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

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

3 It is honorable to refrain from strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

4 The lazy person does not plow in season; harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.

5 The purposes in the human mind are like deep water, but the intelligent will draw them out.

6 Many proclaim themselves loyal, but who can find one worthy of trust?

7 The righteous walk in integrity- happy are the children who follow them!

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 children make themselves known by their acts, by whether what they do is pure and right.

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

13 Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer, then goes away and boasts.

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

16 Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger; seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet, but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel.

18 Plans are established by taking advice; wage war by following wise guidance.

19 A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler.

20 If you curse father or mother, your lamp will go out in utter darkness.

21 An estate quickly acquired in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.

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

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

24 All our steps are ordered by the Lord; how then can we understand our own ways?

25 It is a snare for one to say rashly, "It is holy," and begin to reflect only after making a vow.

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

27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.

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

29 The glory of youths is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.

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

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. 3 Do not let loyalty 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 repute in the sight of God and of people. 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 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. 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 child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, 14 for her income is better than silver, and her revenue 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 open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence, 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 storm that strikes the wicked; 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 harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you. 30 Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you. 31 Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways; 32 for the perverse are 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 stubborn fools, disgrace.