201 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2 The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

4 The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

5 The purpose in a man's mind is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but a faithful man who can find?

7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity--blessed are his sons after him!

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, "I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"?

10 Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and right.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.

13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

14 "It is bad, it is bad," says the buyer; but when he goes away, then he boasts.

15 There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take a man's garment when he has given surety for a stranger, and hold him in pledge when he gives surety for foreigners.

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.

19 He who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who speaks foolishly.

20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

21 An inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning will in the end not be blessed.

22 Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will help you.

23 Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.

24 A man's steps are ordered by the Lord; how then can man understand his way?

25 It is a snare for a man to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making his vows.

26 A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the wheel over them.

27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.

28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by righteousness.

29 The glory of young men is their strength, but the beauty of old men is their gray hair.

30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.

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.