Proverbs 28

 ¹ The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
       but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

 ² When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers,
       but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

 ³ A ruler ^[a] who oppresses the poor
       is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

 ⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
       but those who keep the law resist them.

 ⁵ Evil men do not understand justice,
       but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.

 ⁶ Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
       than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

 ⁷ He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
       but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

 ⁸ He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest
       amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

 ⁹ If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,
       even his prayers are detestable.

 ¹⁰ He who leads the upright along an evil path
       will fall into his own trap,
       but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

 ¹¹ A rich man may be wise in his own eyes,
       but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

 ¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great elation;
       but when the wicked rise to power, men go into hiding.

 ¹³ He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
       but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

 ¹⁴ Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD,
       but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

 ¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear
       is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.

 ¹⁶ A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment,
       but he who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long life.

 ¹⁷ A man tormented by the guilt of murder
       will be a fugitive till death;
       let no one support him.

 ¹⁸ He whose walk is blameless is kept safe,
       but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.

 ¹⁹ He who works his land will have abundant food,
       but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

 ²⁰ A faithful man will be richly blessed,
       but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

 ²¹ To show partiality is not good—
       yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

 ²² A stingy man is eager to get rich
       and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

 ²³ He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor
       than he who has a flattering tongue.

 ²⁴ He who robs his father or mother
       and says, "It's not wrong"—
       he is partner to him who destroys.

 ²⁵ A greedy man stirs up dissension,
       but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

 ²⁶ He who trusts in himself is a fool,
       but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

 ²⁷ He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
       but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

 ²⁸ When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;
       but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.

Proverbs 29

 ¹ A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes
       will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

 ² When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
       when the wicked rule, the people groan.

 ³ A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
       but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

 ⁴ By justice a king gives a country stability,
       but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down.

 ⁵ Whoever flatters his neighbor
       is spreading a net for his feet.

 ⁶ An evil man is snared by his own sin,
       but a righteous one can sing and be glad.

 ⁷ The righteous care about justice for the poor,
       but the wicked have no such concern.

 ⁸ Mockers stir up a city,
       but wise men turn away anger.

 ⁹ If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
       the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

 ¹⁰ Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity
       and seek to kill the upright.

 ¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his anger,
       but a wise man keeps himself under control.

 ¹² If a ruler listens to lies,
       all his officials become wicked.

 ¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
       The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.

 ¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with fairness,
       his throne will always be secure.

 ¹⁵ The rod of correction imparts wisdom,
       but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

 ¹⁶ When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
       but the righteous will see their downfall.

 ¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;
       he will bring delight to your soul.

 ¹⁸ Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
       but blessed is he who keeps the law.

 ¹⁹ A servant cannot be corrected by mere words;
       though he understands, he will not respond.

 ²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
       There is more hope for a fool than for him.

 ²¹ If a man pampers his servant from youth,
       he will bring grief ^[b] in the end.

 ²² An angry man stirs up dissension,
       and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

 ²³ A man's pride brings him low,
       but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

 ²⁴ The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy;
       he is put under oath and dare not testify.

 ²⁵ Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
       but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

 ²⁶ Many seek an audience with a ruler,
       but it is from the LORD that man gets justice.

 ²⁷ The righteous detest the dishonest;
       the wicked detest the upright.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 28:3 Or A poor man
2. Proverbs 29:21 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.

 ¹³ The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road,
       a fierce lion roaming the streets!"

 ¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges,
       so a sluggard turns on his bed.

 ¹⁵ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
       he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

 ¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
       than seven men who answer discreetly.

 ¹⁷ Like one who seizes a dog by the ears
       is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

 ¹⁸ Like a madman shooting
       firebrands or deadly arrows

 ¹⁹ is a man who deceives his neighbor
       and says, "I was only joking!"

 ²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out;
       without gossip a quarrel dies down.

 ²¹ As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
       so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

 ²² The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
       they go down to a man's inmost parts.

 ²³ Like a coating of glaze ^[a] over earthenware
       are fervent lips with an evil heart.

 ²⁴ A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
       but in his heart he harbors deceit.

 ²⁵ Though his speech is charming, do not believe him,
       for seven abominations fill his heart.

 ²⁶ His malice may be concealed by deception,
       but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

 ²⁷ If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it;
       if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.

 ²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
       and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 27

 ¹ Do not boast about tomorrow,
       for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

 ² Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
       someone else, and not your own lips.

 ³ Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
       but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.

 ⁴ Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
       but who can stand before jealousy?

 ⁵ Better is open rebuke
       than hidden love.

 ⁶ Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
       but an enemy multiplies kisses.

 ⁷ He who is full loathes honey,
       but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

 ⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest
       is a man who strays from his home.

 ⁹ Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
       and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

 ¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father,
       and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you—
       better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

 ¹¹ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
       then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

 ¹² The prudent see danger and take refuge,
       but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

 ¹³ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
       hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

 ¹⁴ If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning,
       it will be taken as a curse.

 ¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is like
       a constant dripping on a rainy day;

 ¹⁶ restraining her is like restraining the wind
       or grasping oil with the hand.

 ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
       so one man sharpens another.

 ¹⁸ He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
       and he who looks after his master will be honored.

 ¹⁹ As water reflects a face,
       so a man's heart reflects the man.

 ²⁰ Death and Destruction ^[b] are never satisfied,
       and neither are the eyes of man.

 ²¹ The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
       but man is tested by the praise he receives.

 ²² Though you grind a fool in a mortar,
       grinding him like grain with a pestle,
       you will not remove his folly from him.

 ²³ Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,
       give careful attention to your herds;

 ²⁴ for riches do not endure forever,
       and a crown is not secure for all generations.

 ²⁵ When the hay is removed and new growth appears
       and the grass from the hills is gathered in,

 ²⁶ the lambs will provide you with clothing,
       and the goats with the price of a field.

 ²⁷ You will have plenty of goats' milk
       to feed you and your family
       and to nourish your servant girls.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 26:23 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text of silver dross
2. Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon

Proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

 ¹ These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

 ² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
       to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

 ³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
       so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

 ⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
       and out comes material for ^[a] the silversmith;

 ⁵ remove the wicked from the king's presence,
       and his throne will be established through righteousness.

 ⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
       and do not claim a place among great men;

 ⁷ it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"
       than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
       What you have seen with your eyes

 ⁸ do not bring ^[b] hastily to court,
       for what will you do in the end
       if your neighbor puts you to shame?

 ⁹ If you argue your case with a neighbor,
       do not betray another man's confidence,

 ¹⁰ or he who hears it may shame you
       and you will never lose your bad reputation.

 ¹¹ A word aptly spoken
       is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

 ¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
       is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

 ¹³ Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
       is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
       he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

 ¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain
       is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

 ¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
       and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

 ¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
       too much of it, and you will vomit.

 ¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house—
       too much of you, and he will hate you.

 ¹⁸ Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
       is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

 ¹⁹ Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
       is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.

 ²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
       or like vinegar poured on soda,
       is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

 ²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
       if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

 ²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
       and the LORD will reward you.

 ²³ As a north wind brings rain,
       so a sly tongue brings angry looks.

 ²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof
       than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

 ²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul
       is good news from a distant land.

 ²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
       is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

 ²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,
       nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.

 ²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken down
       is a man who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 26

 ¹ Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
       honor is not fitting for a fool.

 ² Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
       an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

 ³ A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey,
       and a rod for the backs of fools!

 ⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
       or you will be like him yourself.

 ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
       or he will be wise in his own eyes.

 ⁶ Like cutting off one's feet or drinking violence
       is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

 ⁷ Like a lame man's legs that hang limp
       is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

 ⁸ Like tying a stone in a sling
       is the giving of honor to a fool.

 ⁹ Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand
       is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

 ¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds at random
       is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.

 ¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit,
       so a fool repeats his folly.

 ¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
       There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 25:4 Or comes a vessel from
2. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobleman / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go

Proverbs 24

 ¹ Do not envy wicked men,
       do not desire their company;

 ² for their hearts plot violence,
       and their lips talk about making trouble.

 ³ By wisdom a house is built,
       and through understanding it is established;

 ⁴ through knowledge its rooms are filled
       with rare and beautiful treasures.

 ⁵ A wise man has great power,
       and a man of knowledge increases strength;

 ⁶ for waging war you need guidance,
       and for victory many advisers.

 ⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool;
       in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say.

 ⁸ He who plots evil
       will be known as a schemer.

 ⁹ The schemes of folly are sin,
       and men detest a mocker.

 ¹⁰ If you falter in times of trouble,
       how small is your strength!

 ¹¹ Rescue those being led away to death;
       hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

 ¹² If you say, "But we knew nothing about this,"
       does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
       Does not he who guards your life know it?
       Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

 ¹³ Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
       honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

 ¹⁴ Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul;
       if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
       and your hope will not be cut off.

 ¹⁵ Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house,
       do not raid his dwelling place;

 ¹⁶ for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,
       but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

 ¹⁷ Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
       when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,

 ¹⁸ or the LORD will see and disapprove
       and turn his wrath away from him.

 ¹⁹ Do not fret because of evil men
       or be envious of the wicked,

 ²⁰ for the evil man has no future hope,
       and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

 ²¹ Fear the LORD and the king, my son,
       and do not join with the rebellious,

 ²² for those two will send sudden destruction upon them,
       and who knows what calamities they can bring?
       Further Sayings of the Wise

 ²³ These also are sayings of the wise:
       To show partiality in judging is not good:

 ²⁴ Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"—
       peoples will curse him and nations denounce him.

 ²⁵ But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
       and rich blessing will come upon them.

 ²⁶ An honest answer
       is like a kiss on the lips.

 ²⁷ Finish your outdoor work
       and get your fields ready;
       after that, build your house.

 ²⁸ Do not testify against your neighbor without cause,
       or use your lips to deceive.

 ²⁹ Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me;
       I'll pay that man back for what he did."

 ³⁰ I went past the field of the sluggard,
       past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;

 ³¹ thorns had come up everywhere,
       the ground was covered with weeds,
       and the stone wall was in ruins.

 ³² I applied my heart to what I observed
       and learned a lesson from what I saw:

 ³³ A little sleep, a little slumber,
       a little folding of the hands to rest-

 ³⁴ and poverty will come on you like a bandit
       and scarcity like an armed man. ^[a]

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 24:34 Or like a vagrant / and scarcity like a beggar

Sayings of the Wise

 ¹⁷ Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
       apply your heart to what I teach,

 ¹⁸ for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
       and have all of them ready on your lips.

 ¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the LORD,
       I teach you today, even you.

 ²⁰ Have I not written thirty ^[a] sayings for you,
       sayings of counsel and knowledge,

 ²¹ teaching you true and reliable words,
       so that you can give sound answers
       to him who sent you?

 ²² Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
       and do not crush the needy in court,

 ²³ for the LORD will take up their case
       and will plunder those who plunder them.

 ²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
       do not associate with one easily angered,

 ²⁵ or you may learn his ways
       and get yourself ensnared.

 ²⁶ Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge
       or puts up security for debts;

 ²⁷ if you lack the means to pay,
       your very bed will be snatched from under you.

 ²⁸ Do not move an ancient boundary stone
       set up by your forefathers.

 ²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work?
       He will serve before kings;
       he will not serve before obscure men.

Proverbs 23

 ¹ When you sit to dine with a ruler,
       note well what ^[b] is before you,

 ² and put a knife to your throat
       if you are given to gluttony.

 ³ Do not crave his delicacies,
       for that food is deceptive.

 ⁴ Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
       have the wisdom to show restraint.

 ⁵ Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
       for they will surely sprout wings
       and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

 ⁶ Do not eat the food of a stingy man,
       do not crave his delicacies;

 ⁷ for he is the kind of man
       who is always thinking about the cost. ^[c]
       "Eat and drink," he says to you,
       but his heart is not with you.

 ⁸ You will vomit up the little you have eaten
       and will have wasted your compliments.

 ⁹ Do not speak to a fool,
       for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

 ¹⁰ Do not move an ancient boundary stone
       or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

 ¹¹ for their Defender is strong;
       he will take up their case against you.

 ¹² Apply your heart to instruction
       and your ears to words of knowledge.

 ¹³ Do not withhold discipline from a child;
       if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

 ¹⁴ Punish him with the rod
       and save his soul from death. ^[d]

 ¹⁵ My son, if your heart is wise,
       then my heart will be glad;

 ¹⁶ my inmost being will rejoice
       when your lips speak what is right.

 ¹⁷ Do not let your heart envy sinners,
       but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

 ¹⁸ There is surely a future hope for you,
       and your hope will not be cut off.

 ¹⁹ Listen, my son, and be wise,
       and keep your heart on the right path.

 ²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine
       or gorge themselves on meat,

 ²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
       and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

 ²² Listen to your father, who gave you life,
       and do not despise your mother when she is old.

 ²³ Buy the truth and do not sell it;
       get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

 ²⁴ The father of a righteous man has great joy;
       he who has a wise son delights in him.

 ²⁵ May your father and mother be glad;
       may she who gave you birth rejoice!

 ²⁶ My son, give me your heart
       and let your eyes keep to my ways,

 ²⁷ for a prostitute is a deep pit
       and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

 ²⁸ Like a bandit she lies in wait,
       and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

 ²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
       Who has strife? Who has complaints?
       Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

 ³⁰ Those who linger over wine,
       who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

 ³¹ Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
       when it sparkles in the cup,
       when it goes down smoothly!

 ³² In the end it bites like a snake
       and poisons like a viper.

 ³³ Your eyes will see strange sights
       and your mind imagine confusing things.

 ³⁴ You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
       lying on top of the rigging.

 ³⁵ "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt!
       They beat me, but I don't feel it!
       When will I wake up
       so I can find another drink?"

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 22:20 Or not formerly written ; or not written excellent
2. Proverbs 23:1 Or who
3. Proverbs 23:7 Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is
4. Proverbs 23:14 Hebrew Sheol

 ¹⁴ "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer;
       then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.

 ¹⁵ Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
       but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

 ¹⁶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
       hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.

 ¹⁷ Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man,
       but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

 ¹⁸ Make plans by seeking advice;
       if you wage war, obtain guidance.

 ¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence;
       so avoid a man who talks too much.

 ²⁰ If a man curses his father or mother,
       his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

 ²¹ An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
       will not be blessed at the end.

 ²² Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!"
       Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

 ²³ The LORD detests differing weights,
       and dishonest scales do not please him.

 ²⁴ A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
       How then can anyone understand his own way?

 ²⁵ It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly
       and only later to consider his vows.

 ²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked;
       he drives the threshing wheel over them.

 ²⁷ The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man ^[a] ;
       it searches out his inmost being.

 ²⁸ Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
       through love his throne is made secure.

 ²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength,
       gray hair the splendor of the old.

 ³⁰ Blows and wounds cleanse away evil,
       and beatings purge the inmost being.

Proverbs 21

 ¹ The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD;
       he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

 ² All a man's ways seem right to him,
       but the LORD weighs the heart.

 ³ To do what is right and just
       is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

 ⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
       the lamp of the wicked, are sin!

 ⁵ The plans of the diligent lead to profit
       as surely as haste leads to poverty.

 ⁶ A fortune made by a lying tongue
       is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. ^[b]

 ⁷ The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
       for they refuse to do what is right.

 ⁸ The way of the guilty is devious,
       but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

 ⁹ Better to live on a corner of the roof
       than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

 ¹⁰ The wicked man craves evil;
       his neighbor gets no mercy from him.

 ¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
       when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.

 ¹² The Righteous One ^[c] takes note of the house of the wicked
       and brings the wicked to ruin.

 ¹³ If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
       he too will cry out and not be answered.

 ¹⁴ A gift given in secret soothes anger,
       and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

 ¹⁵ When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
       but terror to evildoers.

 ¹⁶ A man who strays from the path of understanding
       comes to rest in the company of the dead.

 ¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will become poor;
       whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.

 ¹⁸ The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
       and the unfaithful for the upright.

 ¹⁹ Better to live in a desert
       than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

 ²⁰ In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil,
       but a foolish man devours all he has.

 ²¹ He who pursues righteousness and love
       finds life, prosperity ^[d] and honor.

 ²² A wise man attacks the city of the mighty
       and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

 ²³ He who guards his mouth and his tongue
       keeps himself from calamity.

 ²⁴ The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name;
       he behaves with overweening pride.

 ²⁵ The sluggard's craving will be the death of him,
       because his hands refuse to work.

 ²⁶ All day long he craves for more,
       but the righteous give without sparing.

 ²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
       how much more so when brought with evil intent!

 ²⁸ A false witness will perish,
       and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever. ^[e]

 ²⁹ A wicked man puts up a bold front,
       but an upright man gives thought to his ways.

 ³⁰ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
       that can succeed against the LORD.

 ³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
       but victory rests with the LORD.

Proverbs 22

 ¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches;
       to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

 ² Rich and poor have this in common:
       The LORD is the Maker of them all.

 ³ A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
       but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

 ⁴ Humility and the fear of the LORD
       bring wealth and honor and life.

 ⁵ In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
       but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

 ⁶ Train ^[f] a child in the way he should go,
       and when he is old he will not turn from it.

 ⁷ The rich rule over the poor,
       and the borrower is servant to the lender.

 ⁸ He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
       and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

 ⁹ A generous man will himself be blessed,
       for he shares his food with the poor.

 ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
       quarrels and insults are ended.

 ¹¹ He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
       will have the king for his friend.

 ¹² The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
       but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

 ¹³ The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!"
       or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

 ¹⁴ The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
       he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

 ¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
       but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

 ¹⁶ He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
       and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 20:27 Or The spirit of man is the LORD 's lamp
2. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
3. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous man
4. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness
5. Proverbs 21:28 Or / but the words of an obedient man will live on
6. Proverbs 22:6 Or Start

Proverbs 19

 ¹ Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
       than a fool whose lips are perverse.

 ² It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
       nor to be hasty and miss the way.

 ³ A man's own folly ruins his life,
       yet his heart rages against the LORD.

 ⁴ Wealth brings many friends,
       but a poor man's friend deserts him.

 ⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished,
       and he who pours out lies will not go free.

 ⁶ Many curry favor with a ruler,
       and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

 ⁷ A poor man is shunned by all his relatives—
       how much more do his friends avoid him!
       Though he pursues them with pleading,
       they are nowhere to be found. ^[a]

 ⁸ He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
       he who cherishes understanding prospers.

 ⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished,
       and he who pours out lies will perish.

 ¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
       how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

 ¹¹ A man's wisdom gives him patience;
       it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

 ¹² A king's rage is like the roar of a lion,
       but his favor is like dew on the grass.

 ¹³ A foolish son is his father's ruin,
       and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

 ¹⁴ Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
       but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

 ¹⁵ Laziness brings on deep sleep,
       and the shiftless man goes hungry.

 ¹⁶ He who obeys instructions guards his life,
       but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

 ¹⁷ He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
       and he will reward him for what he has done.

 ¹⁸ Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
       do not be a willing party to his death.

 ¹⁹ A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;
       if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

 ²⁰ Listen to advice and accept instruction,
       and in the end you will be wise.

 ²¹ Many are the plans in a man's heart,
       but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

 ²² What a man desires is unfailing love ^[b] ;
       better to be poor than a liar.

 ²³ The fear of the LORD leads to life:
       Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

 ²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
       he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

 ²⁵ Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
       rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

 ²⁶ He who robs his father and drives out his mother
       is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

 ²⁷ Stop listening to instruction, my son,
       and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

 ²⁸ A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
       and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

 ²⁹ Penalties are prepared for mockers,
       and beatings for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 20

 ¹ Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
       whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

 ² A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion;
       he who angers him forfeits his life.

 ³ It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
       but every fool is quick to quarrel.

 ⁴ A sluggard does not plow in season;
       so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

 ⁵ The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
       but a man of understanding draws them out.

 ⁶ Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
       but a faithful man who can find?

 ⁷ The righteous man leads a blameless life;
       blessed are his children after him.

 ⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge,
       he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

 ⁹ Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;
       I am clean and without sin"?

 ¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures—
       the LORD detests them both.

 ¹¹ Even a child is known by his actions,
       by whether his conduct is pure and right.

 ¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—
       the LORD has made them both.

 ¹³ Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
       stay awake and you will have food to spare.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 19:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this sentence is uncertain.
2. Proverbs 19:22 Or A man's greed is his shame