PROVERBS
1 The proverbs of Solʹo·mon,+ the son of David,+ the king of Israel:+
2 To learn* wisdom+ and discipline;
To understand wise sayings;
3 To acquire the discipline+ that gives insight,
Righteousness,+ good judgment,*+ and uprightness;*
4 To impart shrewdness+ to the inexperienced;
To give a young man knowledge and thinking ability.+
5 A wise person listens and takes in more instruction;+
A man of understanding acquires skillful direction*+
6 To understand a proverb and a puzzling saying,*
The words of the wise and their riddles.+
7 The fear of* Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge.+
Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.+
10 My son, if sinners try to entice you, do not consent.+
11 If they say: “Come with us.
Let us set an ambush to shed blood.
We will lie hidden, waiting for innocent victims without cause.
13 Let us seize all their precious treasures;
We will fill our houses with spoil.
15 My son, do not follow them.
17 It is surely in vain to spread a net in full sight of a bird.
19 These are the ways of those seeking dishonest profit,
20 True wisdom+ cries aloud in the street.+
It keeps raising its voice in the public squares.+
21 At the corner* of the busy streets it calls out.
At the entrances of the city gates it says:+
22 “How long will you inexperienced ones love inexperience?
How long will you ridiculers take pleasure in ridicule?
And how long will you foolish ones hate knowledge?+
Then I will pour out my spirit for you;
I will make my words known to you.+
24 Because I called out, but you kept refusing,
I stretched out my hand, but no one was paying attention,+
25 You kept neglecting all my advice
And rejecting my reproof,
26 I also will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when what you dread comes,+
27 When what you dread comes like a storm,
And your disaster arrives like a storm wind,
When distress and trouble come upon you.
28 At that time they will keep calling me, but I will not answer;
They will eagerly look for me, but they will not find me,+
29 Because they hated knowledge,+
And they did not choose to fear Jehovah.+
30 They refused my advice;
They disrespected all my reproof.
31 So they will bear the consequences* of their way,+
And they will be glutted with their own counsel.*
32 For the waywardness of the inexperienced will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 But the one listening to me will dwell in security+
And be undisturbed by the dread of calamity.”+
2 My son, if you accept my sayings
And treasure up my commandments,+
2 By making your ear attentive to wisdom+
And inclining your heart to discernment;+
3 Moreover, if you call out for understanding+
And raise your voice for discernment;+
4 If you keep seeking for it as for silver,+
And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures;+
5 Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah,+
And you will find the knowledge of God.+
10 When wisdom enters your heart+
And knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul,*+
11 Thinking ability will keep watch over you,+
And discernment will safeguard you,
12 To save you from the bad course,
From the man speaking perverse things,+
13 From those leaving the upright paths
To walk in the ways of darkness,+
14 From those who rejoice in wrongdoing,
Who find joy in the perverseness of evil,
15 Those whose paths are crooked
And whose entire course is devious.
16 It will save you from the wayward* woman,
From the smooth* words of the immoral* woman,+
17 Who abandons the close companion* of her youth+
And forgets the covenant of her God;
18 For her house sinks down into death,
20 So follow the way of good people
And stay on the paths of the righteous,+
21 For only the upright will reside in the earth,
22 As for the wicked, they will be cut off from the earth,+
And the treacherous will be torn away from it.+
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,*
And may your heart observe my commandments,
2 Because they will add many days
And years of life and peace to you.+
3 Do not let loyal love and faithfulness* leave you.+
Tie them around your neck;
Write them on the tablet of your heart;+
4 Then you will find favor and good insight
In the eyes of God and man.+
7 Do not become wise in your own eyes.+
Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.
9 Honor Jehovah with your valuable things,+
With the firstfruits* of all your produce;*+
10 Then your storehouses will be completely filled,+
And your vats* will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of Jehovah,+
And do not loathe his reproof,+
12 For those whom Jehovah loves he reproves,+
Just as a father does a son in whom he delights.+
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom+
And the man who acquires discernment;
14 To gain it is better than gaining silver,
And having it as profit is better than having gold.+
16 Long life is in its right hand;
Riches and glory are in its left hand.
18 It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it,
And those who keep firm hold of it will be called happy.+
19 Jehovah founded the earth in wisdom.+
He solidly established the heavens in discernment.+
21 My son, do not lose sight of them.*
Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability;
And be an adornment for your neck;
23 Then you will walk on your way in safety,
26 For Jehovah will prove to be your source of confidence;+
He will keep your foot from being caught.+
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away; come back later! I will give it to you tomorrow,”
If you can give it now.
31 Do not envy the violent man+
Nor choose any of his ways,
32 For Jehovah detests a devious person,+
But His close friendship is with the upright.+
33 The curse of Jehovah is on the house of the wicked one,+
But he blesses the home of the righteous.+
4 Listen, my sons, to the discipline of a father;+
Pay attention in order to gain understanding,
2 For I will give you good instruction;
4 He taught me and said: “May your heart hold fast to my words.+
Keep my commandments and continue living.+
5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding.+
Do not forget, and do not turn aside from what I say.
6 Do not forsake it, and it will protect you.
Love it, and it will safeguard you.
7 Wisdom is the most important* thing,+ so acquire wisdom,
And with all you acquire, acquire understanding.+
8 Highly esteem it, and it will exalt you.+
It will honor you because you embrace it.+
9 It will place an attractive wreath on your head;
It will adorn you with a crown of beauty.”
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;
And if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to discipline; do not let it go.+
Safeguard it, for it means your life.+
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do what is bad.
They are robbed of sleep unless they cause someone’s downfall.
17 They feed themselves with the bread of wickedness,
And they drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light
That grows brighter and brighter until full daylight.+
19 The way of the wicked is like the darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble.
21 Do not lose sight of them;
Keep them deep within your heart,+
22 For they are life to those who find them+
And health to their whole body.*
23 Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart,+
For out of it are the sources of life.
27 Do not incline to the right or the left.+
Turn your feet away from what is bad.
5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
Listen carefully* to my discernment,+
2 So that you may guard your thinking abilities
And safeguard knowledge with your lips.+
5 Her feet descend into death.
Her steps lead straight to the Grave.*
6 She gives no thought to the path of life.
Her course wanders, but she does not know where.
7 Now, my sons, listen to me
And do not turn away from what I am saying.
8 Stay far away from her;
Do not go near the entrance of her house,+
9 So that you may not give your dignity to others+
Nor reap years of what is cruel;+
10 So that strangers may not drain your resources*+
And what you labored for go to the house of a foreigner.
11 Otherwise, you will groan at the end of your life
When your flesh and body waste away+
12 And you say: “How I hated discipline!
How my heart despised reproof!
13 I did not listen to the voice of my instructors
Or pay attention to my teachers.
Let her breasts satisfy* you at all times.
May you be captivated by her love constantly.+
23 He will die for lack of discipline
And go astray because of his excessive foolishness.
6 My son, if you have put up security* for your neighbor,+
If you have given your handshake* to a stranger,+
2 If you have been ensnared by your promise,
Caught by the words of your mouth,+
3 Do this, my son, and free yourself,
For you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor:
Go and humble yourself and urgently plead with your neighbor.+
4 Do not allow your eyes to sleep,
Nor your eyelids to slumber.
5 Free yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand,
Like a bird from the hand of the birdcatcher.
7 Although it has no commander, officer, or ruler,
8 It prepares its food in the summer,+
And it gathers its food supplies in the harvest.
9 How long, you lazy one, will you lie there?
When will you rise up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumbering,
A little folding of the hands to rest,+
11 And your poverty will come like a bandit,
And your want like an armed man.+
12 A useless and wicked man walks about with crooked speech;+
13 He winks with his eye,+ signals with his foot, and motions with his fingers.
17 Haughty eyes,+ a lying tongue,+ and hands that shed innocent blood,+
18 A heart plotting wicked schemes,+ and feet that run quickly to evil,
19 A false witness who lies with every breath,+
And anyone sowing contentions among brothers.+
20 Observe, my son, the commandment of your father,
21 Always bind them around your heart;
Tie them about your neck.
22 When you walk about, it will lead you;
When you lie down, it will stand guard over you;
And when you awaken, it will speak to you.*
23 For the commandment is a lamp,+
And the law is a light,+
And the reproofs of discipline are the way to life.+
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart+
Or allow her to captivate you with her alluring eyes,
26 For because of a prostitute, a man is reduced to a loaf of bread,+
But the wife of another man preys on a precious life.*
27 Can a man rake fire to his chest and not burn his garments?+
28 Or can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?
29 It is the same with anyone having relations with his neighbor’s wife;
No one who touches her will go unpunished.+
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding “my relative,”
6 From the window of my house,
Through my lattice, I looked down,
7 And as I observed the naive* ones,
I discerned among the youths a young man lacking good sense.*+
8 He passed along the street near her corner,
And he marched in the direction of her house
9 In the twilight, in the evening,+
At the approach of night and darkness.
She never stays* at home.
13 She grabs hold of him and gives him a kiss;
With a bold face, she says to him:
14 “I had to offer communion sacrifices.+
Today I paid my vows.
15 That is why I came out to meet you,
To look for you, and I found you!
17 I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.+
18 Come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning;
Let us enjoy passionate love together,
19 For my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a distant journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him,
And he will not return until the day of the full moon.”
21 She misleads him with great persuasiveness.+
She seduces him with smooth speech.
22 Suddenly he goes after her, like a bull to the slaughter,
Like a fool to be punished in the stocks,*+
23 Until an arrow pierces his liver;
Like a bird rushing into a trap, he does not know that it will cost him his life.*+
24 And now, my sons, listen to me;
Pay attention to the words I speak.
25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways.
Do not stray onto her paths,+
26 For she has caused many to fall down slain,+
And those she has killed are numerous.+
8 Is not wisdom calling out?
Is not discernment raising its voice?+
3 Next to the gates leading into the city,
At the entrances of the doorways,
It keeps crying out loudly:+
6 Listen, for what I say is important,
My lips speak what is right;
7 For my mouth softly utters truth,
And my lips detest what is wicked.
8 All the sayings of my mouth are righteous.
None of them are twisted or crooked.
9 They are all straightforward to the discerning
And right to those who have found knowledge.
10 Take my discipline instead of silver,
And knowledge rather than the finest gold,+
11 For wisdom is better than corals;*
All other desirable things cannot compare to it.
13 The fear of Jehovah means the hating of bad.+
I hate self-exaltation and pride+ and the evil way and perverse speech.+
16 By me princes keep ruling,
And nobles judge in righteousness.
19 My fruitage is better than gold, even refined gold,
And what I produce is better than the finest silver.+
20 I walk in the path of righteousness,
In the middle of the pathways of justice;
21 I give a rich inheritance to those who love me,
And I fill up their storehouses.
24 When there were no deep waters,+ I was brought forth,*
When there were no springs overflowing with water.
25 Before the mountains were set in place,
Before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 When he had not yet made the earth and its fields
Or the first clods of earth’s soil.
27 When he prepared the heavens,+ I was there;
When he marked out the horizon* on the surface of the waters,+
28 When he established* the clouds above,
When he founded the fountains of the deep,
29 When he set a decree for the sea
That its waters should not pass beyond his order,+
When he established* the foundations of the earth,
I was the one he was especially fond of+ day by day;
I rejoiced before him all the time;+
31 I rejoiced over his habitable earth,
And I was especially fond of the sons of men.*
32 And now, my sons, listen to me;
Yes, happy are those who keep my ways.
34 Happy is the man who listens to me
By coming early to* my doors day by day,
By waiting next to my doorposts;
35 For the one finding me will find life,+
And he receives approval from Jehovah.
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.”
She says to the one lacking good sense:*
5 “Come, eat my bread
And share in drinking the wine that I have mixed.
7 The one who corrects a ridiculer invites dishonor,+
And whoever reproves someone wicked will get hurt.
8 Do not reprove a ridiculer, or he will hate you.+
Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.+
9 Share with a wise person, and he will become wiser.+
Teach someone righteous, and he will add to his learning.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom,+
And knowledge of the Most Holy One+ is understanding.
12 If you become wise, you are wise to your own advantage,
But if you are a ridiculer, you alone will bear it.
She is ignorant and knows absolutely nothing.
14 She sits at the entrance of her house
On a seat in the high places of the city,+
15 Calling out to those passing by,
To those walking straight ahead on their way:
16 “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.”
She says to those lacking good sense:*+
18 But he does not know that those powerless in death are there,
A wise son makes his father rejoice,+
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 The treasures gained by wickedness will be of no benefit,
But righteousness is what rescues from death.+
3 Jehovah will not cause the righteous one* to go hungry,+
But he will deny the wicked what they crave.
5 The son acting with insight gathers the crop in summer,
But the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest.+
8 The wisehearted person will accept instructions,*+
But the one speaking foolishly will be trodden down.+
9 The one walking in integrity will walk in security,+
But the one making his ways crooked will be found out.+
10 The one who slyly winks his eye causes grief,+
And the one who speaks foolishly will be trodden down.+
11 The mouth of the righteous one is a source of life,+
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.+
15 The wealth* of a rich man is his fortified city.
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.+
17 The one who heeds discipline is a path to life,*
But the one who ignores reproof leads others astray.
19 When words are many, transgression cannot be avoided,+
But whoever controls his lips acts discreetly.+
20 The tongue of the righteous one is like the finest silver,+
But the heart of the wicked one is worth little.
23 Engaging in shameful conduct is like a game to the stupid one,
But wisdom is for the man of discernment.+
25 When the storm passes by, the wicked one will be no more,+
But the righteous one is a foundation forever.+
32 The lips of the righteous one know what is pleasing,
But the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
3 The integrity of the upright is what guides them,+
But the deviousness of the treacherous will destroy them.+
4 Wealth* will be of no benefit on the day of fury,+
But righteousness is what will rescue from death.+
5 The righteousness of the blameless one makes his path straight,
But the wicked one will fall because of his own wickedness.+
6 The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,+
But the treacherous will be caught by their own desires.+
9 By his mouth the apostate* brings his neighbor to ruin,
But by knowledge the righteous are rescued.+
10 The goodness of the righteous makes a city rejoice,
And when the wicked perish, there is a joyful cry.+
11 Because of the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,+
But the mouth of the wicked tears it down.+
12 Whoever is lacking good sense* shows contempt for* his neighbor,
But the man of true discernment remains silent.+
15 Whoever guarantees a loan* for a stranger is sure to fare badly,+
But whoever avoids* shaking hands in a pledge will be secure.
18 The wicked one earns deceptive wages,+
But the one who sows righteousness receives a true reward.+
19 The one standing firmly for righteousness is in line for life,+
But the one chasing after evil is in line for death.
20 Those crooked at heart are detestable to Jehovah,+
But those whose way is blameless bring pleasure to him.+
21 Be assured of this:* An evil person will not go unpunished,+
But the children of the righteous will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig
Is a beautiful woman who rejects good sense.
24 One gives generously* and ends up with more;+
Another withholds what should be given, but he comes to poverty.+
26 The people will curse the one who withholds grain,
But they will bless the one who sells it.
27 The one who diligently seeks to do good seeks favor,+
But the one searching for bad—that is what will surely come upon him.+
29 Anyone who brings trouble* on his household will inherit the wind,+
And the fool will be a servant to the wisehearted one.
4 A capable wife is a crown to her husband,+
But the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.+
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the guidance of the wicked is deceptive.
7 When the wicked are overthrown, they are no more,
But the house of the righteous will keep standing.+
8 A man is praised for the discretion of his mouth,+
But one with a twisted heart will be treated with contempt.+
10 The righteous one takes care of his domestic animals,*+
But even the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 The one who cultivates his land will be satisfied with food,+
But the one pursuing worthless things is lacking good sense.*
12 The wicked man envies what other evil men have caught,
But the root of the righteous bears fruit.
14 From the fruitage of his speech* a man is satisfied with good,+
And the work of his hands will reward him.
26 The righteous one searches out his pastures,
But the course of the wicked leads them astray.
2 From the fruitage of his speech* a man will eat what is good,+
But the very desire* of the treacherous is for violence.
3 The one guarding his mouth* protects his life,*+
But the one opening his lips wide will come to ruin.+
7 There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;+
There is another who pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
11 Wealth quickly gained* will dwindle,+
But the wealth of the one who gathers it little by little* will increase.
13 Whoever despises instruction* will pay the penalty,+
But the one who respects the commandment will be rewarded.+
15 Keen insight wins favor,
But the way of the treacherous is harsh.
18 Whoever neglects discipline comes to poverty and disgrace,
20 The one walking with the wise will become wise,+
But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.+
22 The good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren,
But the sinner’s wealth will be stored up for the righteous one.+
2 The one walking in his uprightness fears Jehovah,
But the one whose ways are devious* despises Him.
3 The rod of haughtiness is in the mouth of the fool,
But the lips of the wise will protect them.
4 Where there are no cattle the manger is clean,
But the power of a bull yields an abundant harvest.
6 The scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,
But knowledge comes easily to the person with understanding.+
8 By wisdom the shrewd man understands the way he is going,
13 Even in laughter the heart may feel pain,
And rejoicing may end in grief.
14 The one wayward at heart will reap the results of his ways,+
But the good man reaps the reward of his dealings.+
16 The wise one is cautious and turns away from evil,
But the stupid one is reckless* and overconfident.
19 Bad people will have to bow down before the good,
And the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous.
22 Will not those who plot mischief go astray?
But those intent on doing good will receive loyal love and faithfulness.+
27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
29 The one who is slow to anger has great discernment,+
But the impatient one displays his foolishness.+
31 The one who defrauds the lowly one insults his Maker,+
But whoever shows compassion to the poor glorifies Him.+
32 The wicked one will be brought down by his own evil,
But the righteous one will find refuge in his integrity.+
33 Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of an understanding person,+
But among the stupid it must make itself known.
35 The king finds pleasure in a servant who acts with insight,+
But his fury is against the one who acts shamefully.+
2 The tongue of the wise makes good use of knowledge,+
But the mouth of the stupid blurts out foolishness.
6 In the house of the righteous one there is abundant treasure,
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to Jehovah,+
But the prayer of the upright is a pleasure to Him.+
11 The Grave* and the place of destruction* are in full view of Jehovah.+
How much more so the hearts of men!+
12 The scoffer does not love the one correcting* him.+
He will not consult the wise.+
19 The way of the lazy one is like a hedge of thorns,+
But the path of the upright is like a level highway.+
21 Foolishness is a joy to one lacking good sense,*+
But the man of discernment walks straight ahead.+
25 Jehovah will tear down the house of the haughty,+
But he will preserve the boundary of the widow.+
27 The one making dishonest profit brings trouble* on his own household,+
But the one hating bribes will keep living.+
28 The heart of the righteous one meditates before answering,*+
But the mouth of the wicked blurts out bad things.
5 Everyone proud in heart is detestable to Jehovah.+
Be assured* that he will not go unpunished.
6 By loyal love and faithfulness, error is atoned for,+
And by fearing Jehovah one turns away from bad.+
12 Wicked practices are detestable to kings,+
For the throne is firmly established by righteousness.+
13 Righteous speech is a pleasure to kings.
They love someone who speaks honestly.+
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!+
To gain understanding is to be chosen over silver.+
17 The highway of the upright avoids what is bad.
Whoever safeguards his way preserves his life.*+
20 The one who shows insight in a matter will find success,*
And happy is the one trusting in Jehovah.
22 Insight is a fountain of life to those possessing it,
But fools are disciplined by their own foolishness.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor
And leads him in the wrong way.
30 He winks his eye as he schemes harm.
He pinches his lips together as he carries out mischief.
32 The one slow to anger+ is better than a mighty man,
And the one controlling his temper* than one conquering a city.+
2 A servant with insight will rule over a son who acts shamefully;
He will share in the inheritance as one of the brothers.
5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker,+
And whoever rejoices over another’s disaster will not go unpunished.+
7 Upright* speech does not befit a fool.+
How much less does false speech befit a ruler!*+
9 Whoever forgives* a transgression seeks love,+
But the one who keeps harping on a matter separates close friends.+
10 A rebuke makes a deeper impression on one having understanding+
Than striking a stupid person a hundred times.+
15 Anyone who acquits the wicked one and anyone who condemns the righteous one+
—Both of them are detestable to Jehovah.
16 What good is it that the stupid one has the means to acquire wisdom
19 The one who loves conflict loves transgression.+
Anyone who makes his entryway high invites a crash.+
20 The one who is crooked at heart will not find success,*+
And the one who speaks deceitfully will fall into ruin.
21 The one who fathers a stupid child will experience grief;
And the father of a senseless child has no joy.+
24 Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person,
But the eyes of the stupid wander to the ends of the earth.+
26 To punish* the righteous one is not good,
And to flog honorable people goes against what is right.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent will be considered wise,
And the one who seals his lips, discerning.
2 A stupid person takes no pleasure in understanding;
He would rather disclose what is in his heart.+
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters.+
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower.+
Into it the righteous one runs and receives protection.*+
15 The heart of the understanding one acquires knowledge,+
And the ear of the wise seeks to find knowledge.
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a fortified city,+
And there are disputes like the bars of a fortress.+
20 From the fruitage of a man’s speech* his stomach will be filled;+
He will be satisfied with what his lips produce.
23 The poor man implores when speaking,
But the rich man answers harshly.
24 There are companions ready to crush one another,+
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.+
3 It is a man’s own foolishness that distorts his way,
And his heart becomes enraged against Jehovah.
He pursues them with requests, but no one responds.
8 Whoever acquires good sense* loves himself.*+
Whoever treasures discernment will find success.*+
10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury;
How much less for a servant to rule over princes!+
13 A stupid son brings adversity on his father,+
And a quarrelsome* wife is like a roof that never stops leaking.+
16 The one who keeps the commandment keeps his life;*+
The one who is reckless about his ways will die.+
19 The hot-tempered man will pay the penalty;
If you try to spare him, you will have to do it again and again.+
23 The fear of Jehovah leads to life;+
The one who has it will have a pleasant rest, free from harm.+
24 The lazy one buries his hand in the banquet bowl,
But he does not even bother to bring it back to his mouth.+
25 Strike the ridiculer,+ so that the inexperienced one may become shrewd,+
And reprove the understanding one, so that he will increase in knowledge.+
27 My son, if you stop listening to discipline,
You will stray from the sayings of knowledge.
2 The terror* of a king is like the growling of a lion;*+
Whoever provokes his anger risks his own life.+
4 The lazy one does not plow in winter,
So he will be begging during the harvest when he has nothing.*+
6 Many men proclaim their loyal love,
But who can find a faithful man?
7 The righteous one is walking in his integrity.+
Happy are his children* who come after him.+
13 Do not love sleep, or you will come to poverty.+
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.+
16 Take a man’s garment if he has given security for a stranger;+
Seize the pledge from him if he did so for a foreign woman.*+
19 A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk;+
Do not associate with one who loves to gossip.*
22 Do not say: “I will pay back evil!”+
Hope in Jehovah,+ and he will save you.+
25 It is a snare for a man to cry out rashly, “Holy!”+
And only later to give consideration to what he vowed.+
27 The breath of a man is the lamp of Jehovah,
Searching through his innermost being.
21 A king’s heart is like streams of water in Jehovah’s hand.+
He directs it wherever He pleases.+
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to success,*+
But all who are hasty surely head for poverty.+
11 When a ridiculer is punished, the inexperienced become wiser,
And when a wise person receives insight, he gains knowledge.*+
15 It is a joy for the righteous one to act with justice,+
But it is something terrible to those who practice evil.
17 The one who loves having a good time* will come to poverty;+
The one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich.
18 The wicked one is a ransom for the righteous one,
And the treacherous one will be taken in place of the upright.+
24 A presumptuous, arrogant braggart is what you call
The man who acts with reckless presumptuousness.+
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable.+
How much more when he offers it with evil intent!*
30 There is no wisdom, nor discernment, nor counsel in opposition to Jehovah.+
22 A good name* is to be chosen rather than great wealth;+
To be respected* is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common:*
Jehovah made them both.+
3 The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself,
But the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.*
5 Thorns and traps are in the crooked man’s path,
13 The lazy one says: “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the middle of the public square!”+
14 The mouth of wayward* women is a deep pit.+
The one condemned by Jehovah will fall into it.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a boy,*+
But the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.+
16 The one defrauding the poor to increase his wealth+
And the one giving gifts to the rich
Will end up in poverty.
17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise,+
In order to apply your heart to my knowledge,+
18 For it is pleasant to keep them deep within you,+
So that all of them may constantly be on your lips.+
19 For your confidence to be in Jehovah,
I am giving you knowledge today.
20 Have I not already written you,
Imparting advice and knowledge,
21 To teach you true and reliable words,
So that you can return with an accurate report to the one who sent you?
22 Do not rob the poor man because he is poor,+
And do not crush the lowly man in the city gate,+
23 For Jehovah himself will plead their cause+
And he will take the life* of those who defraud them.
24 Do not keep company with a hot-tempered man
Or get involved with one disposed to rage,
25 So that you never learn his ways
27 If you have nothing to pay,
Your bed will be taken right out from under you!
29 Have you seen a man skillful at his work?
He will stand before kings;+
He will not stand before common men.
23 When you sit down to eat with a king,
Carefully consider what is before you;
If you have a large appetite.*
3 Do not crave his delicacies,
For it is deceptive food.
4 Do not wear yourself out to gain wealth.+
Stop and show understanding.*
5 When you cast your eyes on it, it is not there,+
For it will surely sprout wings like an eagle and fly off into the sky.+
“Eat and drink,” he says to you, but he does not mean it.*
8 You will vomit up the morsels you have eaten
And will have wasted your compliments.
12 Apply your heart to discipline
And your ear to the sayings of knowledge.
13 Do not hold back discipline from a boy.*+
If you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
17 Let your heart not envy sinners,+
But be in the fear of Jehovah all day long,+
18 For then you will have a future+
And your hope will not be cut off.
19 Listen, my son, and become wise,
And direct your heart in the right way.
20 Do not be among those who drink too much wine,+
Among those who gorge themselves on meat,+
21 For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty,+
And drowsiness will clothe one with rags.
22 Listen to your father who caused your birth,
And do not despise your mother just because she has grown old.+
24 The father of a righteous one will surely be joyful;
Whoever fathers a wise son will rejoice in him.
25 Your father and your mother will rejoice,
And she who gave birth to you will be joyful.
29 Who has woe? Who has uneasiness?
Who has quarrels? Who has complaints?
Who has wounds for no reason? Who has bleary* eyes?
31 Do not look at the wine’s red color
As it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly,
32 For in the end it bites like a serpent,
And it secretes poison like a viper.
34 And you will be like one lying down in the middle of the sea,
Like one lying at the top of a ship’s mast.
35 You will say: “They have struck me, but I did not feel it.*
They beat me, but I did not know it.
When will I wake up?+
I need another drink.”*
24 Do not envy evil men,
And do not crave their company,+
2 For their heart meditates on violence,
And their lips speak of trouble.
12 If you say, “But we did not know about this,”
Does not the One who examines hearts* discern it?+
13 My son, eat honey, because it is good;
Honey from the comb is sweet to the taste.
14 Likewise, know that wisdom is good for you.*+
If you find it, you will have a future
And your hope will not be cut off.+
15 Do not wickedly lie in ambush near the home of the righteous one;
Do not destroy his place of rest.
16 For the righteous one may fall seven times, and he will get up again,+
But the wicked will be made to stumble by calamity.+
17 When your enemy falls, do not rejoice,
And when he stumbles, do not let your heart be joyful;+
18 Otherwise, Jehovah will see and be displeased,
19 Do not be upset* because of evil men;
Do not envy wicked people,
20 For there is no future for anyone evil;+
The lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.+
21 My son, fear Jehovah and the king.+
Who knows what ruin both* will bring upon them?+
23 These sayings also belong to the wise:
Partiality in judgment is not good.+
24 Whoever says to the wicked one, “You are righteous,”+
Will be cursed by the peoples and denounced by the nations.
26 People will kiss the lips of the one replying honestly.*+
28 Do not testify against your neighbor without grounds.+
Do not use your lips to deceive others.+
31 I saw that it was overgrown with weeds;
The ground was covered with nettles,
And its stone wall was broken down.+
33 A little sleep, a little slumbering,
A little folding of the hands to rest,
34 And your poverty will come like a bandit,
And your want like an armed man.+
25 These also are the proverbs of Solʹo·mon,+ which the men of Hez·e·kiʹah+ the king of Judah transcribed:*
2 It is the glory of God to keep a matter secret,+
And the glory of kings is to search through a matter.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
5 Remove the wicked one from the king’s presence,
And his throne will be firmly established in righteousness.+
6 Do not honor yourself before the king,+
And do not take a place among the prominent,+
7 For it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
Than to humiliate you in the presence of a noble.+
9 Plead your case with your neighbor,+
But do not reveal what you were told confidentially,*+
10 So that the one listening will not put you to shame
And you spread a bad report* that cannot be recalled.
13 Just like the coldness of snow on the day of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who sent him,
17 Rarely set foot in your neighbor’s house,
So that he does not get tired of you and hate you.
18 Like a war club and a sword and a sharp arrow
Is a man bearing false witness against his neighbor.+
19 Like a broken tooth or an unsteady foot
Is confidence in an unreliable* person in times of trouble.
20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day
And like vinegar poured on soda*
Is the one who sings songs to a gloomy heart.+
21 If your enemy* is hungry, give him bread to eat;
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink,+
22 For you will be heaping burning coals on his head,*+
And Jehovah will reward you.
2 Just as a bird has reason to flee and a swallow to fly,
So a curse does not come without a real reason.*
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey,+
And the rod is for the back of stupid people.+
4 Do not answer the stupid one according to his foolishness,
So that you do not put yourself on his level.*
6 Like someone who cripples his own feet and harms himself*
Is the one who entrusts matters to someone stupid.
9 Like a thorn plant that comes into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of stupid people.
12 Have you seen a man who thinks he is wise?+
There is more hope for someone stupid than for him.
15 The lazy one buries his hand in the banquet bowl,
But he is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.+
16 The lazy one thinks he is wiser
Than seven people who give a sensible reply.
17 Like someone grabbing hold of a dog’s ears
Is the one passing by who becomes furious about* a quarrel that is not his.+
18 Like a madman who shoots fiery missiles, arrows, and death*
19 Is the man who plays a trick on his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”+
24 The one who hates others disguises it with his lips,
But inside he harbors deceit.
25 Although he speaks graciously, do not trust him,
For there are seven detestable things in his heart.*
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deceit,
His evil will be exposed in the congregation.
27 The one who digs a pit will fall into it,
And whoever rolls away a stone—it will come back on him.+
5 Open reproof is better than concealed love.+
7 One whose appetite* is satisfied turns down* honey from the comb,
But to the hungry,* even what is bitter tastes sweet.
10 Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend,
And do not enter your own brother’s house on the day of your disaster;
Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.+
12 The shrewd person sees the danger and conceals himself,+
But the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.*
13 Take a man’s garment if he has given security for a stranger;
Seize the pledge from him if he did so for a foreign woman.*+
14 When someone blesses his fellow man with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be counted as a curse to him.
15 A quarrelsome* wife is like a constantly leaking roof on a rainy day.+
16 Whoever can restrain her can restrain the wind
And can grip oil with his right hand.
18 The one who cares for a fig tree will eat its fruit,+
And the one who takes care of his master will be honored.+
19 As water reflects one’s face,
So the heart of one man reflects another’s.
20 The Grave and the place of destruction* are never satisfied,+
Nor are a man’s eyes ever satisfied.
21 As the refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,+
So a person is tested by the praise he receives.*
22 Even if you pound a fool with a pestle
Like crushed grain in a mortar,
His foolishness will not leave him.
23 You should know well the appearance of your flock.
Take good care of* your sheep,+
24 For wealth does not last forever,+
Nor a crown* for all generations.
25 The green grass disappears, new grass appears,
And the vegetation of the mountains is gathered in.
26 The young rams provide your clothing,
And the male goats provide the price of a field.
27 And there will be enough goat’s milk to feed you,
To feed your household, and to sustain your servant girls.
2 When there is transgression* in the land, it will have one prince after another,+
But with the help of a man of discernment and knowledge, a prince* will long endure.+
4 Those who abandon the law praise the wicked one,
But those who observe the law are indignant with them.+
8 The one who increases his wealth by interest+ and usury
Amasses it for the one who shows favor to the poor.+
10 The one misleading the upright into an evil course will fall into his own pit,+
But the blameless will inherit what is good.+
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding.+
13 The one covering over his transgressions will not succeed,+
But whoever confesses and abandons them will be shown mercy.+
16 A leader without discernment abuses his power,+
But the one hating dishonest profit will prolong his life.+
17 A man burdened with bloodguilt for taking someone’s life* will keep fleeing until the grave.*+
Let no one support him.
18 The one walking faultlessly will be saved,+
But the one whose ways are crooked will suddenly fall.+
19 The one cultivating his ground will have plenty of bread,
But the one taking up worthless pursuits will have his fill of poverty.+
20 A faithful man will receive many blessings,+
But the one hastening to get rich will not remain innocent.+
23 Whoever reproves a man+ will afterward find more favor+
Than someone who flatters with his tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father and mother and says, “It is not wrong,”+
Is a partner of the man who causes ruin.+
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,+
But the one who closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, a man hides himself,
But when they perish, the righteous increase.+
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,+
But the one who keeps company with prostitutes squanders his wealth.+
7 The righteous one is concerned about the legal rights of the poor,+
But the wicked one has no such concern.+
9 When a wise man enters into a controversy with a fool,
There will be ranting and ridicule, but no satisfaction.+
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:*
Jehovah gives light to the eyes of both.*
19 A servant will not let himself be corrected by words,
For though he understands, he does not obey.+
20 Have you seen a man hasty with his words?+
There is more hope for a fool than for him.+
21 If a servant is pampered from his youth,
He will become thankless later on.
24 The partner of a thief hates himself.*
He may hear the call to testify,* but he reports nothing.+
27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,+
But the one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked one.+
30 The weighty message contained in the words of Aʹgur son of Jaʹkeh, which he spoke to Ithʹi·el, to Ithʹi·el and Uʹcal.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
And I do not possess the knowledge of the Most Holy One.
4 Who has ascended to heaven and then descended?+
Who has gathered the wind in the palms of both hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his garment?+
Who has established* all the ends of the earth?+
What is his name and the name of his son—if you know?
5 Every saying of God is refined.+
He is a shield to those taking refuge in him.+
7 Two things I ask of you.
Do not withhold them from me before I die.
8 Remove untruth and lies far from me.+
Give me neither poverty nor riches.
Just let me consume my portion of food,+
9 So that I do not become satisfied and deny you and say, “Who is Jehovah?”+
Nor let me become poor and steal and dishonor* the name of my God.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are swords
And whose jaws are slaughtering knives;
They devour the lowly ones of the earth
And the poor from among mankind.+
15 The leeches have two daughters that cry, “Give! Give!”
There are three things that do not get satisfied,
Four that never say, “Enough!”
16 —The Grave*+ and a barren womb,
A land that is deprived of water,
And fire that never says, “Enough!”
17 The eye that mocks a father and despises obedience to a mother+
—The ravens of the valley* will peck it out,
And the young eagles will eat it up.+
19 The way of an eagle in the heavens,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the open sea,
And the way of a man with a young woman.
20 This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats, she wipes her mouth;
Then she says, “I have done nothing wrong.”+
21 There are three things that make the earth shudder
And four things it cannot endure:
22 When a slave rules as king,+
When a fool is glutted with food,
29 There are three things that have an impressive stride,
Four that are impressive as they move:
30 The lion, the mightiest among beasts,
Which does not retreat from anyone;+
31 The greyhound; the male goat;
And a king whose army is with him.
32 If you have foolishly exalted yourself+
Or if you have schemed to do so,
Put your hand over your mouth.+
33 For as the churning of milk produces butter
And the squeezing of the nose produces blood,
So the stirring up of anger produces quarrels.+
31 The words of King Lemʹu·el, the weighty message his mother gave to instruct him:+
4 It is not for kings, O Lemʹu·el,
It is not for kings to drink wine
Nor for rulers to say, “Where is my drink?”+
5 So that they do not drink and forget what is decreed
And pervert the rights of the lowly ones.
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty;
Let them remember their trouble no more.
א [Aleph]
10 Who can find a capable* wife?+
Her value is far more than that of corals.*
ב [Beth]
11 Her husband trusts her from his heart,
And he lacks nothing of value.
ג [Gimel]
12 She rewards him with good, not bad,
All the days of her life.
ד [Daleth]
ה [He]
ו [Waw]
15 She also rises while it is still night,
Providing food for her household
And portions for her female servants.+
ז [Zayin]
ח [Heth]
ט [Teth]
18 She sees that her trading is profitable;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
י [Yod]
כ [Kaph]
ל [Lamed]
21 She does not worry about her household because of the snow,
For her whole household is clothed in warm* garments.
מ [Mem]
22 She makes her own bed covers.
Her clothing is of linen and purple wool.
נ [Nun]
ס [Samekh]
ע [Ayin]
פ [Pe]
צ [Tsade]
ק [Qoph]
28 Her children rise up and declare her happy;
Her husband rises up and praises her.
ר [Resh]
ש [Shin]
30 Charm may be false, and beauty may be fleeting,*+
But the woman who fears Jehovah will be praised.+
ת [Taw]
Lit., “To know.”
Or “what is just.”
Or “fairness.”
Or “wise guidance.”
Or “a parable.”
Or “reverence for.”
Or “law.”
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Or “Throw in your lot with us.”
Or “share a common bag (purse).”
Or “souls.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “head.”
Or “Turn back when I reprove.”
Lit., “eat from the fruit.”
Or “schemes; plans.”
See Glossary.
Lit., “strange.” Evidently, one morally estranged from God.
Or “seductive.”
Lit., “foreign.” Evidently, one morally alienated from God.
Or “the husband.”
Lit., “tracks.”
Lit., “going in to.”
Or “the one who keeps integrity.”
Or “law.”
Or “truth.”
Lit., “lean.”
Lit., “navel.”
Or “very best.”
Or “income.”
Or “winepresses.”
See Glossary.
Evidently referring to God’s qualities mentioned in the previous verses.
Or “your soul.”
Or “strike against anything.”
Or “to whom it is owing.”
Or “within the power of your hand.”
Or “law.”
Or “the prime.”
Lit., “Incline your ear.”
Lit., “to all their flesh.”
Or “beaming eyes.”
Or possibly, “Carefully consider.”
Lit., “Incline your ear.”
Lit., “strange.” See Pr 2:16.
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Or “power.”
Lit., “In the midst of the assembly and the congregation.”
Or “fresh.”
Or “water source.”
Or “ibex.”
Or “intoxicate.”
Lit., “strange.” See Pr 2:16.
Lit., “foreign.” See Pr 2:16.
Lit., “gone surety.”
That is, in a pledge.
Or “his soul.”
Or “law.”
Or “instruct you.”
Lit., “foreign.” See Pr 2:16.
Or “soul.”
Or “fill his soul.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “his soul.”
Or “ransom.”
Or “law.”
Lit., “strange.” See Pr 2:16.
Lit., “foreign.” See Pr 2:16.
Or “seductive.”
Or “inexperienced.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “with the garment of.”
Lit., “Her feet never stay.”
Or “fetters.”
Or “soul.”
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Lit., “to the sons of men.”
Lit., “understand heart.”
See Glossary.
Or “Hereditary values.”
Or “From time immemorial.”
Or “brought forth as with labor pains.”
Lit., “a circle.”
Lit., “made strong.”
Or “decreed.”
Or “mankind.”
Or “By keeping awake at.”
Or “his soul.”
Or “hewed.”
Lit., “She has slaughtered her slaughtering.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “the inexperienced ones.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Or “the soul of the righteous one.”
Or “reputation.”
Lit., “commandments.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “valuable thing.”
Or possibly, “is on the path to life.”
Or “rumors.”
Or “guide.”
Or “sorrow; hardship.”
Or “to his employer.”
Or “hope.”
Or “bears the fruit of.”
Or “Cheating.”
Or “a complete stone weight.”
Or “Valuable things.”
Or “godless man.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “despises.”
Lit., “the one faithful in spirit.”
Lit., “covers over a matter.”
Or “wise guidance.”
Or “salvation.”
Or “counselors.”
Or “puts up security.”
Lit., “hates.”
Or “charming.”
Or “A man of loyal love.”
Or “does good to his soul.”
Or “disgrace.”
Lit., “Hand to hand.”
Lit., “scatters.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “will be made fat.”
Lit., “freely waters.”
Or “disgrace.”
See Glossary.
Or “has no sense.”
Lit., “lie in wait for blood.”
Lit., “bread.”
Or “the soul of his domestic animal.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Lit., “mouth.”
Or “counsel.”
Or “in the same day.”
Lit., “covers over.”
Lit., “what is righteous.”
Lit., “those who are counselors of.”
Or “depresses him.”
Or “correction.”
Lit., “mouth.”
Or “soul.”
Or “what he says.”
Or “soul.”
Or “his soul.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “will be made fat.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “hear no rebuke.”
Lit., “rejoices.”
Or “those consulting together.”
Or “Wealth from vanity.”
Lit., “gathers by hand.”
Or “Hope.”
Or “the word.”
Or “law.”
Or “reproof.”
Or “soul.”
Or “he.”
Or “discipline; punishment.”
Or possibly, “promptly.”
Or “soul.”
Or “crooked.”
Or possibly, “the stupid deceive others.”
Or “of making amends.”
Or “there is goodwill.”
Or “the bitterness of its soul.”
Or “inexperienced.”
Or “furious.”
Or “the man of thinking abilities.”
Or “inexperienced.”
Or “souls.”
Or “health.”
Or “gentle.”
Or “painful.”
Or “A tongue of healing.”
Lit., “the crushing of the spirit.”
Or “reproof.”
Or “income.”
Or “severe.”
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Or “and Abaddon.”
Or “reproving.”
Or “pursues.”
Or “good.”
Or “confusion.”
Lit., “manger-fed.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “confidential talk.”
Or “counselors.”
Lit., “in the answer of his mouth.”
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Or “disgrace.”
Or “carefully considers how to answer; thinks before speaking.”
Or “A cheerful glance makes.”
Lit., “makes the bones fat.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “heart.”
Lit., “The arrangings of the heart belong to a man.”
Or “the right answer.” Lit., “the answer of the tongue.”
Lit., “pure.”
Lit., “spirits.”
Lit., “Roll to Jehovah your works.”
Lit., “Hand to hand.”
Or “Divine.”
Or “avoids.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “lowly of spirit.”
Lit., “good.”
Or “And appealing speech.” Lit., “And sweetness of lips.”
Or “taste.” See Glossary.
Or “soul.”
Lit., “mouth.”
Or “A schemer.”
Or “glory.”
Lit., “ruling over his spirit.”
Or “quietness.”
Lit., “sacrifices.”
Or “Grandchildren.”
Or “parents.”
Or “children.”
Or “Fine.”
Or “noble.”
Or “is a stone that brings favor.”
Lit., “covers over.”
Or “like opening a dam.” Lit., “letting out waters.”
Or “When he is lacking good sense?”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Or “go surety.”
Lit., “good.”
Or “good for healing.”
Or “dries up the bones.”
Lit., “a bribe from the bosom.”
Lit., “bitterness.”
Or “impose a fine on.”
Lit., “cool of spirit.”
Or “shows contempt for.”
Or “soul.”
Or “like things to be swallowed greedily.”
Lit., “is raised high,” that is, out of reach, safe.
Or “complete despair?”
Or “searches him through.”
Lit., “separates.”
Lit., “mouth.”
Or “goodwill.”
Or “soul.”
Lit., “hastens with his feet.”
Or “generous man.”
Lit., “acquires heart.”
Or “his soul.”
Lit., “good.”
Lit., “pass over.”
Or “a transgression.”
Or “a maned young lion.”
Or “nagging.”
Or “soul.”
Or “soul.”
Or “reward.”
Or “desire.” Lit., “raise your soul to.”
Or “purpose.”
Or “fearsomeness.”
Or “a maned young lion.”
Or possibly, “He will look during the harvest but find nothing.”
Or “intentions.” Lit., “counsel.”
Lit., “sons.”
Or “Two different stone weights and two different measuring containers.”
Or “boy.”
See Glossary.
Or “a foreigner.”
Or “counsel.”
Or “be made firm.”
Or “wise guidance.”
Or “who entices with his lips.”
Or “Two different stone weights.”
Or “the way to go?”
Or “scour.”
Or “motives.”
Or “advantage.”
Or possibly, “for those seeking death.”
Or “nagging.”
Or “The soul of the wicked one.”
Or “he knows what to do.”
Lit., “a bribe in the bosom.”
Or “loves pleasure.”
Or “nagging.”
Lit., “swallow.”
Or “prevail over.”
Or “his soul.”
Or “along with shameful conduct!”
Lit., “speak forever.”
Or “who makes his way sure.”
Or “A good reputation.” Lit., “A name.”
Lit., “Favor.”
Lit., “meet together.”
Or “penalty.”
Or “soul.”
Or “child; youth.”
Lit., “He with a good eye.”
Or “Lawsuits.”
Lit., “strange.” See Pr 2:16.
Or “child; youth.”
Or “rob the soul.”
Or “your soul.”
Or “Restrain yourself.”
Or “a soul full of desire.”
Or possibly, “Cease from your own understanding.”
Or “of anyone whose eye is evil.”
Or “calculating in his soul.”
Lit., “his heart is not with you.”
Lit., “Redeemer.”
Or “child; youth.”
Or “his soul.”
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Lit., “My kidneys.”
Or “Acquire.”
Lit., “foreign.” See Pr 2:16.
Or “dullness of.”
Or “who gather to try out.”
Or “I felt no pain.”
Or “I will seek it again.”
Or “household.”
Or “wise guidance.”
Or “counselors.”
Or “success; salvation.”
Or “The schemes of a fool.”
Or “in times of trouble.”
Or “motives.”
Or “your soul.”
Or “is sweet to your soul.”
That is, the enemy.
Or “show yourself heated up.”
Or “those who are for a change.”
That is, Jehovah and the king.
Or possibly, “Replying in a straightforward way is like giving a kiss.”
Or “household.”
Or “I will get even with him.”
Lit., “in want of heart.”
Lit., “I took the discipline:”
Or “copied and compiled.”
Or “the secrets of others.”
Or “a malicious rumor.”
Or “settings.”
Or “the soul of his master.”
Lit., “a gift of falsehood.”
Or “mild.”
Or possibly, “a treacherous.”
Or “alkali.”
Lit., “the one hating you.”
That is, to soften the person and melt his hardness.
Or “nagging.”
See Glossary.
Or “compromises with.” Lit., “staggers before.”
Or “who has no restraint for his spirit.”
Or possibly, “So an undeserved curse does not come to pass.”
Or “So that you do not make yourself his equal.”
Lit., “drinks violence.”
Or “dangling.”
Or “who wounds everyone.”
Or “pivot.”
Or possibly, “who meddles in.”
Or “deadly arrows.”
Or “like things to be swallowed greedily.”
Lit., “fervent lips with.”
Or “For his heart is completely detestable.”
Lit., “will give birth to.”
Lit., “a stranger.”
Lit., “A foreigner.”
Or possibly, “insincere; forced.”
Or “A soul who.”
Lit., “treads down.”
Or “the hungry soul.”
Or “is fleeing away.”
Or “from counsel of the soul.”
Or “penalty.”
Or “a foreigner.”
Or “nagging.”
Lit., “the face of his friend.”
Or “Sheol and Abaddon.”
Or “So a man is according to his praise.”
Or “Set your heart on; Pay attention to.”
Or “diadem.”
Or “a young lion.”
Or “revolt.”
Lit., “he.”
Or “who is never without fear.”
Or “with the blood of a soul.”
Or “pit.”
Or “greedy.”
Or possibly, “The arrogant soul.”
Lit., “will be made fat.”
Or “who remains stubborn.”
Or “blameless.”
Or “soul.”
Or possibly, “But the upright seeks to protect his life.”
Lit., “spirit.”
Lit., “meet together.”
That is, He gives them life.
Or “discipline; punishment.”
Or “your soul.”
Or “prophetic vision; revelation.”
Or “his own soul.”
Or “an oath involving a curse.”
Or “Fear of.”
Or “lays.”
Or possibly, “seek the favor of.” Lit., “seek the face of.”
Lit., “raised.”
Or “assail.”
Lit., “excrement.”
Or “Sheol,” that is, the common grave of mankind. See Glossary.
Or “wadi.”
Or “are too wonderful for me.”
Or “an unloved.”
Or “supplants.”
Or “exceedingly wise.”
Lit., “a people not strong.”
Or “The hyraxes.”
Lit., “a people not mighty.”
Or “divided in groups.”
Or “those bitter of soul.”
Or “Plead the cause.”
Or “an excellent.”
See Glossary.
Or “with her earnings.” Lit., “from the fruitage of her hands.”
Lit., “girds her hips with strength.”
The distaff and the spindle were sticks used to spin or make thread and yarn.
Lit., “double.”
Or “undergarments.”
Or “laughs at a future day.”
Or “Loving instruction; The law of loyal love.”
Or “excellent.”
Or “empty.”
Lit., “Give her from the fruit of her hands.”