PRO 1:1
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of
Israel:
PRO 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction, To
discern the sayings of understanding,
PRO 1:3 To receive instruction in wise
behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;
PRO 1:4 To give prudence to the naive, To the
youth knowledge and discretion,
PRO 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in
learning, And a man of understanding will acquire
wise counsel,
PRO 1:6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
PRO 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
PRO 1:8 Hear, my son, your father's
instruction, And do not forsake your mother's
teaching;
PRO 1:9 Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to
your head, And ornaments about your neck.
PRO 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do
not consent.
PRO 1:11 If they say, "Come with us, Let us
lie in wait for blood, Let us ambush the innocent
without cause;
PRO 1:12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;
PRO 1:13 We shall find all kinds of precious
wealth, We shall fill our houses with spoil;
PRO 1:14 Throw in your lot with us, We shall
all have one purse, "
PRO 1:15 My son, do not walk in the way with
them. Keep your feet from their path,
PRO 1:16 For their feet run to evil, And they
hasten to shed blood.
PRO 1:17 Indeed, it is useless to spread the
net In the eyes of any bird;
PRO 1:18 But they lie in wait for their own
blood; They ambush their own lives.
PRO 1:19 So are the ways of everyone who
gains by violence; It takes away the life of its
possessors.
PRO 1:20 Wisdom shouts in the street, She
lifts her voice in the square;
PRO 1:21 At the head of the noisy streets she
cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city,
she utters her sayings:
PRO 1:22 "How long, O naive ones, will you
love simplicity? And scoffers delight themselves in
scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?
PRO 1:23 "Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will
pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words
known to you.
PRO 1:24 "Because I called, and you refused;
I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention;
PRO 1:25 And you neglected all my counsel,
And did not want my reproof;
PRO 1:26 I will even laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
PRO 1:27 When your dread comes like a storm,
And your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, When
distress and anguish come on you.
PRO 1:28 "Then they will call on me, but I
will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but
they shall not find me,
PRO 1:29 Because they hated knowledge, And
did not choose the fear of the Lord.
PRO 1:30 "They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
PRO 1:31 "So they shall eat of the fruit of
their own way, And be satiated with their own
devices.
PRO 1:32 "For the waywardness of the naive
shall kill them, And the complacency of fools shall
destroy them.
PRO 1:33 "But he who listens to me shall live
securely, And shall be at ease from the dread of
evil."
Top of Page
PRO 2:1
My son, if you will receive my sayings, And treasure
my commandments within you,
PRO 2:2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
PRO 2:3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift
your voice for understanding;
PRO 2:4 If you seek her as silver, And search
for her as for hidden treasures;
PRO 2:5 Then you will discern the fear of the
Lord, And discover the knowledge of God.
PRO 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His
mouth come knowledge and understanding.
PRO 2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the
upright; He is a shield to those who walk in
integrity,
PRO 2:8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He
preserves the way of His godly ones.
PRO 2:9 Then you will discern righteousness
and justice And equity and every good course.
PRO 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
PRO 2:11 Discretion will guard you,
Understanding will watch over you,
PRO 2:12 To deliver you from the way of evil,
From the man who speaks perverse things;
PRO 2:13 From those who leave the paths of
uprightness, To walk in the ways of darkness;
PRO 2:14 Who delight in doing evil, And
rejoice in the perversity of evil;
PRO 2:15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are
devious in their ways;
PRO 2:16 To deliver you from the strange
woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her
words;
PRO 2:17 That leaves the companion of her
youth, And forgets the covenant of her God;
PRO 2:18 For her house sinks down to death,
And her tracks lead to the dead;
PRO 2:19 None who go to her return again, Nor
do they reach the paths of life.
PRO 2:20 So you will walk in the way of good
men, And keep to the paths of the righteous.
PRO 2:21 For the upright will live in the
land, And the blameless will remain in it;
PRO 2:22 But the wicked will be cut off from
the land, And the treacherous will be uprooted from
it.
Top of Page
PRO 3:1
My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your
heart keep my commandments;
PRO 3:2 For length of days and years of life,
And peace they will add to you.
PRO 3:3 Do not let kindness and truth leave
you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the
tablet of your heart.
PRO 3:4 So you will find favor and good
repute In the sight of God and man.
PRO 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your
heart, And do not lean on your own understanding.
PRO 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And
He will make your paths straight.
PRO 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear
the Lord and turn away from evil.
PRO 3:8 It will be healing to your body, And
refreshment to your bones.
PRO 3:9 Honor the Lord from your wealth, And
from the first of all your produce;
PRO 3:10 So your barns will be filled with
plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
PRO 3:11 My son, do not reject the discipline
of the Lord, Or loathe His reproof,
PRO 3:12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father, the son in whom he delights.
PRO 3:13 How blessed is the man who finds
wisdom, And the man who gains understanding.
PRO 3:14 For its profit is better than the
profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold.
PRO 3:15 She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
PRO 3:16 Long life is in her right hand; In
her left hand are riches and honor.
PRO 3:17 Her ways are pleasant ways, And all
her paths are peace.
PRO 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who
take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her
fast.
PRO 3:19 The Lord by wisdom founded the
earth; By understanding He established the heavens.
PRO 3:20 By His knowledge the deeps were
broken up, And the skies drip with dew.
PRO 3:21 My son, let them not depart from
your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
PRO 3:22 So they will be life to your soul,
And adornment to your neck.
PRO 3:23 Then you will walk in your way
securely, And your foot will not stumble.
PRO 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be
afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
PRO 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, Nor
of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
PRO 3:26 For the Lord will be your
confidence, And will keep your foot from being
caught.
PRO 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to
whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.
PRO 3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go,
and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When
you have it with you.
PRO 3:29 Do not devise harm against your
neighbor, While he lives in security beside you.
PRO 3:30 Do not contend with a man without
cause, If he has done you no harm.
PRO 3:31 Do not envy a man of violence, And
do not choose any of his ways.
PRO 3:32 For the crooked man is an
abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the
upright.
PRO 3:33 The curse of the Lord is on the
house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of
the righteous.
PRO 3:34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
PRO 3:35 The wise will inherit honor, But
fools display dishonor.
Top of Page
PRO 4:1
Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give
attention that you may gain understanding,
PRO 4:2 For I give you sound teaching; Do not
abandon my instruction.
PRO 4:3 When I was a son to my father, Tender
and the only son in the sight of my mother,
PRO 4:4 Then he taught me and said to me,
"Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my
commandments and live;
PRO 4:5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire
understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the
words of my mouth.
PRO 4:6 "Do not forsake her, and she will
guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.
PRO 4:7 "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire
wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get
understanding.
PRO 4:8 "Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
PRO 4:9 "She will place on your head a
garland of grace; She will present you with a crown
of beauty."
PRO 4:10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings,
And the years of your life will be many.
PRO 4:11 I have directed you in the way of
wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
PRO 4:12 When you walk, your steps will not
be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble.
PRO 4:13 Take hold of instruction; do not let
go. Guard her, for she is your life.
PRO 4:14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
PRO 4:15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn
away from it and pass on.
PRO 4:16 For they cannot sleep unless they do
evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make
someone stumble.
PRO 4:17 For they eat the bread of
wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.
PRO 4:18 But the path of the righteous is
like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and
brighter until the full day.
PRO 4:19 The way of the wicked is like
darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
PRO 4:20 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
PRO 4:21 Do not let them depart from your
sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.
PRO 4:22 For they are life to those who find
them, And health to all their whole body.
PRO 4:23 Watch over your heart with all
diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
PRO 4:24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put devious lips far from you.
PRO 4:25 Let your eyes look directly ahead,
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
PRO 4:26 Watch the path of your feet, And all
your ways will be established.
PRO 4:27 Do not turn to the right nor to the
left; Turn your foot from evil.
Top of Page
PRO 5:1
My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your
ear to my understanding;
PRO 5:2 That you may observe discretion, And
your lips may reserve knowledge.
PRO 5:3 For the lips of an adulteress drip
honey, And smoother than oil is her speech;
PRO 5:4 But in the end she is bitter as
wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
PRO 5:5 Her feet go down to death, Her steps
lay hold of Sheol.
PRO 5:6 She does not ponder the path of life;
Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.
PRO 5:7 Now then, my sons, listen to me, And
do not depart from the words of my mouth.
PRO 5:8 Keep your way far from her, And do
not go near the door of her house,
PRO 5:9 Lest you give your vigor to others,
And your years to the cruel one;
PRO 5:10 Lest strangers be filled with your
strength, And your hard-earned goods go to the house
of an alien;
PRO 5:11 And you groan at your latter end,
When your flesh and your body are consumed;
PRO 5:12 And you say, "How I have hated
instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
PRO 5:13 "And I have not listened to the
voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to my
instructors!
PRO 5:14 "I was almost in utter ruin In the
midst of the assembly and congregation."
PRO 5:15 Drink water from your own cistern,
And fresh water from your own well.
PRO 5:16 Should your springs be dispersed
abroad, Streams of water in the streets?
PRO 5:17 Let them be yours alone, And not for
strangers with you.
PRO 5:18 Let your fountain be blessed, And
rejoice in the wife of your youth.
PRO 5:19 As a loving hind and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be
exhilarated always with her love.
PRO 5:20 For why should you, my son, be
exhilarated with an adulteress, And embrace the
bosom of a foreigner?
PRO 5:21 For the ways of a man are before the
eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths.
PRO 5:22 His own iniquities will capture the
wicked, And he will be held with the cords of his
sin.
PRO 5:23 He will die for lack of instruction,
And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.
Top of Page
PRO 6:1
My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,
PRO 6:2 If you have been snared with the
words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words
of your mouth,
PRO 6:3 Do this then, my son, and deliver
yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your
neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your
neighbor.
PRO 6:4 Do not give sleep to your eyes, Nor
slumber to your eyelids;
PRO 6:5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from
the hunter's hand, And like a bird from the hand of
the fowler.
PRO 6:6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe
her ways and be wise,
PRO 6:7 Which, having no chief, Officer or
ruler,
PRO 6:8 Prepares her food in the summer, And
gathers her provision in the harvest.
PRO 6:9 How long will you lie down, O
sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
PRO 6:10 "A little sleep, a little slumber, A
little folding of the hands to rest" - -
PRO 6:11 And your poverty will come in like a
vagabond, And your need like an armed man.
PRO 6:12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Is
the one who walks with a false mouth,
PRO 6:13 Who winks with his eyes, who signals
with his feet, Who points with his fingers;
PRO 6:14 Who with perversity in his heart
devises evil continually, Who spreads strife.
PRO 6:15 Therefore his calamity will come
suddenly; Instantly he will be broken, and there
will be no healing.
PRO 6:16 There are six things which the Lord
hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
PRO 6:17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And
hands that shed innocent blood,
PRO 6:18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
PRO 6:19 A false witness who utters lies, And
one who spreads strife among brothers.
PRO 6:20 My son, observe the commandment of
your father, And do not forsake the teaching of your
mother;
PRO 6:21 Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
PRO 6:22 When you walk about, they will guide
you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And
when you awake, they will talk to you.
PRO 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, and
the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline
are the way of life,
PRO 6:24 To keep you from the evil woman,
From the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
PRO 6:25 Do not desire her beauty in your
heart, Nor let her catch you with her eyelids.
PRO 6:26 For on account of a harlot one is
reduced to a loaf of bread, And an adulteress hunts
for the precious life.
PRO 6:27 Can a man take fire in his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
PRO 6:28 Or can a man walk on hot coals, And
his feet not be scorched?
PRO 6:29 So is the one who goes in to his
neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her will not go
unpunished.
PRO 6:30 Men do not despise a thief if he
steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
PRO 6:31 But when he is found, he must repay
sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his
house.
PRO 6:32 The one who commits adultery with a
woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself
does it.
PRO 6:33 Wounds and disgrace he will find,
And his reproach will not be blotted out.
PRO 6:34 For jealousy enrages a man, And he
will not spare in the day of vengeance.
PRO 6:35 He will not accept any ransom, Nor
will he be content though you give many gifts.
Top of Page
PRO 7:1
My son, keep my words, And treasure my commandments
within you.
PRO 7:2 Keep my commandments and live, And my
teaching as the apple of your eye.
PRO 7:3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them
on the tablet of your heart.
PRO 7:4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister,"
And call understanding your intimate friend;
PRO 7:5 That they may keep you from an
adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her
words.
PRO 7:6 For at the window of my house I
looked out through my lattice,
PRO 7:7 And I saw among the naive, I
discerned among the youths, A young man lacking
sense,
PRO 7:8 Passing through the street near her
corner; And he takes the way to her house,
PRO 7:9 In the twilight, in the evening, In
the middle of the night and in the darkness.
PRO 7:10 And behold, a woman comes to meet
him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.
PRO 7:11 She is boisterous and rebellious;
Her feet do not remain at home;
PRO 7:12 She is now in the streets, now in
the squares, And lurks by every corner.
PRO 7:13 So she seizes him and kisses him,
And with a brazen face she says to him:
PRO 7:14 "I was due to offer peace offerings;
Today I have paid my vows.
PRO 7:15 "Therefore I have come out to meet
you, To seek your presence earnestly, and I have
found you.
PRO 7:16 "I have spread my couch with
coverings, With colored linens of Egypt.
PRO 7:17 "I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh,
aloes and cinnamon.
PRO 7:18 "Come, let us drink our fill of love
until morning; Let us delight ourselves with
caresses.
PRO 7:19 "For the man is not at home, He has
gone on a long journey;
PRO 7:20 He has taken a bag of money with
him, At full moon he will come home."
PRO 7:21 With her many persuasions she
entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces
him.
PRO 7:22 Suddenly he follows her, As an ox
goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the
discipline of a fool,
PRO 7:23 Until an arrow pierces through his
liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does
not know that it will cost him his life.
PRO 7:24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to
me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth.
PRO 7:25 Do not let your heart turn aside to
her ways, Do not stray into her paths.
PRO 7:26 For many are the victims she has
cast down, And numerous are all her slain.
PRO 7:27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
Descending to the chambers of death.
Top of Page
PRO 8:1
Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her
voice?
PRO 8:2 On top of the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
PRO 8:3 Beside the gates, at the opening to
the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries
out:
PRO 8:4 "To you, O men, I call, And my voice
is to the sons of men.
PRO 8:5 "O naive ones, discern prudence; And,
O fools, discern wisdom.
PRO 8:6 "Listen, for I shall speak noble
things; And the opening of my lips will produce
right things.
PRO 8:7 "For my mouth will utter truth; And
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
PRO 8:8 "All the utterances of my mouth are
in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or
perverted in them.
PRO 8:9 "They are all straightforward to him
who understands, And right to those who find
knowledge.
PRO 8:10 "Take my instruction, and not
silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
PRO 8:11 "For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things can not compare with her.
PRO 8:12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And
I find knowledge and discretion.
PRO 8:13 "The fear of the Lord is to hate
evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the
perverted mouth, I hate.
PRO 8:14 "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I
am understanding, power is mine.
PRO 8:15 "By me kings reign, And rulers
decree justice.
PRO 8:16 "By me princes rule, and nobles, All
who judge rightly.
PRO 8:17 "I love those who love me; And those
who diligently seek me will find me.
PRO 8:18 "Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness.
PRO 8:19 "My fruit is better than gold, even
pure gold, And my yield than choicest silver.
PRO 8:20 "I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
PRO 8:21 To endow those who love me with
wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
PRO 8:22 "The Lord possessed me at the
beginning of His way, Before His works of old.
PRO 8:23 "From everlasting I was established,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the
earth.
PRO 8:24 "When there were no depths I was
brought forth, When there were no springs abounding
with water.
PRO 8:25 "Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills I was brought forth;
PRO 8:26 While He had not yet made the earth
and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world.
PRO 8:27 "When He established the heavens, I
was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of
the deep,
PRO 8:28 When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became fixed,
PRO 8:29 When He set for the sea its
boundary, So that the water should not transgress
His command, When He marked out the foundations of
the earth;
PRO 8:30 Then I was beside Him, as a master
workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing
always before Him,
PRO 8:31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having my delight in the sons of men.
PRO 8:32 "Now therefore, O sons, listen to
me, For blessed are they who keep my ways.
PRO 8:33 "Heed instruction and be wise, And
do not neglect it.
PRO 8:34 "Blessed is the man who listens to
me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my
doorposts.
PRO 8:35 "For he who finds me finds life, And
obtains favor from the Lord.
PRO 8:36 "But he who sins against me injures
himself; All those who hate me love death."
Top of Page
PRO 9:1
Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her
seven pillars;
PRO 9:2 She has prepared her food, she has
mixed her wine; She has also set her table;
PRO 9:3 She has sent out her maidens, she
calls From the tops of the heights of the city:
PRO 9:4 "Whoever is naive, let him turn in
here!" To him who lacks understanding she says,
PRO 9:5 "Come, eat of my food, And drink of
the wine I have mixed.
PRO 9:6 "Forsake your folly and live, And
proceed in the way of understanding."
PRO 9:7 He who corrects a scoffer gets
dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked
man gets insults for himself.
PRO 9:8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he
hate you, Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
PRO 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and
he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man, and
he will increase his learning.
PRO 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy
One is understanding.
PRO 9:11 For by me your days will be
multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.
PRO 9:12 If you are wise, you are wise for
yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
PRO 9:13 The woman of folly is boisterous,
She is naive, and knows nothing.
PRO 9:14 And she sits at the doorway of her
house, On a seat by the high places of the city,
PRO 9:15 Calling to those who pass by, Who
are making their paths straight:
PRO 9:16 "Whoever is naive, let him turn in
here," And to him who lacks understanding she says,
PRO 9:17 "Stolen water is sweet; And bread
eaten in secret is pleasant."
PRO 9:18 But he does not know that the dead
are there, That her guests are in the depths of
Sheol.
Top of Page
PRO 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father
glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
PRO 10:2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But
righteousness delivers from death.
PRO 10:3 The Lord will not allow the
righteous to hunger, But He will thrust aside the
craving of the wicked.
PRO 10:4 Poor is he who works with a
negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes
rich.
PRO 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a son
who acts wisely, But he who sleeps in harvest is a
son who acts shamefully.
PRO 10:6 Blessings are on the head of the
righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals
violence.
PRO 10:7 The memory of the righteous is
blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
PRO 10:8 The wise of heart will receive
commands, But a babbling fool will be thrown down.
PRO 10:9 He who walks in integrity walks
securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found
out.
PRO 10:10 He who winks the eye causes
trouble, And a babbling fool will be thrown down.
PRO 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a
fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked
conceals violence.
PRO 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love
covers all transgressions.
PRO 10:13 On the lips of the discerning,
wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him
who lacks understanding.
PRO 10:14 Wise men store up knowledge, But
with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
PRO 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his
fortress, The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
PRO 10:16 The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.
PRO 10:17 He is on the path of life who heeds
instruction, But he who forsakes reproof goes
astray.
PRO 10:18 He who conceals hatred has lying
lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.
PRO 10:19 When there are many words,
transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains
his lips is wise.
PRO 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is as
choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth
little.
PRO 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed
many, But fools die for lack of understanding.
PRO 10:22 It is the blessing of the Lord that
makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.
PRO 10:23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a
fool; And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
PRO 10:24 What the wicked fears will come
upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be
granted.
PRO 10:25 When the whirlwind passes, the
wicked is no more, But the righteous has an
everlasting foundation.
PRO 10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke
to the eyes, So is the lazy one to those who send
him.
PRO 10:27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
PRO 10:28 The hope of the righteous is
gladness, But the expectation of the wicked
perishes.
PRO 10:29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold
to the upright, But ruin to the workers of iniquity.
PRO 10:30 The righteous will never be shaken,
But the wicked will not dwell in the land.
PRO 10:31 The mouth of the righteous flows
with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut
out.
PRO 10:32 The lips of the righteous bring
forth what is acceptable, But the mouth of the
wicked, what is perverted.
Top of Page
PRO 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, But a
just weight is His delight.
PRO 11:2 When pride comes, then comes
dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom.
PRO 11:3 The integrity of the upright will
guide them, But the falseness of the treacherous
will destroy them.
PRO 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of
wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
PRO 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless
will smooth his way, But the wicked will fall by his
own wickedness.
PRO 11:6 The righteousness of the upright
will deliver them, But the treacherous will be
caught by their own greed.
PRO 11:7 When a wicked man dies, his
expectation will perish, And the hope of strong men
perishes.
PRO 11:8 The righteous is delivered from
trouble, But the wicked takes his place.
PRO 11:9 With his mouth the godless man
destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the
righteous will be delivered.
PRO 11:10 When it goes well with the
righteous, the city rejoices, And when the wicked
perish, there is glad shouting.
PRO 11:11 By the blessing of the upright a
city is exalted, But by the mouth of the wicked it
is torn down.
PRO 11:12 He who despises his neighbor lacks
sense, But a man of understanding keeps silent.
PRO 11:13 He who goes about as a talebearer
reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals
a matter.
PRO 11:14 Where there is no guidance, the
people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is
victory.
PRO 11:15 He who is surety for a stranger
will surely suffer for it, But he who hates going
surety is safe.
PRO 11:16 A gracious woman attains honor, And
violent men attain riches.
PRO 11:17 The merciful man does himself good,
But the cruel man does himself harm.
PRO 11:18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
PRO 11:19 He who is steadfast in
righteousness will attain to life, And he who
pursues evil will bring about his own death.
PRO 11:20 The perverse in heart are an
abomination to the Lord, But the blameless in their
walk are His delight.
PRO 11:21 Assuredly, the evil man will not go
unpunished, But the descendants of the righteous
will be delivered.
PRO 11:22 As a ring of gold in a swine's
snout, So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
PRO 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only
good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
PRO 11:24 There is one who scatters, yet
increases all the more, And there is one who
withholds what is justly due, but it results only in
want.
PRO 11:25 The generous man will be
prosperous, And he who waters will himself be
watered.
PRO 11:26 He who withholds grain, the people
will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of
him who sells it.
PRO 11:27 He who diligently seeks good seeks
favor, But he who searches after evil, it will come
to him.
PRO 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will
fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green
leaf.
PRO 11:29 He who troubles his own house will
inherit wind, And the foolish will be servant to the
wisehearted.
PRO 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a
tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls.
PRO 11:31 If the righteous will be rewarded
in the earth, How much more the wicked and the
sinner!
Top of Page
PRO 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who
hates reproof is stupid.
PRO 12:2 A good man will obtain favor from
the Lord, But He will condemn a man who devises
evil.
PRO 12:3 A man will not be established by
wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not
be moved.
PRO 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of
her husband, But she who shames him is as rottenness
in his bones.
PRO 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are
just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
PRO 12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait
for blood, But the mouth of the upright will deliver
them.
PRO 12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are no
more, But the house of the righteous will stand.
PRO 12:8 A man will be praised according to
his insight, But one of perverse mind will be
despised.
PRO 12:9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed
and has a servant, Than he who honors himself and
lacks bread.
PRO 12:10 A righteous man has regard for the
life of his beast, But the compassion of the wicked
is cruel.
PRO 12:11 He who tills his land will have
plenty of bread, But he who pursues vain things
lacks sense.
PRO 12:12 The wicked desires the booty of
evil men, But the root of the righteous yields
fruit.
PRO 12:13 An evil man is ensnared by the
transgression of his lips, But the righteous will
escape from trouble.
PRO 12:14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man's
hands will return to him.
PRO 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his
own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to
counsel.
PRO 12:16 A fool's vexation is known at once,
But a prudent man conceals dishonor.
PRO 12:17 He who speaks truth tells what is
right, But a false witness, deceit.
PRO 12:18 There is one who speaks rashly like
the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise
brings healing.
PRO 12:19 Truthful lips will be established
forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
PRO 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who
devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
PRO 12:21 No harm befalls the righteous, But
the wicked are filled with trouble.
PRO 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to
the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His
delight.
PRO 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
PRO 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.
PRO 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of a man
weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.
PRO 12:26 The righteous is a guide to his
neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them
astray.
PRO 12:27 A slothful man does not roast his
prey, But the precious possession of a man is
diligence.
PRO 12:28 In the way of righteousness is
life, And in its pathway there is no death.
Top of Page
PRO 13:1
A wise son accepts his father's discipline, But a
scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
PRO 13:2 From the fruit of a man's mouth he
enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is
violence.
PRO 13:3 The one who guards his mouth
preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips
comes to ruin.
PRO 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and
gets nothing, But the soul of the diligent is made
fat.
PRO 13:5 A righteous man hates falsehood, But
a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.
PRO 13:6 Righteousness guards the one whose
way is blameless, But wickedness subverts the
sinner.
PRO 13:7 There is one who pretends to be
rich, but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor,
but has great wealth.
PRO 13:8 The ransom of a man's life is his
riches, But the poor hears no rebuke.
PRO 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked goes out.
PRO 13:10 Through presumption comes nothing
but strife, But with those who receive counsel is
wisdom.
PRO 13:11 Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But the one who gathers by labor increases it.
PRO 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
PRO 13:13 The one who despises the word will
be in debt to it, But the one who fears the
commandment will be rewarded.
PRO 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a
fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of
death.
PRO 13:15 Good understanding produces favor,
But the way of the treacherous is hard.
PRO 13:16 Every prudent man acts with
knowledge, But a fool displays folly.
PRO 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into
adversity, But a faithful envoy brings healing.
PRO 13:18 Poverty and shame will come to him
who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof
will be honored.
PRO 13:19 Desire realized is sweet to the
soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart
from evil.
PRO 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be
wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
PRO 13:21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the
righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.
PRO 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to
his children's children, And the wealth of the
sinner is stored up for the righteous.
PRO 13:23 Abundant food is in the fallow
ground of the poor, But it is swept away by
injustice.
PRO 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his
son, But he who loves him disciplines him
diligently.
PRO 13:25 The righteous has enough to satisfy
his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in
want.
Top of Page
PRO 14:1
The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish
tears it down with her own hands.
PRO 14:2 He who walks in his uprightness
fears the Lord, But he who is crooked in his ways
despises Him.
PRO 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod
for his back, But the lips of the wise will preserve
them.
PRO 14:4 Where no oxen are, the manger is
clean, But much increase comes by the strength of
the ox.
PRO 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie, But
a false witness speaks lies.
PRO 14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and finds
none, But knowledge is easy to him who has
understanding.
PRO 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you
will not discern words of knowledge.
PRO 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to
understand his way, But the folly of fools is
deceit.
PRO 14:9 Fools mock at sin, But among the
upright there is good will.
PRO 14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
PRO 14:11 The house of the wicked will be
destroyed, But the tent of the upright will
flourish.
PRO 14:12 There is a way which seems right to
a man, But its end is the way of death.
PRO 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may be
in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
PRO 14:14 The backslider in heart will have
his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be
satisfied with his.
PRO 14:15 The naive believes everything, But
the prudent man considers his steps.
PRO 14:16 A wise man is cautious and turns
away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
PRO 14:17 A quick-tempered man acts
foolishly, And a man of evil devices is hated.
PRO 14:18 The naive inherit folly, But the
prudent are crowned with knowledge.
PRO 14:19 The evil will bow down before the
good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
PRO 14:20 The poor is hated even by his
neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.
PRO 14:21 He who despises his neighbor sins,
But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
PRO 14:22 Will they not go astray who devise
evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who
devise good.
PRO 14:23 In all labor there is profit, But
mere talk leads only to poverty.
PRO 14:24 The crown of the wise is their
riches, But the folly of fools is foolishness.
PRO 14:25 A truthful witness saves lives, But
he who speaks lies is treacherous.
PRO 14:26 In the fear of the Lord there is
strong confidence, And his children will have
refuge.
PRO 14:27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain
of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
PRO 14:28 In a multitude of people is a
king's glory, But in the dearth of people is a
prince's ruin.
PRO 14:29 He who is slow to anger has great
understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts
folly.
PRO 14:30 A tranquil heart is life to the
body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.
PRO 14:31 He who oppresses the poor
reproaches his Maker, But he who is gracious to the
needy honors Him.
PRO 14:32 The wicked is thrust down by his
wrongdoing, But the righteous has a refuge when he
dies.
PRO 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one
who has understanding, But in the bosom of fools it
is made known.
PRO 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But
sin is a disgrace to any people.
PRO 14:35 The king's favor is toward a
servant who acts wisely, But his anger is toward him
who acts shamefully.
Top of Page
PRO 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word
stirs up anger.
PRO 15:2 The tongue of the wise makes
knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts
folly.
PRO 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every
place, Watching the evil and the good.
PRO 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
PRO 15:5 A fool rejects his father's
discipline, But he who regards reproof is prudent.
PRO 15:6 Much wealth is in the house of the
righteous, But trouble is in the income of the
wicked.
PRO 15:7 The lips of the wise spread
knowledge, But the hearts of fools are not so.
PRO 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an
abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the
upright is His delight.
PRO 15:9 The way of the wicked is an
abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who
pursues righteousness.
PRO 15:10 Stern discipline is for him who
forsakes the way; He who hates reproof will die.
PRO 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before
the Lord, How much more the hearts of men!
PRO 15:12 A scoffer does not love one who
reproves him, He will not go to the wise.
PRO 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful
face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is
broken.
PRO 15:14 The mind of the intelligent seeks
knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
PRO 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are
bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
PRO 15:16 Better is a little with the fear of
the Lord, Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
PRO 15:17 Better is a dish of vegetables
where love is, Than a fattened ox and hatred with
it.
PRO 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger pacifies contention.
PRO 15:19 The way of the sluggard is as a
hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a
highway.
PRO 15:20 A wise son makes a father glad, But
a foolish man despises his mother.
PRO 15:21 Folly is joy to him who lacks
sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.
PRO 15:22 Without consultation, plans are
frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.
PRO 15:23 A man has joy in an apt answer, And
how delightful is a timely word!
PRO 15:24 The path of life leads upward for
the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol below.
PRO 15:25 The Lord will tear down the house
of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of
the widow.
PRO 15:26 Evil plans are an abomination to
the Lord, But pleasant words are pure.
PRO 15:27 He who profits illicitly troubles
his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
PRO 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders
how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out
evil things.
PRO 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
PRO 15:30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good
news puts fat on the bones.
PRO 15:31 He whose ear listens to the
life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.
PRO 15:32 He who neglects discipline despises
himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires
understanding.
PRO 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the
instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes
humility.
Top of Page
PRO 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer
of the tongue is from the Lord.
PRO 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in
his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives.
PRO 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord, And
your plans will be established.
PRO 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its
own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.
PRO 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an
abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be
unpunished.
PRO 16:6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity
is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps
away from evil.
PRO 16:7 When a man's ways are pleasing to
the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace
with him.
PRO 16:8 Better is a little with
righteousness Than great income with injustice.
PRO 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But
the Lord directs his steps.
PRO 16:10 A divine decision is in the lips of
the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.
PRO 16:11 A just balance and scales belong to
the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His
concern.
PRO 16:12 It is an abomination for kings to
commit wickedness, For a throne is established on
righteousness.
PRO 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of
kings, And he who speaks right is loved.
PRO 16:14 The wrath of a king is as
messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.
PRO 16:15 In the light of a king's face is
life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring
rain.
PRO 16:16 How much better it is to get wisdom
than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen
above silver.
PRO 16:17 The highway of the upright is to
depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves
his life.
PRO 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And
a haughty spirit before stumbling.
PRO 16:19 It is better to be of a humble
spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with
the proud.
PRO 16:20 He who gives attention to the word
shall find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the
Lord.
PRO 16:21 The wise in heart will be called
discerning, And sweetness of speech increases
persuasiveness.
PRO 16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life
to him who has it, But the discipline of fools is
folly.
PRO 16:23 The heart of the wise teaches his
mouth, And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
PRO 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
PRO 16:25 There is a way which seems right to
a man, But its end is the way of death.
PRO 16:26 A worker's appetite works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
PRO 16:27 A worthless man digs up evil, While
his words are as a scorching fire.
PRO 16:28 A perverse man spreads strife, And
a slanderer separates intimate friends.
PRO 16:29 A man of violence entices his
neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.
PRO 16:30 He who winks his eyes does so to
devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips
brings evil to pass.
PRO 16:31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It
is found in the way of righteousness.
PRO 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better
than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than
he who captures a city.
PRO 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, But
its every decision is from the Lord.
Top of Page
PRO 17:1
Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a
house full of feasting with strife.
PRO 17:2 A servant who acts wisely will rule
over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in
the inheritance among brothers.
PRO 17:3 The refining pot is for silver and
the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts.
PRO 17:4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
PRO 17:5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his
Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go
unpunished.
PRO 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of old
men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.
PRO 17:7 Excellent speech is not fitting for
a fool; Much less are lying lips to a prince.
PRO 17:8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of
its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
PRO 17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks
love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate
friends.
PRO 17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who
has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.
PRO 17:11 A rebellious man seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
PRO 17:12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her
cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.
PRO 17:13 He who returns evil for good, Evil
will not depart from his house.
PRO 17:14 The beginning of strife is like
letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it
breaks out.
PRO 17:15 He who justifies the wicked, and he
who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are
an abomination to the Lord.
PRO 17:16 Why is there a price in the hand of
a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
PRO 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a
brother is born for adversity.
PRO 17:18 A man lacking in sense pledges, And
becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
PRO 17:19 He who loves transgression loves
strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.
PRO 17:20 He who has a crooked mind finds no
good, And he who is perverted in his language falls
into evil.
PRO 17:21 He who begets a fool does so to his
sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
PRO 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
PRO 17:23 A wicked man receives a bribe from
the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.
PRO 17:24 Wisdom is in the presence of the
one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool
are on the ends of the earth.
PRO 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his
father, And bitterness to her who bore him.
PRO 17:26 It is also not good to fine the
righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their
uprightness.
PRO 17:27 He who restrains his words has
knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of
understanding.
PRO 17:28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent,
is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is
counted prudent.
Top of Page
PRO 18:1
He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He
quarrels against all sound wisdom.
PRO 18:2 A fool does not delight in
understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
PRO 18:3 When a wicked man comes, contempt
also comes, And with dishonor comes reproach.
PRO 18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep
waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
PRO 18:5 To show partiality to the wicked is
not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in
judgment.
PRO 18:6 A fool's lips bring strife, And his
mouth calls for blows.
PRO 18:7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his
lips are the snare of his soul.
PRO 18:8 The words of a whisperer are like
dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost
parts of the body.
PRO 18:9 He also who is slack in his work Is
brother to him who destroys.
PRO 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong
tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
PRO 18:11 A rich man's wealth is his strong
city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
PRO 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man
is haughty, But humility goes before honor.
PRO 18:13 He who gives an answer before he
hears, It is folly and shame to him.
PRO 18:14 The spirit of a man can endure his
sickness, But a broken spirit who can bear?
PRO 18:15 The mind of the prudent acquires
knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
PRO 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
PRO 18:17 The first to plead his case seems
just, Until another comes and examines him.
PRO 18:18 The lot puts an end to contentions,
And decides between the mighty.
PRO 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be
won than a strong city, And contentions are like the
bars of a castle.
PRO 18:20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his
stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with
the product of his lips.
PRO 18:21 Death and life are in the power of
the tongue, And those who love it will eat its
fruit.
PRO 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good
thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.
PRO 18:23 The poor man utters supplications,
But the rich man answers roughly.
PRO 18:24 A man of many friends comes to
ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a
brother.
Top of Page
PRO 19:1
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than
he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
PRO 19:2 Also it is not good for a person to
be without knowledge, And he who makes haste with
his feet errs.
PRO 19:3 The foolishness of man subverts his
way, And his heart rages against the Lord.
PRO 19:4 Wealth adds many friends, But a poor
man is separated from his friend.
PRO 19:5 A false witness will not go
unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape.
PRO 19:6 Many will entreat the favor of a
generous man, And every man is a friend to him who
gives gifts.
PRO 19:7 All the brothers of a poor man hate
him; How much more do his friends go far from him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
PRO 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own
soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.
PRO 19:9 A false witness will not go
unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish.
PRO 19:10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
PRO 19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow
to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a
transgression.
PRO 19:12 The king's wrath is like the
roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the
grass.
PRO 19:13 A foolish son is destruction to his
father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant
dripping.
PRO 19:14 House and wealth are an inheritance
from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.
PRO 19:15 Laziness casts into a deep sleep,
And an idle man will suffer hunger.
PRO 19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps
his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will
die.
PRO 19:17 He who is gracious to a poor man
lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his
good deed.
PRO 19:18 Discipline your son while there is
hope, And do not desire his death.
PRO 19:19 A man of great anger shall bear the
penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have
to do it again.
PRO 19:20 Listen to counsel and accept
discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your
days.
PRO 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's
heart, But the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.
PRO 19:22 What is desirable in a man is his
kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a
liar.
PRO 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.
PRO 19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the
dish, And will not even bring it back to his mouth.
PRO 19:25 Strike a scoffer and the naive may
become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding
and he will gain knowledge.
PRO 19:26 He who assaults his father and
drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful
son.
PRO 19:27 Cease listening, my son, to
discipline, And you will stray from the words of
knowledge.
PRO 19:28 A rascally witness makes a mockery
of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads
iniquity.
PRO 19:29 Judgments are prepared for
scoffers, And blows for the back of fools.
Top of Page
PRO 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And
whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
PRO 20:2 The terror of a king is like the
growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger
forfeits his own life.
PRO 20:3 Keeping away from strife is an honor
for a man, But any fool will quarrel.
PRO 20:4 The sluggard does not plow after the
autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has
nothing.
PRO 20:5 A plan in the heart of a man is like
deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.
PRO 20:6 Many a man proclaims his own
loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?
PRO 20:7 A righteous man who walks in his
integrity - - How blessed are his sons after him.
PRO 20:8 A king who sits on the throne of
justice Disperses all evil with his eyes.
PRO 20:9 Who can say, "I have cleansed my
heart, I am pure from my sin"?
PRO 20:10 Differing weights and differing
measures, Both of them are abominable to the Lord.
PRO 20:11 It is by his deeds that a lad
distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and
right.
PRO 20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made both of them.
PRO 20:13 Do not love sleep, lest you become
poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with
food.
PRO 20:14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer; But
when he goes his way, then he boasts.
PRO 20:15 There is gold, and an abundance of
jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more
precious thing.
PRO 20:16 Take his garment when he becomes
surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him
in pledge.
PRO 20:17 Bread obtained by falsehood is
sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be
filled with gravel.
PRO 20:18 Prepare plans by consultation, And
make war by wise guidance.
PRO 20:19 He who goes about as a slanderer
reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a
gossip.
PRO 20:20 He who curses his father or his
mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.
PRO 20:21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at
the beginning, Will not be blessed in the end.
PRO 20:22 Do not say, "I will repay evil";
Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
PRO 20:23 Differing weights are an
abomination to the Lord, And a false scale is not
good.
PRO 20:24 Man's steps are ordained by the
Lord, How then can man understand his way?
PRO 20:25 It is a snare for a man to say
rashly, "It is holy!" And after the vows to make
inquiry.
PRO 20:26 A wise king winnows the wicked, And
drives the threshing wheel over them.
PRO 20:27 The spirit of man is the lamp of
the Lord, Searching all the innermost parts of his
being.
PRO 20:28 Loyalty and truth preserve the
king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness.
PRO 20:29 The glory of young men is their
strength, And the honor of old men is their gray
hair.
PRO 20:30 Stripes that wound scour away evil,
And strokes reach the innermost parts.
Top of Page
PRO 21:1
The king's heart is like channels of water in the
hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.
PRO 21:2 Every man's way is right in his own
eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
PRO 21:3 To do righteousness and justice Is
desired by the Lord rather than sacrifice.
PRO 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The
lamp of the wicked, is sin.
PRO 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead
surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes
surely to poverty.
PRO 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying
tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
PRO 21:7 The violence of the wicked will drag
them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.
PRO 21:8 The way of a guilty man is crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
PRO 21:9 It is better to live in a corner of
a roof, Than in a house shared with a contentious
woman.
PRO 21:10 The soul of the wicked desires
evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
PRO 21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the
naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed,
he receives knowledge.
PRO 21:12 The righteous one considers the
house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.
PRO 21:13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of
the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.
PRO 21:14 A gift in secret subdues anger, And
a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
PRO 21:15 The execution of justice is joy for
the righteous, But is terror to the workers of
iniquity.
PRO 21:16 A man who wanders from the way of
understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
PRO 21:17 He who loves pleasure will become a
poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become
rich.
PRO 21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the
righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of
the upright.
PRO 21:19 It is better to live in a desert
land, Than with a contentious and vexing woman.
PRO 21:20 There is precious treasure and oil
in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man
swallows it up.
PRO 21:21 He who pursues righteousness and
loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.
PRO 21:22 A wise man scales the city of the
mighty, And brings down the stronghold in which they
trust.
PRO 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his
tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
PRO 21:24 "Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are
his names, Who acts with insolent pride.
PRO 21:25 The desire of the sluggard puts him
to death, For his hands refuse to work;
PRO 21:26 All day long he is craving, While
the righteous gives and does not hold back.
PRO 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an
abomination, How much more when he brings it with
evil intent!
PRO 21:28 A false witness will perish, But
the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
PRO 21:29 A wicked man shows a bold face, But
as for the upright, he makes his way sure.
PRO 21:30 There is no wisdom and no
understanding And no counsel against the Lord.
PRO 21:31 The horse is prepared for the day
of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.
Top of Page
PRO 22:1
A good name is to be more desired than great riches,
Favor is better than silver and gold.
PRO 22:2 The rich and the poor have a common
bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.
PRO 22:3 The prudent sees the evil and hides
himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for
it.
PRO 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear
of the Lord Are riches, honor and life.
PRO 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of
the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from
them.
PRO 22:6 Train up a child in the way he
should go, Even when he is old he will not depart
from it.
PRO 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, And
the borrower becomes the lender's slave.
PRO 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap
vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish.
PRO 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.
PRO 22:10 Drive out the scoffer, and
contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor
will cease.
PRO 22:11 He who loves purity of heart And
whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.
PRO 22:12 The eyes of the Lord preserve
knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the
treacherous man.
PRO 22:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion
outside; I shall be slain in the streets!"
PRO 22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is a
deep pit; He who is cursed of the Lord will fall
into it.
PRO 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the
heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove
it far from him.
PRO 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make
much for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only
come to poverty.
PRO 22:17 Incline your ear and hear the words
of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge;
PRO 22:18 For it will be pleasant if you keep
them within you, That they may be ready on your
lips.
PRO 22:19 So that your trust may be in the
Lord, I have taught you today, even you.
PRO 22:20 Have I not written to you excellent
things Of counsels and knowledge,
PRO 22:21 To make you know the certainty of
the words of truth That you may correctly answer to
him who sent you?
PRO 22:22 Do not rob the poor because he is
poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate;
PRO 22:23 For the Lord will plead their case,
And take the life of those who rob them.
PRO 22:24 Do not associate with a man given
to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man,
PRO 22:25 Lest you learn his ways, And find a
snare for yourself.
PRO 22:26 Do not be among those who give
pledges, Among those who become sureties for debts.
PRO 22:27 If you have nothing with which to
pay, Why should he take your bed from under you?
PRO 22:28 Do not move the ancient boundary
Which your fathers have set.
PRO 22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his
work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand
before obscure men.
Top of Page
PRO 23:1
When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider
carefully what is before you;
PRO 23:2 And put a knife to your throat, If
you are a man of great appetite.
PRO 23:3 Do not desire his delicacies, For it
is deceptive food.
PRO 23:4 Do not weary yourself to gain
wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.
PRO 23:5 When you set your eyes on it, it is
gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, Like
an eagle that flies toward the heavens.
PRO 23:6 Do not eat the bread of a selfish
man, Or desire his delicacies;
PRO 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so
he is. He says to you, "Eat and drink!" But his
heart is not with you.
PRO 23:8 You will vomit up the morsel you
have eaten, And waste your compliments.
PRO 23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a
fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
PRO 23:10 Do not move the ancient boundary,
Or go into the fields of the fatherless;
PRO 23:11 For their Redeemer is strong; He
will plead their case against you.
PRO 23:12 Apply your heart to discipline, And
your ears to words of knowledge.
PRO 23:13 Do not hold back discipline from
the child, Although you beat him with the rod, he
will not die.
PRO 23:14 You shall beat him with the rod,
And deliver his soul from Sheol.
PRO 23:15 My son, if your heart is wise, My
own heart also will be glad;
PRO 23:16 And my inmost being will rejoice,
When your lips speak what is right.
PRO 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
But live in the fear of the Lord always.
PRO 23:18 Surely there is a future, And your
hope will not be cut off.
PRO 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, And
direct your heart in the way.
PRO 23:20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of
wine, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
PRO 23:21 For the heavy drinker and the
glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will
clothe a man with rags.
PRO 23:22 Listen to your father who begot
you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.
PRO 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get
wisdom and instruction and understanding.
PRO 23:24 The father of the righteous will
greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise son will
be glad in him.
PRO 23:25 Let your father and your mother be
glad, And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.
PRO 23:26 Give me your heart, my son, And let
your eyes delight in my ways.
PRO 23:27 For a harlot is a deep pit, And an
adulterous woman is a narrow well.
PRO 23:28 Surely she lurks as a robber, And
increases the faithless among men.
PRO 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who
has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds
without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
PRO 23:30 Those who linger long over wine,
Those who go to taste mixed wine.
PRO 23:31 Do not look on the wine when it is
red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it goes down
smoothly;
PRO 23:32 At the last it bites like a
serpent, And stings like a viper.
PRO 23:33 Your eyes will see strange things,
And your mind will utter perverse things.
PRO 23:34 And you will be like one who lies
down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies
down on the top of a mast.
PRO 23:35 "They struck me, but I did not
become ill; They beat me, but I did not know it.
When shall I awake? I will seek another drink."
Top of Page
PRO 24:1
Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with
them;
PRO 24:2 For their minds devise violence, And
their lips talk of trouble.
PRO 24:3 By wisdom a house is built, And by
understanding it is established;
PRO 24:4 And by knowledge the rooms are
filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
PRO 24:5 A wise man is strong, And a man of
knowledge increases power.
PRO 24:6 For by wise guidance you will wage
war, And in abundance of counselors there is
victory.
PRO 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool, He
does not open his mouth in the gate.
PRO 24:8 He who plans to do evil, Men will
call him a schemer.
PRO 24:9 The devising of folly is sin, And
the scoffer is an abomination to men.
PRO 24:10 If you are slack in the day of
distress, Your strength is limited.
PRO 24:11 Deliver those who are being taken
away to death, And those who are staggering to
slaughter, O hold them back.
PRO 24:12 If you say, "See, we did not know
this," Does He not consider it who weighs the
hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?
PRO 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good,
Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
PRO 24:14 Know that wisdom is thus for your
soul; If you find it, then there will be a future,
And your hope will not be cut off.
PRO 24:15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man,
against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not
destroy his resting place;
PRO 24:16 For a righteous man falls seven
times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in
time of calamity.
PRO 24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy
falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he
stumbles;
PRO 24:18 Lest the Lord see it and be
displeased, And He turn away His anger from him.
PRO 24:19 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Or be envious of the wicked;
PRO 24:20 For there will be no future for the
evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
PRO 24:21 My son, fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those who are given to change;
PRO 24:22 For their calamity will rise
suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from
both of them?
PRO 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise.
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
PRO 24:24 He who says to the wicked, "You are
righteous," Peoples will curse him, nations will
abhor him;
PRO 24:25 But to those who rebuke the wicked
will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon
them.
PRO 24:26 He kisses the lips Who gives a
right answer.
PRO 24:27 Prepare your work outside, And make
it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards,
then, build your house.
PRO 24:28 Do not be a witness against your
neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your
lips.
PRO 24:29 Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him
as he has done to me; I will render to the man
according to his work."
PRO 24:30 I passed by the field of the
sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man lacking
sense;
PRO 24:31 And behold, it was completely
overgrown with thistles, Its surface was covered
with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.
PRO 24:32 When I saw, I reflected upon it; I
looked, and received instruction.
PRO 24:33 "A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,"
PRO 24:34 Then your poverty will come as a
robber, And your want like an armed man.
Top of Page
PRO 25:1
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of
Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
PRO 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a
matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a
matter.
PRO 25:3 As the heavens for height and the
earth for depth, So the heart of kings is
unsearchable.
PRO 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
PRO 25:5 Take away the wicked from before the
king, And his throne will be established in
righteousness.
PRO 25:6 Do not claim honor in the presence
of the king, And do not stand in the place of great
men;
PRO 25:7 For it is better that it be said to
you, "Come up here," Than that you should be put
lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes
have seen.
PRO 25:8 Do not go out hastily to argue your
case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When
your neighbor puts you to shame?
PRO 25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor,
And do not reveal the secret of another,
PRO 25:10 Lest he who hears it reproach you,
And the evil report about you not pass away.
PRO 25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of
silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.
PRO 25:12 Like an earring of gold and an
ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a
listening ear.
PRO 25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time
of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send
him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
PRO 25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.
PRO 25:15 By forbearance a ruler may be
persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
PRO 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat only what
you need, Lest you have it in excess and vomit it.
PRO 25:17 Let your foot rarely be in your
neighbor's house, Lest he become weary of you and
hate you.
PRO 25:18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp
arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his
neighbor.
PRO 25:19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady
foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of
trouble.
PRO 25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on
a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings
songs to a troubled heart.
PRO 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him
food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to
drink;
PRO 25:22 For you will heap burning coals on
his head, And the Lord will reward you.
PRO 25:23 The north wind brings forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
PRO 25:24 It is better to live in a corner of
the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious
woman.
PRO 25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul, So
is good news from a distant land.
PRO 25:26 Like a trampled spring and a
polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way
before the wicked.
PRO 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory.
PRO 25:28 Like a city that is broken into and
without walls Is a man who has no control over his
spirit.
Top of Page
PRO 26:1
Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So
honor is not fitting for a fool.
PRO 26:2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like
a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause
does not alight.
PRO 26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle
for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.
PRO 26:4 Do not answer a fool according to
his folly, Lest you also be like him.
PRO 26:5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
PRO 26:6 He cuts off his own feet, and drinks
violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.
PRO 26:7 Like the legs which hang down from
the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
PRO 26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a
sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
PRO 26:9 Like a thorn which falls into the
hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of
fools.
PRO 26:10 Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who
pass by.
PRO 26:11 Like a dog that returns to its
vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.
PRO 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own
eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
PRO 26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion
in the road! A lion is in the open square!"
PRO 26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, So
does the sluggard on his bed.
PRO 26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the
dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
PRO 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own
eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.
PRO 26:17 Like one who takes a dog by the
ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not
belonging to him.
PRO 26:18 Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows and death,
PRO 26:19 So is the man who deceives his
neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"
PRO 26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets
down.
PRO 26:21 Like charcoal to hot embers and
wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle
strife.
PRO 26:22 The words of a whisperer are like
dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost
parts of the body.
PRO 26:23 Like an earthen vessel overlaid
with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked
heart.
PRO 26:24 He who hates disguises it with his
lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.
PRO 26:25 When he speaks graciously, do not
believe him, For there are seven abominations in his
heart.
PRO 26:26 Though his hatred covers itself
with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before
the assembly.
PRO 26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into
it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on
him.
PRO 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it
crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Top of Page
PRO 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know
what a day may bring forth.
PRO 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your
own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
PRO 27:3 A stone is heavy and the sand
weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier
than both of them.
PRO 27:4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a
flood, But who can stand before jealousy?
PRO 27:5 Better is open rebuke Than love that
is concealed.
PRO 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
PRO 27:7 A sated man loathes honey, But to a
famished man any bitter thing is sweet.
PRO 27:8 Like a bird that wanders from her
nest, So is a man who wanders from his home.
PRO 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
So a man's counsel is sweet to his friend.
PRO 27:10 Do not forsake your own friend or
your father's friend, And do not go to your
brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better
is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
PRO 27:11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart
glad, That I may reply to him who reproaches me.
PRO 27:12 A prudent man sees evil and hides
himself, The naive proceed and pay the penalty.
PRO 27:13 Take his garment when he becomes
surety for a stranger; And for an adulterous woman
hold him in pledge.
PRO 27:14 He who blesses his friend with a
loud voice early in the morning, It will be reckoned
a curse to him.
PRO 27:15 A constant dripping on a day of
steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;
PRO 27:16 He who would restrain her restrains
the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.
PRO 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man
sharpens another.
PRO 27:18 He who tends the fig tree will eat
its fruit; And he who cares for his master will be
honored.
PRO 27:19 As in water face reflects face, So
the heart of man reflects man.
PRO 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never
satisfied, Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.
PRO 27:21 The crucible is for silver and the
furnace for gold, And a man is tested by the praise
accorded him.
PRO 27:22 Though you pound a fool in a mortar
with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his
folly will not depart from him.
PRO 27:23 Know well the condition of your
flocks, And pay attention to your herds;
PRO 27:24 For riches are not forever, Nor
does a crown endure to all generations.
PRO 27:25 When the grass disappears, the new
growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are
gathered in,
PRO 27:26 The lambs will be for your
clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a
field,
PRO 27:27 And there will be goats' milk
enough for your food, For the food of your
household, And sustenance for your maidens.
Top of Page
PRO 28:1
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the
righteous are bold as a lion.
PRO 28:2 By the transgression of a land many
are its princes, But by a man of understanding and
knowledge, so it endures.
PRO 28:3 A poor man who oppresses the lowly
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
PRO 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the
wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.
PRO 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all things.
PRO 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his
integrity, Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
PRO 28:7 He who keeps the law is a discerning
son, But he who is a companion of gluttons
humiliates his father.
PRO 28:8 He who increases his wealth by
interest and usury, Gathers it for him who is
gracious to the poor.
PRO 28:9 He who turns away his ear from
listening to the law, Even his prayer is an
abomination.
PRO 28:10 He who leads the upright astray in
an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But
the blameless will inherit good.
PRO 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own
eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees
through him.
PRO 28:12 When the righteous triumph, there
is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide
themselves.
PRO 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions
will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes
them will find compassion.
PRO 28:14 How blessed is the man who fears
always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into
calamity.
PRO 28:15 Like a roaring lion and a rushing
bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
PRO 28:16 A leader who is a great oppressor
lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain
will prolong his days.
PRO 28:17 A man who is laden with the guilt
of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let
no one support him.
PRO 28:18 He who walks blamelessly will be
delivered, But he who is crooked will fall all at
once.
PRO 28:19 He who tills his land will have
plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits
will have poverty in plenty.
PRO 28:20 A faithful man will abound with
blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will
not go unpunished.
PRO 28:21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
PRO 28:22 A man with an evil eye hastens
after wealth, And does not know that want will come
upon him.
PRO 28:23 He who rebukes a man will afterward
find more favor Than he who flatters with the
tongue.
PRO 28:24 He who robs his father or his
mother, And says, "It is not a transgression," Is
the companion of a man who destroys.
PRO 28:25 An arrogant man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.
PRO 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a
fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
PRO 28:27 He who gives to the poor will never
want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many
curses.
PRO 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide
themselves; But when they perish, the righteous
increase.
Top of Page
PRO 29:1
A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will
suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
PRO 29:2 When the righteous increase, the
people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people
groan.
PRO 29:3 A man who loves wisdom makes his
father glad, But he who keeps company with harlots
wastes his wealth.
PRO 29:4 The king gives stability to the land
by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows
it.
PRO 29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor Is
spreading a net for his steps.
PRO 29:6 By transgression an evil man is
ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.
PRO 29:7 The righteous is concerned for the
rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand
such concern.
PRO 29:8 Scorners set a city aflame, But wise
men turn away anger.
PRO 29:9 When a wise man has a controversy
with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or
laughs, and there is no rest.
PRO 29:10 Men of bloodshed hate the
blameless, But the upright are concerned for his
life.
PRO 29:11 A fool always loses his temper, But
a wise man holds it back.
PRO 29:12 If a ruler pays attention to
falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.
PRO 29:13 The poor man and the oppressor have
this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of
both.
PRO 29:14 If a king judges the poor with
truth, His throne will be established forever.
PRO 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his
mother.
PRO 29:16 When the wicked increase,
transgression increases; But the righteous will see
their fall.
PRO 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give
you comfort; He will also delight your soul.
PRO 29:18 Where there is no vision, the
people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps
the law.
PRO 29:19 A slave will not be instructed by
words alone; For though he understands, there will
be no response.
PRO 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in
his words? There is more hope for a fool than for
him.
PRO 29:21 He who pampers his slave from
childhood Will in the end find him to be a son.
PRO 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, And a
hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
PRO 29:23 A man's pride will bring him low,
But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
PRO 29:24 He who is a partner with a thief
hates his own life; He hears the oath but tells
nothing.
PRO 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, But
he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.
PRO 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But
justice for man comes from the Lord.
PRO 29:27 An unjust man is abominable to the
righteous, And he who is upright in the way is
abominable to the wicked.
Top of Page
PRO 30:1
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The
man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
PRO 30:2 Surely I am more stupid than any
man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.
PRO 30:3 Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor
do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
PRO 30:4 Who has ascended into heaven and
descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has
established all the ends of the earth? What is His
name or His son's name? Surely you know!
PRO 30:5 Every word of God is tested; He is a
shield to those who take refuge in Him.
PRO 30:6 Do not add to His words Lest He
reprove you, and you be proved a liar.
PRO 30:7 Two things I asked of Thee, Do not
refuse me before I die:
PRO 30:8 Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the
food that is my portion,
PRO 30:9 Lest I be full and deny Thee and
say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be in want and
steal, And profane the name of my God.
PRO 30:10 Do not slander a slave to his
master, Lest he curse you and you be found guilty.
PRO 30:11 There is a kind of man who curses
his father, And does not bless his mother.
PRO 30:12 There is a kind who is pure in his
own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness.
PRO 30:13 There is a kind - - oh how lofty
are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in
arrogance.
PRO 30:14 There is a kind of man whose teeth
are like swords, And his jaw teeth like knives, To
devour the afflicted from the earth, And the needy
from among men.
PRO 30:15 The leech has two daughters,
"Give," "Give." There are three things that will not
be satisfied, Four that will not say, "Enough":
PRO 30:16 Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth
that is never satisfied with water, And fire that
never says, "Enough."
PRO 30:17 The eye that mocks a father, And
scorns a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick
it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
PRO 30:18 There are three things which are
too wonderful for me, Four which I do not
understand:
PRO 30:19 The way of an eagle in the sky, The
way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the
middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.
PRO 30:20 This is the way of an adulterous
woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, "I
have done no wrong."
PRO 30:21 Under three things the earth
quakes, And under four, it cannot bear up:
PRO 30:22 Under a slave when he becomes king,
And a fool when he is satisfied with food,
PRO 30:23 Under an unloved woman when she
gets a husband, And a maidservant when she supplants
her mistress.
PRO 30:24 Four things are small on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
PRO 30:25 The ants are not a strong folk, But
they prepare their food in the summer;
PRO 30:26 The badgers are not mighty folk,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;
PRO 30:27 The locusts have no king, Yet all
of them go out in ranks;
PRO 30:28 The lizard you may grasp with the
hands, Yet it is in kings' palaces.
PRO 30:29 There are three things which are
stately in their march, Even four which are stately
when they walk:
PRO 30:30 The lion which is mighty among
beasts And does not retreat before any,
PRO 30:31 The strutting cock, the male goat
also, And a king when his army is with him.
PRO 30:32 If you have been foolish in
exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil, put
your hand on your mouth.
PRO 30:33 For the churning of milk produces
butter, And pressing the nose brings forth blood; So
the churning of anger produces strife.
Top of Page
PRO 31:1
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his
mother taught him.
PRO 31:2 What, O my son? And what, O son of
my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
PRO 31:3 Do not give your strength to women,
Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
PRO 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is
not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire
strong drink,
PRO 31:5 Lest they drink and forget what is
decreed, And pervert the rights of all the
afflicted.
PRO 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is
perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
PRO 31:7 Let him drink and forget his
poverty, And remember his trouble no more.
PRO 31:8 Open your mouth for the dumb, For
the rights of all the unfortunate.
PRO 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
PRO 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
PRO 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in
her, And he will have no lack of gain.
PRO 31:12 She does him good and not evil All
the days of her life.
PRO 31:13 She looks for wool and flax, And
works with her hands in delight.
PRO 31:14 She is like merchant ships; She
brings her food from afar.
PRO 31:15 She rises also while it is still
night, And gives food to her household, And portions
to her maidens.
PRO 31:16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
PRO 31:17 She girds herself with strength,
And makes her arms strong.
PRO 31:18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
PRO 31:19 She stretches out her hands to the
distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
PRO 31:20 She extends her hand to the poor;
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
PRO 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for
her household, For all her household are clothed
with scarlet.
PRO 31:22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
PRO 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
PRO 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells
them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
PRO 31:25 Strength and dignity are her
clothing, And she smiles at the future.
PRO 31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And
the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
PRO 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her
household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
PRO 31:28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
PRO 31:29 "Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all."
PRO 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is
vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be
praised.
PRO 31:31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.
