Mishle

^1:1The proverbs of Shlomo, the son of David, king of Yisra'el:

 ^1:2To know wisdom and instruction;
      To discern the words of understanding;

 ^1:3To receive instruction in wise dealing,
      In righteousness, justice, and equity;

 ^1:4To give prudence to the simple,
      Knowledge and discretion to the young man:

 ^1:5That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
      That the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

 ^1:6To understand a proverb, and parables,
      The words and riddles of the wise.

 ^1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
      But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

 ^1:8My son, listen to your father's instruction,
      And don't forsake your mother's teaching:

 ^1:9For they will be a garland to grace your head,
      And chains around your neck.

 ^1:10My son, if sinners entice you, don't consent.

 ^1:11If they say, "Come with us,
      Let's lay in wait for blood;
      Let's lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

 ^1:12Let's swallow them up alive like She'ol,
      And whole, like those who go down into the pit.

 ^1:13We'll find all valuable wealth.
      We'll fill our houses with spoil.

 ^1:14You shall cast your lot among us.
      We'll all have one purse."

 ^1:15My son, don't walk in the way with them.
      Keep your foot from their path,

 ^1:16For their feet run to evil.
      They hurry to shed blood.

 ^1:17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

 ^1:18But these lay wait for their own blood.
      They lurk secretly for their own lives.

 ^1:19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.
      It takes away the life of its owners.

 ^1:20Wisdom calls aloud in the street.
      She utters her voice in the public squares.

 ^1:21She calls at the head of noisy places.
      At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:

 ^1:22"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
      How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery,
      And fools hate knowledge?

 ^1:23Turn at my reproof.
      Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you.
      I will make known my words to you.

 ^1:24Because I have called, and you have refused;
      I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;

 ^1:25But you have ignored all my counsel,
      And wanted none of my reproof;

 ^1:26I also will laugh at your disaster.
      I will mock when calamity overtakes you;

 ^1:27When calamity overtakes you like a storm,
      When your disaster comes on like a whirlwind;
      When distress and anguish come on you.

 ^1:28Then will they call on me, but I will not answer.
      They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;

 ^1:29Because they hated knowledge,
      And didn't choose the fear of the LORD.

 ^1:30They wanted none of my counsel.
      They despised all my reproof.

 ^1:31Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way,
      And be filled with their own schemes.

 ^1:32For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
      The careless ease of fools will destroy them.

 ^1:33But whoever listens to me will dwell securely,
      And will be at ease, without fear of harm."

 ^2:1My son, if you will receive my words,
      And store up my mitzvot within you;

 ^2:2So as to turn your ear to wisdom,
      And apply your heart to understanding;

 ^2:3Yes, if you call out for discernment,
      And lift up your voice for understanding;

 ^2:4If you seek her as silver,
      And search for her as for hidden treasures:

 ^2:5Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
      And find the knowledge of G-d.

 ^2:6For the LORD gives wisdom.
      Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

 ^2:7He lays up sound wisdom for the upright.
      He is a shield to those who walk in integrity;

 ^2:8That he may guard the paths of justice,
      And preserve the way of his holy ones.

 ^2:9Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
      Equity and every good path.

 ^2:10For wisdom will enter into your heart.
      Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

 ^2:11Discretion will watch over you.
      Understanding will keep you,

 ^2:12To deliver you from the way of evil,
      From the men who speak perverse things;

 ^2:13Who forsake the paths of uprightness,
      To walk in the ways of darkness;

 ^2:14Who rejoice to do evil,
      And delight in the perverseness of evil;

 ^2:15Who are crooked in their ways,
      And wayward in their paths:

 ^2:16To deliver you from the strange woman,
      Even from the foreigner who flatters with her words;

 ^2:17Who forsakes the friend of her youth,
      And forgets the covenant of her G-d:

 ^2:18For her house leads down to death,
      Her paths to the dead.

 ^2:19None who go to her return again,
      Neither do they attain to the paths of life:

 ^2:20That you may walk in the way of good men,
      And keep the paths of the righteous.

 ^2:21For the upright will dwell in the land.
      The perfect will remain in it.

 ^2:22But the wicked will be cut off from the land.
      The treacherous will be rooted out of it.

 ^3:1My son, don't forget my teaching;
      But let your heart keep my mitzvot:

 ^3:2For length of days, and years of life,
      And shalom, will they add to you.

 ^3:3Don't let kindness and truth forsake you.
      Bind them around your neck.
      Write them on the tablet of your heart.

 ^3:4So you will find favor,
      And good understanding in the sight of G-d and man.

 ^3:5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
      And don't lean on your own understanding.

 ^3:6In all your ways acknowledge him,
      And he will direct your paths.

 ^3:7Don't be wise in your own eyes.
      Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

 ^3:8It will be health to your body,
      And nourishment to your bones.

 ^3:9Honor the LORD with your substance,
      With the first fruits of all your increase:

 ^3:10So your barns will be filled with plenty,
      And your vats will overflow with new wine.

 ^3:11My son, don't despise the LORD's discipline,
      Neither be weary of his reproof:

 ^3:12For whom the LORD loves, he reproves;
      Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

 ^3:13Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
      The man who gets understanding.

 ^3:14For her good profit is better than getting silver,
      And her return is better than fine gold.

 ^3:15She is more precious than rubies.
      None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

 ^3:16Length of days is in her right hand.
      In her left hand are riches and honor.

 ^3:17Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
      All her paths are shalom.

 ^3:18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
      Happy is everyone who retains her.

 ^3:19By wisdom the LORD founded the earth.
      By understanding, he established the heavens.

 ^3:20By his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
      And the skies drop down the dew.

 ^3:21My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
      Keep sound wisdom and discretion:

 ^3:22So they will be life to your soul,
      And grace for your neck.

 ^3:23Then you shall walk in your way securely.
      Your foot won't stumble.

 ^3:24When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
      Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.

 ^3:25Don't be afraid of sudden fear,
      Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:

 ^3:26For the LORD will be your confidence,
      And will keep your foot from being taken.

 ^3:27Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due,
      When it is in the power of your hand to do it.

 ^3:28Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
      Tomorrow I will give it to you,"
      When you have it by you.

 ^3:29Don't devise evil against your neighbor,
      Seeing he dwells securely by you.

 ^3:30Don't strive with a man without cause,
      If he has done you no harm.

 ^3:31Don't envy the man of violence.
      Choose none of his ways.

 ^3:32For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD,
      But his friendship is with the upright.

 ^3:33The LORD's curse is in the house of the wicked,
      But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

 ^3:34Surely he mocks the mockers,
      But he gives grace to the humble.

 ^3:35The wise will inherit glory,
      But shame will be the promotion of fools.

 ^4:1Listen, sons, to a father's instruction.
      Pay attention and know understanding;

 ^4:2For I give you sound learning.
      Don't forsake my law.

 ^4:3For I was a son to my father,
      Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.

 ^4:4He taught me, and said to me:
      "Let your heart retain my words.
      Keep my mitzvot, and live.

 ^4:5Get wisdom.
      Get understanding.
      Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.

 ^4:6Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you.
      Love her, and she will keep you.

 ^4:7Wisdom is supreme.
      Get wisdom.
      Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

 ^4:8Esteem her, and she will exalt you.
      She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her.

 ^4:9She will give to your head a garland of grace.
      She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."

 ^4:10Listen, my son, and receive my sayings.
      The years of your life will be many.

 ^4:11I have taught you in the way of wisdom.
      I have led you in straight paths.

 ^4:12When you go, your steps will not be hampered.
      When you run, you will not stumble.

 ^4:13Take firm hold of instruction.
      Don't let her go.
      Keep her, for she is your life.

 ^4:14Don't enter into the path of the wicked.
      Don't walk in the way of evil men.

 ^4:15Avoid it, and don't pass by it.
      Turn from it, and pass on.

 ^4:16For they don't sleep, unless they do evil.
      Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.

 ^4:17For they eat the bread of wickedness,
      And drink the wine of violence.

 ^4:18But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light,
      That shines more and more until the perfect day.

 ^4:19The way of the wicked is like darkness.
      They don't know what they stumble over.

 ^4:20My son, attend to my words.
      Turn your ear to my sayings.

 ^4:21Let them not depart from your eyes.
      Keep them in the midst of your heart.

 ^4:22For they are life to those who find them,
      And health to their whole body.

 ^4:23Keep your heart with all diligence,
      For out of it is the wellspring of life.

 ^4:24Put away from yourself a perverse mouth.
      Put corrupt lips far from you.

 ^4:25Let your eyes look straight ahead.
      Fix your gaze directly before you.

 ^4:26Make the path of your feet level.
      Let all of your ways be established.

 ^4:27Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left.
      Remove your foot from evil.

 ^5:1My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
      Turn your ear to my understanding:

 ^5:2That you may maintain discretion,
      That your lips may preserve knowledge.

 ^5:3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey.
      Her mouth is smoother than oil,

 ^5:4But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,
      And as sharp as a two-edged sword.

 ^5:5Her feet go down to death.
      Her steps lead straight to She'ol.

 ^5:6She gives no thought to the way of life.
      Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it.

 ^5:7Now therefore, my sons, listen to me.
      Don't depart from the words of my mouth.

 ^5:8Remove your way far from her.
      Don't come near the door of her house,

 ^5:9Lest you give your honor to others,
      And your years to the cruel one;

 ^5:10Lest strangers feast on your wealth,
      And your labors enrich another man's house.

 ^5:11You will groan at your latter end,
      When your flesh and your body are consumed,

 ^5:12And say, "How I have hated instruction,
      And my heart despised reproof;

 ^5:13Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers,
      Nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!

 ^5:14I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
      In the midst of the gathered assembly."

 ^5:15Drink water out of your own cistern,
      Running water out of your own well.

 ^5:16Should your springs overflow in the streets,
      Streams of water in the public squares?

 ^5:17Let them be for yourself alone,
      Not for strangers with you.

 ^5:18Let your spring be blessed.
      Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

 ^5:19A loving doe and a graceful deer--
      Let her breasts satisfy you at all times.
      Be captivated always with her love.

 ^5:20For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress?
      Why embrace the bosom of another?

 ^5:21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD.
      He examines all his paths.

 ^5:22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him.
      The cords of his sin hold him firmly.

 ^5:23He will die for lack of instruction.
      In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.

 ^6:1My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor,
      If you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;

 ^6:2You are trapped by the words of your mouth.
      You are ensnared with the words of your mouth.

 ^6:3Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself,
      Seeing you have come into the hand of your neighbor.

 Go, humble yourself.
      Press your plea with your neighbor.

 ^6:4Give no sleep to your eyes,
      Nor slumber to your eyelids.

 ^6:5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
      Like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

 ^6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard.
      Consider her ways, and be wise;

 ^6:7Which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
      ^6:8Provides her bread in the summer,
      And gathers her food in the harvest.

 ^6:9How long will you sleep, sluggard?
      When will you arise out of your sleep?

 ^6:10A little sleep, a little slumber,
      A little folding of the hands to sleep:

 ^6:11So your poverty will come as a robber,
      And your scarcity as an armed man.

 ^6:12A worthless person, a man of iniquity,
      Is he who walks with a perverse mouth;

 ^6:13Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,
      Who motions with his fingers;

 ^6:14In whose heart is perverseness,
      Who devises evil continually,
      Who always sows discord.

 ^6:15Therefore his calamity will come suddenly.
      He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy.

 ^6:16There are six things which the LORD hates;
      Yes, seven which are an abomination to him:

 ^6:17Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
      Hands that shed innocent blood;

 ^6:18A heart that devises wicked schemes,
      Feet that are swift in running to mischief,

 ^6:19A false witness who utters lies,
      And he who sows discord among brothers.

 ^6:20My son, keep your father's mitzvah,
      And don't forsake your mother's teaching.

 ^6:21Bind them continually on your heart.
      Tie them around your neck.

 ^6:22When you walk, it will lead you.
      When you sleep, it will watch over you.
      When you awake, it will talk with you.

 ^6:23For the mitzvah is a lamp,
      And the law is light.
      Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

 ^6:24To keep you from the immoral woman,
      From the flattery of the wayward wife's tongue.

 ^6:25Don't lust after her beauty in your heart,
      Neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.

 ^6:26For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread.
      The adulteress hunts for your precious life.

 ^6:27Can a man scoop fire into his lap,
      And his clothes not be burned?

 ^6:28Or can one walk on hot coals,
      And his feet not be scorched?

 ^6:29So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife.
      Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.

 ^6:30Men don't despise a thief,
      If he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry:

 ^6:31But if he is found, he shall restore seven times.
      He shall give all the wealth of his house.

 ^6:32He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding.
      He who does it destroys his own soul.

 ^6:33He will get wounds and dishonor.
      His reproach will not be wiped away.

 ^6:34For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband.
      He won't spare in the day of vengeance.

 ^6:35He won't regard any ransom,
      Neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts.

 ^7:1My son, keep my words.
      Lay up my mitzvot within you.

 ^7:2Keep my mitzvot and live;
      Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye.

 ^7:3Bind them on your fingers.
      Write them on the tablet of your heart.

 ^7:4Tell wisdom, "You are my sister."
      Call understanding your relative,

 ^7:5That they may keep you from the strange woman,
      From the foreigner who flatters with her words.

 ^7:6For at the window of my house,
      I looked out through my lattice.

 ^7:7I saw among the simple ones.
      I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,

 ^7:8Passing through the street near her corner,
      He went the way to her house,

 ^7:9In the twilight, in the evening of the day,
      In the middle of the night and in the darkness.

 ^7:10Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute,
      And with crafty intent.

 ^7:11She is loud and defiant.
      Her feet don't stay in her house.

 ^7:12Now she is in the streets, now in the squares,
      And lurking at every corner.

 ^7:13So she caught him, and kissed him.
      With an impudent face she said to him:

 ^7:14"Sacrifices of peace-offerings are with me.
      This day I have paid my vows.

 ^7:15Therefore I came out to meet you,
      To diligently seek your face,
      And I have found you.

 ^7:16I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry,
      With striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt.

 ^7:17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

 ^7:18Come, let's take our fill of loving until the morning.
      Let's solace ourselves with loving.

 ^7:19For my husband isn't at home.
      He has gone on a long journey.

 ^7:20He has taken a bag of money with him.
      He will come home at the full moon."

 ^7:21With persuasive words, she led him astray.
      With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.

 ^7:22He followed her immediately,
      As an ox goes to the slaughter,
      As a fool stepping into a noose.

 ^7:23Until an arrow strikes through his liver,
      As a bird hurries to the snare,
      And doesn't know that it will cost his life.

 ^7:24Now therefore, sons, listen to me.
      Pay attention to the words of my mouth.

 ^7:25Don't let your heart turn to her ways.
      Don't go astray in her paths,

 ^7:26For she has thrown down many wounded.
      Yes, all her slain are a mighty host.

 ^7:27Her house is the way to She'ol,
      Going down to the chambers of death.

 ^8:1Doesn't wisdom cry out?
      Doesn't understanding raise her voice?

 ^8:2On the top of high places by the way,
      Where the paths meet, she stands.

 ^8:3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
      At the entry doors, she cries aloud:

 ^8:4"To you men, I call!
      I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

 ^8:5You simple, understand prudence.
      You fools, be of an understanding heart.

 ^8:6Hear, for I will speak excellent things.
      The opening of my lips is for right things.

 ^8:7For my mouth speaks truth.
      Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

 ^8:8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness.
      There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

 ^8:9They are all plain to him who understands,
      Right to those who find knowledge.

 ^8:10Receive my instruction rather than silver;
      Knowledge rather than choice gold.

 ^8:11For wisdom is better than rubies.
      All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it.

 ^8:12"I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling.
      Find out knowledge and discretion.

 ^8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.
      I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

 ^8:14Counsel and sound knowledge are mine.
      I have understanding and power.

 ^8:15By me kings reign,
      And princes decree justice.

 ^8:16By me princes rule;
      Nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

 ^8:17I love those who love me.
      Those who seek me diligently will find me.

 ^8:18With me are riches, honor,
      Enduring wealth, and prosperity.

 ^8:19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold;
      My yield than choice silver.

 ^8:20I walk in the way of righteousness,
      In the midst of the paths of justice;

 ^8:21That I may give wealth to those who love me.
      I fill their treasuries.

 ^8:22"The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work,
      Before his deeds of old.

 ^8:23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
      Before the earth existed.

 ^8:24When there were no depths, I was brought forth,
      When there were no springs abounding with water.

 ^8:25Before the mountains were settled in place,
      Before the hills, I was brought forth;

 ^8:26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
      Nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

 ^8:27When he established the heavens, I was there;
      When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

 ^8:28When he established the clouds above,
      When the springs of the deep became strong,

 ^8:29When he gave to the sea its boundary,
      That the waters should not violate his mitzvah,
      When he marked out the foundations of the earth;

 ^8:30Then I was the craftsman by his side.
      I was a delight day by day,
      Always rejoicing before him,

 ^8:31Rejoicing in his whole world.
      My delight was with the sons of men.

 ^8:32"Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
      For blessed are those who keep my ways.

 ^8:33Hear instruction, and be wise.
      Don't refuse it.

 ^8:34Blessed is the man who hears me,
      Watching daily at my gates,
      Waiting at my door posts.

 ^8:35For whoever finds me, finds life,
      And will obtain favor from the LORD.

 ^8:36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.
      All those who hate me love death."

 ^9:1Wisdom has built her house.
      She has carved out her seven pillars.

 ^9:2She has prepared her meat.
      She has mixed her wine.
      She has also set her table.

 ^9:3She has sent out her maidens.
      She cries from the highest places of the city:

 ^9:4"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
      As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

 ^9:5"Come, eat some of my bread,
      Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

 ^9:6Leave your simple ways, and live.
      Walk in the way of understanding."

 ^9:7He who corrects a mocker invites insult.
      He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

 ^9:8Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you.
      Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

 ^9:9Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser.
      Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

 ^9:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
      The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

 ^9:11For by me your days will be multiplied.
      The years of your life will be increased.

 ^9:12If you are wise, you are wise for yourself.
      If you mock, you alone will bear it.

 ^9:13The foolish woman is loud,
      Undisciplined, and knows nothing.

 ^9:14She sits at the door of her house,
      On a seat in the high places of the city,

 ^9:15To call to those who pass by,
      Who go straight on their ways,

 ^9:16"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here."
      As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

 ^9:17"Stolen water is sweet.
      Food eaten in secret is pleasant."

 ^9:18But he doesn't know that the dead are there,
      That her guests are in the depths of She'ol.

^10:1The proverbs of Shlomo.

 A wise son makes a glad father;
      But a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

 ^10:2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
      But righteousness delivers from death.

 ^10:3The LORD will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry,
      But he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

 ^10:4He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand,
      But the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

 ^10:5He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
      But he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.

 ^10:6Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
      But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

 ^10:7The memory of the righteous is blessed,
      But the name of the wicked will rot.

 ^10:8The wise in heart accept mitzvot,
      But a chattering fool will fall.

 ^10:9He who walks blamelessly walks surely,
      But he who perverts his ways will be found out.

 ^10:10One winking with the eye causes sorrow,
      But a chattering fool will fall.

 ^10:11The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life,
      But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

 ^10:12Hatred stirs up strife,
      But love covers all wrongs.

 ^10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment,
      But a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

 ^10:14Wise men lay up knowledge,
      But the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

 ^10:15The rich man's wealth is his strong city.
      The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

 ^10:16The labor of the righteous leads to life.
      The increase of the wicked leads to sin.

 ^10:17He is in the way of life who heeds correction,
      But he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.

 ^10:18He who hides hatred has lying lips.
      He who utters a slander is a fool.

 ^10:19In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience,
      But he who restrains his lips does wisely.

 ^10:20The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver.
      The heart of the wicked is of little worth.

 ^10:21The lips of the righteous feed many,
      But the foolish die for lack of understanding.

 ^10:22The LORD's blessing brings wealth,
      And he adds no trouble to it.

 ^10:23It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness,
      But wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.

 ^10:24What the wicked fear, will overtake them,
      But the desire of the righteous will be granted.

 ^10:25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more;
      But the righteous stand firm forever.

 ^10:26As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
      So is the sluggard to those who send him.

 ^10:27The fear of the LORD prolongs days,
      But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

 ^10:28The prospect of the righteous is joy,
      But the hope of the wicked will perish.

 ^10:29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright,
      But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

 ^10:30The righteous will never be removed,
      But the wicked will not dwell in the land.

 ^10:31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
      But the perverse tongue will be cut off.

 ^10:32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
      But the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

 ^11:1A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
      But accurate weights are his delight.

 ^11:2When pride comes, then comes shame,
      But with humility comes wisdom.

 ^11:3The integrity of the upright shall guide them,
      But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

 ^11:4Riches don't profit in the day of wrath,
      But righteousness delivers from death.

 ^11:5The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way,
      But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

 ^11:6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them,
      But the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

 ^11:7When a wicked man dies, hope perishes,
      And expectation of power comes to nothing.

 ^11:8A righteous person is delivered out of trouble,
      And the wicked takes his place.

 ^11:9With his mouth the G-dless man destroys his neighbor,
      But the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

 ^11:10When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.
      When the wicked perish, there is shouting.

 ^11:11By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted,
      But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

 ^11:12One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom,
      But a man of understanding holds his shalom.

 ^11:13One who brings gossip betrays a confidence,
      But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

 ^11:14Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls,
      But in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

 ^11:15He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it,
      But he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

 ^11:16A gracious woman obtains honor,
      But violent men obtain riches.

 ^11:17The merciful man does good to his own soul,
      But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

 ^11:18Wicked people earn deceitful wages,
      But one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

 ^11:19He who is truly righteous gets life.
      He who pursues evil gets death.

 ^11:20Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD,
      But those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

 ^11:21Most assuredly, the evil man will not be unpunished,
      But the seed of the righteous will be delivered.

 ^11:22Like a gold ring in a pig's snout,
      Is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

 ^11:23The desire of the righteous is only good.
      The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

 ^11:24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more.
      There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.

 ^11:25The liberal soul shall be made fat.
      He who waters shall be watered also himself.

 ^11:26People curse someone who withholds grain,
      But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

 ^11:27He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
      But he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

 ^11:28He who trusts in his riches will fall,
      But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

 ^11:29He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.
      The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

 ^11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
      He who is wise wins souls.

 ^11:31Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth;
      How much more the wicked and the sinner!

 ^12:1Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,
      But he who hates reproof is stupid.

 ^12:2A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD,
      But he will condemn a man of wicked devices.

 ^12:3A man shall not be established by wickedness,
      But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

 ^12:4A worthy woman is the crown of her husband,
      But a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.

 ^12:5The thoughts of the righteous are just,
      But the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

 ^12:6The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood,
      But the speech of the upright rescues them.

 ^12:7The wicked are overthrown, and are no more,
      But the house of the righteous shall stand.

 ^12:8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,
      But he who has a warped mind shall be despised.

 ^12:9Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant,
      Than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.

 ^12:10A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
      But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

 ^12:11He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread,
      But he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

 ^12:12The wicked desires the plunder of evil men,
      But the root of the righteous flourishes.

 ^12:13An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips,
      But the righteous shall come out of trouble.

 ^12:14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
      The work of a man's hands shall be rewarded to him.

 ^12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
      But he who is wise listens to counsel.

 ^12:16A fool shows his annoyance the same day,
      But one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

 ^12:17He who is truthful testifies honestly,
      But a false witness lies.

 ^12:18There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,
      But the tongue of the wise heals.

 ^12:19Truth's lips will be established forever,
      But a lying tongue is only momentary.

 ^12:20Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
      But joy comes to the promoters of shalom.

 ^12:21No mischief shall happen to the righteous,
      But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

 ^12:22Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
      But those who do the truth are his delight.

 ^12:23A prudent man keeps his knowledge,
      But the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

 ^12:24The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
      But laziness ends in slave labor.

 ^12:25Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down,
      But a kind word makes it glad.

 ^12:26A righteous person is cautious in friendship,
      But the way of the wicked leads them astray.

 ^12:27The slothful man doesn't roast his game,
      But the possessions of diligent men are prized.

 ^12:28In the way of righteousness is life;
      In its path there is no death.

 ^13:1A wise son listens to his father's instruction,
      But a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.

 ^13:2By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things;
      But the unfaithful crave violence.

 ^13:3He who guards his mouth guards his soul.
      One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

 ^13:4The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,
      But the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

 ^13:5A righteous man hates lies,
      But a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

 ^13:6Righteousness guards the way of integrity,
      But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

 ^13:7There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing.
      There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

 ^13:8The ransom of a man's life is his riches,
      But the poor hear no threats.

 ^13:9The light of the righteous shines brightly,
      But the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

 ^13:10Pride only breeds quarrels,
      But with ones who take advice is wisdom.

 ^13:11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
      But he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

 ^13:12Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
      But when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

 ^13:13Whoever despises instruction will pay for it,
      But he who respects a command will be rewarded.

 ^13:14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life,
      To turn from the snares of death.

 ^13:15Good understanding wins favor;
      But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

 ^13:16Every prudent man acts from knowledge,
      But a fool exposes folly.

 ^13:17A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
      But a trustworthy envoy gains healing.

 ^13:18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline,
      But he who heeds correction shall be honored.

 ^13:19Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
      But fools detest turning from evil.

 ^13:20One who walks with wise men grows wise,
      But a companion of fools suffers harm.

 ^13:21Misfortune pursues sinners,
      But prosperity rewards the righteous.

 ^13:22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
      But the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

 ^13:23An abundance of food is in poor people's fields,
      But injustice sweeps it away.

 ^13:24One who spares the rod hates his son,
      But one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

 ^13:25The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul,
      But the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

 ^14:1Every wise woman builds her house,
      But the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

 ^14:2He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD,
      But he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

 ^14:3The fool's talk brings a rod to his back,
      But the lips of the wise protect them.

 ^14:4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,
      But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

 ^14:5A truthful witness will not lie,
      But a false witness pours out lies.

 ^14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn't find it,
      But knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.

 ^14:7Stay away from a foolish man,
      For you won't find knowledge on his lips.

 ^14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
      But the folly of fools is deceit.

 ^14:9Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
      But among the upright there is good will.

 ^14:10The heart knows its own bitterness and joy;
      He will not share these with a stranger.

 ^14:11The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
      But the tent of the upright will flourish.

 ^14:12There is a way which seems right to a man,
      But in the end it leads to death.

 ^14:13Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful,
      And mirth may end in heaviness.

 ^14:14The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways;
      Likewise a good man will be rewarded for his ways.

 ^14:15A simple man believes everything,
      But the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

 ^14:16A wise man fears, and shuns evil,
      But the fool is hotheaded and reckless.

 ^14:17He who is quick to become angry will commit folly,
      And a crafty man is hated.

 ^14:18The simple inherit folly,
      But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

 ^14:19The evil bow down before the good,
      And the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

 ^14:20The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor,
      But the rich person has many friends.

 ^14:21He who despises his neighbor sins,
      But blessed is he who has pity on the poor.

 ^14:22Don't they go astray who plot evil?
      But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.

 ^14:23In all hard work there is profit,
      But the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

 ^14:24The crown of the wise is their riches,
      But the folly of fools crowns them with folly.

 ^14:25A truthful witness saves souls,
      But a false witness is deceitful.

 ^14:26In the fear of the LORD is a secure fortress,
      And he will be a refuge for his children.

 ^14:27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
      Turning people from the snares of death.

 ^14:28In the multitude of people is the king's glory,
      But in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.

 ^14:29He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
      But he who has a quick temper displays folly.

 ^14:30The life of the body is a heart at shalom,
      But envy rots the bones.

 ^14:31He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker,
      But he who is kind to the needy honors him.

 ^14:32The wicked is brought down in his calamity,
      But in death, the righteous has a refuge.

 ^14:33Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
      And is even made known in the inward part of fools.

 ^14:34Righteousness exalts a nation,
      But sin is a disgrace to any people.

 ^14:35The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely,
      But his wrath is toward one who causes shame.

 ^15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath,
      But a harsh word stirs up anger.

 ^15:2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
      But the mouth of fools gush out folly.

 ^15:3The LORD's eyes are everywhere,
      Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

 ^15:4A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
      But deceit in it crushes the spirit.

 ^15:5A fool despises his father's correction,
      But he who heeds reproof shows prudence.

 ^15:6In the house of the righteous is much treasure,
      But the income of the wicked brings trouble.

 ^15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
      Not so with the heart of fools.

 ^15:8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
      But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

 ^15:9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
      But he loves him who follows after righteousness.

 ^15:10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way:
      Whoever hates reproof shall die.

 ^15:11She'ol and Avaddon are before the LORD--
      How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

 ^15:12A scoffer doesn't love to be reproved;
      He will not go to the wise.

 ^15:13A glad heart makes a cheerful face;
      But an aching heart breaks the spirit.

 ^15:14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
      But the mouths of fools feed on folly.

 ^15:15All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
      But one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

 ^15:16Better is little, with the fear of the LORD,
      Than great treasure with trouble.

 ^15:17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
      Than a fattened calf with hatred.

 ^15:18A wrathful man stirs up contention,
      But one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

 ^15:19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
      But the path of the upright is a highway.

 ^15:20A wise son makes a father glad,
      But a foolish man despises his mother.

 ^15:21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom,
      But a man of understanding keeps his way straight.

 ^15:22Where there is no counsel, plans fail;
      But in a multitude of counselors they are established.

 ^15:23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
      How good is a word at the right time!

 ^15:24The path of life leads upward for the wise,
      To keep him from going downward to She'ol.

 ^15:25The LORD will uproot the house of the proud,
      But he will keep the widow's borders intact.

 ^15:26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
      But the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.

 ^15:27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
      But he who hates bribes will live.

 ^15:28The heart of the righteous weighs answers,
      But the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.

 ^15:29The LORD is far from the wicked,
      But he hears the prayer of the righteous.

 ^15:30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
      Good news gives health to the bones.

 ^15:31The ear that listens to reproof lives,
      And will be at home among the wise.

 ^15:32He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
      But he who listens to reproof gets understanding.

 ^15:33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom.
      Before honor is humility.

 ^16:1The plans of the heart belong to man,
      But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

 ^16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes;
      But the LORD weighs the motives.

 ^16:3Commit your deeds to the LORD,
      And your plans shall succeed.

 ^16:4The LORD has made everything for its own end--
      Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

 ^16:5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD:
      They shall assuredly not be unpunished.

 ^16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
      By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

 ^16:7When a man's ways please the LORD,
      He makes even his enemies to be at shalom with him.

 ^16:8Better is a little with righteousness,
      Than great revenues with injustice.

 ^16:9A man's heart plans his course,
      But the LORD directs his steps.

 ^16:10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king.
      He shall not betray his mouth.

 ^16:11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's;
      All the weights in the bag are his work.

 ^16:12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
      For the throne is established by righteousness.

 ^16:13Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
      They value one who speaks the truth.

 ^16:14The king's wrath is a messenger of death,
      But a wise man will pacify it.

 ^16:15In the light of the king's face is life.
      His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

 ^16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
      Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

 ^16:17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
      He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

 ^16:18Pride goes before destruction,
      And a haughty spirit before a fall.

 ^16:19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor,
      Than to divide the plunder with the proud.

 ^16:20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
      Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.

 ^16:21The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
      Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

 ^16:22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
      But the punishment of fools is their folly.

 ^16:23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
      And adds learning to his lips.

 ^16:24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
      Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

 ^16:25There is a way which seems right to a man,
      But in the end it leads to death.

 ^16:26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him;
      For his mouth urges him on.

 ^16:27A worthless man devises mischief.
      His speech is like a scorching fire.

 ^16:28A perverse man stirs up strife.
      A whisperer separates close friends.

 ^16:29A man of violence entices his neighbor,
      And leads him in a way that is not good.

 ^16:30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
      One who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

 ^16:31Gray hair is a crown of glory.
      It is attained by a life of righteousness.

 ^16:32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
      One who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

 ^16:33The lot is cast into the lap,
      But its every decision is from the LORD.

 ^17:1Better is a dry morsel with quietness,
      Than a house full of feasting with strife.

 ^17:2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame,
      And shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

 ^17:3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,
      But the LORD tests the hearts.

 ^17:4An evil-doer heeds wicked lips.
      A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

 ^17:5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.
      He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

 ^17:6Children's children are the crown of old men;
      The glory of children are their parents.

 ^17:7Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool,
      Much less do lying lips fit a prince.

 ^17:8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
      Wherever he turns, he prospers.

 ^17:9He who covers an offense promotes love;
      But he who repeats a matte