Prov.1

[1] The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
[2] That men may know wisdom and instruction,
understand words of insight,
[3] receive instruction in wise dealing,
righteousness, justice, and equity;
[4] that prudence may be given to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth --
[5] the wise man also may hear and increase in learning,
and the man of understanding acquire skill,
[6] to understand a proverb and a figure,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
[8] Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
and reject not your mother's teaching;
[9] for they are a fair garland for your head,
and pendants for your neck.
[10] My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
[11] If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood,
let us wantonly ambush the innocent;
[12] like Sheol let us swallow them alive
and whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
[13] we shall find all precious goods,
we shall fill our houses with spoil;
[14] throw in your lot among us,
we will all have one purse" --
[15] my son, do not walk in the way with them,
hold back your foot from their paths;
[16] for their feet run to evil,
and they make haste to shed blood.
[17] For in vain is a net spread
in the sight of any bird;
[18] but these men lie in wait for their own blood,
they set an ambush for their own lives.
[19] Such are the ways of all who get gain by violence;
it takes away the life of its possessors.
[20] Wisdom cries aloud in the street;
in the markets she raises her voice;
[21] on the top of the walls she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
[22] "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
[23] Give heed to my reproof;
behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.
[24] Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
[25] and you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
[26] I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,
[27] when panic strikes you like a storm,
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
[28] Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
[29] Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
[30] would have none of my counsel,
and despised all my reproof,
[31] therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.
[32] For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacence of fools destroys them;
[33] but he who listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of evil."

Prov.2

[1] My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
[2] making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
[3] yes, if you cry out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
[4] if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures;
[5] then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
[6] For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
[7] he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
[8] guarding the paths of justice
and preserving the way of his saints.
[9] Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
[10] for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
[11] discretion will watch over you;
understanding will guard you;
[12] delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
[13] who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,
[14] who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil;
[15] men whose paths are crooked,
and who are devious in their ways.
[16] You will be saved from the loose woman,
from the adventuress with her smooth words,
[17] who forsakes the companion of her youth
and forgets the covenant of her God;
[18] for her house sinks down to death,
and her paths to the shades;
[19] none who go to her come back
nor do they regain the paths of life.
[20] So you will walk in the way of good men
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
[21] For the upright will inhabit the land,
and men of integrity will remain in it;
[22] but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

Prov.3

[1] My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments;
[2] for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare will they give you.
[3] Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them about your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
[4] So you will find favor and good repute
in the sight of God and man.
[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
[6] In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
[7] Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
[8] It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
[9] Honor the LORD with your substance
and with the first fruits of all your produce;
[10] then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
[11] My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
[12] for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
[13] Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
and the man who gets understanding,
[14] for the gain from it is better than gain from silver
and its profit better than gold.
[15] She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
[16] Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
[17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
[18] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called happy.
[19] The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
[20] by his knowledge the deeps broke forth,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
[21] My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion;
let them not escape from your sight,
[22] and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
[23] Then you will walk on your way securely
and your foot will not stumble.
[24] If you sit down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
[25] Do not be afraid of sudden panic,
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes;
[26] for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
[27] Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
[28] Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it" -- when you have it with you.
[29] Do not plan evil against your neighbor
who dwells trustingly beside you.
[30] Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
[31] Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways;
[32] for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD,
but the upright are in his confidence.
[33] The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
[34] Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he shows favor.
[35] The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.

Prov.4

[1] Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight;
[2] for I give you good precepts:
do not forsake my teaching.
[3] When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
[4] he taught me, and said to me,
"Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live;
[5] do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Get wisdom; get insight.
[6] Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
[7] The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
[8] Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
[9] She will place on your head a fair garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown."
[10] Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
[11] I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
[12] When you walk, your step will not be hampered;
and if you run, you will not stumble.
[13] Keep hold of instruction, do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
[14] Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evil men.
[15] Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
[16] For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made some one stumble.
[17] For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
[18] But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
[19] The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.
[20] My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
[21] Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
[22] For they are life to him who finds them,
and healing to all his flesh.
[23] Keep your heart with all vigilance;
for from it flow the springs of life.
[24] Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
[25] Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
[26] Take heed to the path of your feet,
then all your ways will be sure.
[27] Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

Prov.5

[1] My son, be attentive to my wisdom,
incline your ear to my understanding;
[2] that you may keep discretion,
and your lips may guard knowledge.
[3] For the lips of a loose woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;
[4] but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
sharp as a two-edged sword.
[5] Her feet go down to death;
her steps follow the path to Sheol;
[6] she does not take heed to the path of life;
her ways wander, and she does not know it.
[7] And now, O sons, listen to me,
and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
[8] Keep your way far from her,
and do not go near the door of her house;
[9] lest you give your honor to others
and your years to the merciless;
[10] lest strangers take their fill of your strength,
and your labors go to the house of an alien;
[11] and at the end of your life you groan,
when your flesh and body are consumed,
[12] and you say, "How I hated discipline,
and my heart despised reproof!
[13] I did not listen to the voice of my teachers
or incline my ear to my instructors.
[14] I was at the point of utter ruin
in the assembled congregation."
[15] Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well.
[16] Should your springs be scattered abroad,
streams of water in the streets?
[17] Let them be for yourself alone,
and not for strangers with you.
[18] Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
[19] a lovely hind, a graceful doe.
Let her affection fill you at all times with delight,
be infatuated always with her love.
[20] Why should you be infatuated, my son, with a loose woman
and embrace the bosom of an adventuress?
[21] For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD,
and he watches all his paths.
[22] The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him,
and he is caught in the toils of his sin.
[23] He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is lost.

Prov.6

[1] My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
have given your pledge for a stranger;
[2] if you are snared in the utterance of your lips,
caught in the words of your mouth;
[3] then do this, my son, and save yourself,
for you have come into your neighbor's power:
go, hasten, and importune your neighbor.
[4] Give your eyes no sleep
and your eyelids no slumber;
[5] save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter,
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
[6] Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
[7] Without having any chief,
officer or ruler,
[8] she prepares her food in summer,
and gathers her sustenance in harvest.
[9] How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
[10] A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
[11] and poverty will come upon you like a vagabond,
and want like an armed man.
[12] A worthless person, a wicked man,
goes about with crooked speech,
[13] winks with his eyes, scrapes with his feet,
points with his finger,
[14] with perverted heart devises evil,
continually sowing discord;
[15] therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.
[16] There are six things which the LORD hates,
seven which are an abomination to him:
[17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
[18] a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
[19] a false witness who breathes out lies,
and a man who sows discord among brothers.
[20] My son, keep your father's commandment,
and forsake not your mother's teaching.
[21] Bind them upon your heart always;
tie them about your neck.
[22] When you walk, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
[23] For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
[24] to preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adventuress.
[25] Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
[26] for a harlot may be hired for a loaf of bread,
but an adulteress stalks a man's very life.
[27] Can a man carry fire in his bosom
and his clothes not be burned?
[28] Or can one walk upon hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
[29] So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
none who touches her will go unpunished.
[30] Do not men despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry?
[31] And if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;
he will give all the goods of his house.
[32] He who commits adultery has no sense;
he who does it destroys himself.
[33] Wounds and dishonor will he get,
and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
[34] For jealousy makes a man furious,
and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
[35] He will accept no compensation,
nor be appeased though you multiply gifts.

Prov.7

[1] My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
[2] keep my commandments and live,
keep my teachings as the apple of your eye;
[3] bind them on your fingers,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
[4] Say to wisdom, "You are my sister,"
and call insight your intimate friend;
[5] to preserve you from the loose woman,
from the adventuress with her smooth words.
[6] For at the window of my house
I have looked out through my lattice,
[7] and I have seen among the simple,
I have perceived among the youths,
a young man without sense,
[8] passing along the street near her corner,
taking the road to her house
[9] in the twilight, in the evening,
at the time of night and darkness.
[10] And lo, a woman meets him,
dressed as a harlot, wily of heart.
[11] She is loud and wayward,
her feet do not stay at home;
[12] now in the street, now in the market,
and at every corner she lies in wait.
[13] She seizes him and kisses him,
and with impudent face she says to him:
[14] "I had to offer sacrifices,
and today I have paid my vows;
[15] so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
[16] I have decked my couch with coverings,
colored spreads of Egyptian linen;
[17] I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
[18] Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
[19] For my husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey;
[20] he took a bag of money with him;
at full moon he will come home."
[21] With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.
[22] All at once he follows her,
as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast
[23] till an arrow pierces its entrails;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
[24] And now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
[25] Let not your heart turn aside to her ways,
do not stray into her paths;
[26] for many a victim has she laid low;
yea, all her slain are a mighty host.
[27] Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.

Prov.8

[1] Does not wisdom call,
does not understanding raise her voice?
[2] On the heights beside the way,
in the paths she takes her stand;
[3] beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
[4] "To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the sons of men.
[5] O simple ones, learn prudence;
O foolish men, pay attention.
[6] Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right;
[7] for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
[8] All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
[9] They are all straight to him who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.
[10] Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
[11] for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
[12] I, wisdom, dwell in prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
[13] The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
[14] I have counsel and sound wisdom,
I have insight, I have strength.
[15] By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
[16] by me princes rule,
and nobles govern the earth.
[17] I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
[18] Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
[19] My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
[20] I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
[21] endowing with wealth those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
[22] The LORD created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of old.
[23] Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
[24] When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
[25] Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth;
[26] before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
[27] When he established the heavens, I was there,
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
[28] when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
[29] when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
[30] then I was beside him, like a master workman;
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
[31] rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the sons of men.
[32] And now, my sons, listen to me:
happy are those who keep my ways.
[33] Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
[34] Happy is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
[35] For he who finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the LORD;
[36] but he who misses me injures himself;
all who hate me love death."

Prov.9

[1] Wisdom has built her house,
she has set up her seven pillars.
[2] She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
[3] She has sent out her maids to call
from the highest places in the town,
[4] "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
To him who is without sense she says,
[5] "Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
[6] Leave simpleness, and live,
and walk in the way of insight."
[7] He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
[8] Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
[9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.
[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
[11] For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
[12] If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
[13] A foolish woman is noisy;
she is wanton and knows no shame.
[14] She sits at the door of her house,
she takes a seat on the high places of the town,
[15] calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
[16] "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
And to him who is without sense she says,
[17] "Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
[18] But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Prov.10

[1] The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
[2] Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
[3] The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
[4] A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
[5] A son who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a son who sleeps in harvest brings shame.
[6] Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
[7] The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
[8] The wise of heart will heed commandments,
but a prating fool will come to ruin.
[9] He who walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
[10] He who winks the eye causes trouble,
but he who boldly reproves makes peace.
[11] The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
[12] Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.
[13] On the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
[14] Wise men lay up knowledge,
but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near.
[15] A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
[16] The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
[17] He who heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof goes astray.
[18] He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and he who utters slander is a fool.
[19] When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but he who restrains his lips is prudent.
[20] The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the mind of the wicked is of little worth.
[21] The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
[22] The blessing of the LORD makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
[23] It is like sport to a fool to do wrong,
but wise conduct is pleasure to a man of understanding.
[24] What the wicked dreads will come upon him,
but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
[25] When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but the righteous is established for ever.
[26] Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
[27] The fear of the LORD prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
[28] The hope of the righteous ends in gladness,
but the expectation of the wicked comes to nought.
[29] The LORD is a stronghold to him whose way is upright,
but destruction to evildoers.
[30] The righteous will never be removed,
but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
[31] The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
[32] The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Prov.11

[1] A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
but a just weight is his delight.
[2] When pride comes, then comes disgrace;
but with the humble is wisdom.
[3] The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
[4] Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
[5] The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
[6] The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
[7] When the wicked dies, his hope perishes,
and the expectation of the godless comes to nought.
[8] The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked gets into it instead.
[9] With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
[10] When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
[11] By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
[12] He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
[13] He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing hidden.
[14] Where there is no guidance, a people falls;
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
[15] He who gives surety for a stranger will smart for it,
but he who hates suretyship is secure.
[16] A gracious woman gets honor,
and violent men get riches.
[17] A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.
[18] A wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
[19] He who is steadfast in righteousness will live,
but he who pursues evil will die.
[20] Men of perverse mind are an abomination to the LORD,
but those of blameless ways are his delight.
[21] Be assured, an evil man will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will be delivered.
[22] Like a gold ring in a swine's snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
[23] The desire of the righteous ends only in good;
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
[24] One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
[25] A liberal man will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered.
[26] The people curse him who holds back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
[27] He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to him who searches for it.
[28] He who trusts in his riches will wither,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
[29] He who troubles his household will inherit wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.
[30] The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
but lawlessness takes away lives.
[31] If the righteous is requited on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Prov.12

[1] Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
[2] A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
[3] A man is not established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will never be moved.
[4] A good wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
[5] The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are treacherous.
[6] The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the mouth of the upright delivers men.
[7] The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
but the house of the righteous will stand.
[8] A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of perverse mind is despised.
[9] Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself
than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.
[10] A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
[11] He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense.
[12] The strong tower of the wicked comes to ruin,
but the root of the righteous stands firm.
[13] An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
but the righteous escapes from trouble.
[14] From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
[15] The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
[16] The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent man ignores an insult.
[17] He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
[18] There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
[19] Truthful lips endure for ever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
[20] Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan good have joy.
[21] No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
[22] Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
[23] A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
but fools proclaim their folly.
[24] The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be put to forced labor.
[25] Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
[26] A righteous man turns away from evil,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
[27] A slothful man will not catch his prey,
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
[28] In the path of righteousness is life,
but the way of error leads to death.

Prov.13

[1] A wise son hears his father's instruction,
but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
[2] From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good,
but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
[3] He who guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
[4] The soul of the sluggard craves, and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
[5] A righteous man hates falsehood,
but a wicked man acts shamefully and disgracefully.
[6] Righteousness guards him whose way is upright,
but sin overthrows the wicked.
[7] One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
[8] The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
but a poor man has no means of redemption.
[9] The light of the righteous rejoices,
but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
[10] By insolence the heedless make strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
[11] Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle,
but he who gathers little by little will increase it.
[12] Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
[13] He who despises the word brings destruction on himself,
but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.
[14] The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may avoid the snares of death.
[15] Good sense wins favor,
but the way of the faithless is their ruin.
[16] In everything a prudent man acts with knowledge,
but a fool flaunts his folly.
[17] A bad messenger plunges men into trouble,
but a faithful envoy brings healing.
[18] Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction,
but he who heeds reproof is honored.
[19] A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul;
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
[20] He who walks with wise men becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
[21] Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.
[22] A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
[23] The fallow ground of the poor yields much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.
[24] He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
[25] The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Prov.14

[1] Wisdom builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.
[2] He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD,
but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
[3] The talk of a fool is a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
[4] Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
[5] A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.
[6] A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
[7] Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
[8] The wisdom of a prudent man is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
[9] God scorns the wicked,
but the upright enjoy his favor.
[10] The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
[11] The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
[12] There is a way which seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
[13] Even in laughter the heart is sad,
and the end of joy is grief.
[14] A perverse man will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
and a good man with the fruit of his deeds.
[15] The simple believes everything,
but the prudent looks where he is going.
[16] A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool throws off restraint and is careless.
[17] A man of quick temper acts foolishly,
but a man of discretion is patient.
[18] The simple acquire folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
[19] The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
[20] The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
but the rich has many friends.
[21] He who despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but happy is he who is kind to the poor.
[22] Do they not err that devise evil?
Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness.
[23] In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to want.
[24] The crown of the wise is their wisdom,
but folly is the garland of fools.
[25] A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who utters lies is a betrayer.
[26] In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
[27] The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
that one may avoid the snares of death.
[28] In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
[29] He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
[30] A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
but passion makes the bones rot.
[31] He who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
but he who is kind to the needy honors him.
[32] The wicked is overthrown through his evil-doing,
but the righteous finds refuge through his integrity.
[33] Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding,
but it is not known in the heart of fools.
[34] Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
[35] A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Prov.15

[1] A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
[2] The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
[3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
[4] A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
[5] A fool despises his father's instruction,
but he who heeds admonition is prudent.
[6] In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
[7] The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the minds of fools.
[8] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
[9] The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
[10] There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
he who hates reproof will die.
[11] Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD,
how much more the hearts of men!
[12] A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
[13] A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
[14] The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
[15] All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
[16] Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure and trouble with it.
[17] Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
[18] A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
[19] The way of a sluggard is overgrown with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a level highway.
[20] A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
[21] Folly is a joy to him who has no sense,
but a man of understanding walks aright.
[22] Without counsel plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.
[23] To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and a word in season, how good it is!
[24] The wise man's path leads upward to life,
that he may avoid Sheol beneath.
[25] The LORD tears down the house of the proud,
but maintains the widow's boundaries.
[26] The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD,
the words of the pure are pleasing to him.
[27] He who is greedy for unjust gain makes trouble for his household,
but he who hates bribes will live.
[28] The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
[29] The LORD is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
[30] The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes the bones.
[31] He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition
will abide among the wise.
[32] He who ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who heeds admonition gains understanding.
[33] The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,
and humility goes before honor.

Prov.16