141 Wisdom builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

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

3 The talk of a fool is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4 Where there are no oxen, there is no grain; 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 a prudent man is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

9 God scorns the wicked, but the upright enjoy his favor.

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 which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sad, and the end of joy is grief.

14 A perverse man will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man with the fruit of his deeds.

15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where he is going.

16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool throws off restraint and is careless.

17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient.

18 The simple acquire 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 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but happy is he who is kind to the poor.

22 Do they not err that devise evil? Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness.

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

24 The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is a betrayer.

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 avoid the snares of death.

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

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

30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot.

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

32 The wicked is overthrown through his evil-doing, but the righteous finds refuge through his integrity.

33 Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.

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 abundant welfare will they give you. 3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 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 and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits 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 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its 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 happy. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape from your sight, 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 sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin 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, 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 perverse man 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 abode of the righteous. 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. 35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.