271 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming; but who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

7 He who is sated loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

8 Like a bird that strays from its nest, is a man who strays from his home.

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, but the soul is torn by trouble. 10 Your friend, and your father's friend, do not forsake; and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.

12 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

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

14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.

15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; 16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in his right hand.

17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.

19 As in water face answers to face, so the mind of man reflects the man.

20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.

21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is judged by his praise.

22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.

23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds; 24 for riches do not last for ever; and does a crown endure to all generations? 25 When the grass is gone, and the new growth appears, and the herbage of the mountains is gathered, 26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field; 27 there will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your maidens.

The Wicked and the Righteous

281 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 When a land transgresses it has many rulers; but with men of understanding and knowledge its stability will long continue.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.

7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 He who augments his wealth by interest and increase gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.

9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

10 He who misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit; but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the man who fears the Lord always; but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor; but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17 If a man is burdened with the blood of another, let him be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.

18 He who walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall into a pit.

19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good; but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

22 A miserly man hastens after wealth, and does not know that want will come upon him.

23 He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.

24 He who robs his father or his mother and says, "That is no transgression," is the companion of a man who destroys.

25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.

26 He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

27 He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

291 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but one who keeps company with harlots squanders his substance.

4 By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who exacts gifts ruins it.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless, and the wicked seek his life.

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14 If a king judges the poor with equity his throne will be established for ever.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases; but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

18 Where there is no prophecy the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not give heed.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21 He who pampers his servant from childhood, will in the end find him his heir.

22 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and a man given to anger causes much transgression.

23 A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24 The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25 The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is safe.

26 Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the Lord a man gets justice.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but he whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.