Proverbs 16:1-22:16

Other Translations of Proverbs 16:1-22:16

New International Version

Proverbs concerning Life and Conduct

16¹ To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

² All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

³ Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

⁴ The Lord works out everything to its proper end- even the wicked for a day of disaster.

⁵ The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

⁷ When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone's way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

⁸ Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

¹⁰ The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.

¹¹ Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

¹² Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.

¹⁴ A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. ¹⁵ When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!

¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,Or "whoever speaks prudently finds what is good"and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.Or "words make a person persuasive"

²² Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³ The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.Or "prudent" / "and make their lips persuasive"

²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

²⁵ There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

²⁶ The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

²⁷ A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

²⁹ A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. ³⁰ Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

³² Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

17¹ Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

² A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

³ The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

⁴ A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

⁶ Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

⁷ Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

⁸ A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.

⁹ Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

¹⁰ A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.

¹¹ Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.

¹² Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.

¹³ Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.

¹⁴ Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

¹⁵ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- the Lord detests them both.

¹⁶ Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

¹⁸ One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.

¹⁹ Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

²⁰ One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

²¹ To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.

²² A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

²³ The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.

²⁴ A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

²⁵ A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

²⁶ If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.

²⁷ The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. ²⁸ Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

18¹ An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

² Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

³ When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.

⁴ The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

⁵ It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

⁶ The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. ⁷ The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

⁹ One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

¹¹ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

¹² Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

¹³ To answer before listening- that is folly and shame.

¹⁴ The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

¹⁶ A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

¹⁷ In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

¹⁸ Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

¹⁹ A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

²⁰ From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

²⁴ One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19¹ Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

² Desire without knowledge is not good- how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

³ A person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.

⁴ Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

⁶ Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. ⁷ The poor are shunned by all their relatives- how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.

⁸ The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.

¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury- how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

¹¹ A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.

¹² A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³ A foolish child is a father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.

¹⁴ Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

¹⁵ Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

¹⁶ Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.

¹⁷ Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

¹⁸ Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

¹⁹ A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

²⁰ Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

²¹ Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

²² What a person desires is unfailing loveOr "Greed is a person's shame" ; better to be poor than a liar.

²³ The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

²⁴ A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

²⁵ Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.

²⁶ Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

²⁷ Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

²⁹ Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

20¹ Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

² A king's wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.

³ It is to one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.

⁴ Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

⁵ The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.

⁶ Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?

⁷ The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?

¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures- the Lord detests them both.

¹¹ Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see- the Lord has made them both.

¹³ Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

¹⁴ "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer- then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

¹⁵ Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

¹⁶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

¹⁸ Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

²⁰ If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

²¹ An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.

²² Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

²³ The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

²⁴ A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?

²⁵ It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows.

²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The human spirit isOr "A person's words are" the lamp of the Lordthat sheds light on one's inmost being.

²⁸ Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

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

³⁰ Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

21¹ In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

² A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.

³ To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart- the unplowed field of the wicked-produce sin.

⁵ The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

⁶ A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts "vapor for those who seek death"

⁷ The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.

⁸ The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

⁹ Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

¹⁰ The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.

¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

¹² The Righteous OneOr "The righteous person" takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

¹³ Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

¹⁴ A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

¹⁵ When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

¹⁶ Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.

¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

¹⁹ Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

²⁰ The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperityOr "righteousness" and honor.

²² One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

²³ Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

²⁴ The proud and arrogant person-"Mocker" is his name- behaves with insolent fury.

²⁵ The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. ²⁶ All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable- how much more so when brought with evil intent!

²⁸ A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.

²⁹ The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.

³⁰ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. ³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

22¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

² Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

³ The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

⁴ Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

⁵ In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

⁶ Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

⁷ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

⁸ Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

⁹ The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

¹¹ One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

¹³ The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!"

¹⁴ The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord's wrath falls into it.

¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

¹⁶ One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich-both come to poverty.

English Standard Version

Proverbs concerning Life and Conduct

16¹ The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

³ Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

⁴ The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

⁵ Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

⁶ By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

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

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

⁹ The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

¹⁰ An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

¹¹ A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

¹⁴ A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. ¹⁵ In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

¹⁷ The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

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

¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the wordOr to a matter will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

²² Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.Hebrew ways of death

²⁶ A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

²⁷ A worthless man plots evil, and his speechHebrew what is on his lips is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

²⁹ A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. ³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plansHebrew to plan dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

³² Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

17¹ Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feastingHebrew sacrifices with strife.

² A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

³ The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

⁵ Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

⁶ Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

⁷ Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

⁸ A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.

⁹ Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

¹⁰ A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

¹² Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.

¹³ If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

¹⁵ He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

¹⁶ Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

¹⁸ One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

¹⁹ Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

²⁰ A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

²¹ He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

²² A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

²³ The wicked accepts a bribe in secretHebrew a bribe from the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.

²⁴ The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

²⁵ A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

²⁶ To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

²⁷ Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. ²⁸ Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

18¹ Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

³ When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

⁵ It is not good to be partial toHebrew to lift the face of the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.

⁶ A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

⁹ Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

¹¹ A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

¹² Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

¹³ If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

¹⁴ A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

¹⁵ An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶ A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.

¹⁷ The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

¹⁸ The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

²³ The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19¹ Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

² DesireOr A soul without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

³ When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.

⁴ Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

⁶ Many seek the favor of a generous man,Or of a noble and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. ⁷ All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.The meaning of the Hebrew sentence is uncertain

⁸ Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.

¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.

¹¹ Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

¹² A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³ A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

¹⁴ House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

¹⁵ Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

¹⁶ Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.

¹⁷ Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

¹⁸ Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

¹⁹ A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

²⁰ Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

²¹ Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

²² What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.

²³ The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

²⁶ He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.

²⁷ Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

²⁹ Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

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

² The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever 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 heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

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

⁷ The righteous who walks in his integrity-- blessed are his children 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 pure; I am clean from my sin"?

¹⁰ UnequalOr Two kinds of; also verse 23 weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

¹¹ Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.Or Even a child can dissemble in his actions, though his conduct seems pure and upright

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 "Bad, 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 put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.Or for an adulteress (compare 27:13)

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 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.Hebrew with one who is simple in his lips

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

²¹ An inheritance gained hastily 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 deliver you.

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

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

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

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

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

²⁸ Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

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

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

21¹ The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.

³ To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lampOr the plowing of the wicked, are sin.

⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

⁶ The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death

⁷ The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

⁸ The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.

⁹ It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

¹¹ When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

¹² The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.

¹³ Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

¹⁴ A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe,Hebrew a bribe in the bosom strong wrath.

¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

¹⁶ One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.

¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.

¹⁹ It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

²⁰ Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

²³ Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

²⁴ "Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

²⁵ The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. ²⁶ All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

²⁸ A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

²⁹ A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought toOr establishes his ways.

³⁰ No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. ³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

22¹ A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

² The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.

³ The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

⁴ The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.Or The reward for humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and honor and life

⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

⁷ The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

⁸ Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

⁹ Whoever has a bountifulHebrew good eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

¹⁰ Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.

¹¹ He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

¹³ The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!"

¹⁴ The mouth of forbiddenHebrew strange women is a deep pit; he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

¹⁶ Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

The Message

Proverbs concerning Life and Conduct

16¹ Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.

² Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.

³ Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.

⁴ God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included - but for judgment.

⁵ God can't stomach arrogance or pretense; believe me, he'll put those upstarts in their place.

⁶ Guilt is banished through love and truth; Fear-of-God deflects evil.

⁷ When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.

⁸ Far better to be right and poor than to be wrong and rich.

⁹ We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. It Pays to Take Life Seriously

¹⁰ A good leader motivates, doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit.

¹¹ God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business.

¹² Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation.

¹³ Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth.

¹⁴ An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you're smart to stay clear of someone like that. ¹⁵ Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives; they're like spring rain and sunshine.

¹⁶ Get wisdom - it's worth more than money; choose insight over income every time.

¹⁷ The road of right living bypasses evil; watch your step and save your life.

¹⁸ First pride, then the crash - the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

¹⁹ It's better to live humbly among the poor than to live it up among the rich and famous.

²⁰ It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God.

²¹ A wise person gets known for insight; gracious words add to one's reputation.

²² True intelligence is a spring of fresh water, while fools sweat it out the hard way.

²³ They make a lot of sense, these wise folks; whenever they speak, their reputation increases.

²⁴ Gracious speech is like clover honey - good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.

²⁵ There's a way that looks harmless enough; look again - it leads straight to hell.

²⁶ Appetite is an incentive to work; hunger makes you work all the harder.

²⁷ Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn. ²⁸ Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.

²⁹ Calloused climbers betray their very own friends; they'd stab their own grandmothers in the back. ³⁰ A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead.

³¹ Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life.

³² Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power.

³³ Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say.

17¹ A meal of bread and water in contented peace is better than a banquet spiced with quarrels.

² A wise servant takes charge of an unruly child and is honored as one of the family.

³ As silver in a crucible and gold in a pan, so our lives are assayed by God.

⁴ Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.

⁵ Whoever mocks poor people, insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.

⁶ Old people are distinguished by grandchildren; children take pride in their parents.

⁷ We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders.

⁸ Receiving a gift is like getting a rare gemstone; any way you look at it, you see beauty refracted.

⁹ Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and - good-bye, friend!

¹⁰ A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool.

¹¹ Criminals out looking for nothing but trouble won't have to wait long - they'll meet it coming and going!

¹² Better to meet a grizzly robbed of her cubs than a fool hellbent on folly.

¹³ Those who return evil for good will meet their own evil returning.

¹⁴ The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.

¹⁵ Whitewashing bad people and throwing mud on good people are equally abhorrent to God.

¹⁶ What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom! They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it! One Who Knows Much Says Little

¹⁷ Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

¹⁸ It's stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay.

¹⁹ The person who courts sin, marries trouble; build a wall, invite a burglar.

²⁰ A bad motive can't achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.

²¹ Having a fool for a child is misery; it's no fun being the parent of a dolt.

²² A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

²³ The wicked take bribes under the table; they show nothing but contempt for justice.

²⁴ The perceptive find wisdom in their own front yard; fools look for it everywhere but right here.

²⁵ A surly, stupid child is sheer pain to a father, a bitter pill for a mother to swallow.

²⁶ It's wrong to penalize good behavior, or make good citizens pay for the crimes of others.

²⁷ The one who knows much says little; an understanding person remains calm. ²⁸ Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut, they're smart.

18¹ Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good.

² Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth.

³ When wickedness arrives, shame's not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible.

⁴ Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.

⁵ It's not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent.

⁶ The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him. ⁷ Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.

⁸ Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?

⁹ Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.

¹⁰ God's name is a place of protection - good people can run there and be safe.

¹¹ The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it.

¹² Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor.

¹³ Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.

¹⁴ A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?

¹⁵ Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.

¹⁶ A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people.

¹⁷ The first speech in a court case is always convincing - until the cross-examination starts!

¹⁸ You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision.

¹⁹ Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond.

²⁰ Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.

²¹ Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit - you choose.

²² Find a good spouse, you find a good life - and even more: the favor of God!

²³ The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers.

²⁴ Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.

19¹ Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one can trust.

² Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste.

³ People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?

⁴ Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies, but poor people are avoided like a plague.

⁵ Perjury won't go unpunished. Would you let a liar go free?

⁶ Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone's a friend to the philanthropist. ⁷ When you're down on your luck, even your family avoids you - yes, even your best friends wish you'd get lost. If they see you coming, they look the other way - out of sight, out of mind.

⁸ Grow a wise heart - you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head - you'll find a good life.

⁹ The person who tells lies gets caught; the person who spreads rumors is ruined.

¹⁰ Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.

¹¹ Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.

¹² Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew.

¹³ A parent is worn to a frazzle by a stupid child; a nagging spouse is a leaky faucet.

¹⁴ House and land are handed down from parents, but a congenial spouse comes straight from God.

¹⁵ Life collapses on loafers; lazybones go hungry.

¹⁶ Keep the rules and keep your life; careless living kills.

¹⁷ Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.

¹⁸ Discipline your children while you still have the chance; indulging them destroys them.

¹⁹ Let angry people endure the backlash of their own anger; if you try to make it better, you'll only make it worse.

²⁰ Take good counsel and accept correction - that's the way to live wisely and well.

²¹ We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails.

²² It's only human to want to make a buck, but it's better to be poor than a liar.

²³ Fear-of-God is life itself, a full life, and serene - no nasty surprises.

²⁴ Some people dig a fork into the pie but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth.

²⁵ Punish the insolent - make an example of them. Who knows? Somebody might learn a good lesson.

²⁶ Kids who lash out against their parents are an embarrassment and disgrace.

²⁷ If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own, you'll soon be out of your depth.

²⁸ An unprincipled witness desecrates justice; the mouths of the wicked spew malice.

²⁹ The irreverent have to learn reverence the hard way; only a slap in the face brings fools to attention.

20¹ Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome - a staggering drunk is not much fun.

² Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs - cross them and they bite your head off.

³ It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.

⁴ A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall.

⁵ Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.

⁶ Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?

⁷ God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.

⁸ Leaders who know their business and care keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,

⁹ For who among us can be trusted to be always diligent and honest?

¹⁰ Switching price tags and padding the expense account are two things God hates.

¹¹ Young people eventually reveal by their actions if their motives are on the up and up. Drinking from the Chalice of Knowledge

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see - we get our basic equipment from God!

¹³ Don't be too fond of sleep; you'll end up in the poorhouse. Wake up and get up; then there'll be food on the table.

¹⁴ The shopper says, "That's junk - I'll take it off your hands," then goes off boasting of the bargain.

¹⁵ Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.

¹⁶ Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.

¹⁷ Stolen bread tastes sweet, but soon your mouth is full of gravel.

¹⁸ Form your purpose by asking for counsel, then carry it out using all the help you can get.

¹⁹ Gossips can't keep secrets, so never confide in blabbermouths.

²⁰ Anyone who curses father and mother extinguishes light and exists benighted. The Very Steps We Take

²¹ A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end.

²² Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!" Wait for God; he'll settle the score.

²³ God hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage.

²⁴ The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?

²⁵ An impulsive vow is a trap; later you'll wish you could get out of it.

²⁶ After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

²⁷ God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out.

²⁸ Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

²⁹ Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age.

³⁰ A good thrashing purges evil; punishment goes deep within us.

21¹ Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.

² We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives.

³ Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.

⁴ Arrogance and pride - distinguishing marks in the wicked - are just plain sin.

⁵ Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.

⁶ Make it to the top by lying and cheating; get paid with smoke and a promotion - to death!

⁷ The wicked get buried alive by their loot because they refuse to use it to help others.

⁸ Mixed motives twist life into tangles; pure motives take you straight down the road. Do Your Best, Prepare for the Worst

⁹ Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

¹⁰ Wicked souls love to make trouble; they feel nothing for friends and neighbors.

¹¹ Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening.

¹² A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked and undo the evil they've planned.

¹³ If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor, your cries will go unheard, unanswered.

¹⁴ A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person; a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.

¹⁵ Good people celebrate when justice triumphs, but for the workers of evil it's a bad day.

¹⁶ Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow ends up in a congregation of ghosts.

¹⁷ You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.

¹⁸ What a bad person plots against the good, boomerangs; the plotter gets it in the end.

¹⁹ Better to live in a tent in the wild than with a cross and petulant spouse.

²⁰ Valuables are safe in a wise person's home; fools put it all out for yard sales.

²¹ Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself - glorious life!

²² One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers - their trusted defenses fell to pieces!

²³ Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.

²⁴ You know their names - Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer - intemperate hotheads, every one.

²⁵ Lazy people finally die of hunger because they won't get up and go to work. ²⁶ Sinners are always wanting what they don't have; the God-loyal are always giving what they do have.

²⁷ Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.

²⁸ A lying witness is unconvincing; a person who speaks truth is respected.

²⁹ Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.

³⁰ Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of God. ³¹ Do your best, prepare for the worst - then trust God to bring victory.

22¹ A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

² The rich and the poor shake hands as equals - God made them both!

³ A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

⁴ The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

⁵ The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it.

⁶ Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.

⁷ The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.

⁸ Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, and bullying anger sputters into nothing.

⁹ Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor.

¹⁰ Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping!

¹¹ God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship.

¹² God guards knowledge with a passion, but he'll have nothing to do with deception.

¹³ The loafer says, "There's a lion on the loose! If I go out I'll be eaten alive!"

¹⁴ The mouth of a whore is a bottomless pit; you'll fall in that pit if you're on the outs with God.

¹⁵ Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

¹⁶ Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich - whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. The Thirty Precepts of the Sages Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines

New King James Version

Proverbs concerning Life and Conduct

16¹ The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.

³ Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

⁴ The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

⁵ Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

⁶ In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.

⁷ When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.

⁹ A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

¹⁰ Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

¹¹ Honest weights and scales are the Lord's; All the weights in the bag are His work.

¹² It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.

¹⁴ As messengers of death is the king's wrath, But a wise man will appease it. ¹⁵ In the light of the king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

¹⁷ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

²¹ The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

²² Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

²³ The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

²⁶ The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.

²⁷ An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. ²⁸ A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. ³⁰ He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

³¹ The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.

³² He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

17¹ Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.

² A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

³ The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.

⁴ An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.

⁵ He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

⁶ Children's children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.

⁷ Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

⁸ A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

⁹ He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

¹⁰ Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

¹² Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

¹³ Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.

¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

¹⁵ He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

¹⁶ Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

¹⁸ A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend.

¹⁹ He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

²⁰ He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

²¹ He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

²² A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

²³ A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice.

²⁴ Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

²⁵ A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.

²⁶ Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

²⁷ He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. ²⁸ Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

18¹ A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

² A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.

³ When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.

⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

⁵ It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

⁶ A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

⁸ The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

⁹ He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

¹¹ The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

¹² Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

¹³ He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

¹⁵ The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶ A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

¹⁷ The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

¹⁸ Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.

²³ The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.

²⁴ A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

19¹ Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

² Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

³ The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord.

⁴ Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

⁶ Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. ⁷ All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

⁸ He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

¹⁰ Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

¹¹ The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

¹² The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³ A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

¹⁴ Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.

¹⁵ Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

¹⁶ He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

¹⁷ He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.

¹⁸ Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

¹⁹ A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

²⁰ Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

²¹ There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel--that will stand.

²² What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.

²³ The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

²⁴ A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

²⁶ He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

²⁷ Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

²⁸ A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

²⁹ Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

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

² The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

³ It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.

⁴ The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

⁵ Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

⁶ Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?

⁷ The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

⁸ A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters 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, They are both alike, an abomination to the Lord.

¹¹ Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.

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

¹³ Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.

¹⁴ "It is good for nothing," cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

¹⁵ There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

¹⁶ Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.

¹⁷ Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

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

¹⁹ He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

²⁰ Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

²¹ An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end.

²² Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

²³ Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, And dishonest scales are not good.

²⁴ A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?

²⁵ It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows.

²⁶ A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

²⁸ Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.

³⁰ Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.

21¹ The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

³ To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

⁴ A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

⁶ Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

⁸ The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

⁹ Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

¹¹ When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

¹² The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

¹³ Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

¹⁵ It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

¹⁶ A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

¹⁹ Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

²⁰ There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

²¹ He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.

²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

²³ Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

²⁴ A proud and haughty man--"Scoffer" is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

²⁵ The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. ²⁶ He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

²⁸ A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

³⁰ There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord. ³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.

22¹ A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

² The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.

³ A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.

⁴ By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them.

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

⁷ The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸ He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.

⁹ He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

¹⁰ Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.

¹¹ He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.

¹² The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless.

¹³ The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!"

¹⁴ The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.

¹⁵ Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

¹⁶ He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

New Living Translation

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.

17¹ Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting-and conflict.

² A wise servant will rule over the master's disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master's children.

³ Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

⁴ Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

⁵ Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

⁶ Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

⁷ Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

⁸ A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!

⁹ Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

¹⁰ A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

¹¹ Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.

¹² It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

¹³ If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.

¹⁴ Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.

¹⁵ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- both are detestable to the Lord .

¹⁶ It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.

¹⁷ A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

¹⁸ It's poor judgment to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for a friend.

¹⁹ Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

²⁰ The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

²¹ It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

²² A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.

²³ The wicked take secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.

²⁴ Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

²⁵ Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

²⁶ It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.

²⁷ A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. ²⁸ Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

18¹ Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.

² Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.

³ Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

⁴ Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

⁵ It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

⁶ Fools' words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. ⁷ The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.

⁸ Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart.

⁹ A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.

¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

¹¹ The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.

¹² Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.

¹³ Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

¹⁴ The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?

¹⁵ Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

¹⁶ Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!

¹⁷ The first to speak in court sounds right- until the cross-examination begins.

¹⁸ Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

¹⁹ An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

²⁰ Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.

²¹ The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

²² The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord .

²³ The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.

²⁴ There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

19¹ Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.

² Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.

³ People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord .

⁴ Wealth makes many "friends"; poverty drives them all away.

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.

⁶ Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts! ⁷ The relatives of the poor despise them; how much more will their friends avoid them! Though the poor plead with them, their friends are gone.

⁸ To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed.

¹⁰ It isn't right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes!

¹¹ Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

¹² The king's anger is like a lion's roar, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³ A foolish child is a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.

¹⁴ Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.

¹⁵ Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.

¹⁶ Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death.

¹⁷ If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord - and he will repay you!

¹⁸ Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.

¹⁹ Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

²⁰ Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

²¹ You can make many plans, but the Lord 's purpose will prevail.

²² Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest.

²³ Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

²⁴ Lazy people take food in their hand but don't even lift it to their mouth.

²⁵ If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

²⁶ Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.

²⁷ If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.

²⁸ A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

²⁹ Punishment is made for mockers, and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.

20¹ Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

² The king's fury is like a lion's roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

³ Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

⁴ Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.

⁵ Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

⁶ Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?

⁷ The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

⁸ When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.

⁹ Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin"?

¹⁰ False weights and unequal measures - the Lord detests double standards of every kind.

¹¹ Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

¹² Ears to hear and eyes to see- both are gifts from the Lord .

¹³ If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

¹⁴ The buyer haggles over the price, saying, "It's worthless," then brags about getting a bargain!

¹⁵ Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.

¹⁶ Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger's debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.

¹⁷ Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

¹⁸ Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without wise advice.

¹⁹ A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers.

²⁰ If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

²¹ An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end.

²² Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong." Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

²³ The Lord detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

²⁴ The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

²⁵ Don't trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.

²⁶ A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The Lord 's light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.

²⁸ Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.

²⁹ The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.

³⁰ Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.

21¹ The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord ; he guides it wherever he pleases.

² People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.

³ The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

⁴ Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

⁵ Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

⁶ Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

⁷ The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

⁸ The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

⁹ It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

¹⁰ Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.

¹¹ If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

¹² The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.

¹³ Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

¹⁴ A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

¹⁵ Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

¹⁶ The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

¹⁷ Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.

¹⁹ It's better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

²⁰ The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

²² The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

²³ Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

²⁴ Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

²⁵ Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. ²⁶ Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

²⁷ The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

²⁸ A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

²⁹ The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.

³⁰ No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord . ³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord .

22¹ Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

² The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

³ A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

⁴ True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

⁵ Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.

⁶ Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

⁷ Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸ Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.

⁹ Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

¹⁰ Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

¹¹ Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.

¹² The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

¹³ The lazy person claims, "There's a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!"

¹⁴ The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.

¹⁵ A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

¹⁶ A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.