141 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,[1] but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

9 Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.[2]

10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.[3]

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

16 One who is wise is cautious[4] and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.

21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet[5] steadfast love and faithfulness.

23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

30 A tranquil[6] heart gives life to the flesh, but envy[7] makes the bones rot.

31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[8]

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success[9] in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh[10] and refreshment[11] to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. 24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin[12] of the wicked, when it comes, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[13] when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"--when you have it with you. 29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, 32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. 33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.[14] 35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get[15] disgrace.