Proverbs concerning Life and Conduct

16¹ We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

² People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

³ Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

⁴ The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵ The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished.

⁶ Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

⁷ When people's lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.

⁸ Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.

⁹ We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

¹⁰ The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.

¹¹ The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.

¹² A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.

¹³ The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.

¹⁴ The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. ¹⁵ When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!

¹⁷ The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

¹⁹ Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

²¹ The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

²² Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.

²³ From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

²⁴ Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

²⁵ There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

²⁶ It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.

²⁷ Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. ²⁸ A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

²⁹ Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. ³⁰ With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

³² Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

³³ We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.

Exhortations to Obedience

3¹ My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. ² If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. ³ Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. ⁴ Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

⁷ Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. ⁸ Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. ⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. ¹⁰ Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. ¹¹ My child, don't reject the Lord 's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. ¹² For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

¹³ Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. ¹⁴ For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. ¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶ She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. ¹⁷ She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. ¹⁸ Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. ¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens. ²⁰ By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

²¹ My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, ²² for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. ²³ They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. ²⁴ You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. ²⁵ You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, ²⁶ for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. ²⁸ If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you." ²⁹ Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. ³⁰ Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. ³¹ Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. ³² Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. ³³ The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. ³⁴ The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. ³⁵ The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!