The Book of Proverbs
The Modern Young's Literal Translation© 2005
CHAPTER 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
29 | 30 | 31 |
Bible Menu
Chapter 1
1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 For knowing wisdom and instruction, for understanding sayings of intelligence,
3 for receiving the instruction of wisdom, righteousness, judgment, and uprightness,
4 for giving to simple ones -- prudence, to a youth -- knowledge and discretion.
5 (The wise does hear and increases learning, and the intelligent does obtain counsels.)
6 For understanding a proverb and its sweetness, words of the wise and their acute sayings.
7 Fear of Jehovah [is] a beginning of knowledge, fools have despised wisdom and instruction!
8 Hear, my son, the instruction of your father, and leave not the law of your mother,
9 for they [are] a graceful wreath to your head, and chains to your neck.
10 My son, be not willing if sinners entice you.
11 If they say, `Come with us, we lay wait for blood, we watch secretly for the innocent without cause,
12 we swallow them as Sheol -- alive, and whole -- as those going down [to] the pit,
13 we find every precious substance, we fill our houses [with] spoil,
14 you do cast your lot among us, one purse is -- to all of us.'
15 My son! go not in the way with them, withhold your foot from their path,
16 for their feet do run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain is the net spread out before the eyes of any bird.
18 And they lay wait for their own blood, they watch secretly for their own lives.
19 So [are] the paths of every gainer of dishonest gain, it takes the life of its owners.
20 Wisdom cries aloud in an out-place, she gives forth her voice in broad places,
21 At the head of the multitudes she calls, in the openings of the gates, in the city she says her sayings:
22 `Till when, you simple, do you love simplicity? And have scorners desired their scorning? And do fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn back at my reproof, behold, I pour forth my spirit to you, I make my words known with you.
24 Because I have called, and you refuse, I stretched out my hand, and none is attending,
25 and you slight all my counsel, and you have not desired my reproof.
26 I also do laugh in your calamity, I deride when your fear comes,
27 when your fear comes as destruction, and your calamity does come as a hurricane, when adversity and distress come on you.
28 Then they call me, and I do not answer, they seek me earnestly, and find me not.
29 Because that they have hated knowledge, and have not chosen the fear of Jehovah.
30 They have not consented to my counsel, they have despised all my reproof,
31 and they eat of the fruit of their way, and they are filled from their own counsels.
32 For the turning of the simple slays them, and the security of the foolish destroys them.
33 And whoso is listening to me dwells confidently, and [is] quiet from fear of evil!'
CHAPTER 2
1 My son, if you do accept my sayings, and do lay up my commands with you,
2 to cause your ear to attend to wisdom, you incline your heart to understanding,
3 for, if you call for intelligence, your voice gives forth for understanding,
4 if you do seek her as silver, and search for her as hid treasures,
5 then you understand fear of Jehovah, and you find knowledge of God.
6 For Jehovah gives wisdom, from His mouth knowledge and understanding.
7 Even to lay up substance for the upright, a shield for those walking uprightly.
8 To keep the paths of judgment, and He preserves the way of His saints.
9 Then you understand righteousness, and judgment, and uprightness -- every good path.
10 For wisdom comes into your heart, and knowledge to your soul is pleasant,
11 thoughtfulness does watch over you, understanding does keep you,
12 to deliver you from an evil way, from any speaking perverse things,
13 who are forsaking paths of uprightness, to walk in ways of darkness,
14 who are rejoicing to do evil, they delight in perverseness of the wicked,
15 whose paths [are] crooked, yes, they are perverted in their ways.
16 To deliver you from the strange woman, from the stranger who has made her sayings smooth,
17 who is forsaking the guide of her youth, and has forgotten the covenant of her God.
18 For her house has inclined unto death, and her paths unto Rephaim.
19 None going in unto her turn back, nor do they reach the paths of life.
20 That you do go in the way of the good, and do keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright do inhabit the earth, and the perfect are left in it,
22 And the wicked are cut off from the earth, and treacherous dealers plucked out of it!
CHAPTER 3
1 My son! forget not my law, and let your heart keep my commands,
2 for length of days and years, they do add life and peace to you.
3 Let not kindness and truth forsake you, bind them on your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 and find grace and good understanding in the eyes of God and man.
5 Trust unto Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding.
6 Know you Him in all your ways, and He does make your paths straight.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes, fear Jehovah, and turn aside from evil.
8 It is healing to your navel, and moistening to your bones.
9 Honor Jehovah from your substance, and from the beginning of all your increase;
10 and filled are your barns [with] plenty, and your presses break forth [with] new wine.
11 My son, despise not chastisement of Jehovah, and be not vexed with His reproof,
12 for whom Jehovah loves He reproves, even as a father the son He is pleased with.
13 O the happiness of a man [who] has found wisdom, and of a man [who] brings forth understanding.
14 For better [is] her merchandise than the merchandise of silver, and than gold -- her increase.
15 She [is] precious above rubies, and all your pleasures are not comparable to her.
16 Length of days [is] in her right hand, in her left [are] wealth and honor.
17 Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her paths [are] peace.
18 A tree of life she [is] to those laying hold on her, and whoso is retaining her [is] happy.
19 Jehovah did found the earth by wisdom, He prepared the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge depths have been rent, and clouds do drop dew.
21 My son! let them not turn from your eyes, keep you wisdom and thoughtfulness,
22 and they are life to your soul, and grace to your neck.
23 Then you go your way confidently, and your foot does not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you are not afraid, yes, you have lain down, and sweet has been your sleep.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, and of the desolation of the wicked when it comes.
26 For Jehovah is at your side, and He has kept your foot from capture.
27 Withhold not good from its owners, when your hand [is] toward God to do [it].
28 Say you not to your friend, `Go, and return, and tomorrow I give,' And substance with you.
29 Devise not evil against your neighbor, and he sitting confidently with you.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have not done you evil.
31 Be not envious of a man of violence, nor fix you on any of his ways.
32 For the perverted [is] an abomination to Jehovah, and His secret counsel [is] with the upright.
33 The curse of Jehovah [is] in the house of the wicked. And He blesses the habitation of the righteous.
34 If He does scorn the scorners, yet He does give grace to the humble.
35 The wise do inherit honor, and fools are bearing away shame!
CHAPTER 4
1 Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding.
2 For good learning I have given to you, forsake not my law.
3 For, I have been a son to my father -- tender, and an only one before my mother.
4 And he directs me, and he says to me: `Let your heart retain my words, keep my commands, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding, do not forget, nor turn away from the sayings of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she does preserve you, love her, and she does keep you.
7 The first thing [is] wisdom -- get wisdom, and with all your getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she does lift you up, she honors you, when you do embrace her.
9 She gives a wreath of grace to your head, she does give you a crown of beauty freely.
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and years of life [are] multiplied to you.
11 I have directed you in a way of wisdom, I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.
12 In your walking your step is not confined, and if you run, you stumble not.
13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, keep her, for she [is] your life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and be not happy in a way of evil doers.
15 Avoid it, pass not over into it, turn aside from it, and pass on.
16 For they sleep not if they do not evil, and their sleep has been taken violently away, if they cause not [some] to stumble.
17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, and they drink wine of violence.
18 And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, going and brightening till the day is established,
19 the way of the wicked [is] as darkness, they have not known at what they stumble.
20 My son, give attention to my words, incline your ear to my sayings,
21 let them not turn aside from your eyes, preserve them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they [are] life to those finding them, and healing to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart above every charge, for out of it [are] the outgoings of life.
24 Turn aside a perverse mouth from you, and put from you far from you,
25 your eyes do look straightforward, and your eyelids look straight before you.
26 Ponder you the path of your feet, and all your ways [are] established.
27 Incline not [to] the right or to the left, turn aside your foot from evil!
CHAPTER 5
1 My son! give attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding,
2 to observe thoughtfulness, and your lips do keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil,
4 and her latter end [is] bitter as wormwood, sharp as a sword [with] mouths.
5 Her feet are going down to death, Sheol take hold of do her steps.
6 The path of life -- for fear that you ponder, moved have her paths -- you know not.
7 And now, you sons, listen to me, and turn not from sayings of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from off her, and come not near unto the opening of her house,
9 for fear that you give your honor to others, and your years to the fierce,
10 for fear that strangers be filled [with] your power, and your labors in the house of a stranger,
11 and you have howled in your latter end, in the consumption of your flesh and your food,
12 and have said, `How I have hated instruction, and my heart has despised reproof,
13 and I have not listened to the voice of my directors, and have not inclined my ear to my teachers.
14 As a little thing I have been all evil, in the midst of an assembly and a company.
15 Drink waters out of your own cistern, even flowing ones out of your own well.
16 Let your fountains be scattered abroad, in broad places rivulets of waters.
17 Let them be to you for yourself, and not to strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice because of the wife of your youth,
19 a hind of loves, and a roe of grace! Let her loves satisfy you at all times, magnify yourself in her love continually.
20 And why do you magnify yourself, my son, with a stranger? And embrace the bosom of a strange woman?
21 For over-against the eyes of Jehovah are the ways of each, and He is pondering all his paths.
22 His own iniquities do capture the wicked, and he is held with the ropes of his sin.
23 He dies without instruction, and magnifies himself in the abundance of his folly!
CHAPTER 6
1 My son! if you have been surety for your friend, have stricken your hand for a stranger,
2 have been snared with sayings of your mouth, have been captured with sayings of your mouth,
3 do this now, my son, and be delivered, for you have come into the hand of your friend. Go, trample on yourself, and strengthen your friend,
4 give not sleep to your eyes, and slumber to your eyelids,
5 be delivered as a roe from the hand, and as a bird from the hand of a fowler.
6 Go unto the ant, O slothful one, see her ways and be wise;
7 which has not captain, overseer, and ruler,
8 she does prepare her bread in summer, she has gathered her food in harvest.
9 Till when, O slothful one, do you lie? When do you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little clasping of the hands to rest,
11 and your poverty has come as a traveler, and your want as an armed man.
12 A man of worthlessness, a man of iniquity, walking [with] perverseness of mouth,
13 winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, directing with his fingers,
14 perverseness [is] in his heart, devising evil at all times, he sends forth contentions.
15 For that reason suddenly comes his calamity, instantly he is broken -- and no healing.
16 These six Jehovah has hated, yes, seven [are] abominations to His soul.
17 Eyes high -- tongues false -- and hands shedding innocent blood --
18 a heart devising thoughts of vanity -- feet hurrying to run to evil --
19 a false witness [who] does breathe out lies -- and one sending forth contentions between brethren.
20 Keep, my son, the command of your father, and leave not the law of your mother.
21 Bind them on your heart continually, tie them on your neck.
22 In your going up and down, it leads you, in your lying down, it watches over you, and you have awaked -- it talks [with] you.
23 For a lamp [is] the command, and the law a light, and a way of life [are] reproofs of instruction,
24 to preserve you from an evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Desire not her beauty in your heart, and let her not take you with her eyelids.
26 For a harlot consumes unto a cake of bread, and an adulteress hunts the precious soul.
27 Does a man take fire into his bosom, and are his garments not burnt?
28 Does a man walk on the hot coals, and are his feet not scorched?
29 So [is] he who has gone in unto the wife of his neighbor, none who does touch her is innocent.
30 They do not despise the thief, when he steals to fill his soul when he is hungry,
31 and being found he repays sevenfold, he gives all the substance of his house.
32 He who commits adultery [with] a woman lacks heart, he who does it is destroying his soul.
33 He does find a stroke and shame, and his reproach is not wiped away,
34 for jealousy [is] the fury of a man, and he does not spare in a day of vengeance.
35 He accepts not the appearance of any atonement, yes, he does not consent, though you do multiply bribes!
CHAPTER 7
1 My son! keep my sayings, and lay up my commands with you.
2 Keep my commands, and live, and my law as the pupil of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, ` You [are] my sister.' And cry to understanding, `Kinswoman!'
5 To preserve you from a strange woman, from a stranger who has made her sayings smooth.
6 For, at a window of my house, I have looked out through my casement,
7 and I do see among the simple ones, I discern among the sons, a young man lacking understanding,
8 passing on in the street, near her corner, and he does step the way [to] her house,
9 in the twilight -- in the evening of day, in the darkness of night and blackness.
10 And, behold, a woman to meet him -- (a harlot's dress, and watchful of heart,
11 she [is] noisy, and stubborn, her feet rest not in her house.
12 Now in an out-place, now in broad places, and near every corner she lies in wait) --
13 And she laid hold on him, and kissed him, she has hardened her face, and says to him,
14 `Sacrifices of peace-offerings [are] by me, today I have completed my vows.
15 For that reason I have come forth to meet you, to seek your face earnestly, and I find you.
16 I decked my couch [with] ornamental coverings, carved works -- cotton of Egypt.
17 I sprinkled my bed -- myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, we are filled [with] loves till the morning, we delight ourselves in loves.
19 For the man is not in his house, he has gone on a long journey.
20 He has taken a bag of money in his hand, at the day of the new moon he comes to his house.'
21 She turns him aside with the abundance of her speech, she forces him with the flattery of her lips.
22 He is going after her straightway, he comes as an ox unto the slaughter, and as a fetter unto the chastisement of a fool,
23 till an arrow does split his liver, as a bird has hurried unto a snare, and has not known that it [is] for its life.
24 And now, you sons, listen to me, and give attention to sayings of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn unto her ways, do not wander in her paths,
26 for many [are] the wounded she caused to fall, and mighty [are] all her slain ones.
27 The ways of Sheol -- her house, going down unto inner chambers of death!
CHAPTER 8
1 Does not wisdom call? And understanding give forth her voice?
2 At the head of high places by the way, between the paths she has stood,
3 at the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, the entrance of the openings, she cries aloud,
4 `Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice [is] unto the sons of men.
5 Understand, you simple ones, prudence, and you fools, understand the heart,
6 listen, for I speak noble things, and the opening of my lips [is] uprightness.
7 For my mouth does utter truth, and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.
8 In righteousness [are] all the sayings of my mouth, nothing in them is obstinate and perverse.
9 All of them [are] plain to the intelligent, and upright to those finding knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies, yes, all delights are not comparable with it.
12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, and I find out a knowledge of devices.
13 The fear of Jehovah [is] to hate evil; pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, and a obstinate mouth, I have hated.
14 Mine [is] counsel and substance, I [am] understanding, I have might.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,
16 By me do chiefs rule, and nobles, all judges of the earth.
17 I love those loving me, and those seeking me earnestly do find me.
18 Wealth and honor [are] with me, lasting substance and righteousness.
19 My fruit [is] better than gold, even fine gold, and my increase than choice silver.
20 I cause to walk in a path of righteousness, in midst of paths of judgment,
21 to cause my lovers to inherit substance, yes, I fill their treasures.
22 Jehovah possessed me -- the beginning of His way, before His works since then.
23 From the age I was anointed, from the first, from former states of the earth.
24 In there being no depths, I was brought forth, in there being no fountains heavy [with] waters,
25 Before mountains were sunk, before heights, I was brought forth.
26 While He had not made the earth, and out-places, and the top of the dusts of the world.
27 In His preparing the heavens I [am] there, in His decreeing a circle on the face of the deep,
28 in His strengthening clouds above, in His making strong fountains of the deep,
29 in His setting for the sea its limit, and the waters transgress not His command, in His decreeing the foundations of earth,
30 then I am near Him, a workman, and I am a delight -- day by day. Rejoicing before Him at all times,
31 rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, and my delights [are] with the sons of men.
32 And now, you sons, listen to me, yes, happy are they who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and slight not.
34 O the happiness of the man listening to me, to watch at my doors day by day, to watch at the door-posts of my entrance.
35 For whoso is finding me, has found life, and brings out good-will from Jehovah.
36 And whoso is missing me, is wronging his soul, all hating me have loved death!
CHAPTER 9
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her pillars -- seven.
2 She has slaughtered her slaughter, she has mingled her wine, yes, she has arranged her table.
3 She has sent forth her damsels, she cries on the tops of the high places of the city:
4 `Who [is] simple? let him turn aside here.' Whoso lacks heart: she has said to him,
5 `Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine I have mingled.
6 Forsake you, the simple, and live, and be happy in the way of understanding.
7 The instructor of a scorner is receiving for it -- shame, and a reprover of the wicked -- his blemish.
8 Reprove not a scorner, for fear that he hate you, give reproof to the wise, and he loves you.
9 Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, make known to the righteous, and he increases learning.
10 The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, and a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.
11 For your days do multiply by me, and years of life are added to you.
12 If you have been wise, you have been wise for yourself, and you have scorned -- yourself bears [it].
13 A foolish woman [is] noisy, simple, and has not known what.
14 And she has sat at the opening of her house, on a throne -- the high places of the city,
15 to call to those passing by the way, who are going straight [on] their paths.
16 `Who [is] simple? let him turn aside here.' And whoso lacks heart -- she said to him,
17 `Stolen waters are sweet, and hidden bread is pleasant.'
18 And he has not known that Rephaim [are] there, her invited ones in deep places of Sheol!
CHAPTER 10
1 Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son causes a father to rejoice, and a foolish son [is] an affliction to his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit not, and righteousness delivers from death.
3 Jehovah causes not the soul of the righteous to hunger, and He thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
4 Poor [is] he who is working -- a slothful hand, and the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 Whoso is gathering in summer [is] a wise son, whoso is sleeping in harvest [is] a son causing shame.
6 Blessings [are] for the head of the righteous, and the mouth of the wicked does cover violence.
7 The remembrance of the righteous [is] for a blessing, and the name of the wicked does rot.
8 The wise in heart accepts commands, and a talkative fool kicks.
9 Whoso is walking in integrity walks confidently, and whoso is perverting his ways is known.
10 Whoso is winking the eye gives grief, and a talkative fool kicks.
11 A fountain of life [is] the mouth of the righteous, and the mouth of the wicked does cover violence.
12 Hatred awakes contentions, and love covers over all transgressions.
13 Wisdom is found in the lips of the intelligent, and a rod [is] for the back of him who is lacking understanding.
14 The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool [is] near ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich [is] his strong city, the ruin of the poor [is] their poverty.
16 The wage of the righteous [is] for life, the increase of the wicked for sin.
17 A traveler to life [is] he who is keeping instruction, and whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.
18 Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, and whoso is bringing out an evil report is a fool.
19 In the abundance of words transgression ceases not, and whoso is restraining his lips [is] wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous [is] chosen silver, the heart of the wicked -- as a little thing.
21 The lips of the righteous delight many, and fools die for lack of heart.
22 The blessing of Jehovah -- it makes rich, and He adds no grief with it.
23 To execute inventions [is] as play to a fool, and wisdom to a man of understanding.
24 The feared thing of the wicked it meets him, and the desire of the righteous is given.
25 As the passing by of a hurricane, so the wicked is not, and the righteous is a foundation age-during.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so [is] the slothful to those sending him.
27 The fear of Jehovah adds days, and the years of the wicked are shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous [is] joyful, and the expectation of the wicked perishes.
29 The way of Jehovah [is] strength to the perfect, and ruin to workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous to the age is not moved, and the wicked inhabit not the earth.
31 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and the tongue of perverseness is cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know a pleasing thing, and the mouth of the wicked perverseness!
CHAPTER 11
1 Balances of deceit [are] an abomination to Jehovah, and a perfect weight [is] His delight.
2 Pride has come, and shame comes, and wisdom [is] with the lowly.
3 The integrity of the upright leads them, and the perverseness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 Wealth profits not in a day of wrath, and righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect makes right his way, and the wicked does fall by his wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, and the treacherous are captured in mischief.
7 In the death of a wicked man, hope perishes, and the expectation of the wicked has been lost.
8 The righteous is drawn out from distress, and the wicked goes in instead of him.
9 A hypocrite corrupts his friend with the mouth, and the righteous are drawn out by knowledge.
10 A city exults in the good of the righteous, and [is] singing in the destruction of the wicked.
11 A city is exalted by the blessing of the upright, and thrown down by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Whoso is despising his neighbour lacks heart, and a man of understanding keeps silence.
13 A busybody is revealing secret counsel, and the faithful of spirit is covering the matter.
14 Without counsels do a people fall, and deliverance [is] in a multitude of counselors.
15 Evil [one] suffers when he has been surety [for] a stranger, and whoso is hating suretyship is confident.
16 A gracious woman retains honor, and terrible [men] retain riches.
17 A kind man is rewarding his own soul, and the fierce is troubling his own flesh.
18 The wicked is getting a lying wage, and whoso is sowing righteousness -- a true reward.
19 Rightly [is] righteousness for life, and whoso is pursuing evil -- for his own death.
20 The perverse of heart [are] an abomination to Jehovah, and the perfect of the way [are] His delight.
21 Hand to hand, the wicked is not acquitted, and the seed of the righteous has escaped.
22 A ring of gold in the nose of a sow -- a fair woman and stubborn of behavior.
23 The desire of the righteous [is] only good, the hope of the wicked [is] transgression.
24 There is who is scattering, and yet is increased, and who is keeping back from uprightness, only to want.
25 A liberal soul is made fat, and whoso is watering, he also is watered.
26 Whoso is withholding corn, the people curse him, and a blessing [is] for the head of him who is selling.
27 Whoso is earnestly seeking good seeks a pleasing thing, and whoso is seeking evil -- it meets him.
28 Whoso is confident in his wealth he falls, and as a leaf, the righteous flourish.
29 Whoso is troubling his own house inherits wind, and the fool [is] a servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life, and whoso is taking souls [is] wise.
31 Behold, the righteous in the earth is recompensed, surely also the wicked and the sinner!
CHAPTER 12
1 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, and whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
2 The good brings forth favor from Jehovah, and He condemns the man of wicked devices.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, and the root of the righteous is not moved.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, and as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, the counsels of the wicked -- deceit.
6 The words of the wicked [are]: `Lay wait for blood,' and the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, and the house of the righteous stands.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, and the perverted of heart becomes despised.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who has a servant, than the self-honored who lacks bread.
10 The righteous knows the life of his beast, and the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, and whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
12 the wicked has desired the net of evil doers, and the root of the righteous gives.
13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, and the righteous goes out from distress.
14 From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, and the deed of man's hands returns to him.
15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, and whoso is listening to counsel [is] wise.
16 The fool -- his anger is known in a day, and the prudent is covering shame.
17 Whoso utters faithfulness declares righteousness, and a false witness -- deceit.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, and the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, and for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, and to those counseling peace [is] joy.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, and the wicked have been full of evil.
22 Lying lips [are] an abomination to Jehovah, and steadfast doers [are] his delight.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, and the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent rules, and slothfulness becomes tributary.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man bows down, and a good word makes him glad.
26 The righteous searches his companion, and the way of the wicked causes them to err.
27 The slothful roasts not his hunting, and the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the path of righteousness [is] life, and in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
CHAPTER 13
1 A wise son -- the instruction of a father, and a scorner -- he has not heard rebuke.
2 From the fruit of the mouth a man eats good, and the soul of the treacherous -- violence.
3 Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him!
4 The soul of the slothful is desiring, and has not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.
5 The righteous hates a false word, and the wicked causes abhorrence, and is confounded.
6 Righteousness keeps him who is perfect in the way, and wickedness overthrows a sin offering.
7 There is who is making himself rich, and has nothing, who is making himself poor, and wealth [is] abundant.
8 The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches, and the poor has not heard rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, and the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
10 A vain man causes debate through pride, and wisdom [is] with the counseled.
11 Wealth from vanity becomes little, and whoso is gathering by the hand becomes great.
12 Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, and a tree of life [is] the coming desire.
13 Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, and whoso is fearing the Command is repaid.
14 The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to turn aside from snares of death.
15 Good understanding gives grace, and the way of the treacherous [is] hard.
16 Every prudent one deals with knowledge, and a fool spreads out folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, and a faithful ambassador is healing.
18 Whoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, and whoso is observing reproof is honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, and an abomination to fools [is]: turn from evil.
20 Whoso is walking with wise men is wise, and a companion of fools suffers evil.
21 Evil pursues sinners, and good recompenses the righteous.
22 A good man causes sons' sons to inherit, and laid up for the righteous [is] the sinner's wealth.
23 Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, and substance is consumed without judgment.
24 Whoso is sparing his rod is hating his son, and whoso is loving him has swiftly chastised him.
25 The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, and the belly of the wicked lacks!
CHAPTER 14
1 Every wise woman has built her house, and the foolish breaks it down with her hands.
2 Whoso is walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah, and the perverted [in] his ways is despising Him.
3 In the mouth of a fool [is] a rod of pride, and the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Without oxen a stall [is] clean, and great [is] the increase by the power of the ox.
5 A faithful witness lies not, and a false witness breathes out lies.
6 A scorner has sought wisdom, and it is not, and knowledge to the intelligent [is] easy.
7 Go from before a foolish man, or you have not known the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way, and the folly of fools [is] deceit.
9 Fools mock at a guilt-offering, and among the upright -- a pleasing thing.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not intermeddle with its joy.
11 The house of the wicked is destroyed, and the tent of the upright flourishes.
12 There is a way -- right before a man, and its latter end [are] ways of death.
13 Even in laughter is the heart pained, and the latter end of joy [is] affliction.
14 From his ways is the backslider filled in heart, and a good man -- from his fruits.
15 The simple gives credence to everything, and the prudent attends to his step.
16 The wise is fearing and turning from evil, and a fool is transgressing and is confident.
17 Whoso is short of temper does folly, and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple have inherited folly, and the prudent are crowned [with] knowledge.
19 The evil have bowed down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his neighbor, and those loving the rich [are] many.
21 Whoso is despising his neighbor sins, whoso is favoring the humble, O his happiness.
22 Do not they err who are devising evil? And kindness and truth [are] to those devising good,
23 there is advantage in all labor, and a thing of the lips [is] only to want.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, the folly of fools [is] folly.
25 A true witness is delivering souls, and a deceitful one breathes out lies.
26 In the fear of Jehovah [is] strong confidence, and to His sons there is a refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah [is] a fountain of life, to turn aside from snares of death.
28 In the multitude of a people [is] the honor of a king, and in lack of people the ruin of a prince.
29 Whoso is slow to anger [is] of great understanding, and whoso is short in temper is exalting folly.
30 A healed heart [is] life to the flesh, and rottenness to the bones [is] envy.
31 An oppressor of the poor reproaches his Maker, and whoso is honoring Him is favoring the needy.
32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, and trustful in his death [is] the righteous.
33 Wisdom does rest in the heart of the intelligent. and it is known in the midst of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, and the goodliness of peoples [is] a sin-offering.
35 The favor of a king [is] to a wise servant, and an object of his wrath is one causing shame!
CHAPTER 15
1 A soft answer turns back fury, and a grievous word raises up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge good, and the mouth of fools utters folly.
3 In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, watching the evil and the good.
4 A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, and perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despises the instruction of his father, and whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.
6 [In] the house of the righteous [is] abundant strength, and in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.
7 The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, and the heart of fools [is] not right.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to Jehovah, and the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.
9 An abomination to Jehovah [is] the way of the wicked, and He loves whoso is pursuing righteousness.
10 Chastisement [is] grievous to him who is forsaking the path, whoso is hating reproof dies.
11 Sheol and destruction [are] before Jehovah, surely also the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scorner loves not his reprover, he goes not unto the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes the face glad, and the spirit is afflicted by grief of heart.
14 The heart of the intelligent seeks knowledge, and the mouth of fools enjoys folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted [are] evil, and gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.
16 Better [is] a little with the fear of Jehovah, than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17 Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18 A man of fury stirs up contention, and the slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, and the path of the upright is raised up.
20 A wise son rejoices a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one lacking heart, and a man of intelligence directs [his] going.
22 Without counsel [is] the making void of purposes, and it is established in a multitude of counselors.
23 Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, and a word in its season -- how good!
24 A path of life [is] on high for the wise, to turn aside from Sheol beneath.
25 Jehovah pulls down the house of the proud, and He sets up the border of the widow.
26 An abomination to Jehovah [are] thoughts of wickedness, and pure [are] sayings of pleasantness.
27 A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, and whoso is hating gifts lives.
28 The heart of the righteous meditates to answer, and the mouth of the wicked utters evil things.
29 Far [is] Jehovah from the wicked, and He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, a good report makes fat the bone.
31 An ear that is hearing the reproof of life does lodge among the wise.
32 Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, and whoso is hearing reproof is getting understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah [is] the instruction of wisdom, and before honor [is] humility!
CHAPTER 16
1 Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, and from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, and Jehovah is pondering the spirits.
3 Roll your works unto Jehovah, and your purposes are established,
4 Jehovah has worked all things for Himself, and also the wicked [works] for a day of evil.
5 An abomination to Jehovah [is] every proud one of heart, hand to hand he is not acquitted.
6 Iniquity is pardoned in kindness and truth, and turn you aside from evil in the fear of Jehovah.
7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, he causes to be at peace with him.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness, than abundance of increase without justice.
9 The heart of man devises his way, and Jehovah establishes his step.
10 An oath [is] on the lips of a king, in judgment his mouth trespasses not.
11 A just beam and balances [are] Jehovah's, His work [are] all the stones of the bag.
12 An abomination to kings [is] doing wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness.
13 The delight of kings [are] righteous lips, and he loves whoso is speaking uprightly,
14 the fury of a king [is] messengers of death, and a wise man pacifies it.
15 In the light of a king's face [is] life, and his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 To get wisdom -- how much better than gold, and to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
17 A highway of the upright [is], `Turn from evil,' whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.
18 Before destruction [is] pride, and before stumbling -- a haughty spirit.'
19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, than to apportion spoil with the proud.
20 The wise finds good in any matter, and whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.
21 To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' and sweetness of lips increases learning.
22 A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise causes his mouth to act wisely, and by his lips he increases learning,
24 Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way right before a man, and its latter end -- ways of death.
26 A laboring man has labored for himself, for his mouth has caused [him] to bend over it.
27 A worthless man is preparing evil, and on his lips -- as a burning fire.
28 A perverse man sends forth contention, a tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor, and has caused him to go in a way not good.
30 Consulting his eyes to devise perverse things, moving his lips he has accomplished evil.
31 A crown of beauty [are] gray hairs, it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 Better [is] the slow to anger than the mighty, and the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.
33 Into the center is the lot cast, and from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!
CHAPTER 17
1 Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
2 A wise servant rules over a son causing shame, and in the midst of brethren he apportions an inheritance.
3 A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, and the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah.
4 An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso is mocking at the poor has reproached his Maker, whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6 Sons' sons [are] the crown of old men, and the glory of sons [are] their fathers.
7 A lip of excellency is not comely for a fool, much less a lip of falsehood for a noble.
8 A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, to whatever place it turns, it prospers.
9 Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, and whoso is repeating a matter is separating a familiar friend.
10 Rebuke comes down on the intelligent more than a hundred stripes on a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12 The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, and -- not a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso is returning evil for good, evil moves not from his house.
14 The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, and leave the strife before it is meddled with.
15 Whoso is justifying the wicked, and condemning the righteous, even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Why [is] this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, and a heart there is none?
17 At all times is the friend loving, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking heart is striking hands, he becomes a surety before his friend.
19 Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, whoso is making his entrance high is seeking destruction.
20 The perverse of heart finds not good, and the turned in his tongue falls into evil.
21 Whoso is fathering a fool has affliction for it, yes, the father of a fool rejoices not.
22 A rejoicing heart does good to the body, and an afflicted spirit dries the bone.
23 The wicked takes a bribe from the bosom, to turn aside the paths of judgment.
24 The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, and the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.
25 A foolish son [is] a provocation to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also, to fine the righteous is not good, to afflict nobles for uprightness.
27 One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, and the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, he who is shutting his lips intelligent!
CHAPTER 18
1 He who is separated does seek for [an object of] desire, he interferes with all wisdom.
2 A fool delights not in understanding, but -- in uncovering his heart.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also has contempt, and with shame -- reproach.
4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, the fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, and they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, he [is] a brother to a destroyer.
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, into it the righteous runs, and is set on high.
11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, and as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, and before honor [is] humility.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he hears, it is folly to him and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustains his sickness, and who does bear an afflicted spirit?
15 The heart of the intelligent gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 The gift of a man makes room for him, and it leads him before the great.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, his neighbor comes and has searched him.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and between the mighty it separates.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, and contentions as the bar of a palace.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, he is satisfied [from the] increase of his lips.
21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, and those loving it eat its fruit.
22 [Whoso] has found a wife has found good, and brings out good-will from Jehovah.
23 The poor does speak [with] supplications, and the rich answers fierce things.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, and there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
CHAPTER 19
1 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, than the perverse [in] his lips, who [is] a fool.
2 Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, and the hasty in feet is sinning.
3 The folly of man perverts his way, and his heart is angry against Jehovah.
4 Wealth adds many friends, and the poor is separated from his neighbor.
5 A false witness is not acquitted, whoso breathes out lies is not delivered.
6 Many entreat the face of the noble, and all have made friendship to a man of gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor have hated him, surely also his friends have been far from him, he is pursuing words -- they are not!
8 Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, he is keeping understanding to find good.
9 A false witness is not acquitted, and whoso breathes out lies perishes.
10 Luxury is not comely for a fool, much less for a servant to rule among princes.
11 The wisdom of a man has deferred his anger, and his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
12 The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, and his good-will as dew on the herb.
13 A calamity to his father [is] a foolish son, and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping.
14 House and wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, and from Jehovah [is] an understanding wife.
15 Sloth causes deep sleep to fall, and an lazy soul does hunger.
16 Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, whoso is despising His ways dies.
17 Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favoring the poor, and He repays his deed to him.
18 Chastise your son, for there is hope, and lift not up your soul to put him to death.
19 A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, for, if you do deliver, yet again you do add.
20 Hear counsel and receive instruction, so that you are wise in your latter end.
21 Many [are] the purposes in a man's heart, and the counsel of Jehovah it stands.
22 The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, and better [is] the poor than a liar.
23 The fear of Jehovah [is] to life, and satisfied he remains -- he is not charged with evil.
24 The slothful has hidden his hand in a dish, he brings it not back even unto his mouth.
25 A scorner afflicts, and the simple acts prudently, and give reproof to the intelligent, he understands knowledge.
26 Whoso is spoiling a father causes a mother to flee, a son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
27 Cease, my son, to hear instruction -- to err from sayings of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness scorns judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
29 Judgments have been prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools!
CHAPTER 20
1 Wine [is] a scorner -- strong drink [is] noisy, and any going astray in it is not wise.
2 The fear of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, he who is causing him to be angry is wronging his soul.
3 Cessation from strife is a honor to a man, and every fool interferes.
4 Because of winter the slothful plows not, he asks in harvest, and there is nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of a man [is] deep water, and a man of understanding draws it up.
6 A multitude of men proclaim each his kindness, and who does find a man of steadfastness?
7 The righteous is walking habitually in his integrity, O the happiness of his sons after him!
8 A king sitting on a throne of judgment, is scattering all evil with his eyes,
9 Who says, `I have purified my heart, I have been cleansed from my sin?'
10 A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, even both of them [are] an abomination to Jehovah.
11 Even by his actions a youth makes himself known, whether his work be pure or upright.
12 A hearing ear, and a seeing eye, Jehovah has made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, for fear that you become poor, open your eyes -- be satisfied [with] bread.
14 `Bad, bad,' says the buyer, and going his way then he boasts himself.
15 Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, yes, a precious vessel, [are] lips of knowledge.
16 Take his garment when a stranger has been surety, and pledge it for strangers.
17 Sweet to a man [is] the bread of falsehood, and afterwards is his mouth filled [with] gravel.
18 You do establish purposes by counsel, and make you war with plans.
19 A revealer of secret counsels is the busybody, and make not yourself surety for a deceiver [with] his lips.
20 Whoso is vilifying his father and his mother, extinguished is his lamp in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, even its latter end is not blessed.
22 Do not say, `I recompense evil,' wait for Jehovah, and He delivers you.
23 An abomination to Jehovah [are] a stone and a stone, and balances of deceit [are] not good.
24 From Jehovah [are] the steps of a man, and man -- how understands he his way?
25 A snare to a man [is] he has swallowed a holy thing, and to make inquiry after vows.
26 A wise king is scattering the wicked, and turns back the wheel on them.
27 The breath of man [is] a lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inner parts of the heart.
28 Kindness and truth keep a king, and he has supported his throne by kindness.
29 The beauty of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is gray hairs.
30 You remove the bandages of a wound with the evil, also the plagues of the inner parts of the heart!
CHAPTER 21
1 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, wherever He pleases He inclines it.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, and Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, and of every hasty one, only to want.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catches them, because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Perverse [is] the way of a man who is vile, and the pure -- upright [is] his work.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked has desired evil, not gracious in his eyes is his neighbor.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becomes wise, and in giving understanding to the wise he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, he also does cry, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, but ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, whoso is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, and for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [is] in the habitation of the wise, and a foolish man swallows it up.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A city of the mighty has the wise gone up, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, is keeping his soul from adversities.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slays him, for his hands have refused to work.
26 All the day desiring he has desired, and the righteous gives and withholds not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, much more when he brings it in wickedness.
28 A false witness does perish, and an attentive man for ever speaks.
29 A wicked man has hardened by his face, and the upright -- he prepares his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, and the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
CHAPTER 22
1 A name is chosen rather than much wealth, than silver and than gold -- good grace.
2 Rich and poor have met together, the Maker of them all [is] Jehovah.
3 The prudent has seen the evil, and is hidden, and the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4 The end of humility [is] the fear of Jehovah, riches, and honor, and life.
5 Thorns -- snares [are] in the way of the perverse, whoso is keeping his soul is far from them.
6 Give instruction to a youth about his way, even when he is old he turns not from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor, and a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
8 Whoso is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, and wears out the rod of his anger.
9 The good of eye -- he is blessed, for he has given of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out a scorner -- and contention goes out, and strife and shame cease.
11 Whoso is loving cleanness of heart, grace [are] his lips, a king [is] his friend.
12 The eyes of Jehovah have kept knowledge, and He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13 The slothful has said, `A lion [is] without, I am slain in the midst of the broad places.'
14 A deep pit [is] the mouth of strange women, the abhorred of Jehovah falls there.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, the rod of chastisement puts it far from him.
16 He is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, he is giving to the rich -- only to want.
17 Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, and set your heart to my knowledge,
18 For they are pleasant when you do keep them in your heart, they are prepared together for your lips.
19 That your trust may be in Jehovah, I caused you to know today, even you.
20 Have I not written to you three times with counsels and knowledge?
21 To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, to return sayings of truth to those sending you.
22 Rob not the poor because he [is] poor, and bruise not the afflicted in the gate.
23 For Jehovah pleads their cause, and has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24 Show not yourself friendly with an angry man, and go not in with a man of fury,
25 for fear that you learn his paths, and have received a snare to your soul.
26 Be not you among those striking hands, among sureties [for] burdens.
27 If you have nothing to pay, why does he take your bed from under you?
28 Remove not a border of olden times, that your fathers have made.
29 Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He does station himself before kings, he stations not himself before obscure men!
CHAPTER 23
1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, you consider diligently that which [is] before you,
2 And you have put a knife to your throat, if you [are] a man of appetite.
3 Have no desire to his dainties, seeing it [is] lying food.
4 Labor not to make wealth, cease from your own understanding, do you cause your eyes to fly upon it? Then it is not.
5 For wealth makes wings to itself, it flies as an eagle to the heavens.
6 Eat not the bread of an evil eye, and have no desire to his dainties,
7 For as he has thought in his soul, so [is] he, `Eat and drink,' says he to you, and his heart [is] not with you.
8 Your morsel you have eaten you do vomit up, and have marred your words that [are] sweet.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool, for he treads on the wisdom of your words.
10 Remove not a border of olden times, and enter not into fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Redeemer [is] strong, He does plead their cause with you.
12 Bring in your heart to instruction, and your ear to sayings of knowledge.
13 Withhold not chastisement from a youth, he dies not when you strike him with a rod.
14 You strike him with a rod, and you deliver his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if your heart has been wise, my heart rejoices, even mine,
16 and my reins exult when your lips speak uprightly.
17 Let not your heart be envious at sinners, but -- in the fear of Jehovah all the day.
18 For, is there a posterity? Then your hope is not cut off.
19 Hear you, my son, and be wise, and make your heart happy in the way,
20 Be not you among greedy drinkers of wine, among gluttonous ones of flesh,
21 for the greedy drinker and glutton become poor, and drowsiness clothes with rags.
22 Listen to your father, who fathered you, and despise not your mother when she has become old.
23 Buy truth, and sell not, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding,
24 the father of the righteous rejoices greatly, the father of the wise rejoices in him.
25 Your father and your mother do rejoice, yes, she that bare you is joyful.
26 Give, my son, your heart to me, and let your eyes watch my ways.
27 For a harlot [is] a deep ditch, and a strange woman [is] a narrow pit.
28 She also, as catching prey, lies in wait, and she increases the treacherous among men.
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaint? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those tarrying by the wine, those going in to search out mixed wine.
31 See not wine when it shows itself red, when it gives its color in the cup, it goes up and down through the upright.
32 Its latter end -- it bites as a serpent, and it stings as a basilisk.
33 Your eyes see strange women, and your heart speaks perverse things.
34 And you have been as one lying down in the heart of the sea, and as one lying down on the top of a mast.
35 `They struck me, I have not been sick, they beat me, I have not known. When I awake -- I seek it yet again!'
CHAPTER 24
1 Be not envious of evil men, and desire not to be with them.
2 Their heart does meditate for destruction, and their lips do speak perverseness.
3 A house is built by wisdom, and it establishes itself by understanding.
4 And by knowledge the inner parts are filled, [with] all precious and pleasant wealth.
5 Mighty [is] the wise in strength, and a man of knowledge is strengthening power,
6 for you make for yourself war by plans, and deliverance [is] in a multitude of counselors.
7 Wisdom [is] high for a fool, in the gate he opens not his mouth.
8 Whoso is devising to do evil, they call him a master of wicked thoughts.
9 The thought of folly [is] sin, and a scorner [is] an abomination to man.
10 You have showed yourself weak in a day of adversity, confined is your power,
11 if [from] delivering those taken to death, and those slipping to the slaughter -- you keep back.
12 When you say, `Behold, we knew not this.' Is not the Ponderer of hearts He who understands? And the Keeper of your soul He who knows? And He has rendered to man according to his work.
13 Eat my son, honey that [is] good, and the honeycomb -- sweet to your palate.
14 So [is] the knowledge of wisdom to your soul, if you have found that there is a posterity and your hope is not cut off.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked one, at the habitation of the righteous. Do not spoil his resting-place.
16 For seven [times] does the righteous fall and rise, and the wicked stumble in evil.
17 Rejoice not in the falling of your enemy, and let not your heart be joyful in his stumbling,
18 for fear that Jehovah see, and [it be] evil in His eyes, and He has turned His anger from off him.
19 Fret not yourself at evil doers, be not envious at the wicked,
20 for there is not a posterity to the evil, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
21 Fear Jehovah, my son, and the king, mix not up yourself with changers,
22 for suddenly does their calamity rise, and the ruin of them both -- who knows!
23 These also are for the wise: -- to discern faces in judgment is not good.
24 Whoso is saying to the wicked, `You [are] righteous,' peoples execrate him -- nations abhor him.
25 And to those reproving it is pleasant, and a good blessing comes on them.
26 Lips he kisses who is returning straightforward words.
27 Prepare your work in an out-place, and make it ready in the field -- go afterwards, then you have built your house.
28 Be not a witness for nothing against your neighbor, or you have enticed with your lips.
29 Say not, `As he did to me, so I do to him, I render to each according to his work.'
30 I passed by near the field of a slothful man, and near the vineyard of a man lacking heart.
31 And behold, it has gone up -- all of it -- thorns! Covered its face have nettles, and its stone wall has been broken down.
32 And I see -- I -- I do set my heart, I have seen -- I have received instruction,
33 a little sleep -- a little slumber -- a little folding of the hands to lie down.
34 And your poverty has come [as] a traveler, and your want as an armed man!
CHAPTER 25
1 Also these are Proverbs of Solomon, that men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed: --
2 The honor of God [is] to hide a thing, and the honor of kings to search out a matter.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings -- [are] unsearchable.
4 Take away dross from silver, and a vessel for the refiner goes forth,
5 Take away the wicked before a king, and his throne is established in righteousness.
6 Honor not yourself before a king, and stand not in the place of the great.
7 For better [that] he has said to you, `Come you up here,' than [that] he humble you before a noble, whom your eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth to strive, hurry, turn, what do you in its latter end, when your neighbor causes you to blush?
9 Plead your cause with your neighbor, and reveal not the secret counsel of another,
10 for fear that the hearer put you to shame, and your evil report turn not back.
11 Apples of gold in imagery of silver, [is] the word spoken at its fit times.
12 A ring of gold, and an ornament of pure gold, [is] the wise reprover to an attentive ear.
13 As a vessel of snow in a day of harvest, [so is] a faithful ambassador to those sending him, and he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Clouds and wind, and rain there is none, [is] a man boasting himself in a false gift.
15 By long-suffering is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks a bone.
16 Honey you have found -- eat your sufficiency, for fear that you be satiated [with] it, and have vomited it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house, for fear that he be satiated [with] you, and have hated you.
18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, [is] the man testifying a false testimony against his neighbor.
19 A bad tooth, and a tottering foot, [is] the confidence of the treacherous in a day of adversity.
20 Whoso is taking away a garment in a cold day, [is as] vinegar on nitre, and a singer of songs on a sad heart.
21 If he who is hating you does hunger, cause him to eat bread, and if he thirst, cause him to drink water.
22 For you are putting coals on his head, and Jehovah gives recompense to you.
23 A north wind brings forth rain, and a secret tongue -- indignant faces.
24 Better to sit on a corner of a roof, than [with] a woman of contentions, and a house of company.
25 [As] cold waters for a weary soul, so [is] a good report from a far country.
26 A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, [is] the righteous falling before the wicked.
27 The eating of much honey is not good, nor a searching out of one's own honor -- honor.
28 A city broken down without walls, [is] a man without restraint over his spirit!
CHAPTER 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor [is] not comely for a fool.
2 As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, so reviling without cause does not come.
3 A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, for fear that you be like to him -- even you.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, for fear that he be wise in his own eyes.
6 He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, who is sending things by the hand of a fool.
7 Weak have been the two legs of the lame, and a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who is binding a stone in a sling, so [is] he who is giving honor to a fool.
9 A thorn has gone up into the hand of a drunkard, and a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Great [is] the Former of all, and He is rewarding a fool, and is rewarding transgressors.
11 As a dog has returned to its vomit, a fool is repeating his folly.
12 You have seen a man wise in his own eyes, more hope of a fool than of him!
13 The slothful has said, `A lion [is] in the way, a lion [is] in the broad places.'
14 The door turns round on its hinge, and the slothful on his bed.
15 The slothful has hid his hand in a dish, he is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.
16 Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, than seven [men] returning a reason.
17 Laying hold on the ears of a dog, [is] a passer-by making himself angry for strife not his own.
18 As [one] pretending to be feeble, who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,
19 so has a man deceived his neighbor, and has said, `Am not I playing?'
20 Without wood is fire going out, and without a tale-bearer, contention ceases,
21 coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, and a man of contentions to kindle strife.
22 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, and they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
23 Silver of dross spread over potsherd, [are] burning lips and an evil heart.
24 A hater does dissemble by his lips, and he places deceit in his heart,
25 when his voice is gracious trust not in him, for seven abominations [are] in his heart.
26 Hatred is covered by deceit, revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.
27 Whoso is digging a pit falls into it, and the roller of a stone, it turns to him.
28 A lying tongue hates its bruised ones, and a flattering mouth works an overthrow!
CHAPTER 27
1 Boast not yourself of tomorrow, for you know not what a day brings forth.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone [is] heavy, and the sand [is] heavy, and the anger of a fool is heavier than they both.
4 Fury [is] fierce, and anger [is] overflowing, and who stands before jealousy?
5 Better [is] open reproof than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a lover, and abundant the kisses of an enemy.
7 A satiated soul treads down a honeycomb, and [to] a hungry soul every bitter thing [is] sweet.
8 As a bird wandering from her nest, so [is] a man wandering from his place.
9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, and the sweetness of one's friend -- from counsel of the soul.
10 Your own friend, and the friend of your father, forsake not, and enter not the house of your brother in a day of your calamity, better [is] a near neighbor than a afar off brother.
11 Be wise, my son, and rejoice my heart. And I return my reproacher a word.
12 The prudent has seen the evil, he is hidden, the simple have passed on, they are punished.
13 Take his garment, when a stranger has been surety, and pledge it for a strange woman.
14 Whoso is saluting his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, a light thing it is reckoned to him.
15 A continual dropping in a day of rain, and a woman of contentions are alike,
16 whoso is hiding her has hidden the wind, and the ointment of his right hand calls out.
17 Iron is sharpened by iron, and a man sharpens the face of his friend.
18 The keeper of a fig-tree eats its fruit, and the preserver of his master is honored.
19 As [in] water the face [is] to face, so the heart of man to man.
20 Sheol and destruction are not satisfied, and the eyes of man are not satisfied.
21 A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, and a man according to his praise.
22 If you do beat the foolish in a mortar, among washed things -- with a pestle, his folly turns not aside from off him.
23 Know well the face of your flock, set your heart to the droves,
24 For riches [are] not to the age, nor a crown to generation and generation.
25 Revealed was the hay, and seen the tender grass, and gathered the herbs of mountains.
26 Lambs [are] for your clothing, and the price of the field [are] he-goats,
27 and a sufficiency of goats' milk [is] for your bread, for bread to your house, and life to your damsels!
CHAPTER 28
1 The wicked have fled and there is no pursuer. And the righteous is confident as a young lion.
2 By the transgression of a land many [are] its heads. And by an intelligent man, who knows right -- it is prolonged.
3 A man -- poor and oppressing the weak, [is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.
4 Those forsaking the law praise the wicked, those keeping the law plead against them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment, and those seeking Jehovah understand all.
6 Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, than the perverse of ways who is rich.
7 Whoso is keeping the law is an intelligent son, and a friend of gluttons, does cause his father to blush.
8 Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, for one favoring the poor does gather it.
9 Whoso is turning his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [is] an abomination.
10 Whoso is causing the upright to err in an evil way, he does fall into his own pit, and the perfect do inherit good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, and the intelligent poor searches him.
12 In the exulting of the righteous the glory [is] abundant, and in the rising of the wicked man is apprehensive.
13 Whoso is covering his transgressions prospers not, and he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.
14 O the happiness of a man fearing continually, and whoso is hardening his heart falls into evil.
15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear, [is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A leader lacking understanding multiplies oppressions, whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongs days.
17 A man oppressed with the blood of a soul, flees unto the pit, none takes hold on him.
18 Whoso is walking uprightly is saved, and the perverted of ways falls at once.
19 Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, and whoso is pursuing vanity, is filled [with] poverty.
20 A steadfast man has multiplied blessings, and whoso is hurrying to be rich is not acquitted.
21 To discern faces is not good, and for a piece of bread does a man transgress.
22 Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, and he knows not that want does meet him.
23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards finds grace, more than a flatterer with the tongue.
24 Whoso is robbing his father, or his mother, and is saying, `It is not transgression,' he is a companion to a destroyer.
25 Whoso is proud in soul stirs up contention, and whoso is trusting on Jehovah is made fat.
26 Whoso is trusting in his heart is a fool, and whoso is walking in wisdom is delivered.
27 Whoso is giving to the poor has no lack, and whoso is hiding his eyes multiplied curses.
28 In the rising of the wicked a man is hidden, and in their destruction the righteous multiply!
CHAPTER 29
1 A man often reproved, hardening the neck, is suddenly broken, and there is no healing.
2 In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, and in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.
3 A man loving wisdom rejoices his father, and a friend of harlots destroys wealth.
4 A king establishes a land by judgment, and one receiving gifts throws it down.
5 A man taking a portion above his neighbor, spreads a net for his own steps.
6 In the transgression of the evil [is] a snare, and the righteous does sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous knows the plea of the poor, the wicked understands not knowledge.
8 Men of scorning ensnare a city, and the wise turn back anger.
9 A wise man is judged by the foolish man, and he has been angry, and he has laughed, and there is no rest.
10 Men of blood hate the perfect, and the upright seek his soul.
11 A fool brings out all his mind, and the wise restrains it till afterwards.
12 A ruler who is attending to lying words, all his ministers [are] wicked.
13 The poor and the man of frauds have met together, Jehovah is enlightening the eyes of them both.
14 A king that is judging the poor truly, his throne is established for ever.
15 A rod and reproof give wisdom, and a youth let away is shaming his mother.
16 In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplies, and the righteous do look on their fall.
17 Chastise your son, and he gives you comfort, yes, he gives delights to your soul.
18 Without a vision is a people made naked, and whoso is keeping the law, O his happiness!
19 A servant is not instructed by words though he understand, and there is nothing answering.
20 You have seen a man hasty in his words! More hope of a fool than of him.
21 Whoso is bringing up his servant delicately, from youth, [at] his latter end also he is continuator.
22 An angry man stirs up contention, and a furious man is multiplying transgression.
23 The pride of man humbles him, and humility of spirit upholds honor.
24 Whoso is sharing with a thief is hating his own soul, execration he hears, and tells not.
25 Fear of man causes a snare, and the confident in Jehovah is set on high.
26 Many are seeking the face of a ruler, and the judgment of each [is] from Jehovah.
27 The perverse man an abomination to the righteous, and an abomination to the wicked [is] the upright in the way!
CHAPTER 30
1 Words of a Gatherer, son of an obedient one, the declaration, an affirmation of the man: -- I have wearied myself [for] God, I have wearied myself [for] God, and am consumed.
2 For I am more brutish than any one, and have not the understanding of a man.
3 Nor have I learned wisdom, yet I know the knowledge of Holy Ones.
4 Who went up to heaven, and comes down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound waters in a garment? Who established all ends of the earth? What [is] His name? and what His son's name? Surely you know!
5 Every saying of God [is] tried, He [is] a shield to those trusting in Him.
6 Add not to His words, for fear that He reason with you, and you have been found false.
7 I have asked two things from You, withhold not from me before I die.
8 Put vanity and a lying word far from me, give not poverty or wealth to me, cause me to eat the bread of my portion,
9 for fear that I become satiated, and have denied, and have said, `Who [is] Jehovah?' and for fear that I be poor, and have stolen, and have laid hold of the name of my God.
10 Accuse not a servant unto his lord, for fear that he disesteem you, and you be found guilty.
11 A generation [is], that lightly esteems their father, and their mother does not bless.
12 A generation -- pure in their own eyes, but not washed from their own filth.
13 A generation -- how high are their eyes, yes, their eyelids are lifted up.
14 A generation -- swords [are] their teeth, and knives -- their jaw-teeth, to consume the poor from earth, and the needy from [among] men.
15 To the leech [are] two daughters, `Give, give, behold, three things are not satisfied, four have not said `Sufficiency;'
16 Sheol, and a restrained womb, earth -- it [is] not satisfied [with] water, and fire -- it has not said, `Sufficiency,'
17 An eye that mocks at a father, and despises to obey a mother, ravens do dig it out of the valley, and young eagles do eat it.
18 Three things have been too wonderful for me, yes, four that I have not known:
19 the way of the eagle in the heavens, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the heart of the sea, and the way of a man in youth.
20 So -- the way of an adulterous woman, she has eaten and has wiped her mouth, and has said, `I have not done iniquity.'
21 Earth has been troubled for three things, and for four -- it is not able to bear:
22 for a servant when he reigns, and a fool when he is satisfied with bread,
23 for a hated one when she rules, and a maid-servant when she succeeds her mistress.
24 Four [are] little ones of earth, and they are made wiser than the wise:
25 the ants [are] a people not strong, and they prepare their food in summer,
26 Conies [are] a people not strong, and they place their house in a rock,
27 There is not a king to the locust, and it goes out -- each one shouting,
28 Take hold a spider with two hands, and is in the palaces of a king.
29 Three there are going well, yes, four are good in going:
30 an old lion -- mighty among beasts, that turns not back from the face of any,
31 a girt one of the loins, or a he-goat, and a king -- no rising up with him.
32 If you have been foolish in lifting up yourself, and if you have devised evil -- hand to mouth!
33 For the churning of milk brings out butter, and the wringing of the nose brings out blood, and the forcing of anger brings out strife!
CHAPTER 31
1 Words of Lemuel a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:
2 `What, my son? and what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3 Give not your strength to women, and your ways to wiping away of kings.
4 Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings, to drink wine, and for princes a desire of strong drink.
5 For fear that he drink, and forget the decree, and change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
6 Give strong drink to the perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul,
7 He drinks, and forgets his poverty, and his misery he remembers not again.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb, for the right of all sons of change.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, both the cause of the poor and needy!'
10 Who does find a woman of worth? Yes, her price [is] far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband has trusted in her, and he lacks not spoil.
12 She has done him good, and not evil, all days of her life.
13 She has sought wool and flax, and she works [with] her hands with delight.
14 She has been as ships of the merchant, she brings in her bread from afar.
15 Yes, she rises while yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her damsels.
16 She has considered a field, and takes it, from the fruit of her hands she has planted a vineyard.
17 She has girded her loins with might, and does strengthen her arms.
18 She has perceived when her merchandise [is] good, her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, and her hands have held a distaff.
20 She has spread forth her hand to the poor, yes, she sent forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of her household from snow, for all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.
22 She has made ornamental coverings for herself, silk and purple [are] her clothing.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, in his sitting with elders of the land.
24 She has made linen garments, and sells, and she has given a girdle to the merchant.
25 Strength and honor [are] her clothing, and she rejoices at a latter day.
26 She has opened her mouth in wisdom, and the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.
27 She [is] watching the ways of her household, and she eats not bread of sloth.
28 Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, her husband, and he praises her,
29 `Many [are] the daughters who have done worthily, you have gone up above them all.'
30 The grace [is] false, and the beauty [is] vain, a woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.
31 Give you to her of the fruit of her hands, and her works do praise her in the gates!
Scripture taken from the Modern Young's Literal Translation™
Copyright © 2005
By Allen K. LeClaire
Used by permission of the copyright holder
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