Proverbs concerning Life and Conduct

161 The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.

2 All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.

3 Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.

4 The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.

6 By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.

7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.

9 A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.

10 Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.

11 True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12 Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.

13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.

14 The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it. 15 In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.

17 The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.

20 He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.

21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.

23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.

24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.

25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.

26 The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.

27 A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire. 28 A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.

29 A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good. 30 He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.

31 The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.

32 He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.

33 A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart: 2 For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace. 3 Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart; 4 So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men. 5 Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. 6 In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.

7 Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil: 8 This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones. 9 Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase: 10 So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine. 11 My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training: 12 For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.

13 Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge. 14 For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold. 15 She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her. 19 The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place. 20 By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.

21 My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes. 22 So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck. 23 Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping. 24 When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you. 25 Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers: 26 For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.

27 Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time. 29 Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear. 30 Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong. 31 Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example. 32 For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright. 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright. 34 He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted. 35 The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.