Bible in 90 Days
Chapter 7
The Seduction[a]
1 [b]My son, keep my words,
and treasure my commands.
2 Keep my commands and live,[c]
and my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 Bind them on your fingers,
write them on the tablet of your heart.(A)
4 Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister!”[d]
Call Understanding, “Friend!”
5 That they may keep you from a stranger,
from the foreign woman with her smooth words.(B)
6 For at the window of my house,
through my lattice I looked out[e]
7 And I saw among the naive,
I observed among the young men,
a youth with no sense,
8 Crossing the street near the corner,
then walking toward her house,
9 In the twilight, at dusk of day,
in the very dark of night.
10 Then the woman comes to meet him,
dressed like a harlot, with secret designs.
11 She is raucous and unruly,
her feet cannot stay at home;
12 Now she is in the streets, now in the open squares,
lurking in ambush at every corner.
13 Then she grabs him, kisses him,
and with an impudent look says to him:
14 “I owed peace offerings,
and today I have fulfilled my vows;
15 So I came out to meet you,
to look for you, and I have found you!
16 With coverlets I have spread my couch,
with brocaded cloths of Egyptian linen;
17 I have sprinkled my bed[f] with myrrh,
with aloes, and with cinnamon.
18 Come, let us drink our fill of love,
until morning, let us feast on love!
19 For my husband is not at home,[g]
he has gone on a long journey;
20 A bag of money he took with him,
he will not return home till the full moon.”
21 She wins him over by repeated urging,
with her smooth lips she leads him astray.[h](C)
22 He follows her impulsively,
like an ox that goes to slaughter;
Like a stag that bounds toward the net,
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
Like a bird that rushes into a snare,
unaware that his life is at stake.
24 So now, children, listen to me,[i]
be attentive to the words of my mouth!
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways,
do not go astray in her paths;
26 For many are those she has struck down dead,
numerous, those she has slain.
27 Her house is a highway to Sheol,
leading down into the chambers of death.(D)
Chapter 8
The Discourse of Wisdom[j]
1 Does not Wisdom call,
and Understanding raise her voice?(E)
2 On the top of the heights along the road,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 By the gates at the approaches of the city,
in the entryways she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call;
my appeal is to you mortals.
5 You naive ones, gain prudence,
you fools,[k] gain sense.
6 Listen! for noble things I speak;
my lips proclaim honest words.
7 [l]Indeed, my mouth utters truth,
and my lips abhor wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are sincere,
none of them wily or crooked;
9 All of them are straightforward to the intelligent,
and right to those who attain knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 [For Wisdom is better than corals,
and no treasures can compare with her.(F)]
12 I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and useful knowledge I have.
13 [The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil;]
Pride, arrogance, the evil way,
and the perverse mouth I hate.(G)
14 Mine are counsel and advice;
Mine is strength; I am understanding.[m]
15 By me kings reign,
and rulers enact justice;
16 By me princes govern,
and nobles, all the judges of the earth.
17 Those who love me I also love,
and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,(H)
wealth that endures, and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,
and my yield than choice silver.(I)
20 On the way of righteousness I walk,
along the paths of justice,
21 Granting wealth to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 [n]“The Lord begot me, the beginning of his works,
the forerunner of his deeds of long ago;(J)
23 From of old I was formed,[o]
at the first, before the earth.(K)
24 [p]When there were no deeps I was brought forth,
when there were no fountains or springs of water;
25 Before the mountains were settled into place,
before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 When the earth and the fields were not yet made,
nor the first clods of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, there was I,(L)
when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
28 When he made firm the skies above,
when he fixed fast the springs of the deep;
29 When he set for the sea its limit,
so that the waters should not transgress his command;
When he fixed the foundations of earth,
30 then was I beside him as artisan;[q](M)
I was his delight day by day,
playing before him all the while,
31 Playing over the whole of his earth,
having my delight with human beings.
32 [r]Now, children, listen to me;
happy are they who keep my ways.
33 Listen to instruction and grow wise,
do not reject it!
34 Happy the one who listens to me,
attending daily at my gates,
keeping watch at my doorposts;
35 For whoever finds me finds life,(N)
and wins favor from the Lord;
36 But those who pass me by do violence to themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Chapter 9
The Two Women Invite Passersby to Their Banquets[s]
Woman Wisdom Issues Her Invitation
1 Wisdom has built her house,[t]
she has set up her seven columns;
2 She has prepared her meat, mixed her wine,
yes, she has spread her table.
3 She has sent out her maidservants; she calls[u]
from the heights out over the city:(O)
4 “Let whoever is naive turn in here;
to any who lack sense I say,
5 Come, eat of my food,
and drink of the wine I have mixed!
6 Forsake foolishness that you may live;[v]
advance in the way of understanding.”
Miscellaneous Aphorisms
7 Whoever corrects the arrogant earns insults;
and whoever reproves the wicked incurs opprobrium.
8 Do not reprove the arrogant, lest they hate you;
reprove the wise, and they will love you.(P)
9 Instruct the wise, and they become still wiser;
teach the just, and they advance in learning.
10 The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.(Q)
11 For by me your days will be multiplied
and the years of your life increased.(R)
12 If you are wise, wisdom is to your advantage;
if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.
Woman Folly Issues Her Invitation
13 [w]Woman Folly is raucous,(S)
utterly foolish; she knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house
upon a seat on the city heights,
15 Calling to passersby
as they go on their way straight ahead:
16 “Let those who are naive turn in here,
to those who lack sense I say,
17 Stolen water is sweet,
and bread taken secretly is pleasing!”[x]
18 Little do they know that the shades are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol![y]
III. First Solomonic Collection of Sayings[z]
Chapter 10
1 The Proverbs of Solomon:
A wise son gives his father joy,
but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.[aa](T)
2 Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing,
but justice saves from death.[ab](U)
3 The Lord does not let the just go hungry,
but the craving of the wicked he thwarts.[ac]
4 The slack hand impoverishes,
but the busy hand brings riches.(V)
5 A son who gathers in summer is a credit;
a son who slumbers during harvest, a disgrace.
6 Blessings are for the head of the just;
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.[ad]
7 The memory of the just serves as blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.[ae]
8 A wise heart accepts commands,
but a babbling fool will be overthrown.[af]
9 Whoever walks honestly walks securely,
but one whose ways are crooked will fare badly.
10 One who winks at a fault causes trouble,
but one who frankly reproves promotes peace.
11 The mouth of the just is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up disputes,
(W) but love covers all offenses.[ag]
13 On the lips of the intelligent is found wisdom,
but a rod for the back of one without sense.[ah]
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool is imminent ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich is their strong city;
the ruin of the poor is their poverty.[ai]
16 The labor of the just leads to life,
the gains of the wicked, to futility.[aj](X)
17 Whoever follows instruction is in the path to life,
but whoever disregards reproof goes astray.(Y)
18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 Where words are many, sin is not wanting;
but those who restrain their lips do well.(Z)
20 Choice silver is the tongue of the just;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the just nourish many,
but fools die for want of sense.[ak]
22 It is the Lord’s blessing that brings wealth,(AA)
and no effort can substitute for it.[al]
23 Crime is the entertainment of the fool;
but wisdom is for the person of understanding.
24 What the wicked fear will befall them,
but the desire of the just will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more;
but the just are established forever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes,
are sluggards to those who send them.
27 Fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.(AB)
28 The hope of the just brings joy,
but the expectation of the wicked perishes.[am]
29 The Lord is a stronghold to those who walk honestly,
downfall for evildoers.
30 The just will never be disturbed,
but the wicked will not abide in the land.
31 The mouth of the just yields wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the just know favor,
but the mouth of the wicked, perversion.[an]
Chapter 11
1 False scales are an abomination to the Lord,
but an honest weight, his delight.[ao](AC)
2 When pride comes, disgrace comes;
but with the humble is wisdom.[ap]
3 The honesty of the upright guides them;
the faithless are ruined by their duplicity.
4 Wealth is useless on a day of wrath,[aq](AD)
but justice saves from death.
5 The justice of the honest makes their way straight,
but by their wickedness the wicked fall.[ar](AE)
6 The justice of the upright saves them,
but the faithless are caught in their own intrigue.
7 When a person dies, hope is destroyed;(AF)
expectation pinned on wealth is destroyed.[as]
8 The just are rescued from a tight spot,
but the wicked fall into it instead.
9 By a word the impious ruin their neighbors,(AG)
but through their knowledge the just are rescued.[at]
10 When the just prosper, the city rejoices;(AH)
when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 Through the blessing of the upright the city is exalted,
but through the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12 Whoever reviles a neighbor lacks sense,
but the intelligent keep silent.
13 One who slanders reveals secrets,(AI)
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
14 For lack of guidance a people falls;
security lies in many counselors.(AJ)
15 Harm will come to anyone going surety for another,(AK)
but whoever hates giving pledges is secure.[au]
16 A gracious woman gains esteem,
and ruthless men gain wealth.[av]
17 Kindly people benefit themselves,
but the merciless harm themselves.
18 The wicked make empty profits,
but those who sow justice have a sure reward.(AL)
19 Justice leads toward life,
but pursuit of evil, toward death.
20 The crooked in heart are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who walk blamelessly are his delight.[aw]
21 Be assured, the wicked shall not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the just shall escape.
22 Like a golden ring in a swine’s snout
is a beautiful woman without judgment.[ax]
23 The desire of the just ends only in good;
the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 One person is lavish yet grows still richer;
another is too sparing, yet is the poorer.[ay]
25 Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched,
and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26 Whoever hoards grain, the people curse,
but blessings are on the head of one who distributes it!
27 Those who seek the good seek favor,
but those who pursue evil will have evil come upon them.[az]
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,
but like green leaves the just will flourish.(AM)
29 Those who trouble their household inherit the wind,
and fools become slaves to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of justice is a tree of life,
and one who takes lives is a sage.[ba]
31 If the just are recompensed on the earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner
Chapter 12
1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates reproof is stupid.[bc](AO)
2 A good person wins favor from the Lord,
but the schemer he condemns.[bd]
3 No one is made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the just will never be disturbed.[be]
4 A woman of worth is the crown of her husband,(AP)
but a disgraceful one is like rot in his bones.[bf]
5 The plans of the just are right;
the designs of the wicked are deceit.[bg]
6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
but the speech of the upright saves them.[bh]
7 Overthrow the wicked and they are no more,
but the house of the just stands firm.
8 For their good sense people are praised,
but the perverse of heart are despised.[bi]
9 Better to be slighted and have a servant
than put on airs and lack bread.(AQ)
10 The just take care of their livestock,
but the compassion of the wicked is cruel.[bj]
11 Those who till their own land have food in plenty,
but those who engage in idle pursuits lack sense.[bk](AR)
12 A wicked person desires the catch of evil people,
but the root of the righteous will bear fruit.[bl]
13 By the sin of their lips the wicked are ensnared,
but the just escape from a tight spot.
14 From the fruit of their mouths people have their fill of good,(AS)
and the works of their hands come back upon them.[bm]
15 The way of fools is right in their own eyes,
but those who listen to advice are the wise.
16 Fools immediately show their anger,
but the shrewd conceal contempt.
17 Whoever speaks honestly testifies truly,
but the deceitful make lying witnesses.[bn](AT)
18 The babble of some people is like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
the lying tongue, for only a moment.[bo]
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
but those who counsel peace have joy.
21 No harm befalls the just,
but the wicked are overwhelmed with misfortune.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,(AU)
but those who are truthful, his delight.
23 The shrewd conceal knowledge,
but the hearts of fools proclaim folly.[bp]
24 The diligent hand will govern,
but sloth makes for forced labor.(AV)
25 Worry weighs down the heart,
but a kind word gives it joy.(AW)
26 The just act as guides to their neighbors,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Sloth does not catch its prey,
but the wealth of the diligent is splendid.
28 In the path of justice is life,
but the way of abomination leads to death.
Chapter 13
1 A wise son loves correction,
but the scoffer heeds no rebuke.[bq]
2 From the fruit of the mouth one enjoys good things,(AX)
but from the throat of the treacherous comes violence.[br]
3 Those who guard their mouths preserve themselves;[bs]
those who open wide their lips bring ruin.(AY)
4 The appetite of the sluggard craves but has nothing,
but the appetite of the diligent is amply satisfied.
5 The just hate deceitful words,
but the wicked are odious and disgraceful.
6 Justice guards one who walks honestly,
but sin leads the wicked astray.(AZ)
7 One acts rich but has nothing;
another acts poor but has great wealth.[bt]
8 People’s riches serve as ransom for their lives,
but the poor do not even hear a threat.[bu]
9 The light of the just gives joy,
but the lamp[bv] of the wicked goes out.(BA)
10 The stupid sow discord by their insolence,
but wisdom is with those who take counsel.
11 Wealth won quickly dwindles away,
but gathered little by little, it grows.(BB)
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a wish fulfilled is a tree of life.[bw]
13 Whoever despises the word must pay for it,[bx]
but whoever reveres the command will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning one from the snares of death.
15 Good sense brings favor,
but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[by]
16 The shrewd always act prudently
but the foolish parade folly.[bz]
17 A wicked messenger brings on disaster,
but a trustworthy envoy is a healing remedy.
18 Poverty and shame befall those who let go of discipline,
but those who hold on to reproof receive honor.[ca]
19 Desire fulfilled delights the soul,
but turning from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Walk with the wise and you become wise,
but the companion of fools fares badly.(BC)
21 Misfortune pursues sinners,
but the just shall be recompensed with good.
22 The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children,
but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the just.
23 The tillage of the poor yields abundant food,
but possessions are swept away for lack of justice.[cb]
24 Whoever spares the rod hates the child,
but whoever loves will apply discipline.(BD)
25 When the just eat, their hunger is appeased;
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
Chapter 14
1 Wisdom builds her house,
but Folly tears hers down with her own hands.[cc]
2 Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
but those who are devious in their ways spurn him.
3 In the mouth of the fool is a rod for pride,
but the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the crib is clean;
but abundant crops come through the strength of the bull.[cd]
5 A trustworthy witness does not lie,
but one who spouts lies makes a lying witness.[ce](BE)
6 The scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for the intelligent.
7 Go from the face of the fool;
you get no knowledge from such lips.
8 The wisdom of the shrewd enlightens their way,
but the folly of fools is deceit.[cf]
9 The wicked scorn a guilt offering,
but the upright find acceptance.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and its joy no stranger shares.[cg]
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.[ch](BF)
12 Sometimes a way seems right,
but the end of it leads to death!(BG)
13 Even in laughter the heart may be sad,
and the end of joy may be sorrow.
14 From their own ways turncoats are sated,
from their own actions, the loyal.
15 The naive believe everything,
but the shrewd watch their steps.[ci]
16 The wise person is cautious and turns from evil;
the fool is reckless and gets embroiled.
17 The quick-tempered make fools of themselves,
and schemers are hated.
18 The simple have folly as an adornment,
but the shrewd wear knowledge as a crown.[cj]
19 The malicious bow down before the good,
and the wicked, at the gates of the just.
20 Even by their neighbors the poor are despised,
but a rich person’s friends are many.(BH)
21 Whoever despises the hungry comes up short,
but happy the one who is kind to the poor![ck]
22 Do not those who plan evil go astray?
But those who plan good win steadfast loyalty.
23 In all labor there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to loss.
24 The crown of the wise is wealth;
the diadem of fools is folly.
25 The truthful witness saves lives,
but whoever utters lies is a betrayer.
26 The fear of the Lord is a strong defense,
a refuge even for one’s children.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning one from the snares of death.
28 A multitude of subjects is the glory of the king;
but if his people are few, a prince is ruined.
29 Long-suffering results in great wisdom;
a short temper raises folly high.[cl](BI)
30 A tranquil mind gives life to the body,
but jealousy rots the bones.
31 Those who oppress the poor revile their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honor him.(BJ)
32 The wicked are overthrown by their wickedness,
but the just find a refuge in their integrity.
33 Wisdom can remain silent in the discerning heart,
but among fools she must make herself known.[cm](BK)
34 Justice exalts a nation,
but sin is a people’s disgrace.[cn]
35 The king favors the skillful servant,
but the shameless one incurs his wrath.
Chapter 15
1 [co]A mild answer turns back wrath,(BL)
but a harsh word stirs up anger.[cp]
2 The tongue of the wise pours out knowledge,
but the mouth of fools spews folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
but a perverse one breaks the spirit.
5 The fool spurns a father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.[cq](BM)
6 In the house of the just there are ample resources,
but the harvest of the wicked is in peril.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
but the heart of fools is not steadfast.[cr]
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,(BN)
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves one who pursues justice.(BO)
10 Discipline seems bad to those going astray;
one who hates reproof will die.[cs]
11 Sheol and Abaddon[ct] lie open before the Lord;
how much more the hearts of mortals!
12 Scoffers do not love reproof;
to the wise they will not go.
13 A glad heart lights up the face,
but an anguished heart breaks the spirit.(BP)
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.[cu]
15 All the days of the poor are evil,
but a good heart is a continual feast.[cv]
16 [cw]Better a little with fear of the Lord
than a great fortune with anxiety.
17 Better a dish of herbs where love is
than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
18 The ill-tempered stir up strife,(BQ)
but the patient settle disputes.
19 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn hedge,
but the path of the diligent is a highway.
20 A wise son gives his father joy,
but a fool despises his mother.(BR)
21 Folly is joy[cx] to the senseless,
but the person of understanding goes the straight way.
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but they succeed when advisers are many.[cy](BS)
23 One has joy from an apt response;
a word in season, how good it is
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
turning them from Sheol below.[da]
25 The Lord pulls down the house of the proud,
but preserves intact the widow’s landmark.
26 The schemes of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,(BU)
but gracious words are pure.[db]
27 The greedy tear down their own house,
but those who hate bribes will live.[dc]
28 The heart of the just ponders a response,
but the mouth of the wicked spews evil.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but hears the prayer of the just.
30 A cheerful glance brings joy to the heart;
good news invigorates the bones.
31 The ear that listens to salutary reproof(BV)
is at home among the wise.[dd]
32 Those who disregard discipline hate themselves,
but those who heed reproof acquire understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is training for wisdom,
and humility goes before honors.(BW)
Chapter 16
1 Plans are made in human hearts,
but from the Lord comes the tongue’s response.[de]
2 All one’s ways are pure[df] in one’s own eyes,
but the measurer of motives is the Lord.(BX)
3 Entrust your works to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord has made everything for a purpose,
even the wicked for the evil day.[dg]
5 Every proud heart[dh] is an abomination to the Lord;(BY)
be assured that none will go unpunished.
6 By steadfast loyalty guilt is expiated,
and by the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.[di]
7 When the Lord is pleased with someone’s ways,
he makes even enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better a little with justice,
than a large income with injustice.
9 The human heart plans the way,
but the Lord directs the steps.[dj](BZ)
10 An oracle is upon the king’s lips,
no judgment of his mouth is false.[dk]
11 Balance and scales belong to the Lord;
every weight in the sack is his concern.(CA)
12 Wrongdoing is an abomination to kings,
for by justice the throne endures.(CB)
13 The king takes delight in honest lips,
and whoever speaks what is right he loves.(CC)
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,(CD)
but a wise person can pacify it.
15 A king’s smile means life,
and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.[dl]
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is preferable to silver.[dm](CE)
17 The path of the upright leads away from misfortune;
those who attend to their way guard their lives.[dn]
18 Pride goes before disaster,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be humble with the poor
than to share plunder with the proud.(CF)
20 Whoever ponders a matter will be successful;
happy the one who trusts in the Lord!
21 The wise of heart is esteemed for discernment,
and pleasing speech gains a reputation for learning.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it,
but folly is the training of fools.
23 The heart of the wise makes for eloquent speech,
and increases the learning on their lips.
24 Pleasing words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the taste and invigorating to the bones.
25 Sometimes a way seems right,
but the end of it leads to death!(CG)
26 The appetite of workers works for them,
for their mouths urge them on.[do](CH)
27 Scoundrels are a furnace of evil,
and their lips are like a scorching fire.
28 Perverse speech sows discord,
and talebearing separates bosom friends.(CI)
29 The violent deceive their neighbors,
and lead them into a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks an eye plans perversity;
whoever purses the lips does evil.[dp]
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;(CJ)
it is gained by a life that is just.
32 The patient are better than warriors,
and those who rule their temper, better than the conqueror of a city.(CK)
33 Into the bag the lot is cast,
but from the Lord comes every decision.[dq]
Chapter 17
1 Better a dry crust with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.[dr]
2 A wise servant will rule over an unworthy son,
and will share the inheritance of the children.[ds]
3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold,
but the tester of hearts is the Lord.
4 The evildoer gives heed to wicked lips,
the liar, to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reviles their Maker;
whoever rejoices in their misfortune will not go unpunished.(CL)
6 Children’s children are the crown of the elderly,
and the glory of children is their parentage.
7 Fine words ill fit a fool;
how much more lying lips, a noble!
8 A bribe seems a charm to its user;
at every turn it brings success.[dt]
9 Whoever overlooks an offense fosters friendship,
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.[du]
10 A single reprimand does more for a discerning person
than a hundred lashes for a fool.[dv]
11 The wicked pursue only rebellion,
and a merciless messenger is sent against them.[dw]
12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs,
but never fools in their folly![dx]
13 If you return evil for good,
evil will not depart from your house.[dy](CM)
14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam;
check a quarrel before it bursts forth!
15 Whoever acquits the wicked,(CN) whoever condemns the just—
both are an abomination to the Lord.
16 Of what use is money in the hands of fools
when they have no heart to acquire wisdom?[dz]
17 A friend is a friend at all times,
and a brother is born for the time of adversity.(CO)
18 Those without sense give their hands in pledge,
becoming surety for their neighbors.(CP)
19 Those who love an offense love a fight;(CQ)
those who build their gate high[ea] court disaster.
20 The perverse in heart come to no good,
and the double-tongued fall into trouble.[eb]
21 Whoever conceives a fool has grief;
the father of a numskull has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is the health of the body,
but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.(CR)
23 A guilty person takes out a bribe from the pocket,
thus perverting the course of justice.[ec]
24 On the countenance of a discerning person is wisdom,(CS)
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.[ed]
25 A foolish son is vexation to his father,
and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.(CT)
26 It is wrong to fine an innocent person,
but beyond reason to scourge nobles.
27 Those who spare their words are truly knowledgeable,
and those who are discreet are intelligent.(CU)
28 Even fools, keeping silent, are considered wise;
if they keep their lips closed, intelligent.[ee]
Chapter 18
1 One who is alienated seeks a pretext,
with all persistence picks a quarrel.
2 Fools take no delight in understanding,
but only in displaying what they think.[ef]
3 With wickedness comes contempt,
and with disgrace, scorn.
4 The words of one’s mouth are deep waters,
the spring of wisdom, a running brook.[eg](CV)
5 It is not good to favor the guilty,
nor to reject the claim of the just.(CW)
6 The lips of fools walk into a fight,
and their mouths are asking for a beating.[eh]
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin;
their lips are a deadly snare.(CX)
8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels:
they sink into one’s inmost being.(CY)
9 Those slack in their work
are kin to the destroyer.
10 [ei]The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the just run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city;(CZ)
they fancy it a high wall.
12 Before disaster the heart is haughty,(DA)
but before honor is humility.
13 Whoever answers before listening,(DB)
theirs is folly and shame.[ej]
14 One’s spirit supports one when ill,
but a broken spirit who can bear?[ek]
15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.[el]
16 Gifts clear the way for people,
winning access to the great.(DC)
17 Those who plead the case first seem to be in the right;
then the opponent comes and cross-examines them.[em]
18 The lot puts an end to disputes,
and decides a controversy between the mighty.[en]
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a stronghold;
such strife is more daunting than castle gates.[eo]
20 With the fruit of one’s mouth one’s belly is filled,
with the produce of one’s lips one is sated.[ep](DD)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;(DE)
those who choose one shall eat its fruit.[eq]
22 To find a wife is to find happiness,
a favor granted by the Lord.(DF)
23 The poor implore,
but the rich answer harshly.
24 There are friends who bring ruin,
but there are true friends more loyal than a brother.(DG)
Chapter 19
1 Better to be poor and walk in integrity
than rich and crooked in one’s ways.(DH)
2 Desire without knowledge is not good;
and whoever acts hastily, blunders.[er]
3 Their own folly leads people astray;
in their hearts they rage against the Lord.[es]
4 Wealth adds many friends,
but the poor are left friendless.(DI)
5 The false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever utters lies will not escape.[et](DJ)
6 Many curry favor with a noble;
everybody is a friend of a gift giver.
7 All the kin of the poor despise them;
how much more do their friends shun them![eu]
8 Those who gain sense truly love themselves;
those who preserve understanding will find success.[ev]
9 The false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever utters lies will perish.
10 Luxury is not befitting a fool;
much less should a slave rule over princes.
11 It is good sense to be slow to anger,
and an honor to overlook an offense.[ew]
12 The king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor, like dew on the grass.[ex](DK)
13 The foolish son is ruin to his father,(DL)
and a quarrelsome wife is water constantly dripping.[ey]
14 Home and possessions are an inheritance from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(DM)
15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the sluggard goes hungry.(DN)
16 Those who keep commands keep their lives,
but those who despise these ways will die.(DO)
17 Whoever cares for the poor lends to the Lord,(DP)
who will pay back the sum in full.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
but do not be intent on his death.[ez](DQ)
19 A wrathful person bears the penalty;
after one rescue, you will have it to do again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
that you may eventually become wise.
21 Many are the plans of the human heart,
but it is the decision of the Lord that endures.(DR)
22 What is desired of a person is fidelity;
rather be poor than a liar.[fa]
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
one eats and sleeps free from any harm.
24 The sluggard buries a hand in the dish;
not even lifting it to the mouth.(DS)
25 Beat a scoffer and the naive learn a lesson;
rebuke the intelligent and they gain knowledge.(DT)
26 Whoever mistreats a father or drives away a mother,
is a shameless and disgraceful child.[fb](DU)
27 My son, stop attending to correction;
start straying from words of knowledge.[fc]
28 An unprincipled witness scoffs at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked pours out iniquity.
29 Rods are prepared for scoffers,
and blows for the backs of fools.(DV)
Chapter 20
1 Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous;
none who are intoxicated by them are wise.[fd](DW)
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion;(DX)
those who incur his anger forfeit their lives.
3 A person gains honor by avoiding strife,
while every fool starts a quarrel.[fe]
4 In seedtime sluggards do not plow;
when they look for the harvest, it is not there.
5 The intention of the human heart is deep water,
but the intelligent draw it forth.[ff](DY)
6 Many say, “My loyal friend,”
but who can find someone worthy of trust?
7 The just walk in integrity;
happy are their children after them!
8 A king seated on the throne of judgment
dispels all evil with his glance.[fg]
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,(DZ)
I am cleansed of my sin”?[fh]
10 Varying weights, varying measures,
are both an abomination to the Lord.(EA)
11 In their actions even children can playact
though their deeds be blameless and right.[fi]
12 The ear that hears, the eye that sees—
the Lord has made them both.[fj]
13 Do not love sleep lest you be reduced to poverty;
keep your eyes open, have your fill of food.
14 “Bad, bad!” says the buyer,
then goes away only to boast.[fk]
15 One can put on gold and abundant jewels,
but wise lips are the most precious ornament.[fl]
16 Take the garment of the one who became surety for a stranger;(EB)
if for foreigners, exact the pledge![fm]
17 Bread earned by deceit is sweet,
but afterward the mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Plans made with advice succeed;
with wise direction wage your war.
19 A slanderer reveals secrets;
so have nothing to do with a babbler!
20 Those who curse father or mother—
their lamp will go out[fn] in the dead of night.(EC)
21 Possessions greedily guarded at the outset
will not be blessed in the end.[fo]
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.