1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel;
2 to know wisdom and chastening; to understand prudent words;
3 to receive the chastening of prudence, justice, judgment, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, and to the young men knowledge and council.
5 If the wise will hear [them], doctrine shall increase, and the man of understanding shall acquire wise counsel:
6 To understand [a] parable and [the] interpretation; the words of the wise and their enigmas.
7 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge, [but] fools despise wisdom and chastening.
8 My son, hearken unto the chastening of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9 For they [shall be] an increase of grace unto thy head and protection about thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee, do not consent.
11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay [in] wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without cause.
12 Let us swallow them up alive as Sheol and whole as those that go down into the pit;
13 We shall find all kinds of riches, we shall fill our houses with spoil.
14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
16 For their feet shall run to evil and make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
18 And they lay [in]wait for their [own] blood; they ambush their [own] souls.
19 So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy of gain [which] takes away the life of those who possess it.
20 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets:
21 She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the entrance to the gates of the city she utters her words, [saying,]
22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and the fools hate knowledge?
23 Return at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24 Because I have called and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no one responded;
25 [for because] ye have disregarded all my counsel and rejected my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes upon [you];
27 when what you have feared comes as destruction, and your calamity comes as a whirlwind; when tribulation and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they shall call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30 They rejected my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own counsel.
32 For the rest of the ignorant shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33 But whosoever hearkens unto me shall dwell safely and shall rest from [the] fear of evil.:
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments within thee
2 so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom [and] apply thine heart to intelligence,
3 [yea], if thou criest for understanding [and] givest thy voice unto intelligence,
4 if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures,
5 then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom; out of his mouth [comes] knowledge and intelligence.
7 He keeps the person of the upright; [he is] a buckler to those that walk perfectly,
8 keeping the paths of judgment and the way of his merciful ones.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgment and equity, [yea], every good path.
10 When wisdom enters into thine heart and knowledge is sweet unto thy soul,
11 discretion shall preserve thee, intelligence shall keep thee
12 to deliver thee from the evil way, from the man that speaks perversion,
13 who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness
14 who rejoice to do evil [and] delight in wicked perversion,
15 whose ways [are] crooked, and [they are] crooked in their paths;
16 to deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [who] flatters with her words,
17 who forsakes the prince of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.
18 Therefore her house inclines unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither do they take hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou may walk in the way of good [men] and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.:
1 My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For they shall add length of days and long life and peace unto thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the tablet of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find grace and good favour in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It shall be medicine to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour the LORD with thy substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For the LORD chastens whom he loves and delights in, even as a father to his son.
13 Blessed [is] the man [that] has found wisdom and who brings [to light] intelligence,
14 for the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver and the fruits thereof more than fine gold.
15 She [is] more precious than precious stones, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days [is] in her right hand [and] in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her paths [are] peace.
18 She [is a] tree of life to those that lay hold upon her, and blessed [is every one] that retains her.
19 The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by intelligence has he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the heavens drop down the dew.
21 My son, do not let them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 so shall they be life unto thy soul and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: [yea], thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Thou shall not be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked when it comes.
26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].
28 Do not say unto thy neighbour, Go and come again and tomorrow I will give when thou hast it by thee.
29 Do not devise evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by thee.
30 Do not sue a man without cause, if he has done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor and choose none of his ways.
32 For the perverse [is an] abomination to the LORD; but his secret [is] with the righteous.
33 The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked, but he shall bless the habitation of the just.
34 Surely he scorns the scorners; but he gives grace unto the humble.
35 The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools.:
1 Hearken, ye sons, [unto] the chastening of the father, and pay attention that ye might know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and unique in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me and said unto me, Sustain thine heart with my words; keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; forget [it] not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom [is] the principal thing, [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Grow in [wisdom], and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou hast embraced her.
9 She shall give to thine head an increase of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
10 Hear, O my son, and receive my words, and the years of thy life shall be multiplied.
11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have caused thee to walk in right paths.
12 When thou goest [in these paths], thy steps shall not be hindered; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
13 Take fast hold of chastening; do not let go; keep this; for it [is] thy life.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil [men].
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they do not sleep, unless they have done evil; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [someone] to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just [is] as the light of the [morning] star, that shines more and more until the day is perfect.
19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness; they do not know in what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my words.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they [are] life unto those that find them and medicine to all their flesh.
23 Above all else, guard thy heart; for out of it flows the [issues of] life.
24 Put away from thee the perversion of the mouth, and the deviation of the lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look upon that which is right, and let thine eyelids straighten [thy path] before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.:
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, [and] bow thine ear to my intelligence;
2 that thou may keep council and [that] thy lips may conserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of the strange [woman] drop [as] a honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil,
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death, her steps uphold Sheol,
6 lest thou should ponder the path of life, her ways are unstable; thou shalt not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye sons, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and do not come near the door of her house,
9 lest thou give thine honour unto others and thy years unto the cruel,
10 lest strangers be filled with thy wealth, and thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger,
11 and thou mourn at the last when thy flesh and thy body are consumed
12 and say, How have I hated chastening and my heart despised reproof
13 and have not obeyed the voice of those who chastened me, nor inclined my ear to those that instructed me!
14 I have been in almost every [kind of] evil, in the midst of society and of the congregation.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, [and] rivers of [thy] waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own and not for strangers with thee.
18 Thy fountain shall be blessed; and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
19 [Let her be as] the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love, [without eyes for anyone else].
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a woman belonging to someone else, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21 For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and he weighs all his goings.
22 His [own] iniquities shall take hold of the wicked, and he shall be imprisoned with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die because he did not submit to chastening; and due to the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.:
1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, [if] thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 thou art snared with the words of thy mouth; thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, for thou hast fallen into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Escape as a roe from the hand [of the hunter] and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise,
7 Who having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 provides her food in the summer [and] gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travels and thy want as an armed man.
12 A wicked man of Belial walks with a perverse mouth.
13 He winks with his eyes, he speaks with his feet, he teaches with his fingers;
14 there is perversion in his heart; he devises evil continually; he sows discord.
15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
16 These six [things] does the LORD hate: [yea], seven [are] an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 a false witness [that] speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.
20 My son, keep thy father's commandment and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart [and] tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and [when] thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment [is] fire, and the law [is] light; and reproofs of chastening [are] the way of life,
24 to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart, neither let her take thee with her eyes.
26 For by means of a whorish woman [a man is reduced] to a piece of bread, and the woman will hunt the precious soul of the man.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So [is] he that goes in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever touches her shall not be innocent.
30 [Men] do not take a thief lightly, [even] if he steals to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 and once he is taken, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 [But] whosoever commits adultery with a woman [has a] fault in [his] heart; he [that] does it corrupts his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get, and his reproach shall never be wiped away.
34 For the jealous rage of a man will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he want to forgive, though thou givest many bribes.:
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers; write them upon the tablet of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou [art] my sister, and call understanding [thy] kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the woman belonging to someone else, from the stranger [who] flatters with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement
7 and beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night;
10 and, behold, a woman met him [with] the attire of a harlot, and subtil of heart.
11 (She [is] loud and stubborn; her feet do not abide in her house:
12 Now without, now in the streets, [she] lies in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him and kissed him [and] with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I had promised sacrifices of peace; today I have payed my vows.
15 Therefore I came forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved [works], with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the husband [is] not at home; he is gone a long journey:
20 He has taken a bag of money with him [and] will come home at the [appointed] feast day.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield; with the flattering of her lips she persuaded him.
22 He went after her straightway, as an ox goes to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
23 until the arrow pierces through his liver. [He is] as a bird struggling in the snare and not knowing that it [is] against his own life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye sons, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways; do not go astray in her paths.
26 For she has caused many to fall down dead; [yea], all the strong [men] have been slain by her.
27 Her house [is] the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.:
1 Doth not wisdom cry, and give her voice to intelligence?
2 She stands in the top of high places, by the way at the crossroads of the paths.
3 She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of men.
5 O ye simple, understand prudence; and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6 Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth, and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing perverse or twisted in them.
9 They [are] all plain to him that understands and right to those that have found wisdom.
10 Receive my chastening and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom [is] better than precious stones; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and [I] invent the knowledge of [giving] counsel.
13 The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil; pride, arrogancy, the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate.
14 With me is counsel, and existence; I [am] understanding; strength belongs to me.
15 By me the kings reign, and the princes decree justice.
16 By me the princes rule, and all of the governors judge the earth.
17 I love those that love me, and those that seek me [early] shall find me.
18 Riches and honour [are] with me, [yea], durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit [is] better than gold, [yea], than precious stones, and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I [shall] lead in the way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgment,
21 that I may cause my friends to inherit existence and I will fill their treasures.
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was [set up] with eternal dominion, from the beginning, before the earth [was].
24 I was begotten before the depths, before the existence of the fountains of many waters.
25 Before the mountains were founded, before the hills was I begotten.
26 While as yet [he] had not made the earth nor the fields nor the beginning of the dust of the world,
27 when [he] composed the heavens, I [was] there. When he set a compass upon the face of the depth,
28 when [he] established the clouds above, when [he] strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave to the sea his decree that the waters should not pass his commandment, when he appointed the foundations of the earth,
30 I was with him ordering everything; I was his delight every day, being content before him at all times;
31 I am content in the circumference of his earth, and my contentment is with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye sons; for blessed [are those that] keep my ways.
33 Hearken unto chastening, and be wise; refuse it not.
34 Blessed [is] the man that hears me, keeping vigil at my gates, waiting at the threshold of my doors.
35 For whosoever finds me shall find life and shall obtain the will of the LORD.
36 But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those that hate me love death.:
1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out her seven pillars:
2 She has killed her sacrifice; she has mingled her wine; and she has furnished her table.
3 She has sent forth her maidens; she cries upon the highest places of the city,
4 whosoever [is] simple, let him turn in here; [as for] those that lack understanding, she saith unto him,
5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.
6 Forsake that which is foolish and live and go in the way of understanding.
7 He that chastens a scorner brings shame unto himself, and he that chastens a wicked [man brings] himself a blot.
8 Chasten not a scorner lest he hate thee; chasten a wise man, and he will love thee.
9 Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser; teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it].
13 A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house on a seat in the high places of the city
15 to call to those who pass by the way, to those who straighten their ways;
16 Whosoever [is] simple, let him turn in here; and [as for] him that lacks understanding, she saith unto him:
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
18 But he does not know that the dead [are] there [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of Sheol.:
1 (The parables of Solomon.) A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son [is] sadness unto his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish, but wickedness shall cast out the wicked.
4 He that deals [with] a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He that gathers in summer [is] a wise son, [but] he that sleeps in harvest [is] a son that causes shame.
6 Blessings [are] upon the head of the just, but the mouth of the wicked covers violence.
7 The memory of the just [is] blessed, but the name of the wicked shall stink.
8 The wise in heart will receive the commandments, but he who speaks foolishness shall fall.
9 He that walks in integrity walks securely, but he that perverts his ways shall be broken.
10 He that winks with the eye causes sorrow, and he that speaks foolishness shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked covers violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strifes, but love covers all sins.
13 In the lips of the prudent wisdom is found and [is] a rod unto the back of him that is void of understanding.
14 Wise [men] keep knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish [is] near [unto] calamity.
15 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city; the weakness of the poor [is] their poverty.
16 The work of the righteous [is] unto life, but the fruit of the wicked is for sin.
17 He [is in] the way of life that gives heed to chastening, but he that refuses reproof errs.
18 He that hides hatred [has] lying lips, and he that utters a slander, [is] a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there [is] no lack [of] rebellion, but he that refrains his lips [is] wise.
20 The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver, but the understanding of the wicked [is worth] little.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.
22 The blessing of the LORD is that which makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 To make an abomination [is] as sport to the fool, but wisdom is recreation to the man of intelligence.
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him, but [God] shall grant the desire of the righteous.
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no [more], but the righteous [is] founded for ever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so [is] the sluggard to those that send him.
27 The fear of the LORD shall prolong days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous [is] joy, but the hope of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of the LORD [is] strength to the perfect, but [it is] terror to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous eternally shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
31 The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous shall know the will [of God], but the mouth of the wicked speaks perversion.:
1 A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD, but a just weight [is] his delight.
2 [When] pride comes, then comes shame, but with the humble [is] wisdom.
3 The perfection of the upright shall guide them in the way, but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches shall not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness shall deliver from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect shall straighten his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but transgressors shall be imprisoned in [their own] sin.
7 When the wicked man dies, [his] hope perishes, and the hope of unjust [men] shall perish.
8 The righteous is delivered out of the tribulation, and the wicked takes his place.
9 The hypocrite with [his] mouth destroys his neighbour, but the just are delivered with wisdom.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, [there are] feasts.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that is void of understanding despises his neighbour, but the intelligent man remains silent.
13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
14 When intelligence is lacking, the people shall fall, but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] salvation.
15 With anxiety shall he that is surety for a stranger be afflicted, and he that hates suretyship shall live securely.
16 The gracious woman retains honour, and strong [men] retain riches.
17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but the cruel [man] troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked works a deceitful work, but to him that sows righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.
19 As righteousness [is] unto life, so he that pursues evil [pursues it] unto his own death.
20 They that are of a perverse heart [are an] abomination to the LORD, but [such as are] perfect in [their] way [are] his delight.
21 No matter how many covenants he has made with death, the wicked shall not be absolved, but the seed of the righteous shall escape.
22 [As] a gold ring in a swine's snout, [so is] a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous [is] only good, [but] the hope of the wicked [is] wrath.
24 There are [those who] scatter, and more is added unto [them]; and [there are those who] withhold more than is just, but [come] to poverty.
25 The soul who is a blessing [unto others] shall be made fat, and he that fills shall be filled also himself.
26 He that withholds the grain, the people shall curse him, but blessing [shall be] upon the head of him that sells [it].
27 He that seeks good early shall find favour, but unto him that seeks evil, [it] shall come upon him.
28 He that trusts in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubles his own house shall inherit the wind, and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous [is a] tree of life, and he that wins souls [is] wise.
31 The righteous shall certainly be recompensed in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!:
1 Whosoever loves chastening loves knowledge, but he that hates reproof [is] carnal.
2 The good [man] shall attain the favour of the LORD, but the man of wicked thoughts he will condemn.
3 Man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 The virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, but she that makes ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] upright, [but] the astuteness of the wicked [is] deceit.
6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 God shall overthrow the wicked, and they shall not be any longer, but the house of the righteous shall remain.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 He that despises himself and becomes a servant [is] better than he that honours himself and lacks bread.
10 The righteous is merciful [even] unto his beast, but the piety of the wicked [is] cruel.
11 He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that follows vain [persons is] void of understanding.
12 The wicked desires the net of evil [men], but the root of the righteous shall yield fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips, but the just shall come out of the tribulation.
14 Man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of [his] mouth, and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of the fool [is] right in his own eyes, but he that hears counsel [is] wise.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known, but he who covers the injury [is] sane.
17 [He that] speaks truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
18 There are [those] that speak like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise [is] medicine.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those whose thoughts are evil, but joy in that of those whose thoughts are good.
21 No iniquity shall overtake the righteous: but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but the workers of the truth [are] his delight.
23 The sane man conceals his wisdom: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the negligent shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.
26 The righteous causes his neighbour to consider: but the way of the wicked causes them to err.
27 The deceitful [man] does not [even] roast that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.
28 In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.:
1 A wise son [takes] his father's chastening: but a scorner does not hear rebuke.
2 Of the fruit of his mouth man shall eat well: but the soul of the transgressors [shall] starve.
3 He that keeps his mouth keeps his life: [but] he that opens his lips often shall have calamity.
4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and attains nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 The righteous [man] hates lying: but the wicked [man] makes himself loathsome, and abominable.
6 Righteousness keeps the one of [the] perfect way: but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There are [those] that make themselves rich, yet [have] nothing: [there are those] that make themselves poor, yet [have] great riches.
8 The redemption of a man's life [is] his riches: but the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous shall rejoice: but the fire of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Pride shall certainly give birth to contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.
11 The riches of vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but [when] the desire [is] fulfilled, [it is] a tree of life.
13 Whosoever despises the word shall perish by it: but he that fears the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding brings forth grace: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.
16 Every sane [man] works according to wisdom: but the fool shall manifest [his] folly.
17 A bad messenger shall fall into evil: but a faithful ambassador [is] medicine.
18 Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuses chastening: but he that regards reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but [it is] abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walks with wise [men] shall be wise, but the companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
22 A good [man] shall leave an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.
23 In the fallow ground of the poor there [is] much bread, but it is lost for lack of judgment.
24 He that cuts short chastening hates his son, but he that loves him chastens him early.
25 The righteous eats until his soul is satisfied, but the belly of the wicked shall lack.:
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
2 He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but [he that is] perverse in his ways despises him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish [is] a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
4 Without oxen, the storehouse [is] clean, but by the strength of the ox there is abundance of bread.
5 The true witness will not lie, but the false witness will utter lies.
6 The scorner sought wisdom and [found it] not, but wisdom [comes] easy unto him that understands.
7 Go from the presence of the foolish man when thou dost not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the sane [is] to understand his way, but the folly of fools [is] deceit.
9 Fools speak sin unto themselves, but among the righteous [there is] love.
10 The heart knows the bitterness of his soul, and a stranger shall not intermeddle with his joy.
11 The house of the wicked shall be made desolate, but the tent of the upright shall flourish.
12 There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
13 Even in laughter, [the scorner] has pain in his heart, and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.
14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man [shall be separated] from him.
15 The simple believes every word, but the prudent [man] understands his steps.
16 The wise [man] fears and departs from evil, but the fool rages and is confident.
17 [He that is] soon angry shall deal foolishly, and the man of wicked devices shall be hated.
18 The simple shall inherit folly, but the prudent shall be crowned with wisdom.
19 Those [who are] evil shall bow before those [who are] good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour, but many are those who love the rich.
21 The sinner despises his neighbour, but he that has mercy on the poor is blessed.
22 Do they not err that meditate upon evil? but those that meditate upon good shall attain mercy and truth.
23 In all labour there is fruit, but to talk and not do, brings poverty.
24 The crown of the wise [is] their wisdom, [but] that which distinguishes fools [is their] folly.
25 The true witness delivers souls, but the deceitful [one] speaks lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence, and [there] his sons shall have hope.
27 The fear of the LORD [is a] fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
28 In the multitude of the people [is] the king's glory, but in the failure of the people [is] the weakness of the prince.
29 He [that is] slow to wrath [is] of great intelligence, but [he that is] short of spirit exalts folly.
30 A sound heart [is] life to the flesh, but envy [is] rottenness of the bones.
31 He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he that has mercy on the poor, honours him.
32 For his wickedness shall the wicked be cast out, but the righteous in his death has hope.
33 Wisdom shall rest in the heart of him that is sane and is made known in the midst of the fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a people, but sin [is] a reproach to the nations.
35 The king's favour [is] toward the wise servant, but his wrath is [against] him that causes shame.:
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise shall adorn wisdom, but the mouth of fools shall speak foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding those [who are] evil and those [who are] good.
4 The wholesome tongue [is a] tree of life, but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.
5 The fool despises his father's chastening, but he that regards reproof shall become prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous [is] much provision, but in the fruit of the wicked is trouble.
7 The lips of the wise disperse wisdom, but the heart of the foolish [does] not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.
9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD, but he loves him that follows after righteousness.
10 Chastening [is] grievous unto him that forsakes the way, but he that hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol and hell [are] before the LORD; how much more then the hearts of men?
12 The scorner does not love [the] one that reproves him, neither will he go unto the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a beautiful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is abated.
14 The heart of him that has understanding seeks wisdom, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
15 All the days of the poor [are] difficult, but he that is of a good heart [has] a continual feast.
16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better [is] a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted calf and hatred therewith.
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but [he that is] slow to anger appeases strife.
19 The way of the slothful [man is] as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the righteous [is] made plain.
20 The wise son makes a glad father, but the foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly [is] joy to [him that is] destitute of understanding, but the man who is intelligent walks uprightly.
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [it is]!
24 The way of life [is] uphill to the wise, that he may separate himself from Sheol below.
25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, but he will establish the inheritance of the widow.
26 The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD, but the speech of the pure is pure.
27 He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house, but he that hates gifts shall live.
28 The heart of the righteous studies to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD [is] far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, [and] a good report makes the bones fat.
31 The ear that hears the reproof of life shall abide among the wise.
32 He that refuses chastening despises his own soul, but he that hears reproof has an [understanding] heart.
33 The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom, and before honour [is] humility.:
1 Of man [are] the preparations of the heart, but the answer of the tongue [is] from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4 The LORD has made all things by himself, [yea], even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD; the covenant that he makes, shall not be without chastening.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness than a great number of fruits with injustice.
9 The heart of man devises his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king; his mouth does not transgress in judgment.
11 A just weight and balance [are] the LORD'S; all the weights of the bag [are] his work.
12 [It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is to be established with righteousness.
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings, and they love him that speaks that which is right.
14 The wrath of the king [is as a] messenger of death, but the wise man will avoid it.
15 In the light of the king's countenance [is] life, and his favour [is] as [a] cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better [is it] to acquire wisdom than gold! and to acquire understanding is worth more than silver!
17 The highway of the upright [is] to separate himself from evil; he that keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride [goes] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to humble [your] spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who has understanding in the word shall find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart is called [a man] of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips shall increase doctrine.
22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that has it, but the instruction of fools [is] folly.
23 The heart of the wise causes his mouth [to be] prudent, and with his lips [he] shall increase doctrine.
24 Pleasant words [are as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and medicine to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
26 The soul of him that labours, labours for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.
27 The man of Belial digs [in search of] evil, and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire.
28 The perverse man sows strife, and the tale bearer separates princes.
29 The evil man flatters his neighbour and leads him into the way [that is] not good.
30 He shuts his eyes to devise perverse things; moving his lips he brings evil to pass.
31 Old age [is] a crown of glory [if] it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty, and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the judgment thereof [is] of the LORD.:
1 Better [is] a dry morsel in peace than the house of contention full of sacrifices [for a feast].
2 A prudent servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tries the hearts.
4 An evil doer gives heed to false lips, [and] a liar gives ear to the tongue which curses.
5 Whosoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, [and] he that is glad regarding the calamity [of someone else] shall not go unpunished.
6 Children's children [are] the crown of old men, and the honour of the children [are] their fathers.
7 Excellent speech is not suitable for a fool: much less lying lips for a prince!
8 A bribe [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
9 He that covers a transgression seeks love, but he that repeats a matter separates [very] friends.
10 Reproof is of more benefit to a wise man than a hundred stripes to a fool.
11 The rebellious [man] seeks only evil; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
13 Whosoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 To release the [waters (to speak rashly)] is the beginning of contention; therefore, leave off strife before it gets started.
15 He that justifies the wicked and he that condemns the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.
16 Of what good is the price to buy wisdom in the hand of the fool, seeing [he has] no heart [to understand]?
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands [and] becomes surety in the presence of his friend.
19 Transgression loves him that loves strife, [and] he that exaltes his gate seeks destruction.
20 He that has a perverse heart shall never find good, and he that stirs up [trouble] with his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 He that begets a fool [does it] to his sorrow, and the father of a fool shall have no joy.
22 A joyful heart shall do good [like] a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
23 A wicked [man] takes a gift in secret to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Wisdom [appears] upon the countenance of him that has understanding, but the eyes of a fool [manifest his folly] unto the ends of the earth.
25 The foolish son [is] a grief to his father and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 It is certainly not good to condemn the just, nor to smite princes for doing that which is upright.
27 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he is silent is counted wise, and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.:
1 Whosoever goes astray seeks according to his own lust and shall meddle with every doctrine.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in that which his own heart discovers.
3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with him who dishonours, reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
5 To respect the person of the wicked so that the righteous loses that which is rightfully his is not good.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is negligent in his work is brother to him that is the great spendthrift.
10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous shall run into it, and be raised up.
11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city and as a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before being broken, the heart of man is haughty, and before coming into honour, [comes] being brought to humility.
13 [For] him that answers a word before he hears, it [is] folly and reproach unto him.
14 The spirit of man will bear his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the man of understanding acquires wisdom, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
17 The [one who is] just is first in his cause, his adversary comes and seeks him out.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease and decides between the mighty.
19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city, and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth, [and] with the product of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 [Whosoever] found a wife found a good [thing] and has attained the favour of the LORD.
23 The poor uses intreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24 The man [that has] friends must show himself to be a friend, and there is a friend [that] sticks closer than a brother.:
1 Better [is] the poor that walks in his integrity than [he that is] perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 [That] the soul [be] without wisdom [is] not good, and he that hastens with [his] feet sins.
3 The foolishness of man perverts his way, and his heart is wroth against the LORD.
4 Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5 A false witness shall not go unpunished, and [he that] speaks lies shall not escape.
6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince, but every man [is] a friend to him that gives.
7 All the brethren of the poor hate him; how much more shall his friends separate themselves from him? He shall seek their friendship and not find it.
8 He that gets wisdom loves his own soul; he keeps intelligence that he might find that which is good.
9 The false witness shall not go unpunished, and [he that] speaks lies shall perish.
10 Delight is not suitable for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man defers his anger, and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion, but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.
13 A foolish son [is] a pain unto his father, and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dripping.
14 House and riches [are] the inheritance from fathers, but the prudent wife [is] from the LORD.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and the negligent soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul, [but] he that despises his ways shall die.
17 He that gives unto the poor lends unto the LORD, and he will give him his reward.
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, but do not stir up thy soul to destroy him.
19 A man of great wrath shall suffer the consequences, for [even] if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.
20 Hear counsel, and receive chastening that thou may be wise in thy old age.
21 [There are] many thoughts in the heart of man; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD shall stand.
22 Contentment is unto men to show mercy, but [it is] better [to do it] unto the poor than to the liar.
23 The fear of the LORD [is] unto life, and [he that has it] shall live satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 The slothful [man] hides his hand in [his] bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will become prudent, and reproving one that has understanding, he will understand knowledge.
26 He that steals from his father [and] chases away [his] mother [is] a son that causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Cease, my son, to hear the teaching [that] induces one to deviate from the reasons of wisdom.
28 A witness of Belial shall scorn judgment, and the mouth of the wicked shall cover iniquity.
29 Judgments are prepared for scorners and stripes for the back of fools.:
1 Wine [makes] a mocker, and beer a reveler, and whoever errs concerning them shall never be wise.
2 The fear of the king [is] as the roaring of a lion; [whoever] provokes him to anger sins [against] his own soul.
3 [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife, but every fool will be meddling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] he shall beg in harvest and [have] nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water, but a man of intelligence will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim each one his own mercy, but who can find a man of truth?
7 The just [man] who walks in his integrity, blessed [shall be] his sons after him.
8 A king that sits in the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who shall be able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Double weights [and] double measures, both of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work [is] pure and whether [it is] right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made both of them.
13 Do not love sleep lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 [It is] bad, [it is [bad, the buyer says; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and a multitude of precious stones, but the lips of wisdom [are] a precious vessel.
16 Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger, and take a pledge of him that is surety for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit [is] sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 [Every] thought must be ordered by counsel, and with intelligence war is made.
19 He that goes about [as] a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips.
20 Whosoever curses his father or his mother, his fire shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will take vengeance, [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23 Double weights [are] an abomination unto the LORD, and a false balance [is] not good.
24 Man's steps [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 [It is] a snare unto man [to] devour [that which is] holy and afterward to reconsider his vows.
26 A wise king scatters the wicked and brings the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man [is] the fire of the LORD, which searches the secrets of the inward parts.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upheld by mercy.
29 The glory of young men [is] their strength, and the beauty of old men [is] the gray head.
30 The scars of [past] wounds [are] medicine for evil, and living reproof reaches the most secret [places] in the inward parts.:
1 The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water, he turns it wherever he will.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A high look and a proud heart [which is] the fire of the wicked, [is] sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness, but of every one [that is] too hasty, only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of those that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of the perverse man [is] crooked and strange, but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
9 [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise, and [by] instructing the wise, he receives wisdom.
12 The righteous [man] wisely considers the house of the wicked, [how God] overthrows the wicked for [their] evil.
13 Whosoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the bosom strong wrath.
15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment, but [it shall be] destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wanders out of the way of wisdom shall end up in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loves pleasure [shall be] a poor man; he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
21 He that follows after righteousness and mercy shall find life, righteousness, and honour.
22 The wise [man] took the city of the mighty and cast down its strength in which it trusted.
23 Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who deals in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 There is [one] who covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and keeps on giving.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination; how much more, [when] he brings it with lewdness?
28 The false witness shall perish, but the man that hears shall stand fast in his word.
29 The wicked man hardens his face, but [as for] the upright, he orders his ways.
30 [There is] no wisdom nor intelligence nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle, but salvation [is] of the LORD.:
1 A [good] reputation [is] rather to be chosen than great riches [and] good grace rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together; the LORD [is] the maker of them all.
3 A prudent [man] foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and receive hurt.
4 Riches and honour and life [are] the remuneration of humility and of the fear of the LORD.
5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the perverse; he that keeps his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.
8 He that sows iniquity shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He that has a merciful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the destitute.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; strife and reproach shall cease.
11 He that loves pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful [man] says, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit; he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child, [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresses the poor to increase his [riches] [and] who gives to the rich [shall] surely [come] to want.
17 Bow down thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my wisdom.
18 For [it is] a delightful thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall be ordered together in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have I not written unto thee three times in counsels and knowledge,
21 that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to those that send unto thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither destroy the destitute in judgment:
23 For the LORD will judge their cause and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Do not meddle with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not thou [one]of them that strike hands [or] of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should they take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before obscure [men].:
1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee;
2 and put a knife to thy throat if thou [art] a man given to appetite.
3 Do not be desirous of his dainties; for they [are] deceitful food.
4 Do not labour to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom.
5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon riches which are not? For they shall certainly make themselves wings; they shall fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 Do not eat the bread of [anyone who has] an evil eye, neither desire his dainty foods;
7 for as he thinks in his soul, so [is] he; Eat and drink, he shall say unto thee, but his heart [is] not with thee.
8 Didst thou eat thy part? Thou shalt vomit it up and lose thy sweet words.
9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the prudence of thy words.
10 Do not remove the old landmark, and do not enter into the inheritance of the fatherless:
11 For their redeemer [is] mighty; he shall judge their cause against thee.
12 Apply thine heart unto chastening and thine ears to the words of wisdom.
13 Do not withhold correction from the child; for [if] thou shall beat him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if thy heart is wise, my heart shall also rejoice;
16 my kidneys shall also rejoice when thy lips speak right things.
17 Let not thy heart envy sinners, but [persevere] in the fear of the LORD all day long.
18 For surely there is an end, and thy hope shall not be cut off.
19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and straighten thy heart in the way.
20 Do not be among those who are drunk with wine; nor among gluttonous eaters of food;
21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty, and drowsiness shall cause them to wear rags.
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and sell [it] not, [also] wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice, and he that begets a wise [child] shall have joy with him.
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bore thee shall rejoice.
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
27 For a whore [is] a deep ditch and a strange woman [is] a narrow pit.
28 She also lies in wait as [for] a prey and increases the transgressors among men.
29 For who [shall be] the woe? for who [shall be] the woe? for who contention? for who quarrels? for who the wounds without cause? who shall have redness of eyes?
30 For those that tarry long at the wine; those that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Do not look upon the wine when it is red, when it gives its colour in the cup, it goes down smoothly.
32 At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 [Yea], thou shalt be as he that lies down in the midst of the sea or as he that sleeps at the rudder.
35 They have stricken me, [thou shalt say], [and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not; when I shall awake, I will seek it yet again.:
1 Do not be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studies robbery, and their lips speak evil.
3 Through wisdom the house shall be built, and with intelligence it shall be established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and beautiful riches.
5 The wise man is strong; and the man of understanding is a mighty man of valour.
6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war, and in the multitude of counsellors there is saving health.
7 Wisdom, is too high for a fool; he shall not open his mouth in the gate.
8 He that devises to do evil shall be called a man of evil designs.
9 The thought of the foolish is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 If thou art slack in the day of tribulation, thy strength shall be reduced.
11 If thou forbear to deliver [those that are] drawn unto death and [those that are] ready to be slain,
12 if thou should say, Behold, we knew it not; shall not he that weighs the hearts understand [it]? and he that keeps thy soul, does he [not] know [it]? and shall he [not] render to [every] man according to his works?
13 My son, eat of the honey, because [it is] good, and of the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste:
14 So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto thy soul: if thou shalt find [it], and in the end thy hope shall not be cut off.
15 Do not lay [in] wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; do not spoil his resting place.
16 For a just [man] falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked shall fall into evil.
17 Do not rejoice when thy enemy falls, and do not let thy heart be glad when he stumbles
18 lest the LORD see [it] and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Do not meddle with those who are evil, neither be envious of the wicked;
20 for the evil [man] shall not come to a good end; the fire of the wicked shall be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king, [and] do not meddle with those that are given to change,
22 for their calamity shall rise suddenly; and the ruin of them both, who shall know it?
23 These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the peoples curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 But unto those that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a blessing of good shall come upon them.
26 The lips of the one that gives a right answer shall be kissed.
27 Prepare thy work without and make it fit for thyself in thine inheritance, and afterwards thou shalt build thine house.
28 Do not be a false witness against thy neighbour, and do not flatter with thy lips.
29 Do not say, I will do unto him as he has done unto me; I will render to the man according to his work.
30 I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding,
31 and, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered its face, and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it] [and] received chastening.
33 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travels and thy want as an armed man.:
1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 [It is] the glory of God to conceal the word, but the honour of kings [is] to search out the word.
3 For the height of the heavens and depth of the earth and for the heart of kings, there is no investigation.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and a vessel shall come forth for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Do not praise thyself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great [men];
7 for [it is] better that it be said unto thee, Come up here than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Do not go forth hastily to strive lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself] and do not uncover the secret to another
10 lest he that hears [it] put thee to shame and thine infamy not turn away.
11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold inscribed with silver.
12 [As] an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] he who reproves a wise man who has a docile ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to those that send him, for he refreshes the soul of his master.
14 Whosoever boasts in a gift of falsehood [is like] clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house lest he be weary of thee and [so] hate thee.
18 A man that bears false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that takes away a garment in cold weather [and as] vinegar upon soap, so [is] he that sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If thy enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 The north wind drives away rain, so [does] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.
27 [It is] not good to eat much honey, so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.
28 The man whose spirit has no restraint [is like] a city [that is] broken down [and] without walls.:
1 As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suited for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer the fool showing him his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out [is like] him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.
7 Like unto the way that the [one who is] lame walks, so [is] a proverb in the mouth of the fool.
8 As he that binds the stone in the sling, so [is] he that gives honour to a fool.
9 [As] thorns sunk into the hand of one who is drunk, so [is] a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The great [God]that formed all [things] rewards both the fool and transgressors.
11 As a dog returns to his vomit, [so] the fool returns to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
14 [As] the door turns upon his hinges, so [does] the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hides his hand in [his] bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give [him] counsel.
17 He that passes by [and] meddles with strife not [belonging] to him [is like] one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad [man] who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so [is] the man [that] destroys his friend and says, Am I not in sport?
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 Charcoal for burning coals and wood for fire, and a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hates dissembles with his lips and lays up deceit within him;
25 when he speaks fair, do not believe him, for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
26 Even though his hatred is covered up in the desert, his wickedness shall be showed before the [whole] congregation.
27 Whosoever digs a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates [those that are] afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.:
1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
3 A stone [is] heavy and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath [is] heavier than them both.
4 Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] impetuous, but who [is] able to stand before envy?
5 Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.
6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.
7 The full soul loathes a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so [is] a man that wanders from his place.
9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, so [does] the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
10 Do not forsake thine own friend and thy father's friend, neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity, [for] better [is] a neighbour [that is] near than a brother far off.
11 My son, be wise and make my heart glad that I may answer him that reproaches me.
12 A prudent [man] foresees the evil [and] hides himself, [but] the simple pass on [and] are hurt by it.
13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger and take a pledge of him that is surety for a strange woman.
14 He that blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
15 A continual dripping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
16 Whosoever hides her hides the wind, because the oil in his right hand cries [out].
17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18 Whosoever keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof, so he that waits on his master shall be honoured.
19 As in water face [corresponds] to face, so the heart of man to man.
20 Sheol and hell are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21 As the fining pot tries the silver and the furnace the gold; so the man is tried by the mouth of whoever praises him.
22 Though thou should bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] his foolishness will not depart from him.
23 Be thou diligent to know the countenance of thy sheep, [and] put thy heart into thy herds.
24 For riches [are] not for ever, and does the crown [endure] to every generation?
25 The tender grass shows itself, and the hay appears, and the herbs of the mountains are reaped.
26 The lambs [are] for thy clothing, and the goats [are] for the price of the field.
27 And [thou shalt have] goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and [for] the maintenance of thy maidens.:
1 The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as [a] young lion.
2 By the rebellion of the land, many [are] its princes, but by the man of understanding [and] wisdom the [land] shall remain stable.
3 A poor man that oppresses the poor [is like] a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
4 Those that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand judgment, but those that seek the LORD understand all [things].
6 Better [is] the poor that walks in his perfection than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [is] rich.
7 Whosoever keeps the law [is] a wise son, but he that is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.
10 Whosoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit, but the perfect shall inherit [every] good [thing].
11 The rich man [is] wise in his own conceit, but the poor that has understanding is wiser than he.
12 When the righteous rejoice, [there is] great glory, but when the wicked rise, the sane man hides himself.
13 He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes [them] shall attain mercy.
14 Blessed [is] the man that fears [God] always, but he that hardens his heart shall fall into evil.
15 As a roaring lion and a hungry bear, [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 The prince void of intelligence [is] also a great oppressor, [but] he that hates covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
17 A man that does violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee all the way to the grave, and no one shall sustain him.
18 Whosoever walks in integrity shall be saved, but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways shall fall into one of them.
19 He that tills his land shall be filled with bread, but he that follows after vain [persons] shall be filled with poverty.
20 The man of truth shall abound with blessings, but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be absolved.
21 To have respect of persons [in judgment] is not good; even for a piece of bread, man will transgress.
22 He that hastens to be rich [has] an evil eye and does not consider that poverty shall come upon him.
23 He that rebukes a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24 Whosoever robs his father or his mother and says, [It is] no transgression; the same [is] the companion of the destroyer.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 He that trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whosoever walks in wisdom, he shall be saved.
27 He that gives unto the poor shall never lack, but he that hides his eyes [from the poor] shall have many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, sane men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous multiply.:
1 He that being often reproved hardens [his] neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn.
3 Whosoever loves wisdom causes his father to rejoice, but he that maintains harlots shall lose [his] inheritance.
4 The king by judgment establishes the land, but he that receives gifts shall overthrow it.
5 The man that flatters his neighbour spreads a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare, but the righteous shall sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, [but] the wicked does not understand wisdom.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare, but wise [men] turn away wrath.
9 [If] a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether he rages or laughs, [there is] no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the perfect, but the just seek his soul.
11 The fool gives full rein to his spirit, but the wise [man] in the end will bring it into rest.
12 Of the ruler who hearkens unto the lying word, all his ministers [are] evil.
13 The poor and the usurer meet together; the LORD lightens both their eyes.
14 The king that judges the poor with truth, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left [to himself] shall bring his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases, but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Without [prophetic] vision, the people shall perish, but he that keeps the law is blessed.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understands he will not obey.
20 Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that gives freely unto his servant from a child shall have him become [his] son in the end.
22 The angry man stirs up strife, and the furious man abounds in transgression.
23 A man's pride shall bring him low, but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whosoever is partner with a thief hates his own soul; he hears cursing, and does not disclose [it].
25 The fear of man brings a snare, but whosoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be lifted up.
26 Many seek the ruler's favour, but [each] man's judgment [comes] from the LORD.
27 An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just, and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.:
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy: the man spoke unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
2 Surely I [am] more carnal than [any] man and have not the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom nor have the knowledge of the holy.
4 Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?
5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto those that put their trust in him.
6 Do not add unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 Two [things] have I required of thee; do not deny me [them] before I die:
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread of my judgment:
9 Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and blaspheme the name of my God.
10 Do not accuse a servant in the presence of his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
11 [There is] a generation [that] curses their father, and does not bless their mother.
12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.
13 [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14 [There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their molars [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the destitute from [among] men.
15 The horseleach has two daughters, [which are called], Give, give. There are three [things that] are never satisfied, [yea], four [things] say not, [It is] enough:
16 Sheol; and the barren womb; the earth [that] is not filled with water; and the fire [that] never says, [It is] enough.
17 The eye [that] mocks at [his] father, and despises the teaching of [his] mother, the ravens shall pluck it out of the river, and the young eagles shall eat it.
18 There are three [things which] are hidden from me, [yea], four which I know not:
19 The track of the eagle in the air; the track of the serpent upon the rock; the track of the ship in the midst of the sea; and the track of the man in the maid.
20 Such [is] the track of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wickedness.
21 For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and the fourth it cannot bear:
22 For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with bread;
23 for a rejected [woman] when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 There are four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] wiser than the wise men:
25 The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26 the conies [are but] a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them go forth by bands;
28 the spider takes hold with her hands and is in kings' palaces.
29 There are three [things] which have a magnificent walk; [yea], the fourth is stately in going:
30 The lion [which is] strongest among beasts and does not turn away for any;
31 [the greyhound] who is girded up of loins; a he goat also, and the king, against whom no one rises up.
32 If thou hast fallen, it is because thou hast lifted thyself up; and if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine hand upon thy mouth.
33 Surely the churning of milk brings forth butter and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.:
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Do not give thy strength nor thy ways unto the women who destroy kings.
4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor is beer for princes
5 lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give beer unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that have heavy hearts.
7 They drink and forget their need and remember their misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for those who cannot speak in the judgment of all the sons of death.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and destitute.
10 [Aleph] Who can find a valiant woman? for her price [is] far above precious stones.
11 [Beth] The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 [Gimel] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 [Daleth] She sought wool and flax and worked willingly with her hands.
14 [He] She was like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.
15 [Vau] She rose up even at night and gave food to her family and a portion to her maidens.
16 [Zain] She considered the inheritance and bought it; with the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.
17 [Cheth] She girded her loins with strength and strengthened her arms.
18 [Teth] She perceived that her merchandise [was] good; her fire did not go out by night.
19 [Jod] She laid her hands to the spindle, and her hands held the distaff.
20 [Caph] She stretched out her hand to the poor; [yea], she reached forth her hands to the destitute.
21 [Lamed] She shall not be afraid of the snow for her family, for all her family [is] clothed with double garments.
22 [Mem] She makes herself tapestries; her clothing [is] of fine linen and purple.
23 [Nun] Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 [Samech] She made fine linen and sold [it] and delivered girdles unto the merchant.
25 [Ain] Strength and glory [is] her clothing, and she shall laugh in the last day.
26 [Pe] She opened her mouth with wisdom, and the law of mercy [is] upon her tongue.
27 [Tzaddi] She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat bread in idleness.
28 [Koph] Her sons rose up and called her blessed; her husband [also], and he praised her.
29 [Resh] Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou dost excel them all.
30 [Schin] Grace [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain, [but] the woman that fears the LORD shall be praised.
31 [Tau] Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.: