, 
four whose step is majestic — 
 30The lion, most valiant of beasts, 
who in presence of foe never flinches; 
 31The proud strutting cock and the he-goat, 
and a king who is head of his army.

 32Bluster you not in arrogance, 
but lay your hand on your mouth. 

 33As the churning of milk yields curd, 
and the wringing of the nose yields blood, 
so the churning of wrath yields strife.  
Against Immorality and Intemperance 
 31The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him. 
 2O son whom I bore, give heed to my words; 
and observe my sayings, you son of my vows. 
 3Give not your strength to women, 
nor your love to those that slay kings. 
 4Nor for kings is it right to drink wine, 
or for princes to long for strong drink; 
 5Lest in drink they forget the law, 
and do wrong to the cause of the sorrowful. 
 6But give drink to him who is perishing, 
and wine to the bitter in soul; 
 7so that in drink he forget his poverty,
and think of his sorrow no more. 
 8Open your mouth for the widow, 
do right by all fatherless children. 
 9Open your mouth in just judgment. 
defend the poor and the needy. 
The Ideal Housewife 
 10A woman of worth who can find? 
Her price is far above corals. 
 11To her her husband trusts, 
and finds no lack of gain. 
 12She does him good and not harm 
all the days of his life. 
 13She looks out wool and flax. 
and works it up as she will. 
 14Like the merchant-ships is she; 
she brings her food from afar. 
 15She rises while yet it is night, 
and gives her household food, 
and her maidens their portion appointed. 
 16She examines a field and buys it; 
with her earnings she plants a vineyard, 
 17She girds her loins with strength, 
and with vigour she plies her arms. 
 18She perceives that her profit is good; 
her lamp never goes out in the night. 
 19She lays her hand on the distaff; 
her hand takes hold of the spindle. 
 20She stretches her hand to the poor, 
and her hand she extends to the needy. 
 21She fears not the snow for her household; 
her household are all clad in scarlet. 
 22And coverlets she has made her; 
her raiment is linen and purple. 
 23In the gates is her husband well known, 
where he sits with the elders in council. 
 24Linen she makes and sells; 
to the merchant she furnishes girdles. 
 25She is clothed with strength and glory; 
she laughs at the days to come. 
 26Her mouth she opens in wisdom; 
kind counsel is on her tongue. 
 27She looks well to the ways of her household; 
she eats not the bread of idleness. 
 28Her children arise and bless her; 
her husband sings her praises: 
 29“Many daughters have done nobly, 
but you excellest them all!”
 30Grace is deceptive, and beauty is transient. 
but a woman of character — she will be praised. 
 31Give her then what her hands have earned, 
even the praise of her deeds in the gates.