Bible in 90 Days
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil,”[a]
but trust in the Lord, who will help you.
23 Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord,
and dishonest scales are not acceptable to him.
24 A man’s steps are directed by the Lord;
how then can anyone understand his own way?
25 It is rash to pledge a sacred gift,
or to make a vow and then have second thoughts.[b]
26 A wise king winnows the wicked
and requites them for their guilt.[c]
27 The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
that searches out the innermost self.
28 Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,
and his throne is founded on saving justice.
29 The glory of youths is their strength,
but the splendor of the aged is their gray hair.
30 Evil is cleansed away by blows that wound,
and beatings chasten the innermost being.[d]
Chapter 21
The Lord Weighs the Heart[e]
1 A king’s heart is like a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he directs it wherever he pleases.
2 A man’s ways may seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.[f]
4 Haughty eyes[g] and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked—are nothing but sin.
5 The plans of the diligent will ensure profit,
but rash haste will surely lead to poverty.
6 One who amasses a fortune by means of a lying tongue
is pursuing a fleeting vapor that leads to death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away
because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the innocent is straightforward.
9 It is better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a spacious house with a nagging wife.[h]
10 The soul of the wicked man is intent on evil;
his neighbor beholds no pity in his countenance.
11 When the scoffer[i] is punished, the simple become wiser;
when the wise man is instructed, he increases in knowledge.
12 The Righteous One watches the house of the evildoer
and brings the evildoer to destruction.
13 One who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor
will himself also cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift given secretly appeases anger,
and a gift concealed in the cloak will avert violent wrath.
15 When justice is done, the upright rejoice,
but evildoers are filled with terror.
16 Anyone who strays from the way of prudence
will rest in the company of the shades.[j]
17 Whoever craves pleasure will end up in want;
whoever loves wine and oil will never grow rich.
18 The wicked man serves as a ransom for the righteous,[k]
as does the faithless man for the upright.
19 It is better to live alone in the wilderness
than with a nagging and irritable wife.
20 The house of the wise man is filled with precious treasure and oil,
but the fool squanders all he has.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness[l] and kindness
will find life and honor too.
22 A wise man can storm a city of warriors
and overthrow the stronghold[m] upon which they relied.
23 One who guards his mouth and his tongue
will preserve himself from trouble.
24 A scoffer[n] is a proud and insolent man
who is haughty in everything he does.
25 The cravings of the idler[o] will prove fatal,
since his hands will do no work.
26 All day long the godless man continues to covet,
whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent,
and more so when it is offered for evil motives.[p]
28 A false witness will perish,
but a truthful witness will never be silenced.
29 A wicked man puts up a bold front,
but an upright man amends his ways.
30 Neither wisdom nor understanding nor counsel
can be of avail against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.[q]
Chapter 22
Reflections on the Human Condition[r]
1 An honorable name[s] is more to be desired than great riches,
and high esteem is preferable to silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common:
all of them were made by the Lord.[t]
3 A prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter,
while the simple[u] continue forward and pay for it.
4 The reward of humility and fear of the Lord[v]
is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares cover the path of the perverse;
whoever values his life will steer clear of them.
6 Train a child in the way he should go,
and he will not deviate from it, even in old age.
7 The wealthy man lords it over the poor,[w]
and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender.
8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his wrath will disappear.
9 One who is kindly will be blessed,[x]
for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Banish the scoffer[y] and strife will cease;
discord and abuse will come to an end.
11 The Lord loves the pure of heart;
the man of gracious speech will have the king as a friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord[z] preserve knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the unfaithful.
13 The idler cries out, “There is a lion outside;
I will be killed if I go out on the street.”[aa]
14 The mouth of an adulteress[ab] is a deep pit;
the man with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
15 Folly is rooted deep in the heart of a child,
but the rod of correction[ac] will remove it far from him.
16 A man becomes rich by crushing the poor,
but presents to the rich will only impoverish him.[ad]
The Sayings of the Wise[ae]
Lend Your Ear[af]
17 These are the sayings of the wise:
Incline your ear and listen to my words,
and apply your mind to the knowledge I impart.
18 They will afford pleasure if you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 In order that your trust may be in the Lord,
I will make them known to you today.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings[ag]
of admonition and knowledge
21 to show you what is right and true
so that you can offer sound answers to the one who sent you?
Practical Counsels[ah]
22 Do not rob the poor because they are helpless
or oppress the needy at the gate.
23 For the Lord will take up their cause[ai]
and rob of life those who despoiled them.
24 Never make friends with a man prone to anger,
and do not associate with anyone who is wrathful.
25 Otherwise you may learn his ways[aj]
and find yourself entangled in a snare.
26 Do not be one of those who give pledges
and become surety for another’s debts.
27 For if you have no means of paying,
your bed will be taken from under you.
28 Never remove the ancient boundary stone
that your ancestors set up.
29 If you see a man who is skilled in his work,[ak]
remember that he will serve kings;
he will not stand before common people.
Chapter 23
When You Sit Down To Dine with a Ruler . . .[al]
1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
take careful note of what is before you.
2 Control yourself[am]
if you are given to overindulgence.
3 Do not yearn for the ruler’s delicacies,
for they are deceptive food.
Wealth Passes Away[an]
4 Do not wear yourself out in the pursuit of wealth,
and cease even to think about it.
5 When you fix your gaze upon it,
it is gone before you realize it.
For it suddenly sprouts wings
and flies up to the sky like an eagle.
Do Not Dine with a Stingy Man[ao]
6 Do not dine with a stingy man
or hanker for his delicacies.
7 For, like a hair,
they will stick in your throat.
“Eat and drink,” he will say to you,
but he does not mean it in his heart.
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and find that your compliments have been wasted.
9 Do not waste your words on a fool
who will only despise the wisdom of your comments.[ap]
God Vindicates the Defenseless[aq]
10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the lands of orphans.
11 For their redeemer is powerful,
and he will take up their cause against you.
Direct Your Heart along the Right Path[ar]
12 Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
14 Rather, if you beat him with a rod,
you will save him from the netherworld.[as]
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad.
16 Also my innermost being will rejoice
when your lips utter what is right.
17 Do not allow your heart to envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord;[at]
18 there truly is a future for you,
and your hope will not be cut short.
19 Listen, my son, and be wise
as you direct your heart along the right path.
20 Do not consort with drunkards[au]
or be one of those who gorge themselves with meat.
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will become impoverished,
and stupor will clothe them in rags.
22 Listen to your father who begot you,
and do not despise your mother[av] when she is old.
23 Buy truth and do not sell it;
this is wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
24 The father of a good man will rejoice;
he who begets a wise son will delight in him.
25 May your father and mother be glad;
may the one who bore you exult.
The Prostitute Is a Deep Well[aw]
26 My son, pay attention to me
and let your eyes delight in my ways.
27 For a prostitute is a deep well,
and an adulteress is a narrow pit.
28 Such a woman lies in wait like a robber,
and many are the men she deludes.
The Joys and Dangers of Wine[ax]
29 Who endures misery? Who endures remorse?
Who has strife? Who has anxiety?
Who becomes bruised without knowing the reason?
Who has blackened eyes?
30 Those who linger over their wine too long,
those who sample blended wines.
31 Do not note how red the wine is,
how it sparkles in the cup,
and how smoothly it goes down.
32 For in the end its bite is like that of a serpent
or that of a poisonous viper.
33 Then your eyes will behold strange sights,
and your heart will utter distorted words.
34 You will become like one sleeping at sea
or clinging to the top of the mast.
35 You will say, “They struck me, but I was not hurt.
They beat me, but I did not feel it.
When will I awaken,
so that I can seek another drink?”
Chapter 24
Do Not Be Envious of the Wicked[ay]
1 Do not be envious of the wicked
or desire to be in their company.
2 For their hearts scheme of violence,
and their lips speak only of mischief.
3 By wisdom a house is built;
by understanding it is made secure.
4 By knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and desirable riches of all kinds.
5 A wise man is mightier than a strong man,
and a man of knowledge prevails over one who has strength.
6 For you wage war by wise guidance,
and victory depends on a host of counselors.
7 Wisdom is too lofty for a fool;
at the city gate he does not open his mouth.[az]
8 Anyone who plans to do evil
earns a reputation for intrigue.
9 The intrigues of fools are sinful,[ba]
and men find the scoffer abhorrent.
10 If you lose heart in time of adversity,
your strength will indeed be limited.
11 [bb]Rescue those who are being led away to death
and save those who are on their way to execution.
12 If you say, “I do not know this man,”
will he who tests the heart not perceive it?
He who is the guardian of your soul knows it,
and he will repay you as your deeds deserve.
13 Eat honey,[bc] my son, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to the taste.
14 In much the same manner
will wisdom be sweet to your soul.
If you find it, you will have a future,
and your hope[bd] will not be cut off.
15 Do not lie in wait at the home of a righteous man;
do not raid his dwelling.
16 For a righteous man falls seven times[be] and rises again,
but the wicked stumble into calamity.
17 Do not be glad when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart exult,
18 for fear that the Lord will be displeased at the sight
and withdraw his wrath from your enemy.
19 Do not become outraged about evildoers
or be envious of the wicked.[bf]
20 For they will have no tomorrow;
the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.
21 My son, fear the Lord and fear the king;[bg]
avoid those who rebel against them.
22 For disaster will strike them suddenly,
and who knows what ruin will afflict them and their friends?[bh]
Other Sayings of the Wise[bi]
23 [bj]These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judgment
is an invidious act.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”
will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But those who convict the evildoer will fare well,
and they will be blessed with prosperity.
26 Anyone who offers an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.
27 Plan what you want outside
and make everything ready on the land;
once you have done this,
you can go forth and build your house.
28 Never be a witness against your neighbor without good reason
or deceive with your lips.
29 Never say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay him back for what he has done.”
I Passed by the Field of a Lazy Idler . . .[bk]
30 I passed by the field of a lazy idler,[bl]
by the vineyard of a man without sense.
31 I saw that it was completely overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with weeds,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 And as I gazed at it and reflected,
I drew this lesson from the sight:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a thief,
and want will assail you like an armed warrior.
Proverbs of Solomon from the Collection of the Men of Hezekiah[bm]
These are some other proverbs of Solomon that were transcribed by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah:
Chapter 25
These are some other proverbs of Solomon that were transcribed by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah:
God, the King, and the People[bn]
2 To keep something secret is the glory of God,
but to have it searched out is the glory of kings.
3 Like the heavens in height and the earth in depth,
the heart of a king is unfathomable.[bo]
4 If you remove the dross from silver,
it emerges completely purified.
5 If you remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
his throne will be founded on righteousness.
6 [bp]Do not push yourself forward in the king’s presence
or take a place where the great assemble.
7 For it is better to be told, “Come up closer,”
than to be humiliated in the presence of the prince.
Observations and Recommendations[bq]
8 What your eyes have witnessed,
do not hastily testify to at the trial;
for what will you do at the end
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor
but do not disclose another’s secret,
10 for fear your listener will reproach you
and your reputation will be irretrievably damaged.[br]
11 Like apples of gold inlaid with silver
are words that are aptly spoken.
12 Like a gold ring or a necklace of fine gold
is a wise man’s rebuke to an attentive ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow at the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who dispatch him;
he revives the spirit of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain[bs]
is the one who boasts of gifts that are never given.
15 A ruler may be won over by patience,
and a gentle tongue can break bones.
16 If you find honey, eat only enough to satisfy you,
for if you consume too much, you will vomit it up.
17 Do not enter too frequently into your neighbor’s house
lest he become tired of you and begin to hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a keen arrow
is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19 Like a decaying tooth or a lame foot
is trust in a faithless man on the day of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away clothing on a cold day,
like one who dresses a wound with vinegar,
is one who sings songs to a grieving heart.[bt]
21 [bu]If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat;
if he is thirsty, offer him something to drink.
22 By doing so you will heap fiery coals upon his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue causes angry looks.
24 It is better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a spacious house with a nagging wife.[bv]
25 Like cold water to a thirsty throat
is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddy spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who trembles before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
neither is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless
is the man devoid of self-control.
Chapter 26
How To Deal with the Foolish[bw]
1 Like snow in the summer or rain during the harvest,[bx]
honor does not befit a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight,
an undeserved curse will never reach home.
3 Use a whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey,
and a stick for the back of fools.[by]
4 [bz]Do not reply to a fool in the terms of his folly
or you yourself may become a fool like him.
5 Reply to a fool in the terms of his folly
or he will consider himself wise.
6 Like cutting off one’s foot or submitting to violence
is sending a message by a fool.
7 Like the legs of a lame man dangling helplessly
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like tying a stone into a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn branch brandished by a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 Like an archer who wounds all who pass by
is one who hires a fool or a drunkard.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,[ca]
so a fool reverts to his folly.
12 Do you know someone who regards himself as wise?[cb]
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
A Portrait of Idlers[cc]
13 The idler says, “There is a lion in the road,
a lion in the middle of the street.”[cd]
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so does the idler on his bed.
15 One who is lazy will dip his hand into the dish,
but he is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.[ce]
16 The idler considers himself to be more wise
than seven men who can offer a sensible reply.
How Human Relations Are Perverted[cf]
17 Like one who lifts up a stray dog by the ears
is he who meddles in another person’s quarrel.
18 Like a madman shooting at random
his deadly firebrands and arrows,
19 so is the one who deceives his neighbor
and then says, “I was only joking.”
20 When there is no wood, the fire goes out,
and when there is no talebearer, quarreling ceases.
21 Like coal for burning embers and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 The whispers of a gossiper are tasty morsels
that corrode one’s inner being.
23 Like glaze that is spread on earthenware
are smooth lips and a spiteful heart.
24 With his lips an enemy may speak fair words,
but deep within he harbors treachery.
25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,
for seven abominations[cg] lurk in his heart.
26 A man may cloak his hatred with guile,
but his wickedness will be exposed later in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,[ch]
and the stone comes back on the one who rolls it.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth causes devastation.
Chapter 27
Dictums about Every Circumstance[ci]
1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you can never be certain what today may bring.[cj]
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
let it come from the lips of someone else and not your own.
3 Stone is heavy and sand is a dead weight,
but heavier than both is a fool’s provocation.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming,
but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Better is an open rebuke
than concealed love.[ck]
6 The blows given by a friend[cl] are well meant,
but the kisses of an enemy are filled with deceit.
7 One whose appetite is sated refuses honey,
but to the man who is hungry even bitter food tastes sweet.
8 Like a bird that strays from its nest
is anyone who is far away from home.
9 Perfume and incense gladden the heart,
and friendship’s sweetness comforts the soul.[cm]
10 Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your father,
and do not run to your brother’s house when troubles befall you;
far better is a friend nearby
than a brother who is far away.
11 Acquire wisdom, my son, and gladden my heart,
so that I may rebut anyone who insults me.
12 The prudent man perceives danger and seeks shelter,
while the simple[cn] continue forward and pay the penalty.
13 Take the garment of anyone who becomes surety for a stranger;
demand a pledge for persons unknown[co] to you.
14 If someone blesses his neighbor at dawn with a loud voice,
it will be reckoned to him as a curse.[cp]
15 A constant dripping on a rainy day
is much like a nagging wife;[cq]
16 one might as well try to restrain the wind as to control her,
or to pick up oil with one’s fingers.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a man sharpens the wits of his neighbor.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree eats its fruit,
and whoever looks after his master will be honored.
19 Just as water reflects one’s face,
so does one human heart reflect another.[cr]
20 The netherworld and the abyss[cs] are never satisfied;
the same is true of human eyes.
21 As silver is tested by a crucible and gold by a furnace,
so too is a man tested by the praise he is given.
22 You may use a pestle to pound a fool into a mortar,
but his folly will never be driven out of him.
Take Good Care of Your Herds[ct]
23 Be aware at all times of the condition of your flocks
and take good care of your herds.
24 For riches do not last forever,
nor will a crown endure from age to age.
25 When the grass is gone and the aftergrowth appears
and the green growth of the mountains is gathered,
26 the lambs will provide for your clothing,
and the goats will give you the price of a field;
27 there will be enough goats’ milk[cu]
to feed you and your household
and to provide sustenance for your servant girls.
Chapter 28
Two Types of Men[cv]
1 The wicked flee even though no one is pursuing them,
but the righteous are as confident as young lions.
2 When a land is in revolt, it has many leaders,[cw]
but it will enjoy security under a prudent leader.
3 A needy man[cx] who oppresses the poor
is like a drenching rain that destroys the crops.
4 Those who forsake the law[cy] praise the wicked man,
but those who observe the law are in constant opposition to him.
5 Evildoers simply cannot comprehend justice,
but those who seek the Lord[cz] understand it completely.
6 It is far better to be poor and beyond reproach
than to become rich through dishonest means.
7 A wise son obeys the law,
but a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Whoever increases his wealth by charging exorbitant interest[da]
amasses it for another who will be generous to the poor.
9 When anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,
even his prayer is detestable.[db]
10 Whoever tempts the upright into following evil ways
will fall into his own pit,
but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 The rich man may believe he is wise,
but the poor man with discernment will see through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is a great celebration,
but when the wicked prevail, the people go into hiding.
13 No one who conceals his transgressions will prosper,
but one who confesses and renounces them will obtain mercy.[dc]
14 Blessed is the man who guards himself against temptation,[dd]
but anyone who hardens his heart will be overtaken by evil.
15 Like a roaring lion or a bear on the prowl
is a wicked man who governs a powerless people.
16 A ruler who lacks sense will oppress his subjects,
but one who detests ill-gotten gain will have a long life.
17 Someone guilty of murder will be a fugitive till death;
no one should attempt to stop him.
18 Anyone who leads a blameless life will be safe,
but whoever follows a crooked path will fall into the pit.
19 One who tills his land will not lack for food,
but he who chases fantasies[de] will live in poverty.
20 One who is trustworthy will abound with blessings,[df]
but no one who seeks to get rich quickly will go unpunished.
21 To show partiality[dg] is never good;
a man may do wrong even for a morsel of bread.
22 The miser is in a hurry to get rich,
never considering that want may eventually afflict him.[dh]
23 Whoever rebukes another[di] will in the end win more thanks
than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 Anyone who robs his father or mother
and denies that he has sinned
is no better than a marauding bandit.
25 A greedy person provokes quarrels,
but whoever trusts in the Lord will have success.
26 Anyone who trusts in his own wits is a fool,
but he whose guide is wisdom[dj] will come through safely.
27 No one who gives to the poor will suffer want,
but one who closes his eyes to them will get many a curse.[dk]
28 When the wicked gain power, people go into hiding,
but when the wicked perish, the righteous increase in number.
Chapter 29
1 One who remains stubborn despite frequent reproof
will suddenly be crushed beyond hope of repair.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice,
but they groan when the wicked ascend to power.
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a patron of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By ruling justly a king gives stability to his country,
but one who takes bribes causes its downfall.
5 Anyone who flatters his neighbor
is spreading a net to trip him up.
6 An evildoer is ensnared by his own sin,
but an upright man goes forward happily.
7 A righteous man has concern for the condition of the poor,
but an evildoer shows no interest in this matter.
8 Scoffers can set a city aflame,[dl]
but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man argues with a fool,
he will get nowhere whether he rages or laughs.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless,[dm]
but the upright show concern for him.
11 A fool gives free rein to his anger,
but a wise man bides his time and calms it.
12 If a ruler listens to the testimony of liars,
all of his officials will adopt evil ways.
13 A poor man and an oppressor have this in common:
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.[dn]
14 If a king zealously defends the rights of the poor,
his throne will stand firm forever.
15 The rod of correction[do] bestows wisdom,
but an unreprimanded youth will bring shame on his mother.
16 When the wicked are in power, sins increase,
but the righteous will witness their downfall.
17 If you correct your son,[dp] he will give you peace of mind
and bring delight to your soul.
18 Without prophecy the people become uncontrollable,
but blessed are those who keep the law.[dq]
19 Mere words do not suffice to control a servant;
even though he understands, he will not obey you.
20 Do you see someone who is too eager to speak?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 If you pamper a slave from his childhood,
in the end he will prove ungrateful.[dr]
22 A bad-tempered man provokes quarrels,
and a hothead commits a host of offenses.
23 A man’s pride will bring him low,
but lowly souls will rise to honor.
24 The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy,
for he hears the curse[ds] but refuses to answer.
25 The fear of others will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is secure.
26 Many seek the favor of a ruler,
but it is the Lord who administers justice.
27 A sinful man is abhorrent to the upright,
and one who leads a holy life is hated by the wicked.
The Sayings of Agur[dt]
The sayings of Agur, son of Jakeh, from Massa:[du]
This is my statement: I am weary, O God;
I am weary, O God, and worn out.
Like Job[dv]
2 I count myself among the most stupid of men,
and I am bereft of human understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
nor do I have any knowledge of the Most Holy One.
4 Who has ever gone up to heaven and come down again?
Who has cupped the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped the waters in the fold of his garment?
Who has established all the boundaries of the earth?
What is his name or the name of his son?
Do you know it?[dw]
5 Every word of God has proved to be true;
he is a shield to those who trust in him.[dx]
6 Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you and expose you as a fraud.
Like Solomon[dy]
7 Two things[dz] I ask of you;
do not deny them to me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lying far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but simply provide me with the food that I need.
9 For if I have too much, I may deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
And if I am destitute, I may begin to steal
and profane the name of my God.
People with Neither Faith Nor Law[ea]
10 Do not slander a servant to his master,
lest he curse you and you will be held guilty
11 There are those who curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers.[eb]
12 They regard themselves as pure
and yet have not been cleansed of their filth.
13 They have eyes that are haughty[ec]
and glances that reveal their disdain.
14 They have teeth that are swords
and jaws that are knives.
They devour the poor of the earth
and the needy from among men.
VIII: Numerical Proverbs[ed]
Insatiable Things[ee]
15 The leech has two daughters,
each of whom demands, “Give! Give!”
There are three things that are never satisfied,
four that never say “Enough!”:
16 The netherworld and the barren womb,
the earth that is thirsty for water,
and fire that never says “Enough!”
Woe to the Wicked Son
17 The eye that mocks a father
or shows scorn to an aged mother
will be plucked out by the ravens of the valley
and eaten by the vultures.[ef]
The Astounding Mystery of Generation
18 There are three things too wonderful for me to comprehend,
four that are beyond my understanding:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake over a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden.[eg]
“I Have Done Nothing Wrong”[eh]
20 This is the way of an adulteress:
she eats, then wipes her mouth
and says, “I have done nothing wrong.”
The Insolence of the Newly Successful
21 There are three things that cause the earth to tremble,
indeed four things that it cannot endure:
22 a slave crowned as a king,
a fool gorged with food,
23 a hateful woman when she snares a husband,
and a servant girl when she supplants her mistress.
The Resourceful Little Ones[ei]
24 There are four creatures among the tiniest on the earth
who are nevertheless exceedingly wise:
25 the ants, a species without strength,
yet they gather their food in the summer;
26 the rock-badgers, a species without power,
yet they make their home in the rocks;
27 the locusts, a species without a king,
yet they all march forth in formation;
28 the lizards, a species you can catch in your hands,
yet they are found in the palaces of kings.
The King, Majestic among Other Animals[ej]
29 There are three creatures that are stately in their stride,
four that are stately as they walk:
30 the lion, the mightiest of wild animals,
who retreats from nothing;
31 the strutting rooster, the he-goat,[ek]
and a king at the head of his army.
Silence Is Golden, Especially in Time of Anger
32 If you have been foolish enough to exalt yourself[el]
or if you have devised evil,
put your hand over your mouth.
33 For as churning the milk produces curds
and twisting the nose produces blood,
so stirring up anger produces strife.
The Sayings of Lemuel[em]
Chapter 31
A Splendid Program for a King
1 These are the words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which were taught to him by his mother:[en]
2 O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows!
3 Do not surrender your vigor to women
or consort with those who cause the ruin of kings.[eo]
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
not for kings to drink wine,
not for princes to crave strong liquor,[ep]
5 lest in their stupor they forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of those who are in distress.
6 Give strong drink to someone about to die,
wine to someone in anguish.
7 Let him drink and forget his misfortune
and no longer remember his misery.
8 [eq]Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves,
and defend the rights of the destitute.
9 Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments;
defend the rights of the wretched and the poor.
In Praise of the Valiant Woman or the Perfect Homemaker[er]
10 Who can find a worthy wife?
She is far more precious than pearls.
11 Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
for in her he has an unfailing blessing.
12 She works to give him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with skillful hands.
14 She is like merchant ships,
accumulating a store of food from far off.
15 She rises while it is still dark[es]
and apportions food for her household
while assigning tasks to her servant girls.
16 She carefully chooses a field to purchase,
and out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.[et]
17 She girds herself to work
and plies her arms with vigor.
18 She ensures that her dealings are profitable;[eu]
her lamp remains undimmed throughout the night.
19 She sets her hands to the distaff,
and her fingers grasp the spindle.[ev]
20 She holds out her hands to the poor[ew]
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 When snow arrives, she has no fear for her household,
for all of her servants are warmly clothed.
22 She makes her own bed quilts
and wears fine clothes of linen[ex] and purple.
23 Her husband is well respected at the city gates
as he takes his seat with the elders of the land.
24 She weaves linen garments and sells them,
and she supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she can afford to laugh at the days to come.[ey]
26 When she opens her mouth, wisdom issues forth,
and on her tongue is kindly advice.[ez]
27 She keeps close watch on the conduct of her household,
and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed,[fa]
and her husband joins them in praising her:
29 “Many are the women who have done admirable things,[fb]
but you outdo them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive[fc] and beauty is fleeting,
but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her a share in what her hands have accomplished,[fd]
and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.
Editor’s Note[fe]
Chapter 1
1 The words of Qoheleth son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity[ff] of vanities, says Qoheleth,
vanity of vanities! Everything is vanity.
3 What profit does anyone gain from all his labor
at which he toils under the sun?[fg]
Introductory Poem[fh]
There Is Nothing New under the Sun
4 One generation passes away and another generation succeeds it,
but the earth stands firm forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets;
then it returns to the place where it rises.
6 The wind blows southward and then veers to the north,
constantly turning as it repeats its course.
7 All the rivers go to the sea,
and yet the sea never overflows,
for the rivers continue to return
to their place of origin.
8 All things[fi] are wearisome
and very difficult to express.
The eyes are not satisfied with seeing
and the ears do not have their fill of hearing.
9 What has been will be so again,
and what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Whatever is perceived to be new
has already existed in the ages before us.
11 Those people who died in ages past
are no longer remembered,
and the people yet to be born
will not be remembered by those who come after them.
The Impossible Happiness[fj]
12 Much Wisdom, Much Anguish.[fk] When I, Qoheleth, ruled as king over Israel in Jerusalem, 13 I applied the wisdom I possessed to study and explore everything that is done under the sun, a thankless task that God has given to men to keep us occupied. 14 I have seen everything that has been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a chase after the wind.[fl]
15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,
and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I thought to myself, “I have acquired great wisdom, far surpassing all those who preceded me in Jerusalem. My mind has mastered every facet of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 However, as I applied my mind to gain a complete understanding of wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly, I came to realize that this too is a chase after the wind.
18 For much wisdom can result in much sorrow,
and those who increase their knowledge also increase their grief.[fm]
Chapter 2
What Good Is It To Be Successful?[fn] 1 Then I said to myself, “All right, I will pursue pleasure and the enjoyment of good things.” However, this also proved to be vanity. 2 I regarded laughter as madness and pleasure as vanity. 3 Then, while my mind was guiding me with wisdom, I sought to cheer my body with wine and the pursuit of folly, for I was determined to discover what was the best way for men to spend the few days of their life under the heavens.[fo]
4 I undertook grandiose projects. I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made for myself gardens and parks and filled them with every kind of fruit tree. 6 I developed pools that would enable me to water my grove of growing trees.
7 I purchased male and female slaves, and slaves were also born in my house. In addition, I had large herds and flocks, far more than any who had preceded me in Jerusalem. 8 I amassed for myself silver and gold and the treasures of kings and provinces. I acquired singers, both male and female, and every possible human luxury.[fp] 9 In this way I became great, and I surpassed all my predecessors in Jerusalem, while my wisdom continued to strengthen me.
10 I did not deny my eyes anything that they coveted,
nor did I deprive my heart of any pleasure.
For I found delight in all my labors,
and this was the reward I had for all my efforts.
11 However, once I began to reflect on all that my hands had accomplished
and the effort I had exerted in achieving it,
I again came to the realization that everything was vanity and a chase after the wind,
and that there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
The Wise Man Must Die No Less than the Fool
12 Then my reflections focused on wisdom
as well as madness and folly,
and I came to the realization that whoever succeeds a king can do nothing,
since everything has already been done.
13 I also came to understand that more is to be gained from wisdom than from folly,[fq]
just as light is more profitable than darkness.
14 The wise keep their eyes open,
whereas fools walk in darkness.
And yet at the same time I realized
that the same fate befalls them both.
15 Then I thought to myself,
“If the fate of the fool will also be my fate,
then why have I been wise?
In what way do I profit?”
And I came to the conclusion
that this too is vanity.
16 The wise man is remembered no longer than the fool,
because in the days to come both will have been forgotten.
The wise man must die no less than the fool.
17 As a result, I came to hate life,
since I loathe the work that is done under the sun;
for all is vanity and a chase after the wind.
A Chase after the Wind
18 So Many Labors with the Profit Going to Others.[fr] Therefore, I have come to hate all my labor and toil under the sun because I now must bequeath its fruits to my successor.[fs] 19 And I have no way of knowing in advance whether he will be wise or a fool. Either way, he will be the master of all the fruits of my work for which I toiled and employed my wisdom under the sun. This too is vanity.
20 As a result, I surrendered to feelings of despair concerning all of my labor and toil here under the sun. 21 For even though a man may labor with wisdom and knowledge and skill, he must leave everything he has to be enjoyed by another who has not toiled for it in any way. This also is vanity and a great misfortune.
22 For what does a man gain from all the toil and effort that he has expended under the sun? 23 His days are filled with pain and his labors are filled with stress. Even at night he has no peace of mind. This also is vanity.
24 The Happiness of Simple Things.[ft] There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and to experience pleasure in his achievements. And I also came to realize that this too comes from God’s hand. 25 For without him who could eat or drink?
26 God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to those who please him, but to sinners he gives the task of gathering and amassing wealth that is to be given to someone who pleases him. This also is vanity and a chase after the wind.[fu]
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