Category: Proverbs

1 Dishonest scales are detestable to theLord,

but an accurate weight is His delight.

2 When pride comes, disgrace follows,

but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.

4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,

but righteousness rescues from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,

but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them,

but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.

7 When the wicked man dies,

his expectation comes to nothing,

and hope placed in wealthvanishes.

8 The righteous one is rescued from trouble;

in his place, the wicked one goes in.

9 With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,

but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,

and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,

but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man with understanding keeps silent.

13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,

but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

14 Without guidance, people fall,

but with many counselors there is deliverance.

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,

he will suffer for it,

but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor,

but violentmen gain only riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,

but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.

18 The wicked man earns an empty wage,

but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.

19 Genuine righteousness leads to life,

but pursuing evil leads to death.

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to theLord,

but those with blameless conduct are His delight.

21 Be assuredthat the wicked

will not go unpunished,

but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense

is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

23 The desire of the righteous turns out well,

but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.

24 One person gives freely,

yet gains more;

another withholds what is right,

only to become poor.

25 A generous person will be enriched,

and the one who gives a drink of water

will receive water.

26 People will curseanyone who hoards grain,

but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

27 The one who searches for what is goodfinds favor,

but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,

but the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 The one who brings ruin on his household

will inherit the wind,

and a fool will be a slave

to someone whose heart is wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

but violencetakes lives.

31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and sinful.

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1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but one who hates correction is stupid.

2 The good person obtains favor from theLord,

but He condemns a man who schemes.

3 Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous is immovable.

4 A capable wifeis her husband’s crown,

but a wife who causes shame

is like rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,

but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,

but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7 The wicked are overthrown and perish,

but the house of the righteous will stand.

8 A man is praised for his insight,

but a twisted mind is despised.

9 Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,

than to act important but have no food.

10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,

but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,

but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.

12 The wicked desire what evil men have,

but the root of the righteous produces fruit.

13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,

but a righteous one escapes from trouble.

14 A man will be satisfied with good

by the words of his mouth,

and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.

15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,

but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,

but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,

but a false witness, deceit.

18 There is one who speaks rashly,

like a piercing sword;

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue, only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,

but those who promote peace have joy.

21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,

but the wicked are full of misery.

22 Lying lips are detestable to theLord,

but faithful people are His delight.

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,

but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.

24 The diligent hand will rule,

but laziness will lead to forced labor.

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,

but a good word cheers it up.

26 A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,

but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.

27 A lazy man doesn’t roast his game,

but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious.

28 There is life in the path of righteousness,

but another path leads to death.

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1 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,

but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.

2 From the words of his mouth,

a man will enjoy good things,

but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;

the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing,

but the diligent is fully satisfied.

5 The righteous hate lying,

but the wicked act disgustingly and disgracefully.

6 Righteousness guards people of integrity,

but wickedness undermines the sinner.

7 One man pretends to be rich but has nothing;

another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.

8 Riches are a ransom for a man’s life,

but a poor man hears no threat.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,

but the lamp of the wicked is put out.

10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,

but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,

but whoever earns it through laborwill multiply it.

12 Delayed hope makes the heart sick,

but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.

13 The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,

but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

14 A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life,

turning people away from the snares of death.

15 Good sense wins favor,

but the way of the treacherous never changes.

16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,

but a fool displays his stupidity.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy courier brings healing.

18 Poverty and disgrace come to those

who ignore discipline,

but the one who accepts correction will be honored.

19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,

but to turn from evil

is an abomination to fools.

20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,

but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

21 Disaster pursues sinners,

but good rewards the righteous.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to hisgrandchildren,

but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,

but without justice, it is swept away.

24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son,

but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.

25 A righteous man eats until he is satisfied,

but the stomach of the wicked is empty.

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1 Every wise woman builds her house,

but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 Whoever lives with integrity fears theLord,

but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,

but the lips of the wise protect them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,

but an abundant harvest comes

through the strength of an ox.

5 An honest witness does not deceive,

but a dishonest witness utters lies.

6 A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,

but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.

7 Stay away from a foolish man;

you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

8 The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,

but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

9 Fools mock at making restitution,

but there is goodwill among the upright.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness,

and no outsider shares in its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

but the tent of the upright will stand.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,

and joy may end in grief.

14 The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,

and a good man, what his deeds deserve.

15 The inexperienced one believes anything,

but the sensible one watcheshis steps.

16 A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,

but a fool is easily angered and is careless.

17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,

and a man who schemes is hated.

18 The inexperienced inherit foolishness,

but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before those who are good,

the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

20 A poor man is hated even by his neighbor,

but there are many who love the rich.

21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,

but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.

22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray?

But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

23 There is profit in all hard work,

but endless talkleads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,

but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.

25 A truthful witness rescues lives,

but one who utters lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of theLordone has strong confidence

and his children have a refuge.

27 The fear of theLordis a fountain of life,

turning people away from the snares of death.

28 A large population is a king’s splendor,

but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.

29 A patient person shows great understanding,

but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body,

but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,

but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.

32 The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,

but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning;

she is knowneven among fools.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35 A king favors a wise servant,

but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.

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1 A gentle answer turns away anger,

but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,

but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.

3 The eyes of theLordare everywhere,

observing the wicked and the good.

4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life,

but a devious tonguebreaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,

but a person who accepts correction is sensible.

6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,

but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.

7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,

but not so the heart of fools.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to theLord,

but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9 TheLorddetests the way of the wicked,

but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;

the one who hates correction will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before theLord—

how much more, human hearts.

12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;

he will not consult the wise.

13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,

but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.

14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,

but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16 Better a little with the fear of theLord

than great treasure with turmoil.

17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love

than a fattened oxwith hatred.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up conflict,

but a man slow to angercalms strife.

19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,

but the path of the upright is a highway.

20 A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,

but a man with understanding walks a straight path.

22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,

but with many advisers they succeed.

23 A man takes joy in giving an answer;

and a timely word — how good that is!

24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,

so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

25 TheLorddestroys the house of the proud,

but He protects the widow’s territory.

26 TheLorddetests the plans of an evil man,

but pleasant words are pure.

27 The one who profits dishonestlytroubles his household,

but the one who hates bribes will live.

28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,

but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

29 TheLordis far from the wicked,

but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;

good news strengthensthe bones.

31 One wholistens to life-giving rebukes

will be at home among the wise.

32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,

but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.

33 The fear of theLordis what wisdom teaches,

and humility comes before honor.

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1 The reflections of the heart belong to man,

but the answer of the tongue is from theLord.

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but theLordevaluates the motives.

3 Commit your activities to theLord,

and your plans will be achieved.

4 TheLordhas prepared everything for His purpose —

even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to theLord;

be assured,he will not go unpunished.

6 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,

and one turns from evil by the fear of theLord.

7 When a man’s ways please theLord,

Hemakes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness

than great income with injustice.

9 A man’s heart plans his way,

but theLorddetermines his steps.

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;

his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

11 Honest balances and scales are theLord’s;

all the weights in the bagare His concern.

12 Wicked behavioris detestable to kings,

since a throne is established through righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,

but a wise man appeases it.

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;

his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16 Get wisdom —

how much better it is than gold!

And get understanding —

it is preferable to silver.

17 The highway of the uprightavoids evil;

the one who guards his way protects his life.

18 Pride comes before destruction,

and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble

than to divide plunder with the proud.

20 The one who understands a matter finds success,

and the one who trusts in theLordwill be happy.

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speechincreases learning.

22 Insight is a fountain of lifefor its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth

and increases learning with its speech.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:

sweet to the tasteand health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hungerurges him on.

27 A worthless man digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A contrary man spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends.

29 A violent man lures his neighbor,

leading him in a way that is not good.

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;

it is found in the way of righteousness.

32 Patience is better than power,

and controlling one’s temper,than capturing a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from theLord.

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1 Better a dry crust with peace

than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son

and share an inheritance among brothers.

3 A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,

and theLordis the tester of hearts.

4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;

a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,

and one who rejoices over calamity

will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,

and the pride of sons is their fathers.

7 Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;

how much worse are lies for a ruler.

8 A bribeseems like a magic stone to its owner;

wherever he turns, he succeeds.

9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,

but whoever gossips about it separates friends.

10 A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person

more than a hundred lashes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;

a cruel messengerwill be sent against him.

12 Better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs

than a fool in his foolishness.

13 If anyone returns evil for good,

evil will never depart from his house.

14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;

stop the dispute before it breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just—

both are detestable to theLord.

16 Why does a fool have money in his hand

with no intention of buying wisdom?

17 A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a difficult time.

18 One without sense enters an agreement

and puts up security for his friend.

19 One who loves to offend loves strife;

one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,

and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.

21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;

the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

23 A wicked man secretly takes a bribe

to subvert the course of justice.

24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,

but a fool’s eyesroam to the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is grief to his father

and bitterness to the one who bore him.

26 It is certainly not good to fine an innocent person

or to beat a noble for his honesty.

27 The intelligent person restrains his words,

and one who keeps a cool head

is a man of understanding.

28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,

discerning when he seals his lips.

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1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;

he rebels against all sound judgment.

2 A fool does not delight in understanding,

but only wants to show off his opinions.

3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,

and along with dishonor, disgrace.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,

a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.

5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty

by perverting the justice due the innocent.

6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,

and his mouth provokes a beating.

7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,

and his lips are a trap for his life.

8 A gossip’s words are like choice food

that goes down to one’s innermost being.

9 The one who is truly lazy in his work

is brother to a vandal.

10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are protected.

11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;

in his imagination it is like a high wall.

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,

but humility comes before honor.

13 The one who gives an answer before he listens —

this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,

but who can survive a broken spirit?

15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it.

16 A gift opens doorsfor a man

and brings him before the great.

17 The first to state his case seems right

until another comes and cross-examines him.

18 Casting the lotends quarrels

and separates powerful opponents.

19 An offended brother is harder to reach

than a fortified city,

and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied;

he is filled with the product of his lips.

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing

and obtains favor from theLord.

23 The poor man pleads,

but the rich one answers roughly.

24 A man with many friends may be harmed,

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

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1 Better a poor man who lives with integrity

than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

2 Even zeal is not good without knowledge,

and the one who acts hastilysins.

3 A man’s own foolishness leads him astray,

yet his heart rages against theLord.

4 Wealth attracts many friends,

but a poor man is separated from his friend.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies will not escape.

6 Many seek a ruler’s favor,

and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.

7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;

how much more do his friends

keep their distance from him!

He may pursue them with words,

but they are not there.

8 The one who acquires good senseloves himself;

one who safeguards understanding finds success.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and one who utters lies perishes.

10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool—

how much less for a slave to rule over princes!

11 A person’s insight gives him patience,

and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roaring of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin,

and a wife’s nagging is an endless dripping.

14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a sensible wife is from theLord.

15 Laziness induces deep sleep,

and a lazy person will go hungry.

16 The one who keeps commands preserves himself;

one who disregardshis ways will die.

17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to theLord,

and He will give a reward to the lender.

18 Discipline your son while there is hope;

don’t be intent on killing him.

19 A person with great anger bears the penalty;

if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction

so that you may be wise later in life.

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,

but theLord’s decree will prevail.

22 What is desirable in a man is his fidelity;

better to be a poor man than a liar.

23 The fear of theLordleads to life;

one will sleep at nightwithout danger.

24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;

he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson;

rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.

26 The one who assaults his father and evicts his mother

is a disgraceful and shameful son.

27 If you stop listening to correction, my son,

you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks justice,

and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,

and beatings for the backs of fools.

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1 Wine is a mocker,beer is a brawler,

and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.

2 A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;

anyone who provokes him endangers himself.

3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,

but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

4 The slacker does not plow during planting season;

at harvest time he looks,and there is nothing.

5 Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water;

but a man of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,

but who can find a trustworthy man?

7 The one who lives with integrity is righteous;

his childrenwho come after him will be happy.

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge

sifts out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;

I am cleansed from my sin”?

10 Differing weights and varying measures—

both are detestable to theLord.

11 Even a young man is known by his actions —

if his behavior is pure and upright.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye —

theLordmade them both.

13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;

open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.

14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless! ” the buyer says,

but after he is on his way, he gloats.

15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels,

but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

16 Take his garment,

for he has put up security for a stranger;

get collateral if it is for foreigners.

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,

but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

18 Finalize plans with counsel,

and wage war with sound guidance.

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;

avoid someone with a big mouth.

20 Whoever curses his father or mother—

his lamp will go out in deep darkness.

21 An inheritance gained prematurely

will not be blessed ultimately.

22 Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil! ”

Wait on theLord,and He will rescue you.

23 Differing weightsare detestable to theLord,

and dishonest scalesare unfair.

24 A man’s steps are determined by theLord,

so how can anyone understand his own way?

25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly

and later to reconsider his vows.

26 A wise king separates out the wicked

and drives the threshing wheelover them.

27 TheLord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,

searching the innermost parts.

28 Loyalty and faithfulness deliver a king;

through loyalty he maintains his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,

and the splendor of old men is gray hair.

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,

and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.

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