15A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. 3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 4The tongue that
14The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 2He whose walk is upright fears the Lord , but he whose ways are devious despises him. 3A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protec
13A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. 3He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rash
12Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. 2A good man obtains favor from the Lord , but the Lord condemns a crafty man. 3A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. 4A
11The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. 2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 4Wealth
10The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. 2Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. 3The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the cra
9Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. 2She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. 4Let all who are simple come in
8Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: 4To you, O men, I call out; I rai
16To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. 2All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord . 3Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 4The Lord works o
7My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. 2Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. 3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, You are my sister, and
17Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. 2A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. 3The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the
1The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; 3for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; 4for giving prudence to the simple,
2My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4and if you look for it as for silver and sea
3My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your hea
5My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, 2that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. 3For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; 4but in the end she is bi
6My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, 2if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, 3then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen in
4Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, 4he taught me and said
20Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life. 3It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. 4A sluggar
23When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. 4Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show
21The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord ; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. 2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. 3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4Ha