\id PRO ENG - Lexham English Bible
\ide UTF-8
\rem Version 20230701
\h Proverbs
\toc1 Proverbs
\toc2 Prov
\toc3 Pr
\mt1 Proverbs
\c 1
\s1 Prologue
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
\q1 
\v 2 To know wisdom and instruction,
\q2 to understand sayings of understanding,
\q1 
\v 3 to gain ⸤insightful instruction⸥,\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Literally “the instruction of insight” \f*
\q2 righteousness and justice and equity,
\q1 
\v 4 to give shrewdness\f + \fr 1:4 \ft Or “cleverness,” or “prudence” \f* to the simple,
\q2 knowledge and purpose\f + \fr 1:4 \ft Or “plan” \f* to the young,
\q1 
\v 5 may the wise hear and increase learning,
\q2 and the one who understands gain direction,\f + \fr 1:5 \ft Or “guidance” \f*
\q1 
\v 6 to understand a proverb and an expression,
\q2 words of wisdom and their riddles.
\q1 
\v 7 Fear of Yahweh \add is the\add* beginning of knowledge;
\q2 wisdom and instruction, fools despise.
\sd0
\s1 Lecture Against Gang Behavior
\sd0
\q1 
\v 8 My child, may you keep\f + \fr 1:8 \ft Or “obey,” or “hear” \f* your father’s instruction,
\q2 and do not reject your mother’s teachings,
\q1 
\v 9 for they \add are\add* a garland of favor for your head,
\q2 and pendants for your neck.
\q1 
\v 10 My child, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
\q1 
\v 11 If they say,
\q2 “Come with us!
\q2 We shall lie in wait for blood;
\q2 we shall ambush the innocent without cause.\f + \fr 1:11 \ft Or “wantonly,” or “for nothing” \f*
\q1 
\v 12 Like Sheol,\f + \fr 1:12 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f* we will swallow them alive
\q2 and whole, ⸤like those who descend to the pit⸥.\f + \fr 1:12 \ft Literally “like the descenders of a pit” \f*
\q1 
\v 13 We shall find all precious wealth,
\q2 we shall fill our houses \add with\add* booty,
\q1 
\v 14 you shall throw your lot in our midst,
\q2 there will be one purse for all of us.”
\q1 
\v 15 My child, do not walk in their way.\f + \fr 1:15 \ft Or “on their road” \f*
\q2 Keep your foot from their paths,
\q1 
\v 16 for their feet run to evil,
\q2 and they hurry to shed blood,
\q1 
\v 17 for “in vain\f + \fr 1:17 \ft Or “without cause,” or “for nothing” \f* is the net scattered,
\q2 in the sight of any ⸤winged bird⸥.”\f + \fr 1:17 \ft Literally “bird of wing” \f*
\q1 
\v 18 They lie in wait for their \add own\add* blood.
\q2 They ambush their \add own\add* lives.
\q1 
\v 19 Thus are the ways of all who are greedy \add for\add* gain—
\q2 it will take the life of its possessors.
\sd0
\s1 The Call of Lady Wisdom
\sd0
\q1 
\v 20 Wisdom calls out in the streets,
\q2 in the squares she raises her voice.
\q1 
\v 21 On a ⸤busy corner⸥\f + \fr 1:21 \ft Literally “head of commotion,” or “head of stirring, bustling” \f* she cries out,
\q2 at the entrances of the gates in the city, she speaks her sayings:
\q1 
\v 22 “⸤How long⸥,\f + \fr 1:22 \ft Literally “Until when” \f* O simple ones, will you love simplicity?
\q2 And \add how long\add* will scoffers delight in their scoffing,
\q2 and fools hate knowledge?
\q1 
\v 23 May you turn to my argument!\f + \fr 1:23 \ft Or “turn at my reproach” \f*
\q2 Behold, I shall pour out my spirit upon you;
\q2 I will make my words known to you.
\q1 
\v 24 Because I called out and you refused me,
\q2 I stretched out my hand, yet there is none who heeds.
\q1 
\v 25 You have ignored all my counsel,
\q2 and my reproof you are not willing \add to accept\add*.
\q1 
\v 26 I will also laugh at your calamity;\f + \fr 1:26 \ft Or “downfall” \f*
\q2 I will mock when panic\f + \fr 1:26 \ft Or “dread, fear” \f* comes \add upon\add* you.
\q1 
\v 27 When your panic comes like a storm,
\q2 and your calamity arrives like a whirlwind,
\q2 when distress and anguish come upon you,
\q1 
\v 28 then they will call\f + \fr 1:28 \ft Or “cry out \fq to \ft ” \f* me, but I will not answer;
\q2 they will seek me diligently but not find me.
\q1 
\v 29 Since they hated knowledge,
\q2 and did not choose the fear of Yahweh,
\q1 
\v 30 they were not willing \add to accept\add* my counsel,
\q2 they despised all my reproof.
\q1 
\v 31 They shall eat from the fruit of their way,
\q2 and they shall be sated from their own schemes,
\q1 
\v 32 for the waywardness of the simple ones will kill them,
\q2 and the complacency of fools will destroy them.
\q1 
\v 33 Whoever listens to me will dwell in security
\q2 and rest securely\f + \fr 1:33 \ft Or “be at ease, peace” \f* from dread and disaster.”
\sd0
\c 2
\s1 The Benefits of Wisdom
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 My child, if you will receive\f + \fr 2:1 \ft Or “take, seize” \f* my sayings,
\q2 and hide my commands with you,
\q1 
\v 2 \add in order\add* to incline your ear toward wisdom,
\q2 \add then\add* you shall apply your heart to understanding.
\q1 
\v 3 For if you cry out for understanding,\f + \fr 2:3 \ft Or “call to understanding” \f*
\q2 \add if\add* you lift\f + \fr 2:3 \ft Or “carry, give” \f* your voice for insight,
\q1 
\v 4 if you seek her like silver
\q2 and search her out ⸤like treasure⸥,\f + \fr 2:4 \ft Literally “like the treasures” \f*
\q1 
\v 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
\q2 and the knowledge of God you will find.
\q1 
\v 6 For Yahweh will give wisdom;
\q2 from his mouth \add come\add* knowledge and understanding.
\q1 
\v 7 For the upright, he stores\f + \fr 2:7 \ft Or “hides, keeps” \f* sound judgment, a shield for those who walk uprightly,
\q1 
\v 8 \add in order\add* to guard paths of justice
\q2 and keep\f + \fr 2:8 \ft Or “preserve, guard, watch” \f* the way of his faithful \add ones\add*.
\q1 
\v 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice
\q2 and uprightness—every good course—
\q1 
\v 10 for wisdom will enter your heart,
\q2 and knowledge will be pleasing to your soul.\f + \fr 2:10 \ft Or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 11 Discretion will watch over you;
\q2 understanding will protect you,
\q1 
\v 12 \add in order\add* to deliver you from the way of evil,\f + \fr 2:12 \ft Or “evildoer” \f*
\q2 from a man who speaks devious things—
\q1 
\v 13 those who forsake the paths of uprightness
\q2 to walk in ways of darkness,
\q1 
\v 14 those who are happy to do evil,
\q2 \add for\add* they delight in \add the\add* deviousness of evil,
\q1 
\v 15 ⸤who are crooked in their ways⸥,\f + \fr 2:15 \ft Literally “that \fq in \ft their ways are crooked” \f*
\q2 and devious in their paths;
\q1 
\v 16 \add in order\add* to deliver you from a strange woman,
\q2 from a foreign woman \add who\add* flatters\f + \fr 2:16 \ft Or “makes smooth” \f* \add with\add* her sayings,
\q1 
\v 17 she who forsakes the partner of her youth
\q2 and has forgotten the covenant of her God,
\q1 
\v 18 for her house sinks to death,
\q2 and to the dead\f + \fr 2:18 \ft Or “Rephaim” \f* are her paths.
\q1 
\v 19 \add Of\add* all who go to her, none shall return,
\q2 nor do they reach paths of life.
\q1 
\v 20 So that you will walk on the road of those who are good,
\q2 and the paths of those who are righteous you shall keep.
\q1 
\v 21 For those who are upright will dwell \add in the\add* land,\f + \fr 2:21 \ft Or “earth” \f*
\q2 and those who are blameless\f + \fr 2:21 \ft Or “innocent” \f* will remain in it.
\q1 
\v 22 And those who are wicked will be cut off from the land,
\q2 and those who are treacherous will be uprooted from it.
\sd0
\c 3
\s1 Wisdom and Piety
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 My child, do not forget my instruction,
\q2 and may your heart guard my commands.
\q1 
\v 2 For length of days, years of life,
\q2 and peace they\f + \fr 3:2 \ft That is, “my commands” (3:1) \f* shall add to you.
\q1 
\v 3 May loyal love\f + \fr 3:3 \ft Or “kindness, mercy” \f* and truth not forsake you;
\q2 bind them around your neck,
\q2 write them upon your heart.
\q1 
\v 4 And you shall find favor and good sense\f + \fr 3:4 \ft Or “understanding, prudence” \f*
\q2 in the eyes of God and humankind.
\q1 
\v 5 ⸤Trust Yahweh⸥\f + \fr 3:5 \ft Literally “trust toward Yahweh” \f* with all your heart;
\q2 do not lean toward your own understanding.
\q1 
\v 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
\q2 and he will straighten your paths.
\q1 
\v 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
\q2 fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
\q1 
\v 8 There shall be healing for your ⸤flesh⸥,\f + \fr 3:8 \ft Literally “navel” \f*
\q2 and refreshment for your body.
\q1 
\v 9 Honor Yahweh from your substance,\f + \fr 3:9 \ft Or “wealth, property” \f*
\q2 and from the firstfruits of all that will come to you,
\q1 
\v 10 and your barns shall be full of plenty,
\q2 and your vats shall burst \add with\add* new wine.
\sd0
\s1 Happy Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
\sd0
\q1 
\v 11 Do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, my child.
\q2 Do not be weary of his reproof
\q1 
\v 12 because whomever Yahweh will love, he will rebuke,
\q2 as a father delights in his son.
\q1 
\v 13 Happy \add is\add* ⸤the one⸥\f + \fr 3:13 \ft Literally “a man” \f* who finds wisdom,
\q2 and one who obtains understanding.
\q1 
\v 14 For her\f + \fr 3:14 \ft Or “its”; both “wisdom” and “understanding” are feminine nouns and can be read as either “she” or “it” \f* income is better than the income of silver,
\q2 and her revenue than \add that of\add* gold.
\q1 
\v 15 She is more precious than rubies,
\q2 and all your desires shall not compare with her.
\q1 
\v 16 Length of days \add is\add* in her right hand;
\q2 in her left hand \add are\add* riches and honor.
\q1 
\v 17 Her ways \add are\add* ways of pleasantness,
\q2 and all her paths \add are\add* peace.
\q1 
\v 18 She is a tree of life for those who seize her;
\q2 those who take hold of her are considered happy.
\sd0
\s1 Role of Wisdom in Creation and Society
\sd0
\q1 
\v 19 Yahweh in wisdom founded the earth;
\q2 he established the heavens in understanding.
\q1 
\v 20 With his knowledge, depths broke open,
\q2 and clouds dropped dew.
\q1 
\v 21 My child, may they\f + \fr 3:21 \ft Grammatically, “they” most likely refers to clouds (3:20). In context, “they” may refer to wisdom and understanding (3:13). \f* not escape from your ⸤sight⸥;\f + \fr 3:21 \ft Literally “eyes” \f*
\q2 may you keep sound wisdom and prudence.
\q1 
\v 22 They shall be life for your soul\f + \fr 3:22 \ft Or “inner self” \f*
\q2 and adornment\f + \fr 3:22 \ft Or “favor” \f* for your neck.
\q1 
\v 23 Then you will walk in the confidence of your ways,
\q2 and your foot will not stumble.
\q1 
\v 24 If you sit down, you will not panic,\f + \fr 3:24 \ft Or “fear, dread” \f*
\q2 and \add if\add* you lie down, then your sleep shall be sweet.
\q1 
\v 25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic,\f + \fr 3:25 \ft Or “fear, dread” \f*
\q2 or the storm of wickedness that will come.
\q1 
\v 26 Yahweh will be ⸤your confidence⸥\f + \fr 3:26 \ft Literally “in your confidence” \f*
\q2 and guard your foot from capture.
\q1 
\v 27 Do not withhold good from its owner\f + \fr 3:27 \ft Or “lord” \f*
\q2 when it is in the power of your hand to do.
\q1 
\v 28 Do not say to your neighbor,
\q2 “Go and return and tomorrow I will give \add it\add*,”
\q2 ⸤when it is with you⸥.\f + \fr 3:28 \ft Literally “and there is with you” \f*
\q1 
\v 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor
\q2 \add who\add* dwells in confidence beside you.
\q1 
\v 30 Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,
\q2 when he did not do you harm.
\q1 
\v 31 Do not envy a man of violence,
\q2 and do not choose any of his ways,
\q1 
\v 32 for he who is perverse \add is\add* an abomination of Yahweh,
\q2 but those who are upright \add are\add* his confidence.
\q1 
\v 33 The curse of Yahweh \add is\add* on the house of the wicked,
\q2 and the abode of the righteous ones he blesses.
\q1 
\v 34 With those who scorn, he is scornful,
\q2 but to those who are humble, he gives favor.
\q1 
\v 35 They will inherit the honor of the wise,
\q2 but stubborn fools, disgrace.
\sd0
\c 4
\s1 The Father’s Wisdom
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 Children, listen \add to the\add* instruction of a father,
\q2 and be attentive \add in order\add* to know insight.
\q1 
\v 2 For I have given you good instruction;
\q2 do not forsake my teaching.
\q1 
\v 3 When I was a son to my father,
\q2 tender and alone before my mother,
\q1 
\v 4 he taught me and said to me,
\q2 “May your heart hold fast \add to\add* my words;
\q2 guard my commandments and live.
\q1 
\v 5 Get wisdom and insight;
\q2 do not forget and do not turn from the sayings of my mouth.
\q1 
\v 6 Do not forsake her—then she will guard you;
\q2 love her and she will keep you.
\q1 
\v 7 The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom!
\q2 With all \add that is in\add* your possession, gain insight.
\q1 
\v 8 Cherish her and she will exalt you;
\q2 she will honor you if you embrace her.
\q1 
\v 9 She will give a garland for your head;
\q2 she shall bestow a crown of glory upon you.”
\sd0
\s1 The Right Path
\sd0
\q1 
\v 10 Listen, my child, take my sayings,
\q2 and \add the\add* years of your life shall be great.
\q1 
\v 11 In the way of wisdom I have instructed you;
\q2 I have led you in the path of uprightness.
\q1 
\v 12 ⸤When you walk⸥,\f + \fr 4:12 \ft Literally “In your walking” \f* your step will not be hampered,
\q2 and if you run, you will not stumble.
\q1 
\v 13 Seize the instruction! Do not let go!
\q2 Guard her, for she is your life.
\q1 
\v 14 In the path of the wicked do not go;
\q2 do not walk in the way of those who do evil.
\q1 
\v 15 Avoid it; do not transgress it;
\q2 turn away from it and pass by.
\q1 
\v 16 For they will not sleep if they have not done wrong,
\q2 and they are robbed of their sleep if they do not cause stumbling.
\q1 
\v 17 For they ate the bread of wickedness,
\q2 and they drank the wine of violence.
\q1 
\v 18 But the path of the righteous ones \add is\add* like the light of dawn,
\q2 leading and shining until the day ⸤is full⸥.\f + \fr 4:18 \ft Literally “\fq is \ft correct” \f*
\q1 
\v 19 The way of the wicked ones \add is\add* like deep darkness;
\q2 they do not know what they stumble over.
\sd0
\s1 Staying the Course
\sd0
\q1 
\v 20 My child, be attentive to my words;
\q2 to my sayings incline your ear.
\q1 
\v 21 May they not escape from your ⸤sight⸥;\f + \fr 4:21 \ft Literally “eyes” \f*
\q2 keep them in \add the\add* midst of your heart.
\q1 
\v 22 For they are life to those who find them
\q2 and healing ⸤to the entire body⸥.\f + \fr 4:22 \ft Literally “for all his flesh” \f*
\q1 
\v 23 With all vigilance, keep your heart,
\q2 for from it \add comes\add* the source\f + \fr 4:23 \ft Or “extremity” \f* of life.
\q1 
\v 24 Remove from yourself ⸤deceitful speech⸥,\f + \fr 4:24 \ft Literally “crookedness of mouth” \f*
\q2 and abolish ⸤devious talk⸥\f + \fr 4:24 \ft Literally “deviousness of lips” \f* from yourself.
\q1 
\v 25 May your eyes look forward\f + \fr 4:25 \ft Or “opposite” \f*
\q2 and your gaze be straight before you.
\q1 
\v 26 May the path of your foot be balanced
\q2 and all your ways be sure.
\q1 
\v 27 Do not swerve right or left;
\q2 remove your foot from evil.
\sd0
\c 5
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  My child, be attentive to my wisdom,
\q2 and to my understanding incline your ear;
\q1 
\v 2 \add in order\add* to keep prudence,
\q2 and knowledge will guard your lips.
\q1 
\v 3 For the lips of the strange woman will drip honey,
\q2 and smoother than oil is her mouth.\f + \fr 5:3 \ft Or “palate” \f*
\q1 
\v 4 But her end is bitter as the wormwood,
\q2 sharp as a two-edged sword.
\q1 
\v 5 Her feet go down \add to\add* death;
\q2 her steps take hold \add of\add* Sheol.\f + \fr 5:5 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f*
\q1 
\v 6 She does not observe\f + \fr 5:6 \ft Or “examine, weigh” \f* the path of life;
\q2 her ways wander, \add and\add* she does not know \add it\add*.
\sd0
\s1 Do Not Commit Adultery Against Wisdom
\sd0
\q1 
\v 7 Now, O children, listen to me;
\q2 do not depart from the sayings of my mouth.
\q1 
\v 8 Keep your paths far from her,
\q2 and do not go near to the door of her house,
\q1 
\v 9 lest you give your honor to the others,
\q2 and your years to the merciless,
\q1 
\v 10 lest strangers take \add their\add* fill of your strength,
\q2 and your labors \add go\add* to the house of a foreigner,
\q1 
\v 11 and you groan at your end,
\q2 when your flesh and body are consumed,
\q1 
\v 12 and say “How I hated discipline,
\q2 and I despised reproof!”
\q1 
\v 13 and “I did not listen to the voice of my teachers,
\q2 and I did not incline my ear to my instructors!
\q1 
\v 14 I was almost at utter\f + \fr 5:14 \ft Or “all, every, whole” \f* ruin\f + \fr 5:14 \ft Or “evil” \f*
\q2 in the midst of the assembly and congregation.”
\q1 
\v 15 Drink water from your \add own\add* cistern
\q2 and flowing waters from inside your own well.
\q1 
\v 16 Shall your springs be scattered outward?
\q2 In the streets, \add shall there be\add* streams of water?
\q1 
\v 17 May they be yours alone,
\q2 and not for strangers \add who are\add* with you.
\q1 
\v 18 May your fountain be blessed,
\q2 and rejoice in the wife\f + \fr 5:18 \ft Or “woman” \f* of your youth.
\q1 
\v 19 \add She is\add* a deer of love and a doe of grace;
\q2 may her breasts satisfy you ⸤always⸥;\f + \fr 5:19 \ft Literally “at all time” \f*
\q2 by her love may you be intoxicated continually.
\q1 
\v 20 Why should you be intoxicated, my child, by a strange woman,
\q2 and embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
\q1 
\v 21 For before the eyes of Yahweh \add are\add* ⸤human ways⸥,\f + \fr 5:21 \ft Literally “the ways of man/humankind” \f*
\q2 and all his paths he examines.
\q1 
\v 22 His iniquities shall ensnare him, the evildoer,
\q2 and in the vanity of his sin he shall be caught.
\q1 
\v 23 He shall die ⸤for lack of⸥\f + \fr 5:23 \ft Literally “with there is no” \f* discipline,
\q2 and in the greatness of his folly he shall be lost.
\sd0
\c 6
\s1 Against Pledges
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 My child, if you have pledged to your neighbor,
\q2 \add if\add* you have bound ⸤yourself⸥\f + \fr 6:1 \ft Literally “palms of your hands” \f* to the stranger,
\q1 
\v 2 \add if\add* you are snared by the sayings of your mouth,
\q2 \add if\add* you are caught by the sayings of your mouth,
\q1 
\v 3 do this, then, my child, and save yourself,
\q2 for you have come into ⸤the palm of your neighbor’s hand⸥:\f + \fr 6:3 \ft Literally “the palm of the hand of your neighbor” \f*
\q2 Go, humble yourself, plead with your neighbor.
\q1 
\v 4 Do not give sleep to your eyes,
\q2 or slumber to your eyelids.
\q1 
\v 5 Save yourself like a gazelle from a hand,
\q2 or like a bird from the hand of a fowler.
\sd0
\s1 Against Sloth
\sd0
\q1 
\v 6 Go to the ant, lazy!
\q2 Consider its ways and be wise.
\q1 
\v 7 It has no chief,
\q2 officer, or ruler.
\q1 
\v 8 In the summer, it prepares its food;
\q2 in the harvest, it gathers its sustenance.
\q1 
\v 9 How long will you lie down, lazy?
\q2 When will you rise up from your sleep?
\q1 
\v 10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
\q2 a little folding of the hands for rest—
\q1 
\v 11 like a ⸤robber⸥\f + \fr 6:11 \ft Literally “one who walks,” that is, a vagabond \f* shall your poverty come,
\q2 and what you lack like an armed man.
\sd0
\s1 Against Worthlessness
\sd0
\q1 
\v 12 A worthless man, an evil man,
\q2 goes around with ⸤deceitful speech⸥.\f + \fr 6:12 \ft Literally “crookedness of mouth” \f*
\q1 
\v 13 Winking in his eye, shuffling in his foot,
\q2 pointing in his fingers,
\q1 
\v 14 perversion in his heart, he devises evil;
\q2 at all times he will send out discord.\f + \fr 6:14 \ft Or “quarrels” \f*
\q1 
\v 15 Upon ⸤such a man⸥,\f + \fr 6:15 \ft Literally “thus” \f* suddenly shall his calamity come;
\q2 in a moment he will be damaged and there is no healing.\f + \fr 6:15 \ft Or “repair” \f*
\sd0
\s1 What Yahweh Hates
\sd0
\q1 
\v 16 There are six \add things\add* Yahweh hates,
\q2 and seven \add things are\add* abominations of his soul:\f + \fr 6:16 \ft Or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
\q2 and hands that shed innocent blood,
\q1 
\v 18 a devising heart, plans of deception,
\q2 feet that hurry to run to evil,\f + \fr 6:18 \ft Hebrew “the evil” \f*
\q1 
\v 19 a false witness who breathes lies
\q2 and sends out discord\f + \fr 6:19 \ft Or “quarrels” \f* between brothers.
\sd0
\s1 Commandment and Instruction as Guardians
\sd0
\q1 
\v 20 My child, keep \add the\add* commandment of your father,
\q2 and do not disregard \add the\add* instruction of your mother.
\q1 
\v 21 Bind them on your heart continually;
\q2 tie them upon your neck.
\q1 
\v 22 ⸤When you walk⸥,\f + \fr 6:22 \ft Literally “In your walking” \f* she\f + \fr 6:22 \ft That is, “commandment” and “instruction” \f* will lead you,
\q2 ⸤When you lie down⸥,\f + \fr 6:22 \ft Literally “In your lying down” \f* she will watch over you,
\q2 and \add when\add* you awake, she will converse \add with\add* you.
\q1 
\v 23 For \add like\add* a lamp \add is\add* a commandment, and instruction \add is\add* light,
\q2 and the way of life\f + \fr 6:23 \ft Hebrew “lives” \f* \add is the\add* reproof of discipline,
\q1 
\v 24 \add in order\add* to preserve you from an evil woman,\f + \fr 6:24 \ft Or “wife” \f*
\q2 from the smoothness of \add the\add* tongue of ⸤an adulteress⸥.\f + \fr 6:24 \ft Literally “a foreign woman” \f*
\q1 
\v 25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart;
\q2 may she not capture you with her eyelashes.
\q1 
\v 26 For \add the\add* price of a woman, a prostitute,\f + \fr 6:26 \ft Or “whore” \f* \add is the\add* price of a loaf of bread,
\q2 but the ⸤woman belonging to a man⸥\f + \fr 6:26 \ft Literally “the woman of a man” \f* hunts precious life.
\sd0
\s1 Warning Against Relations with a Married Woman
\sd0
\q1 
\v 27 Can a man carry fire in his lap,
\q2 and his clothes not burn?
\q1 
\v 28 If a man walks upon the hot coals,
\q2 will his feet not be burned?
\q1 
\v 29 Thus, he who goes to the wife of his neighbor,
\q2 any who touches her shall not go unpunished.
\q1 
\v 30 \add People\add* do not despise a thief when he steals
\q2 to fill himself\f + \fr 6:30 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* when he is hungry.
\q1 
\v 31 But \add if\add* he is found, he will pay sevenfold,
\q2 every possession of his house he shall give.
\q1 
\v 32 He who commits adultery \add with\add* a woman lacks ⸤sense⸥,\f + \fr 6:32 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q2 he destroys himself\f + \fr 6:32 \ft Or “his soul,” or “his life” \f* who does it.
\q1 
\v 33 A wound and dishonor he will find,
\q2 and his disgrace will not be wiped out.
\q1 
\v 34 For jealousy \add is the\add* fury of a husband,
\q2 and he will not show restraint on the day of revenge.
\q1 
\v 35 He will not accept ⸤any compensation⸥,\f + \fr 6:35 \ft Literally “\fq the \ft face of any compensation” \f*
\q2 and he will not be willing, though the bribe is large.
\sd0
\c 7
\s1 Warning Against the Strange Woman
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 My child, guard my sayings;
\q2 store my commandments with you.
\q1 
\v 2 Keep my commands and live,
\q2 and my teaching like \add the\add* ⸤apple of your eye⸥.\f + \fr 7:2 \ft A single word meaning “pupil of the eye” \f*
\q1 
\v 3 Bind them on your fingers;
\q2 write them on the tablet of your heart.
\q1 
\v 4 Say to wisdom,\f + \fr 7:4 \ft Hebrew “the wisdom” \f* “you are my sister,”
\q2 and you shall call insight,\f + \fr 7:4 \ft Hebrew “the insight” \f* “⸤intimate friend⸥.”\f + \fr 7:4 \ft Literally “one who is known.” To “know” is often a euphemism for intercourse. Therefore “intimate friend” may also be read “lover.” \f*
\q1 
\v 5 \add In order\add* to guard yourself from ⸤an adulteress⸥,\f + \fr 7:5 \ft Literally “a strange woman” \f*
\q2 from the foreigner who ⸤makes her words smooth⸥.\f + \fr 7:5 \ft Literally “causes to be smooth her words” \f*
\q1 
\v 6 For at the window of my house,
\q2 through my lattice, I looked down.
\q1 
\v 7 And I saw among the simple,
\q2 I observed among the youth,
\q2 a young man lacking ⸤sense⸥,\f + \fr 7:7 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q1 
\v 8 passing on the street ⸤at⸥\f + \fr 7:8 \ft Literally “at the place of” \f* her corner,
\q2 and he takes the road \add to\add* her house,
\q1 
\v 9 at twilight, at \add the\add* day’s evening,
\q2 in \add the\add* midst of night and the darkness.
\q1 
\v 10 Then behold! A woman \add comes\add* to meet him
\q2 \add with the\add* garment of a prostitute\f + \fr 7:10 \ft Or “whore” \f* and ⸤a secret heart⸥.\f + \fr 7:10 \ft Literally “secret of heart” \f*
\q1 
\v 11 She is loud and stubborn;
\q2 her feet do not stay at her house.
\q1 
\v 12 Now in the street, now in the square,
\q2 ⸤at⸥\f + \fr 7:12 \ft Literally “at the place of” \f* every corner she lies in wait.
\q1 
\v 13 She took hold of \f + \fr 7:13 \ft Or “strengthened” \f* him and kissed him.
\q2 Her face was impudent, and she said to him,
\q1 
\v 14 “Sacrifices of peace offerings \add are\add* upon me;
\q2 ⸤today⸥\f + \fr 7:14 \ft Literally “the day” \f* I completed my vows.
\q1 
\v 15 So\f + \fr 7:15 \ft Hebrew “thus” \f* I have come out to meet you,
\q2 to seek your face, and I have found you.
\q1 
\v 16 \add With\add* coverings I have adorned my couch,
\q2 spreads of the linen of Egypt;
\q1 
\v 17 I have perfumed my bed \add with\add* myrrh,
\q2 aloes, and cinnamon.
\q1 
\v 18 Come, let us take \add our\add* fill of love making,
\q2 until the morning let us delight in love.
\q1 
\v 19 For there is no man\f + \fr 7:19 \ft Or “husband” \f* in his home;
\q2 he has gone on a ⸤long journey⸥.\f + \fr 7:19 \ft Literally “a journey from far” \f*
\q1 
\v 20 The bag of money he took in his hand,
\q2 for \add on\add* the day of the full moon he will come home.”
\q1 
\v 21 She persuades him with the greatness of her teachings;
\q2 with her smooth lips she compels him.
\q1 
\v 22 He goes after her suddenly;
\q2 like an ox to the slaughter he goes,
\q2 and like a stag to the instruction of a fool,
\q1 
\v 23 until an arrow pierces his ⸤entrails⸥,\f + \fr 7:23 \ft Literally “heaviness,” often referring to the liver \f*
\q2 like a bird rushing into a snare,
\q2 but he does not know that ⸤it will cost him his life⸥.\f + \fr 7:23 \ft Literally “it is against his life” \f*
\sd0
\s1 Reiteration of the Warning Against a Strange Woman
\sd0
\q1 
\v 24 And now, my children, listen to me,
\q2 and be attentive to the sayings of my mouth.
\q1 
\v 25 May your heart not turn aside to her ways;
\q2 do not stray into her path.
\q1 
\v 26 For many slain she has laid low,
\q2 and countless\f + \fr 7:26 \ft Or “strong men” \f* \add are\add* all of her killings.
\q1 
\v 27 The ways of Sheol\f + \fr 7:27 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f* \add are\add* her house,
\q2 descending to chambers of death.
\sd0
\c 8
\s1 Wisdom Calls
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 Does not wisdom call,
\q2 and understanding raise its voice?
\q1 
\v 2 ⸤Atop the heights⸥\f + \fr 8:2 \ft Literally “At a head of the heights” \f* beside the road,
\q2 at the crossroads she stands.
\q1 
\v 3 Beside gates, before towns,
\q2 \add at the\add* entrance of doors, she cries out:
\q1 
\v 4 “To you, O ⸤people⸥,\f + \fr 8:4 \ft Literally “men” \f* I call,
\q2 and my cry is to the children of humankind.
\q1 
\v 5 Learn prudence, O simple ones;
\q2 fools, learn ⸤intelligence⸥.\f + \fr 8:5 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q1 
\v 6 Listen! For noble things I will speak,
\q2 and upright things from the opening of my lips.
\q1 
\v 7 My mouth will utter truth,
\q2 and wickedness \add is\add* an abomination to my lips.
\q1 
\v 8 All sayings of my mouth \add are\add* in righteousness;
\q2 none of them are twisted and crooked.
\q1 
\v 9 All of them are straight to him who understands,
\q2 and upright to those who find knowledge.
\q1 
\v 10 Take my teaching and not silver;
\q2 may you choose knowledge rather than choice gold.
\q1 
\v 11 For wisdom is better than jewels,
\q2 and all desires shall not compare with her.
\q1 
\v 12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
\q2 and I find knowledge and discretion.
\q1 
\v 13 The fear of Yahweh \add is\add* hatred of evil,
\q2 pride, and arrogance and an evil way.
\q2 And I hate a mouth of perversity.
\q1 
\v 14 ⸤Advice and sound judgment⸥\f + \fr 8:14 \ft Literally “To/for me are advice and sound judgment” \f* are mine;
\q2 I am understanding, ⸤strength is mine⸥.\f + \fr 8:14 \ft Literally “to/for me is strength” \f*
\q1 
\v 15 By me kings reign,
\q2 and rulers decree righteousness.
\q1 
\v 16 By me rulers rule,
\q2 and nobles—all judges of righteousness.
\q1 
\v 17 I love ⸤those who love me⸥,\f + \fr 8:17 \ft Literally “her lovers” \f*
\q2 and those who seek me diligently shall find me.
\q1 
\v 18 Fortune and glory \add are\add* with me,
\q2 enduring wealth and righteousness.
\q1 
\v 19 My fruit is better than gold,\f + \fr 8:19 \ft Literally “fine gold” \f* even refined gold,
\q2 and my yield than choice silver.
\q1 
\v 20 In the way of righteousness I walk,
\q2 in the midst of paths of justice,
\q1 
\v 21 \add in order\add* to endow those who love me \add with\add* wealth,
\q2 and I will fill their treasuries.
\sd0
\s1 Wisdom at Creation
\sd0
\q1 
\v 22 “Yahweh possessed\f + \fr 8:22 \ft Or “gained,” or “acquired” \f* me, \add the\add* first of his ways,
\q2 before his acts ⸤of old⸥.\f + \fr 8:22 \ft Literally “from before” or “from then” \f*
\q1 
\v 23 From eternity, I was set up from \add the\add* first,
\q2 from the beginning\f + \fr 8:23 \ft Hebrew “beginnings” \f* of the earth.
\q1 
\v 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth,
\q2 when there were no springs of ⸤abounding⸥\f + \fr 8:24 \ft Literally “made heavy” \f* water.
\q1 
\v 25 Before mountains had been shaped,
\q2 before hills, I was brought forth.
\q1 
\v 26 When he had not yet made earth and fields,
\q2 or the first dust of the world,
\q1 
\v 27 ⸤when he established⸥\f + \fr 8:27 \ft Literally “in his establishing” \f* the heavens, there I \add was\add*,
\q2 ⸤when he drew⸥\f + \fr 8:27 \ft Literally “in his drawing” \f* a circle upon the face of the deep,
\q1 
\v 28 ⸤when he made⸥\f + \fr 8:28 \ft Literally “in his making” \f* skies from above,
\q2 when he founded fountains of the deep,
\q1 
\v 29 ⸤when he assigned⸥\f + \fr 8:29 \ft Literally “in his assigning” \f* his limits to the sea,
\q2 that waters shall not transgress his ⸤command⸥,\f + \fr 8:29 \ft Literally “mouth” \f*
\q2 ⸤when he marked⸥\f + \fr 8:29 \ft Literally “in his marking” \f* the foundations of the earth,
\q1 
\v 30 I was ⸤beside⸥\f + \fr 8:30 \ft Literally “at the place of” \f* him, a master workman,
\q2 and I was delighting day by day,
\q2 rejoicing before him ⸤always⸥,\f + \fr 8:30 \ft Literally “in all \fq of \ft time” \f*
\q1 
\v 31 rejoicing in the world of his earth,
\q2 and my delight \add was\add* with the children of humankind.
\sd0
\s1 Benefits of Following Wisdom
\sd0
\q1 
\v 32 “And now, children, listen to me;
\q2 happy \add are\add* those who will keep my ways.
\q1 
\v 33 Hear teaching and be wise;
\q2 do not neglect \add it\add*.
\q1 
\v 34 Happy \add is the\add* person who listens to me,
\q2 \add in order\add* to keep watch at my doors day by day,
\q2 \add in order\add* to guard the frames of my entrances.
\q1 
\v 35 For he who finds me \add is\add* he who finds\f + \fr 8:35 \ft Hebrew “those who find” \f* life,
\q2 and he obtains favor from Yahweh.
\q1 
\v 36 But he who misses me injures himself.\f + \fr 8:36 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 All those who hate me love death.”
\sd0
\c 9
\s1 Wisdom’s Banquet
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 Wisdom has built her house;
\q2 she has hewn her seven pillars.
\q1 
\v 2 She has slaughtered her slaughtering, mixed her wine,
\q2 \add and\add* also set her table.
\q1 
\v 3 She has sent her servant girls,\f + \fr 9:3 \ft Or “young maidens” \f* she calls
\q2 upon the wings of the high places of town,
\q1 
\v 4 “Whoever \add is\add* simple, let him turn here.”
\q2 As for the one who lacks ⸤sense⸥,\f + \fr 9:4 \ft Literally “heart” \f* she says to him,
\q1 
\v 5 “Come, eat with my bread;
\q2 drink with the wine I have mixed.
\q1 
\v 6 Lay aside simplicity and live;
\q2 walk in the way of understanding.”
\q1 
\v 7 He who corrects a scoffer gains abuse for himself,
\q2 and he who rebukes the wicked ⸤gets hurt⸥.\f + \fr 9:7 \ft Literally “abuse him” \f*
\q1 
\v 8 Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
\q2 rebuke the wise and he will love you.
\q1 
\v 9 Give to a wise one and he will become more wise;
\q2 ⸤teach⸥\f + \fr 9:9 \ft Literally “make known to” \f* a righteous one and he will increase learning.
\sd0
\s1 Foolishness’ Banquet
\sd0
\q1 
\v 10 The start of wisdom is fear of Yahweh,
\q2 and knowledge of the Holy One,\f + \fr 9:10 \ft Or “holy ones” \f* insight.
\q1 
\v 11 For by me your days shall increase,
\q2 and years of life shall multiply for you.
\q1 
\v 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
\q2 and \add if\add* you scoff, alone you shall bear \add it\add*.
\q1 
\v 13 A woman of foolishness is loud,
\q2 simple, and does not know ⸤it⸥.\f + \fr 9:13 \ft Literally “what” \f*
\q1 
\v 14 She sits at the door of her house,
\q2 upon a throne \add at the\add* high places of town,
\q1 
\v 15 \add in order\add* to call to those who pass by the road,
\q2 those who go straight \add on\add* their way:
\q1 
\v 16 “Whoever is simple, may he turn here!”
\q2 As for he who lacks ⸤sense⸥,\f + \fr 9:16 \ft Literally “heart” \f* she says to him,
\q1 
\v 17 “Stolen waters are sweet,
\q2 and bread of secrecy is pleasant.”
\q1 
\v 18 But he does not know that the dead\f + \fr 9:18 \ft Or “Rephaim” \f* \add are\add* there,
\q2 in the depths of Sheol\f + \fr 9:18 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f* \add are\add* her guests.
\sd0
\c 10
\s1 Proverbs of Solomon
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 The proverbs of Solomon:
\q1 A wise child makes a father glad,
\q2 but a foolish child grieves his mother.
\q1 
\v 2 Treasures of wickedness do not profit,
\q2 but righteousness delivers from death.
\q1 
\v 3 Yahweh will not cause a righteous person\f + \fr 10:3 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* to go hungry,
\q2 but the craving of the wicked he will thwart.
\q1 
\v 4 A slack hand causes poverty,
\q2 but the hand of the diligent enriches.
\q1 
\v 5 He who gathers in the summer \add is\add* a child who is prudent;
\q2 he who sleeps at the harvest \add is\add* a child who brings shame.
\q1 
\v 6 Blessings \add belong\add* to the head of the righteous,
\q2 but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
\q1 
\v 7 The memory of righteousness \add is\add* like a blessing,
\q2 but the name of the wicked will rot.
\q1 
\v 8 A heart of wisdom will heed commandments,
\q2 but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
\q1 
\v 9 Whoever walks in integrity\f + \fr 10:9 \ft Hebrew “in the integrity” \f* will walk securely,
\q2 but whoever follows perversity, his ways will be made known.
\q1 
\v 10 The winking of an eye causes\f + \fr 10:10 \ft Or “gives, sets up” \f* trouble,
\q2 and the foolishness of lips comes to ruin.
\q1 
\v 11 A fountain of life \add is\add* a mouth of righteousness,
\q2 and a mouth of wickedness conceals violence.
\q1 
\v 12 Hatred stirs up strife,
\q2 but love covers over all offenses.
\q1 
\v 13 On the lips of one who has understanding, wisdom is found,
\q2 but a rod \add is\add* for the back of one who lacks ⸤sense⸥.\f + \fr 10:13 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q1 
\v 14 Those who are wise lay up knowledge,
\q2 but \add to\add* the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near.
\q1 
\v 15 The wealth of the rich \add is\add* the city of his strength;
\q2 the ruin of the poor \add is\add* their poverty.
\q1 
\v 16 The wage of the righteous \add leads\add* to life;
\q2 the gain of the wicked to sin.
\q1 
\v 17 \add On\add* the path to life is he who guards instruction,
\q2 but he who rejects rebuke goes astray.
\q1 
\v 18 He who conceals hatred \add has\add* lips of deceit,
\q2 and he who utters slander—he is a fool.
\q1 
\v 19 In many words, transgression is not lacking,
\q2 but he who restrains his lips is prudent.
\q1 
\v 20 Choice silver is a tongue of righteousness,
\q2 a heart\f + \fr 10:20 \ft Or “mind” \f* of wickedness is ⸤of little worth⸥.\f + \fr 10:20 \ft Literally “like a little” \f*
\q1 
\v 21 Lips of righteousness feed many,
\q2 but fools ⸤die for lack of sense⸥.\f + \fr 10:21 \ft Literally “in the lack of heart, they die” \f*
\q1 
\v 22 The blessing of Yahweh makes \add one\add* rich,
\q2 and he does not increase sorrow with it.
\q1 
\v 23 \add It is\add* like a sport for a fool to do wrong,
\q2 wisdom for a person of understanding.
\q1 
\v 24 The dread of the wicked will come upon him,
\q2 but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
\q1 
\v 25 With the passing of the tempest, there is no wickedness,
\q2 but \add the\add* righteous have a foundation forever.
\q1 
\v 26 Like vinegar to the tooth and like smoke to the eyes,
\q2 thus \add is\add* the lazy to one who employs\f + \fr 10:26 \ft Or “sends” \f* him.
\q1 
\v 27 The fear of Yahweh adds life,
\q2 but the years of the wicked are shortened.
\q1 
\v 28 The hope of the righteous \add is\add* gladness,
\q2 but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
\q1 
\v 29 A stronghold for the upright is the way of Yahweh,
\q2 but ruin \add belongs\add* to ⸤evildoers⸥.\f + \fr 10:29 \ft Literally “them who do evil” \f*
\q1 
\v 30 The righteous one is forever; he will not be removed.
\q2 But the wicked will not remain in the land.\f + \fr 10:30 \ft Or “earth” \f*
\q1 
\v 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
\q2 but a tongue of perversity will be cut off.
\q1 
\v 32 The lips of the righteous know \add the\add* acceptable,
\q2 but the mouth of the wicked, the perverse.
\sd0
\c 11
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Balances of deceit \add are\add* an abomination of Yahweh,
\q2 but ⸤an accurate weight⸥\f + \fr 11:1 \ft Literally “a full stone” or “a pure stone” \f* delights him.
\q1 
\v 2 Pride comes, then disgrace comes,
\q2 but wisdom \add is\add* with the humble.
\q1 
\v 3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
\q2 but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
\q1 
\v 4 Wealth does not profit on the day of wrath,
\q2 but righteousness will deliver from death.
\q1 
\v 5 The righteousness of the blameless will keep his ways straight,
\q2 but the wicked will fall by his wickedness.
\q1 
\v 6 The righteousness of the upright will save them,
\q2 but by a scheme the treacherous will be taken captive.
\q1 
\v 7 With the death of a wicked person, hope will die,
\q2 and the expectation of the godless perishes.
\q1 
\v 8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
\q2 but the wicked enters into it.
\q1 
\v 9 With a mouth, the godless shall destroy his neighbor,
\q2 but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
\q1 
\v 10 When good \add is with\add* the righteous, \add the\add* city rejoices,
\q2 and with the perishing of the wicked, jubilation.
\q1 
\v 11 By the blessing of the upright, a city will be exalted,
\q2 but by the mouth of the wicked, it will be overthrown.
\q1 
\v 12 He who lacks ⸤sense⸥\f + \fr 11:12 \ft Literally “heart” \f* belittles his neighbor,
\q2 but a person of intelligence will remain silent.
\q1 
\v 13 A gossip walks \add about\add* telling a secret,
\q2 but the trustworthy in spirit keeps \add the\add* matter.
\q1 
\v 14 Where there is no guidance, a nation\f + \fr 11:14 \ft Or “people” \f* shall fall,
\q2 but \add there is\add* safety in an abundance of counsel.
\q1 
\v 15 He will suffer trouble when he loans to a stranger,
\q2 but he who refuses a pledge is safe.
\q1 
\v 16 A woman of grace receives honor,
\q2 but the ruthless gets wealth.
\q1 
\v 17 A person of kindness rewards himself,\f + \fr 11:17 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 but a cruel \add person\add* harms his own flesh.
\q1 
\v 18 The wicked earns\f + \fr 11:18 \ft Or “does, makes” \f* ⸤deceptive gain⸥,\f + \fr 11:18 \ft Literally “gain of deception” \f*
\q2 but he who sows righteousness, a ⸤true reward⸥.\f + \fr 11:18 \ft Literally “a reward of truth” \f*
\q1 
\v 19 He who is steadfast in righteousness \add is\add* to life
\q2 as\f + \fr 11:19 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* he who pursues evil \add is\add* to death.
\q1 
\v 20 An abomination of Yahweh \add are\add* the ⸤crooked of heart⸥,\f + \fr 11:20 \ft Literally “crooked ones of heart”; “heart” may also be translated “mind” \f*
\q2 but his delight \add are\add* ⸤those with blameless ways⸥.\f + \fr 11:20 \ft Literally “blameless ones of ways” \f*
\q1 
\v 21 ⸤Rest assured⸥,\f + \fr 11:21 \ft Literally “Hand to hand” \f* the wicked will not go unpunished,
\q2 but the offspring\f + \fr 11:21 \ft Or “seed” \f* of the righteous will escape.
\q1 
\v 22 A ring of gold in \add the\add* snout of a pig
\q2 \add is\add* a woman \add who is\add* beautiful but without discretion.
\q1 
\v 23 The desire of the righteous \add is\add* only good,
\q2 but the expectation of the wicked, wrath.
\q1 
\v 24 There is one who gives yet ⸤grows richer⸥,\f + \fr 11:24 \ft Literally “adding more” \f*
\q2 but he who withholds ⸤what is right⸥\f + \fr 11:24 \ft Literally “from what is right” \f* only \add finds\add* need.
\q1 
\v 25 A person of blessing will be enriched,
\q2 and he who gives water also will be refreshed.
\q1 
\v 26 He who withholds grain, the people curse him,
\q2 but a blessing \add is\add* for the head of him who sells.
\q1 
\v 27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
\q2 but he who inquires of evil, it will come to him.
\q1 
\v 28 He who trusts in his wealth \add is\add* he who will fall,
\q2 but like a green leaf the righteous will flourish.
\q1 
\v 29 He who brings trouble \add to\add* his household, he will inherit wind,\f + \fr 11:29 \ft Or “breath, spirit” \f*
\q2 and a fool will serve the wise of heart.
\q1 
\v 30 The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life,
\q2 and he who captures souls\f + \fr 11:30 \ft Or “persons,” or “inner selves” \f* \add is\add* wise.
\q1 
\v 31 If the righteous on earth will be repaid,
\q2 ⸤how much more⸥\f + \fr 11:31 \ft Literally “more for” \f* the wicked and sinner.
\sd0
\c 12
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  He who loves discipline loves knowledge,
\q2 but he who hates rebuke \add is\add* stupid.
\q1 
\v 2 The good obtains favor from Yahweh,
\q2 but anyone who schemes, he condemns.
\q1 
\v 3 A person will not be established by wickedness,
\q2 but the root of the righteous will not be moved.
\q1 
\v 4 A woman of strength\f + \fr 12:4 \ft Or “honor” \f* \add is\add* the crown of her master,\f + \fr 12:4 \ft Or “lord, owner” \f*
\q2 but like rot in his bones is she who brings shame.
\q1 
\v 5 The thoughts of the righteous are\f + \fr 12:5 \ft Hebrew “is” \f* just;
\q2 the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
\q1 
\v 6 The words of the wicked \add are\add* an ambush of blood,
\q2 but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
\q1 
\v 7 The wicked are overthrown and ⸤are no more⸥,\f + \fr 12:7 \ft Literally “there is no them” \f*
\q2 but the house of the righteous shall stand.
\q1 
\v 8 For his mouth of good sense, a man will be recommended,
\q2 but he who is of perverse ⸤mind⸥\f + \fr 12:8 \ft Literally “heart” \f* will be despised.
\q1 
\v 9 It is better to be lowly and a servant ⸤to someone⸥\f + \fr 12:9 \ft Literally “for him,” “\fq belonging \ft to him” \f*
\q2 than self-glorifying and lacking food.
\q1 
\v 10 The righteous knows the life\f + \fr 12:10 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* of his animal,
\q2 but the compassion\f + \fr 12:10 \ft Hebrew “compassions” \f* of the wicked is cruel.
\q1 
\v 11 He who works his land will have plenty of food,
\q2 but he who follows worthless things lacks ⸤sense⸥.\f + \fr 12:11 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q1 
\v 12 The wicked covets the proceeds of evil,
\q2 but the root of the righteous ⸤bears fruit⸥.\f + \fr 12:12 \ft Literally “gives, sets up” \f*
\q1 
\v 13 By the transgression of lips, evil is ensnared,
\q2 but the righteous escapes from trouble.
\q1 
\v 14 From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he is filled with good,
\q2 and the reward of ⸤a man’s labor⸥\f + \fr 12:14 \ft Literally “the hands of a man” \f* will return to him.
\q1 
\v 15 The way of a fool is upright in his \add own\add* eyes,
\q2 but he who listens to advice \add is\add* wise.
\q1 
\v 16 As for a fool, ⸤on that very day⸥\f + \fr 12:16 \ft Literally “on the day” \f* he makes his anger known,
\q2 but he who ignores an insult \add is\add* prudent.
\q1 
\v 17 He who will speak truth will reveal righteousness,
\q2 but the witness of falsehood, deceit.
\q1 
\v 18 There is one who speaks rashly, like the thrust of a sword,
\q2 but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
\q1 
\v 19 A lip of truth endures forever,
\q2 but a tongue of deception lasts only a moment.
\q1 
\v 20 Deceit \add is\add* in the heart\f + \fr 12:20 \ft Or “mind” \f* of ⸤those who plan⸥\f + \fr 12:20 \ft Literally “the planners of” \f* evil,
\q2 but to ⸤those who plan⸥\f + \fr 12:20 \ft Literally “the planners of” \f* peace, \add there is\add* joy.
\q1 
\v 21 ⸤No evil will happen⸥\f + \fr 12:21 \ft Literally “All evil will not happen” \f* to the righteous,
\q2 but the wicked are filled \add with\add* trouble.
\q1 
\v 22 An abomination of Yahweh are lips of deceit,
\q2 but they who act faithfully \add are\add* his delight.
\q1 
\v 23 A clever person conceals knowledge,
\q2 but the heart\f + \fr 12:23 \ft Or “mind” \f* of a fool\f + \fr 12:23 \ft Hebrew “fools” \f* announces folly.
\q1 
\v 24 The hand of the diligent ones will rule,
\q2 but the lazy will belong to forced labor.
\q1 
\v 25 Anxiety in the heart\f + \fr 12:25 \ft Or “mind” \f* of a man will weigh him down,
\q2 but a good word will cheer him.
\q1 
\v 26 A righteous person will seek out his neighbor,
\q2 but the way of the wicked will lead them astray.
\q1 
\v 27 The lazy will not roast his game,
\q2 but diligence is the precious wealth of a man.
\q1 
\v 28 On the road of righteousness is life,
\q2 and \add on\add* the way of the path, \add may there be\add* no death.
\sd0
\c 13
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  A wise child \add hears\add* the discipline of a father,
\q2 but a scoffer does not listen to a rebuke.
\q1 
\v 2 From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he shall eat what is good,
\q2 but the desire\f + \fr 13:2 \ft Or “soul” \f* of the treacherous, wrongdoing.
\q1 
\v 3 He who keeps his mouth guards his life;\f + \fr 13:3 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 he who opens his lips, ruin \add belongs\add* to him.
\q1 
\v 4 The soul\f + \fr 13:4 \ft Or “life” \f* of the lazy craves, but there is nothing,
\q2 but the person of diligence is richly supplied.
\q1 
\v 5 The righteous hates a word of falsehood;
\q2 the wicked will bring shame and ⸤disgrace⸥.\f + \fr 13:5 \ft Literally “he will bring disgrace” \f*
\q1 
\v 6 Righteousness will guard the upright of way,
\q2 but wickedness will overthrow sin.
\q1 
\v 7 There is one who acts rich but ⸤has nothing⸥;\f + \fr 13:7 \ft Literally “there is no” \f*
\q2 another who pretends to be poor but \add has\add* wealth.
\q1 
\v 8 The ransom of the life of a man \add is\add* his wealth,
\q2 but the poor does not receive a threat.
\q1 
\v 9 The light of the righteous will rejoice,
\q2 but the lamp of the wicked will die out.
\q1 
\v 10 Only by insolence is strife set up,
\q2 and wisdom \add is\add* with those who take advice.
\q1 
\v 11 Wealth \add gained\add* from haste\f + \fr 13:11 \ft Or “vanity” \f* will dwindle,
\q2 but he who gathers ⸤little by little⸥\f + \fr 13:11 \ft Literally “upon the hand” \f* will increase it.
\q1 
\v 12 Hope that is deferred makes the heart\f + \fr 13:12 \ft Or “mind” \f* sick,
\q2 but a desire fulfilled \add is\add* a tree of life.
\q1 
\v 13 He who despises a word will bring destruction on himself,
\q2 but he who respects a commandment will be rewarded.
\q1 
\v 14 The teaching of the wise \add is\add* a fountain of life,
\q2 \add in order\add* to avoid the snares of death.
\q1 
\v 15 Good sense grants favor,
\q2 but the way of the faithless is coarse.
\q1 
\v 16 Anyone who is clever will act with intelligence,
\q2 but the fool will display folly.
\q1 
\v 17 A messenger of wickedness will fall into trouble,
\q2 but an envoy of the faithful \add brings\add* healing.
\q1 
\v 18 Poverty and disgrace \add belong to\add* him who ignores instruction,
\q2 but he who guards reproof will be honored.
\q1 
\v 19 A desire ⸤fulfilled⸥\f + \fr 13:19 \ft Literally “made to be,” “brought about” \f* will be sweet to the soul,
\q2 but an abomination of fools is turning from evil.
\q1 
\v 20 Walk with the wise and be wise,
\q2 but as for the companion of fools, he will suffer harm.
\q1 
\v 21 Misfortune will pursue sinners,
\q2 but the righteous ⸤will be rewarded with prosperity⸥.\f + \fr 13:21 \ft Literally “it will reward prosperity” \f*
\q1 
\v 22 He who is good will leave an inheritance to ⸤his grandchildren⸥,\f + \fr 13:22 \ft Literally “sons of sons” \f*
\q2 and stored up for the righteous \add is\add* the wealth of a sinner.
\q1 
\v 23 \add There is\add* much food \add in\add* the field of the poor,
\q2 but ⸤it is swept away⸥\f + \fr 13:23 \ft Literally “there is sweeping away” \f* by ⸤injustice⸥.\f + \fr 13:23 \ft Literally “no justice” \f*
\q1 
\v 24 He who withholds his rod hates his child,
\q2 but he who loves him ⸤gives him⸥\f + \fr 13:24 \ft Literally “visits him” \f* discipline.
\q1 
\v 25 The righteous eats to satisfy his life,\f + \fr 13:25 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 but the belly of the wicked will lack.
\sd0
\c 14
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  The ⸤wisest of women⸥\f + \fr 14:1 \ft Literally “wise ones of women” \f* builds her house,
\q2 but the foolish tears it down with her hands.
\q1 
\v 2 He who walks in uprightness fears Yahweh,
\q2 but he who is devious \add in\add* his ways displeases him.
\q1 
\v 3 In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride,
\q2 but the lips of the wise preserve them.
\q1 
\v 4 ⸤When there are no⸥\f + \fr 14:4 \ft Literally “In there is no” \f* oxen the manger is empty,
\q2 but an abundance of crops \add comes\add* by the strength of an ox.\f + \fr 14:4 \ft Hebrew “bull” \f*
\q1 
\v 5 A faithful witness does not lie,
\q2 but he who breathes out falsehood is a witness of deceit.
\q1 
\v 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom, but there is none,
\q2 but knowledge ⸤comes easily to him who understands⸥.\f + \fr 14:6 \ft Literally “to one who understands it comes easy” \f*
\q1 
\v 7 Leave ⸤the presence of a foolish man⸥,\f + \fr 14:7 \ft Literally “from the presence \fq belonging \ft to a man of foolishness” \f*
\q2 \add for\add* you will not \add come to\add* know ⸤words of knowledge⸥.\f + \fr 14:7 \ft Literally “lips of knowledge” \f*
\q1 
\v 8 The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways,
\q2 but the folly of fools is deceit.
\q1 
\v 9 Fools mock\f + \fr 14:9 \ft Hebrew “he mocks” \f* \add the\add* guilt offering,
\q2 but among the upright, it is favorable.
\q1 
\v 10 The heart\f + \fr 14:10 \ft Or “mind” \f* knows the bitterness of its soul,\f + \fr 14:10 \ft Or “life,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 but in its joy, it will not share itself with a stranger.
\q1 
\v 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
\q2 but the tent of the upright will flourish.
\q1 
\v 12 There is a way \add that seems\add* upright ⸤to⸥\f + \fr 14:12 \ft Literally “to the face of” \f* a man,
\q2 but its end \add is\add* the way of death.
\q1 
\v 13 Even in laughter, a heart may be sad,
\q2 and the end of joy \add may be\add* grief.
\q1 
\v 14 From his ways, the perverse of heart will be satisfied,
\q2 and ⸤from his own⸥,\f + \fr 14:14 \ft Literally “from upon him” \f* \add so shall\add* a good man.
\q1 
\v 15 The simple will believe every word,
\q2 but the clever will consider his step.
\q1 
\v 16 The wise is cautious and turns from evil,
\q2 but the fool throws off restraint and is confident.
\q1 
\v 17 He who is short of ⸤temper⸥\f + \fr 14:17 \ft Literally “nostril” \f* will act foolishly,
\q2 and the man who schemes will be hated.
\q1 
\v 18 The simple are adorned \add with\add* folly,
\q2 but the clever are crowned with knowledge.
\q1 
\v 19 The evil bow down before the good,
\q2 and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
\q1 
\v 20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
\q2 but the lovers of the rich are many.
\q1 
\v 21 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner,
\q2 but he who has mercy on the poor blesses him.
\q1 
\v 22 Have they not erred, those who plan evil?
\q2 But loyalty and faithfulness \add belong to\add* those who plan good.
\q1 
\v 23 In all toil, there is profit,
\q2 but the ⸤talk⸥\f + \fr 14:23 \ft Literally “word, matter, thing” \f* of lips \add leads\add* only to poverty.
\q1 
\v 24 The crown of the wise \add is\add* their wealth;
\q2 the folly of fools is folly.
\q1 
\v 25 He who saves lives\f + \fr 14:25 \ft Or “souls,” or “inner selves” \f* \add is\add* a witness of truth,
\q2 but he who utters lies \add is\add* a betrayer.
\q1 
\v 26 In the fear of Yahweh, there is confidence of strength,
\q2 and for his children, there will be refuge.
\q1 
\v 27 The fear of Yahweh \add is\add* a fountain of life,
\q2 \add in order\add* to turn from the snares of death.
\q1 
\v 28 In the multitude of people is the glory of the king,
\q2 but without a population, a prince \add is\add* ruined.
\q1 
\v 29 \add He who is\add* slow to anger \add has\add* great understanding,
\q2 but the hasty of spirit\f + \fr 14:29 \ft Or “breath” \f* exalts folly.
\q1 
\v 30 A heart\f + \fr 14:30 \ft Or “mind” \f* of tranquility\f + \fr 14:30 \ft Or “he who heals” \f* \add is\add* life \add to the\add* flesh,
\q2 but causes bones of passion to rot.
\q1 
\v 31 He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him,
\q2 but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.
\q1 
\v 32 By his evildoing, the wicked will be overthrown,
\q2 and the righteous will find refuge in his death.
\q1 
\v 33 In the heart\f + \fr 14:33 \ft Or “mind” \f* of him who has understanding, wisdom rests,
\q2 but \add even\add* in the midst of fools it becomes known.
\q1 
\v 34 Righteousness will exalt a nation,
\q2 but sin \add is\add* a reproach to a people.
\q1 
\v 35 The favor of a king \add is\add* for the servant who deals wisely,
\q2 but his wrath will be \add on\add* him who acts shamefully.
\sd0
\c 15
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  A soft answer will turn away wrath,
\q2 but a word of trouble will stir ⸤anger⸥.\f + \fr 15:1 \ft Literally “nostril” \f*
\q1 
\v 2 The tongue of the wise will dispense knowledge,
\q2 but the mouth of fools will pour out folly.
\q1 
\v 3 In every place, the eyes of Yahweh
\q2 keep watch over the evil and the good.
\q1 
\v 4 Gentleness\f + \fr 15:4 \ft Or “Healing” \f* of tongue is a tree of life,
\q2 but perverseness in it\f + \fr 15:4 \ft That is, the tongue \f* \add causes\add* a break in spirit.
\q1 
\v 5 A fool will despise the instruction of his father,
\q2 but he who guards reproof is prudent.
\q1 
\v 6 \add In\add* the house of the righteous \add there is\add* much treasure,
\q2 but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
\q1 
\v 7 The lips of the wise will spread knowledge,
\q2 but the heart\f + \fr 15:7 \ft Or “mind” \f* of fools, not so.
\q1 
\v 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of Yahweh,
\q2 but the prayer of the upright \add is\add* his delight.
\q1 
\v 9 An abomination of Yahweh is the way of the wicked,
\q2 but he who pursues righteousness he will love.
\q1 
\v 10 Severe discipline \add belongs\add* to him who forsakes the way;
\q2 he who hates a rebuke will die.
\q1 
\v 11 Sheol\f + \fr 15:11 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f* and Abaddon\f + \fr 15:11 \ft Poetic synonym for “Sheol.” Only mentioned in the \sc ot\sc* in relation to Sheol, the grave, or death. \f* \add are\add* before Yahweh,
\q2 ⸤how much more⸥\f + \fr 15:11 \ft Literally “more for” \f* the hearts of the children of men!
\q1 
\v 12 A scoffer does not like ⸤his rebuke⸥;\f + \fr 15:12 \ft Literally “rebuke \fq belonging \ft to him” \f*
\q2 to the wise he will not go.
\q1 
\v 13 A heart\f + \fr 15:13 \ft Or “mind” \f* of gladness will make good ⸤countenance⸥,\f + \fr 15:13 \ft Literally “faces” \f*
\q2 but in sorrow of heart\f + \fr 15:13 \ft Or “mind” \f* a spirit is broken.
\q1 
\v 14 The heart of him who understands will seek knowledge,
\q2 but the faces of fools, they\f + \fr 15:14 \ft Hebrew “he/it” \f* will feed on folly.
\q1 
\v 15 All the days of the poor \add are\add* hard,
\q2 but goodness of heart\f + \fr 15:15 \ft Or “mind” \f* \add is\add* a continuous feast.
\q1 
\v 16 Better \add is\add* little with the fear of Yahweh
\q2 than great treasure and trouble with it.\f + \fr 15:16 \ft Or “him” \f*
\q1 
\v 17 Better \add is\add* a dinner of vegetables when\f + \fr 15:17 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* love \add is\add* there
\q2 than a fattened ox and hatred with it.\f + \fr 15:17 \ft Or “him” \f*
\q1 
\v 18 A man who is hot-tempered will stir up strife,
\q2 but he who is slow \add to\add* ⸤anger⸥,\f + \fr 15:18 \ft Literally “nostrils” \f* he will calm contention.
\q1 
\v 19 The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns,\f + \fr 15:19 \ft Hebrew “thorn” \f*
\q2 but the path of the upright \add is\add* a highway.
\q1 
\v 20 A child of wisdom will make a father glad,
\q2 but a ⸤foolish person⸥,\f + \fr 15:20 \ft Literally “foolishness of humankind” \f* he despises his mother.
\q1 
\v 21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks ⸤sense⸥,\f + \fr 15:21 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q2 and a person of understanding ⸤will walk upright⸥.\f + \fr 15:21 \ft Literally “he will walk upright walking” \f*
\q1 
\v 22 Plans go wrong when there is no counsel,
\q2 but with many advisors it will succeed.
\q1 
\v 23 Joy \add belongs\add* to a man with answers in his mouth,
\q2 and a word in its time, how good \add it is\add*!
\q1 
\v 24 The path of life \add leads\add* upward for him who has insight,
\q2 in order to turn away from Sheol below.
\q1 
\v 25 The house of the proud, Yahweh will tear \add it\add* down,
\q2 but he will maintain the ⸤property line⸥\f + \fr 15:25 \ft Literally “boundary” \f* of the widow.
\q1 
\v 26 Plans of evil \add are\add* an abomination of Yahweh,
\q2 but gracious words are pure.
\q1 
\v 27 He who makes trouble for his house \add is\add* he who is greedy for unjust gain,
\q2 but he who hates bribes will live.
\q1 
\v 28 A heart\f + \fr 15:28 \ft Or “mind” \f* of righteousness will ponder the answer,
\q2 but a mouth of wickedness will pour out deceit.
\q1 
\v 29 Yahweh is far from the wicked,
\q2 but the prayers of the righteous he will hear.
\q1 
\v 30 From the light of the eyes, the heart\f + \fr 15:30 \ft Or “mind” \f* will rejoice,
\q2 and good news will enliven the bones.\f + \fr 15:30 \ft Hebrew “bone” \f*
\q1 
\v 31 The ear of him who listens \add to\add* admonitions of life,
\q2 in the midst of the wise it will lodge.
\q1 
\v 32 He who ignores instruction despises himself,\f + \fr 15:32 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 but he who hears admonition gains heart.\f + \fr 15:32 \ft Or “mind” \f*
\q1 
\v 33 Fear of Yahweh \add is\add* the instruction of the wise,
\q2 and before honor \add comes\add* humility.
\sd0
\c 16
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  To mortals \add belong\add* the plans of the heart,
\q2 but from Yahweh \add comes\add* the answer of the tongue.
\q1 
\v 2 All the ways of a man \add are\add* pure in his own eyes,
\q2 but Yahweh weighs the spirit.\f + \fr 16:2 \ft Or “breath” \f*
\q1 
\v 3 Commit your work to Yahweh,
\q2 and your plans will be established.
\q1 
\v 4 All Yahweh has made \add is\add* for his\f + \fr 16:4 \ft Or “its” \f* purpose,
\q2 and even the wicked for the day of trouble.
\q1 
\v 5 An abomination of Yahweh \add are\add* all who are arrogant of heart;\f + \fr 16:5 \ft Or “mind” \f*
\q2 ⸤rest assured⸥,\f + \fr 16:5 \ft Literally “hand to hand” \f* he will not go unpunished.
\q1 
\v 6 By loyalty and faithfulness, iniquity will be covered over,\f + \fr 16:6 \ft Or “atoned for” \f*
\q2 and by fear of Yahweh ⸤one turns⸥\f + \fr 16:6 \ft Literally “turning” \f* from evil.
\q1 
\v 7 When the ways of a man are pleasing \add to\add* Yahweh,
\q2 even his enemies he will cause to make peace with him.
\q1 
\v 8 Better is little with righteousness
\q2 than great income with no justice.
\q1 
\v 9 The ⸤mind⸥\f + \fr 16:9 \ft Literally “heart” \f* of a person will plan his ways,
\q2 and Yahweh will direct his steps.
\q1 
\v 10 A decision is upon the lips of a king;
\q2 in judgment his mouth will not sin.
\q1 
\v 11 A balance and scales of justice \add belong\add* to Yahweh;
\q2 all the weights of the bag \add are\add* his work.
\q1 
\v 12 An abomination to kings \add is\add* doing evil,
\q2 for by righteousness the throne will be established.
\q1 
\v 13 The delight of kings \add are\add* the lips of righteousness,
\q2 and he who speaks what is upright he will love.
\q1 
\v 14 The wrath of a king \add is\add* a messenger of death,
\q2 but one who is wise will appease\f + \fr 16:14 \ft Or “atone, cover over” \f* it.
\q1 
\v 15 In the light of the face of the king \add there is\add* life,
\q2 and his favor \add is\add* like a cloud of spring rain.
\q1 
\v 16 Getting wisdom: ⸤how much⸥\f + \fr 16:16 \ft Literally “what” \f* better than gold!
\q2 And getting understanding: it is chosen ⸤over⸥\f + \fr 16:16 \ft Literally “from” \f* silver.
\q1 
\v 17 The highway of the upright, it turns from evil,
\q2 he who guards himself\f + \fr 16:17 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* keeps his way.
\q1 
\v 18 Before destruction \add comes\add* pride,
\q2 and before a fall, a haughty spirit.\f + \fr 16:18 \ft Hebrew “a haughty of spirit” \f*
\q1 
\v 19 Better a lowly spirit with the poor
\q2 than dividing the spoil with the proud.
\q1 
\v 20 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness,
\q2 and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.
\q1 
\v 21 The wise of heart\f + \fr 16:21 \ft Or “mind” \f* is called perceptive,
\q2 but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.
\q1 
\v 22 A fountain of life is wisdom for its owner,\f + \fr 16:22 \ft Or “master” \f*
\q2 but the instruction\f + \fr 16:22 \ft Or “punishment” \f* of fools is folly.
\q1 
\v 23 The heart\f + \fr 16:23 \ft Or “mind” \f* of the wise will make his mouth judicious,
\q2 and upon his lips, it\f + \fr 16:23 \ft Or “he” \f* will add persuasiveness.
\q1 
\v 24 Pleasant sayings \add are\add* a honeycomb,
\q2 sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.
\q1 
\v 25 There is a way \add that seems\add* upright ⸤to⸥\f + \fr 16:25 \ft Literally “to the face of” \f* a man,
\q2 but its end \add is\add* the way of death.
\q1 
\v 26 The life\f + \fr 16:26 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* of a worker works for him,
\q2 for his ⸤hunger⸥\f + \fr 16:26 \ft Literally “mouth” \f* urges him.
\q1 
\v 27 A man of wickedness concocts evil,
\q2 and his lips \add are\add* like a scorching fire.
\q1 
\v 28 A person of perversity will spread dissent,
\q2 and he who whispers separates a close friend.
\q1 
\v 29 A person of violence will entice his neighbor
\q2 and cause him to walk on a way \add that is\add* not good.
\q1 
\v 30 He who winks his eyes \add does so in order\add* to plan perverse things;
\q2 he who purses his lips will bring evil to pass.
\q1 
\v 31 A crown of glory is gray hair;
\q2 by a righteous life it is gained.
\q1 
\v 32 He who is slow to anger\f + \fr 16:32 \ft Literally “nostrils” \f* \add is\add* better than him who is mighty,
\q2 and he who controls his spirit than him who captures a city.
\q1 
\v 33 The lot will be cast into the lap,
\q2 but all of its decisions are from Yahweh.
\sd0
\c 17
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Better a dry morsel and quiet with it
\q2 than a house filled \add with\add* feasts of strife.
\q1 
\v 2 A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully,
\q2 and in the midst of brothers he will share his inheritance.
\q1 
\v 3 A crucible \add is\add* for the silver, and a furnace \add is\add* for the gold,
\q2 but Yahweh will test hearts.
\q1 
\v 4 He who does evil listens to lips of wickedness,
\q2 \add and\add* the liar gives heed to the tongue of mischief.
\q1 
\v 5 He who mocks the poor insults him who made him;
\q2 he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
\q1 
\v 6 The crown of the elderly \add are\add* ⸤grandchildren⸥,\f + \fr 17:6 \ft Literally “sons of sons” \f*
\q2 and the glory of children \add is\add* their fathers.
\q1 
\v 7 ⸤Fine speech⸥\f + \fr 17:7 \ft Literally “A lip of fine\fq ness \ft ” \f* \add is\add* not becoming a fool,
\q2 ⸤still less⸥\f + \fr 17:7 \ft Literally “only for” \f* \add is\add* ⸤false speech⸥\f + \fr 17:7 \ft Literally “lip of deceit” \f* for a ruler.
\q1 
\v 8 The bribe \add is\add* a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner;\f + \fr 17:8 \ft Or “master” \f*
\q2 ⸤everywhere⸥\f + \fr 17:8 \ft Literally “to all which” \f* he will turn, he will prosper.
\q1 
\v 9 He who forgives an affront fosters love,
\q2 but he who waits on a matter will alienate a friend.
\q1 
\v 10 A rebuke strikes him who understands
\q2 deeper than one hundred blows to a fool.
\q1 
\v 11 An evil person will seek only rebellion,
\q2 and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
\q1 
\v 12 \add May\add* a man meet a she-bear robbed of offspring
\q2 and not a fool in his folly.
\q1 
\v 13 \add For\add* he who returns evil for good,
\q2 evil will not depart from his house.
\q1 
\v 14 \add Like\add* the release of water \add is\add* the beginning of strife;
\q2 before it breaks out, stop the quarrel.
\q1 
\v 15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,
\q2 the two of them \add are\add* both abominations of Yahweh.
\q1 
\v 16 Why \add is\add* this? A price in the hand of a fool,
\q2 \add in order\add* to buy wisdom where\f + \fr 17:16 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* there is no ⸤sense⸥.\f + \fr 17:16 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q1 
\v 17 The friend loves at all times\f + \fr 17:17 \ft Hebrew “time” \f*,
\q2 but a brother is born for adversity.
\q1 
\v 18 A person who lacks ⸤sense⸥\f + \fr 17:18 \ft Literally “heart” \f* ⸤pledges⸥;\f + \fr 17:18 \ft Literally “pledges a hand” \f*
\q2 he becomes security before his neighbor.
\q1 
\v 19 He who loves transgression loves strife;
\q2 he who builds his high thresholds seeks destruction.
\q1 
\v 20 He who is crooked of heart\f + \fr 17:20 \ft Or “mind” \f* will not find goodness,
\q2 and he who is perverse, by his tongue he will fall into calamity.
\q1 
\v 21 He who begets a fool, \add there is\add* trouble for him;
\q2 the father of a fool will not rejoice.
\q1 
\v 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
\q2 but a downcast spirit will dry out bones.
\q1 
\v 23 The wicked will accept a bribe from the lap,
\q2 \add in order\add* to pervert the ways of justice.
\q1 
\v 24 He who understands sets \add his\add* face \add toward\add* wisdom,
\q2 but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.\f + \fr 17:24 \ft Or “land” \f*
\q1 
\v 25 A grief to his father \add is\add* the child of a fool,
\q2 and bitterness to her who bore him.
\q1 
\v 26 Also, imposing a fine on the righteous is not good,
\q2 \add nor\add* to flog nobles for uprightness.
\q1 
\v 27 He who spares his sayings knows knowledge,
\q2 and a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
\q1 
\v 28 Even a fool who keeps silent ⸤shall be considered wise⸥;\f + \fr 17:28 \ft Literally “wise, he shall be considered” \f*
\q2 he who closes his lips \add is\add* intelligent.
\sd0
\c 18
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  He who is selfish seeks a craving;\f + \fr 18:1 \ft Or “boundary” \f*
\q2 against all sound judgment he shows contempt.
\q1 
\v 2 A fool will not take pleasure in understanding,
\q2 but in expressing his heart.\f + \fr 18:2 \ft Or “mind” \f*
\q1 
\v 3 With the coming of wickedness comes contempt also,
\q2 and with dishonor, disgrace.
\q1 
\v 4 Deep waters \add are\add* words of the mouth of a man;
\q2 a gushing stream \add is\add* a fountain of wisdom.
\q1 
\v 5 Being partial \add to\add* faces of evil \add is\add* not good,
\q2 \add nor\add* to subvert the righteous at the judgment.
\q1 
\v 6 The lips of a fool will bring strife,
\q2 and his mouth calls out for a flogging.
\q1 
\v 7 The mouth of a fool \add is\add* ruin to him,
\q2 and his lips \add are\add* a snare to his soul.\f + \fr 18:7 \ft Or “life,” or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 8 The words of a whisper \add are\add* like delicious morsels,
\q2 and they themselves go down \add to\add* inner parts of the body.
\q1 
\v 9 Even he who is slack in his work,
\q2 he is brother to a master\f + \fr 18:9 \ft Or “owner” \f* of destruction.
\q1 
\v 10 A tower of strength is the name of Yahweh;
\q2 into him\f + \fr 18:10 \ft Or “it” \f* the righteous will run and be safe.
\q1 
\v 11 The wealth of the rich \add is\add* ⸤his strong city⸥,\f + \fr 18:11 \ft Literally “a city of his strength” \f*
\q2 and like a wall, it is high in his imagination.
\q1 
\v 12 In the presence of destruction, the heart\f + \fr 18:12 \ft Or “mind” \f* of a man will be haughty,
\q2 but in the presence of honor, humble.
\q1 
\v 13 He who returns a word before he will hear,
\q2 folly itself \add belongs\add* to him as well as\f + \fr 18:13 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* shame.
\q1 
\v 14 The spirit of a man will endure his sickness,
\q2 but a broken spirit, who may bear it?
\q1 
\v 15 An intelligent ⸤mind⸥\f + \fr 18:15 \ft Literally “heart” \f* will acquire knowledge,
\q2 and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
\q1 
\v 16 The gift of a person will open doors for him,
\q2 and before the great, it gives him access.
\q1 
\v 17 The first in his dispute is \add deemed\add* righteous,
\q2 \add but\add* his neighbor will come and examine him.
\q1 
\v 18 The lot will put an end to disputes,
\q2 and between powerful contenders it will decide.
\q1 
\v 19 A brother who is offended \add is worse\add* than a city of strength,
\q2 and quarrels \add are\add* like the bars of a fortification.
\q1 
\v 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth, his stomach will be satisfied,
\q2 as for the yield of his lips, it will satisfy.
\q1 
\v 21 Death and life \add are\add* in the ⸤power⸥\f + \fr 18:21 \ft Literally “hand” \f* of the tongue,
\q2 and those who love her\f + \fr 18:21 \ft That is, the power of the tongue \f* will eat of her fruit.
\q1 
\v 22 He who finds a wife\f + \fr 18:22 \ft Or “woman” \f* finds good,
\q2 and he will obtain favor from Yahweh.
\q1 
\v 23 The poor may speak entreaties,
\q2 but the rich will answer roughly.
\q1 
\v 24 A man of \add many\add* friends will come to ruin,
\q2 but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
\sd0
\c 19
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Better a poor person walking in integrity
\q2 than one who is perverse ⸤in his speech⸥\f + \fr 19:1 \ft Literally “in his lips” \f* and is a fool.
\q1 
\v 2 Also, a life\f + \fr 19:2 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* without knowledge is not good,
\q2 and he who moves quickly with \add his\add* feet ⸤misses the mark⸥.\f + \fr 19:2 \ft Or “sins” \f*
\q1 
\v 3 As for the folly of humankind, its way leads to ruin,
\q2 and against Yahweh his heart\f + \fr 19:3 \ft Or “mind” \f* will rage.
\q1 
\v 4 Wealth adds many friends,
\q2 but the poor will be left by his friends.
\q1 
\v 5 A witness of falsehood will not go unpunished,
\q2 and he who breathes lies will not escape.
\q1 
\v 6 Many will seek favor before the generous,
\q2 and everyone \add is\add* the friend of a man of gifts.\f + \fr 19:6 \ft Hebrew “gift” \f*
\q1 
\v 7 All the brothers of the poor, \add if\add* they hate him,
\q2 how much more will his friends keep away from him.
\q2 He pursues \add them with\add* words, \add and\add* they are gone.\f + \fr 19:7 \ft Or “\fq when \ft he pursues words \fq and \ft not them” \f*
\q1 
\v 8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself;\f + \fr 19:8 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 he who guards understanding \add loves\add* to find good.
\q1 
\v 9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
\q2 and he who breathes lies will perish.
\q1 
\v 10 For a fool living in luxury is not fitting,
\q2 \add any\add* more \add than it is\add* for a slave to rule over princes.
\q1 
\v 11 The understanding of a person makes him slow to his ⸤anger⸥,\f + \fr 19:11 \ft Literally “nostril” \f*
\q2 and his glory overlooks offense.
\q1 
\v 12 The rage of a king growls like a lion,
\q2 but his favor is like dew on the grass.
\q1 
\v 13 A foolish child is a ruin to his father,
\q2 and the quarreling of a woman\f + \fr 19:13 \ft Or “wife” \f* is a continuous dripping.
\q1 
\v 14 A house and wealth \add are\add* an inheritance \add from\add* fathers,
\q2 but from Yahweh \add comes\add* a woman\f + \fr 19:14 \ft Or “wife” \f* who is prudent.
\q1 
\v 15 Laziness will bring on a deep sleep,
\q2 and a person\f + \fr 19:15 \ft Or “soul,” or “life” \f* of idleness will suffer hunger.
\q1 
\v 16 He who guards commandments guards his life;\f + \fr 19:16 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 he who is careless of his ways will be killed.
\q1 
\v 17 He who lends to Yahweh \add is\add* he who is kind to the poor,
\q2 and his benefits he will repay to him.
\q1 
\v 18 Discipline your child, for there is hope,
\q2 but on his destruction do not set your desire.\f + \fr 19:18 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 19 A hot-tempered person pays a penalty;
\q2 if you rescue \add him\add*, you will do \add it\add* yet again.
\q1 
\v 20 Listen \add to\add* advice and accept instruction
\q2 so that you will gain wisdom for your ⸤future⸥.\f + \fr 19:20 \ft Literally “after \fq things \ft ” \f*
\q1 
\v 21 Many plans \add are\add* in the heart\f + \fr 19:21 \ft Or “mind” \f* of a man,
\q2 but the purpose of Yahweh will be established.
\q1 
\v 22 The craving of a man \add is\add* his steadfast loyalty,
\q2 and \add it is\add* better \add to be\add* poor than a ⸤liar⸥.\f + \fr 19:22 \ft Literally “man of lying” \f*
\q1 
\v 23 Fear of Yahweh \add leads\add* to life;
\q2 he who is filled \add with it\add* will rest—he will not suffer harm.
\q1 
\v 24 A lazy person buries his hand in the dish,
\q2 and even to his mouth he will not bring it back.
\q1 
\v 25 The scoffer you shall strike, and the simple, may they learn prudence,
\q2 and reprove the intelligent \add and\add* he will gain knowledge.
\q1 
\v 26 He who does violence to a father, he who chases away a mother,
\q2 \add is\add* a child who causes shame and brings reproach.
\q1 
\v 27 Cease to listen to instruction, my child,
\q2 ⸤and you will stray⸥\f + \fr 19:27 \ft Literally “\fq in order \ft to stray” \f* from sayings of knowledge.
\q1 
\v 28 A worthless witness will mock justice,
\q2 and the mouth of the wicked will devour iniquity.
\q1 
\v 29 Judgments\f + \fr 19:29 \ft Or “Punishments,” or “Condemnations” \f* are prepared for the scoffers,
\q2 and flogging for the back of fools.
\sd0
\c 20
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Wine \add is\add* a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
\q2 and any who go astray by it are not wise.
\q1 
\v 2 Roaring like the lion \add is the\add* dreaded anger of a king;
\q2 he who provokes him forfeits his life.\f + \fr 20:2 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 3 \add It is\add* honorable for the man to refrain from strife,
\q2 but every fool will be quick to quarrel.
\q1 
\v 4 The lazy person will not plow in season;
\q2 he will expect at the harvest, but there \add will be\add* nothing.
\q1 
\v 5 Deep waters \add are like\add* purpose in the heart\f + \fr 20:5 \ft Or “mind” \f* of a man,
\q2 and a man of understanding will draw it\f + \fr 20:5 \ft Or “her”; referring to “purpose” \f* out.
\q1 
\v 6 Many a person will proclaim his loyalty \add for\add* himself,
\q2 but a man \add who is\add* trustworthy, who can find?
\q1 
\v 7 He who walks in his integrity \add is\add* righteous;
\q2 happy are his children who follow him.
\q1 
\v 8 A king who sits on \add the\add* throne of judgment
\q2 winnows all evil with his eyes.
\q1 
\v 9 Who will say “I have made my heart\f + \fr 20:9 \ft Or “mind” \f* clean;
\q2 I am pure from my sin”?
\q1 
\v 10 Stone and stone, measure and measure,
\q2 ⸤both of them⸥\f + \fr 20:10 \ft Literally “also \fq the \ft two of them” \f* \add are\add* an abomination of Yahweh.
\q1 
\v 11 Even by his acts, a ⸤young man⸥\f + \fr 20:11 \ft Or “young boy,” or “adolescent” \f* will make himself known,
\q2 whether his acts are pure and upright.
\q1 
\v 12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees,
\q2 Yahweh has made ⸤them both⸥.\f + \fr 20:12 \ft Literally “also \fq the \ft two of them” \f*
\q1 
\v 13 Do not love sleep, lest you become poor;
\q2 open your eyes \add and\add* have plenty bread.
\q1 
\v 14 “Bad, bad,” the buyer will say,
\q2 but \add when\add* one goes to him, then he will boast.
\q1 
\v 15 There is gold and many costly stones,
\q2 but precious jewels are lips of knowledge.
\q1 
\v 16 Take his garment, for he has given security \add to\add* a stranger,
\q2 and on behalf of a foreigner—take it as pledge.
\q1 
\v 17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet for the man,
\q2 but afterward, his mouth will be filled \add with\add* gravel.
\q1 
\v 18 A plan\f + \fr 20:18 \ft Hebrew “plans” \f* will be established by advice,
\q2 and with guidance make war.
\q1 
\v 19 He reveals a secret, he who walks \add about with\add* gossip,
\q2 and do not associate with a babbler’s lips.
\q1 
\v 20 He who curses his father and his mother,
\q2 his lamp will be extinguished ⸤in the midst of darkness⸥.\f + \fr 20:20 \ft Literally “in a pupil of darkness” \f*
\q1 
\v 21 An inheritance acquired \add hastily\add* ⸤at the beginning⸥\f + \fr 20:21 \ft Literally “at the first” \f*
\q2 will not be blessed at its end.
\q1 
\v 22 Do not say “I will repay evil”;
\q2 wait for Yahweh and he will deliver you.
\q1 
\v 23 An abomination of Yahweh \add is\add* ⸤a stone and a weight⸥,\f + \fr 20:23 \ft Literally “a stone and a stone” \f*
\q2 and scales of falsehood are not good.
\q1 
\v 24 \add Away\add* from Yahweh are the steps of a strong man,
\q2 and how will humankind understand his ways?
\q1 
\v 25 \add It is\add* a snare to humankind to say rashly “\add It is\add* holy,”
\q2 and after vows, to scrutinize.
\q1 
\v 26 A wise king winnows the wicked,
\q2 and he will drive a wheel over them.
\q1 
\v 27 The lamp of Yahweh \add is\add* the spirit\f + \fr 20:27 \ft Or “soul” \f* of humankind,
\q2 he who searches every ⸤innermost part⸥.\f + \fr 20:27 \ft Literally “parts of the inmost” \f*
\q1 
\v 28 Loyalty and faithfulness will preserve a king,
\q2 and he is upheld with the righteousness of his throne.
\q1 
\v 29 The glory of young men \add is\add* their strength,\f + \fr 20:29 \ft Or “strengthens them” \f*
\q2 but the beauty of the aged \add is\add* gray hair.
\q1 
\v 30 The blows of a wound will cleanse evil,
\q2 as will\f + \fr 20:30 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* beatings of the ⸤innermost part⸥.\f + \fr 20:30 \ft Literally “parts of the inmost” \f*
\sd0
\c 21
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Streams of water \add are\add* the heart\f + \fr 21:1 \ft Or “mind” \f* of a king in the hand of Yahweh;
\q2 ⸤wherever⸥\f + \fr 21:1 \ft Literally “upon all that” \f* he will desire, he will turn.
\q1 
\v 2 Every way of a man is upright in his \add own\add* eyes,
\q2 but Yahweh weighs hearts.\f + \fr 21:2 \ft Or “minds” \f*
\q1 
\v 3 Doing righteousness and justice is \add more\add* acceptable
\q2 to Yahweh than sacrifice.
\q1 
\v 4 Haughtiness of \add the\add* eyes and pride of heart,
\q2 \add the\add* lamp of the wicked \add are\add* sin.
\q1 
\v 5 The plans of the diligent only \add lead\add* to abundance,
\q2 but all who are hasty, only to want.
\q1 
\v 6 He who makes treasure by a lying tongue
\q2 \add is a\add* fleeting vapor \add and\add* seeker\f + \fr 21:6 \ft Hebrew “seekers” \f* of death.
\q1 
\v 7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
\q2 for they refuse to do justice.
\q1 
\v 8 Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner,
\q2 but the pure \add is\add* upright \add in\add* his conduct.
\q1 
\v 9 Better to dwell on the corner of a roof
\q2 than \add to\add* share a house with a woman\f + \fr 21:9 \ft Or “wife” \f* of contention.
\q1 
\v 10 The soul\f + \fr 21:10 \ft Or “soul, life, throat” \f* of the wicked desires evil;
\q2 his neighbor will not find mercy in his eyes.
\q1 
\v 11 With the punishment of a scoffer, the simple will become wise,
\q2 and with the instruction of the wise, he will obtain knowledge.
\q1 
\v 12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked;
\q2 he throws the wicked to ruin.
\q1 
\v 13 He who closes his ear from the cry of the poor,
\q2 he also will cry out and not be heard.
\q1 
\v 14 A gift in secret\f + \fr 21:14 \ft Hebrew “the secret” \f* will avert ⸤anger⸥,\f + \fr 21:14 \ft Literally “nostril” \f*
\q2 and a ⸤concealed bribe⸥,\f + \fr 21:14 \ft Literally “bribe in the bosom” \f* strong wrath.
\q1 
\v 15 \add It is\add* a joy to the righteous to do justice,
\q2 but dismay to those who do evil.
\q1 
\v 16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding,
\q2 in the assembly of the dead\f + \fr 21:16 \ft Or “Rephaim” \f* he will rest.
\q1 
\v 17 A man of want \add is\add* he who loves pleasure;
\q2 he who loves wine and oil\f + \fr 21:17 \ft Or “fat” \f* will not become rich.
\q1 
\v 18 A ransom for the righteous is the wicked,
\q2 and \add the\add* faithless instead of the upright.
\q1 
\v 19 Better to live in a land of wilderness
\q2 than \add with\add* a wife of quarrels and provocation.
\q1 
\v 20 Precious treasure and oil \add are\add* in the house of the wise,
\q2 but the foolish person\f + \fr 21:20 \ft Or “foolish of mankind” \f* will devour them.\f + \fr 21:20 \ft Literally “it” \f*
\q1 
\v 21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
\q2 will find life, righteousness, and honor.
\q1 
\v 22 To a city of warriors, the wise ascends,
\q2 and he will bring down the stronghold—its object of trust.
\q1 
\v 23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
\q2 he guards his life\f + \fr 21:23 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* from danger.
\q1 
\v 24 The proud, haughty one: “scoffer” \add is\add* his name;
\q2 he acts with arrogance of pride.
\q1 
\v 25 The craving of a lazy person will kill him,
\q2 for his hands refuse to work.\f + \fr 21:25 \ft Or “make” \f*
\q1 
\v 26 ⸤All day⸥\f + \fr 21:26 \ft Literally “All the day” \f* he craves a craving,
\q2 but the righteous will give and not hold back.
\q1 
\v 27 The sacrifice of the wicked \add is\add* an abomination;
\q2 how much more when he brings it in divisiveness!
\q1 
\v 28 A false witness will perish,
\q2 but a man who listens will testify with\f + \fr 21:28 \ft Hebrew “to the” \f* success.
\q1 
\v 29 A wicked man is strong in ⸤his countenance⸥,\f + \fr 21:29 \ft Literally “his face” \f*
\q2 but the upright will appoint his paths.
\q1 
\v 30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding,
\q2 nor counsel to oppose Yahweh.
\q1 
\v 31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
\q2 but to Yahweh \add belongs\add* the victory.
\sd0
\c 22
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  A ⸤reputation⸥\f + \fr 22:1 \ft Literally “name” \f* \add is\add* to be chosen ⸤rather than⸥\f + \fr 22:1 \ft Literally “from” \f* great riches;
\q2 ⸤favor is better than silver and gold⸥.\f + \fr 22:1 \ft Literally “from silver and from gold, favor \fq is \ft better” \f*
\q1 
\v 2 Rich and poor have \add much\add* in common;
\q2 Yahweh is the maker of all of them.
\q1 
\v 3 The clever sees danger and hides,
\q2 but the simple go on and suffer.
\q1 
\v 4 The reward of humility \add is\add* the fear of Yahweh—
\q2 wealth and honor and life.
\q1 
\v 5 Thorns \add and\add* snares \add are\add* in the way of the perverse;
\q2 he who guards himself\f + \fr 22:5 \ft Or “soul,” or “life” \f* will keep away from them.
\q1 
\v 6 Train the child ⸤concerning his way⸥;\f + \fr 22:6 \ft Literally “on the mouth of his way” \f*
\q2 even when he is old, he will not stray from it.
\q1 
\v 7 The rich will rule over the poor,
\q2 and the borrower is a slave of ⸤the lender⸥.\f + \fr 22:7 \ft Literally “the borrower \fq belonging \ft to a man” \f*
\q1 
\v 8 He who sows injustice will reap calamity,
\q2 and the rod of his anger will fail.
\q1 
\v 9 He \add who\add* ⸤is generous⸥\f + \fr 22:9 \ft Literally “the generous of eye” \f* will be blessed,
\q2 for he gives to the poor from his \add own\add* bread.
\q1 
\v 10 Drive out a scoffer and strife will go out;
\q2 quarrel and abuse will cease.
\q1 
\v 11 He who loves purity of heart
\q2 \add and has\add*⸤gracious speech⸥,\f + \fr 22:11 \ft Literally “grace of his lips” \f* his friend \add is the\add* king.
\q1 
\v 12 The eyes of Yahweh keep watch over knowledge,
\q2 but he will overthrow the words of the faithless.
\q1 
\v 13 A lazy person says “A lion in the street!
\q2 In the middle of the highway, I shall be killed!”
\q1 
\v 14 A deep pit is the mouth of an ⸤adulteress⸥,\f + \fr 22:14 \ft Literally “a strange woman” \f*
\q2 \add he with whom\add* Yahweh is angry will fall there.
\q1 
\v 15 Folly is bound up in the heart\f + \fr 22:15 \ft Or “mind” \f* of a boy;\f + \fr 22:15 \ft Or “young man,” or “adolescent” \f*
\q2 \add the\add* rod of discipline will drive it\f + \fr 22:15 \ft That is, folly \f* from him.
\q1 
\v 16 He who oppresses the poor \add in order\add* to enrich himself,
\q2 \add or\add* gives to the rich, ⸤will come to poverty⸥.\f + \fr 22:16 \ft Literally “only loss” \f*
\sd0
\s1 Words of the Wise
\sd0
\q1 
\v 17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise;
\q2 you shall apply your heart\f + \fr 22:17 \ft Or “mind” \f* to my teaching.
\q1 
\v 18 For \add it is\add* pleasant if you guard them ⸤within you⸥;\f + \fr 22:18 \ft Literally “in your belly/womb” \f*
\q2 together they will be ready upon your lips.
\q1 
\v 19 \add In order\add* for your trust to be in Yahweh,
\q2 I have made \add them\add* known to you ⸤today⸥\f + \fr 22:19 \ft Literally “the day” \f*—even\f + \fr 22:19 \ft Or “only” \f* you.
\q1 
\v 20 Have I not written for you thirty \add sayings\add*
\q2 with admonitions and knowledge?
\q1 
\v 21 \add In order\add* to show you what is right—sayings of truth—
\q2 \add in order\add* to return a true saying to him who sent you.
\q1 
\v 22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
\q2 and do not crush the afflicted at the gate;
\q1 
\v 23 For Yahweh will plead their case
\q2 and despoil those who despoil them of life.\f + \fr 22:23 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 24 Do not befriend an owner\f + \fr 22:24 \ft Or “master” \f* of ⸤anger⸥,\f + \fr 22:24 \ft Literally “nostril” \f*
\q2 and with a man of wrath you shall not associate;
\q1 
\v 25 lest you learn his way
\q2 and become entangled in a snare to yourself.\f + \fr 22:25 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 26 Do not be with those who ⸤give a pledge⸥\f + \fr 22:26 \ft Literally “strike a hand” \f*
\q2 ⸤by becoming⸥\f + \fr 22:26 \ft Literally “in the becomings of” \f* surety.
\q1 
\v 27 If there is nothing for you to pay,\f + \fr 22:27 \ft Or “complete” \f*
\q2 why will he take your bed from under you?
\q1 
\v 28 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker
\q2 which your ancestors\f + \fr 22:28 \ft Or “fathers” \f* made.
\q1 
\v 29 A man who is skillful in his work, you shall see:
\q2 before kings, he will serve;
\q2 he will not serve before the commoners.
\sd0
\c 23
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  When you sit to eat with a ruler,
\q2 you shall surely observe what \add is\add* before you,
\q1 
\v 2 and you shall put a knife to your throat
\q2 if you have a ⸤big appetite⸥.\f + \fr 23:2 \ft Literally “lord/master of life” \f*
\q1 
\v 3 Do not desire his delicacies,
\q2 for\f + \fr 23:3 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* it is food of deception.
\q1 
\v 4 Do not tire \add in order\add* to become rich;
\q2 out of your understanding, \add may you\add* desist.
\q1 
\v 5 Your eyes will ⸤alight⸥\f + \fr 23:5 \ft Literally “cause to fly” \f* on it, but there is nothing \add to\add* it,
\q2 for suddenly it will make for itself wings
\q2 like an eagle and it will be exhausted \add in\add* the heavens.
\q1 
\v 6 Do not eat the bread of ⸤the stingy⸥,\f + \fr 23:6 \ft Literally “stingy of eye” \f*
\q2 and do not desire his delicacies.
\q1 
\v 7 For, like hair in his ⸤throat⸥,\f + \fr 23:7 \ft Literally “soul,” or “inner self” \f* so it is.\f + \fr 23:7 \ft Or “is he” \f*
\q2 “Eat and drink!” he will say to you,
\q2 but his heart will not be with you.
\q1 
\v 8 Your morsel you have eaten, you will vomit it up,
\q2 and you will waste your pleasant words.
\q1 
\v 9 In the ears of a fool do not speak,
\q2 for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
\q1 
\v 10 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker,
\q2 and on the fields of orphans do not encroach;
\q1 
\v 11 For their redeemer is strong,
\q2 he himself will plead their cause against you.
\q1 
\v 12 Apply your heart\f + \fr 23:12 \ft Or “mind” \f* to instruction,
\q2 and your ear to sayings of knowledge.
\q1 
\v 13 Do not withhold discipline from a child,
\q2 if you will beat him with the rod, he will not die.
\q1 
\v 14 As for you, with the rod you shall beat him,
\q2 and his life\f + \fr 23:14 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f* you will save from Sheol.\f + \fr 23:14 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f*
\q1 
\v 15 My child, if your heart\f + \fr 23:15 \ft Or “mind” \f* is wise,
\q2 my heart will be glad—even me!
\q1 
\v 16 And my ⸤insides⸥\f + \fr 23:16 \ft Literally “kidneys” \f* will rejoice
\q2 when your lips speak what is upright.
\q1 
\v 17 May your heart\f + \fr 23:17 \ft Or “mind” \f* not envy the sinners,
\q2 but \add live\add* in fear of Yahweh ⸤all day⸥.\f + \fr 23:17 \ft Literally “all the day” \f*
\q1 
\v 18 ⸤Surely⸥\f + \fr 23:18 \ft Literally “For if” \f* there is a future,
\q2 and your hope will not be cut off.
\q1 
\v 19 You, my child, hear and be wise,
\q2 and direct your heart\f + \fr 23:19 \ft Or “mind” \f* on the road.
\q1 
\v 20 Do not be among drinkers of wine,
\q2 among gluttonous eaters of ⸤their meat⸥.\f + \fr 23:20 \ft Literally “meat for them” \f*
\q1 
\v 21 For the drunkard and gluttonous, they will become poor,
\q2 and \add with\add* rags, drowsiness will clothe them.
\q1 
\v 22 Listen to your father—he who ⸤gave you life⸥,\f + \fr 23:22 \ft Literally “caused you to be born” \f*
\q2 and do not despise your mother when\f + \fr 23:22 \ft Or “for, because” \f* she is old.
\q1 
\v 23 Buy truth and do not sell \add it\add*,
\q2 wisdom and instruction and understanding.
\q1 
\v 24 The father of the righteous will surely rejoice;
\q2 he who bears a wise person will be happy with him.
\q1 
\v 25 May your father and your mother be glad,
\q2 and may she who bore you rejoice.
\q1 
\v 26 My child, may you give your heart\f + \fr 23:26 \ft Or “mind” \f* to me,
\q2 and may your eyes delight in my ways.
\q1 
\v 27 For a deep pit is a prostitute,\f + \fr 23:27 \ft Or “whore” \f*
\q2 and a narrow well is ⸤an adulteress⸥.\f + \fr 23:27 \ft Literally “a foreign woman” \f*
\q1 
\v 28 She \add is\add* also like a robber lying in wait,
\q2 and the faithless among mankind she increases.
\q1 
\v 29 To whom \add is\add* woe? To whom \add is\add* sorrow? To whom \add are\add* quarrels? To whom \add is\add* complaint?
\q2 To whom \add are\add* wounds without cause? To whom \add is\add* redness of \add the\add* eyes?
\q1 
\v 30 To those who linger over wine,
\q2 to those who come to try mixed wine.
\q1 
\v 31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
\q2 when it ⸤sparkles⸥\f + \fr 23:31 \ft Literally “gives its eye” \f* on the cup,
\q2 going down smoothly.
\q1 
\v 32 ⸤In the end⸥,\f + \fr 23:32 \ft Literally “end him” \f* it will bite like a serpent,
\q2 and it will sting like an adder.
\q1 
\v 33 Your eyes will see strange things,
\q2 and your heart\f + \fr 23:33 \ft Or “mind” \f* will speak perverse things.
\q1 
\v 34 And you will be like him who lies down in the heart of the sea,
\q2 and like him who lies down on top of a mast.
\q1 
\v 35 “They struck me; I was not hurt. They beat me; I did not know \add it\add*.
\q2 When I will awake, I will continue; I will seek it again.”
\sd0
\c 24
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Do not envy men of evil,
\q2 and do not desire to be with them.
\q1 
\v 2 For their minds will devise violence,
\q2 and their lips will speak mischief.
\q1 
\v 3 By wisdom a house is built,
\q2 and by understanding it is established.
\q1 
\v 4 And by knowledge, rooms are filled
\q2 \add with\add* all riches, precious and pleasant.
\q1 
\v 5 The warrior of wisdom \add is\add* in strength,
\q2 and a man of knowledge is strong \add in\add* power.
\q1 
\v 6 For with wise guidance you shall make war for yourself,
\q2 and victory \add is\add* in an abundance of counsel.
\q1 
\v 7 Wisdom \add is too\add* high for fools;
\q2 at the gate he will not open his mouth.
\q1 
\v 8 He who plans to do evil for\f + \fr 24:8 \ft Or “to” \f* himself,
\q2 they will call \add him\add* “master\f + \fr 24:8 \ft Or “owner” \f* of mischief.”
\q1 
\v 9 Devising folly \add is\add* a sin,
\q2 and an abomination to humankind \add is\add* a scoffer.
\q1 
\v 10 \add If\add* you faint on the day of adversity,
\q2 little \add is\add* your strength.
\q1 
\v 11 Rescue those who are led away to the death
\q2 and those who stagger to the slaughter. If you hold back,
\q1 
\v 12 if you say, “Look, we do not know this,”
\q2 does not he who weighs hearts perceive \add it\add*?
\q2 And he who keeps your soul,\f + \fr 24:12 \ft Or “life,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 he knows and will repay humankind according to his deeds.
\q1 
\v 13 My child, eat honey, for \add it is\add* good,
\q2 and the dripping of the honeycomb \add is\add* sweet to your taste.
\q1 
\v 14 Thus know wisdom for \add the sake of\add* your soul,\f + \fr 24:14 \ft Or “life,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 if you find \add it\add*, then there is a future,
\q2 and your hope will not be cut off.
\q1 
\v 15 Do not lie in wait \add like\add* an outlaw against the home of the righteous;
\q2 do not do violence \add to\add* his dwelling place.
\q1 
\v 16 For seven \add times\add* the righteous will fall, but he will rise,
\q2 but the wicked will be overthrown by calamity.
\q1 
\v 17 While your enemies are falling, do not rejoice;
\q2 when he trips himself, may your heart\f + \fr 24:17 \ft Or “mind” \f* not be glad
\q1 
\v 18 lest Yahweh see and \add it\add* be evil in his eyes,
\q2 and turn his anger away from him.
\q1 
\v 19 Do not fret because of the evildoers;
\q2 do not envy the wicked.
\q1 
\v 20 For there will not be a future for the evil;
\q2 the lamp of the wicked will die out.
\q1 
\v 21 Fear Yahweh, my son, and the king;
\q2 with those who change, do not associate.
\q1 
\v 22 For suddenly their disaster will come,
\q2 and the ruin of ⸤both of them⸥,\f + \fr 24:22 \ft Literally “\fq the \ft two of them” \f* who knows?
\q1 
\v 23 These \add sayings\add* are also for the wise:
\q2 ⸤Partiality⸥\f + \fr 24:23 \ft Literally “acknowledge faces” \f* in judgment is not good.
\q1 
\v 24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are righteous,” the people will curse him;
\q2 the nations will abhor him.
\q1 
\v 25 But they who rebuke will have delight,
\q2 and upon them blessings of goodness will come.
\q1 
\v 26 He will kiss \add the\add* lips,
\q2 he who gives an honest answer.
\q1 
\v 27 Prepare your work in the street and get it ready for yourself in the field;
\q2 afterward, then\f + \fr 24:27 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* you shall build your house.
\q1 
\v 28 Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor
\q2 nor deceive with your lips.
\q1 
\v 29 Do not say, “Just as he has done to me, so shall I do to him;
\q2 I will pay back the man according to his deed.”
\q1 
\v 30 I passed by the field of a lazy person,
\q2 and over the vineyard of a person lacking ⸤sense⸥;\f + \fr 24:30 \ft Literally “heart” \f*
\q1 
\v 31 and behold, it was overgrown—all of it was covered \add with\add* thorns, its surface with nettles,
\q2 and ⸤its stone wall⸥\f + \fr 24:31 \ft Literally “a wall of his/its stones” \f* was broken down.
\q1 
\v 32 Then I myself saw and my heart\f + \fr 24:32 \ft Or “mind” \f* considered;
\q2 I looked, and I took hold of instruction:
\q1 
\v 33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
\q2 a little folding of the hands for rest,
\q1 
\v 34 and your poverty will come running,
\q2 and your lack like an armed warrior.
\sd0
\c 25
\s1 More Proverbs of Solomon
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 These are also proverbs of Solomon which officials of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
\q1 
\v 2 The glory of God\f + \fr 25:2 \ft Or “gods” \f* conceals things,
\q2 but the glory of kings searches out things.
\q1 
\v 3 As heaven is to height and the earth is to depth,
\q2 so \add is\add* the heart\f + \fr 25:3 \ft Or “mind” \f* of kings—there is no searching.
\q1 
\v 4 Remove the dross from silver,
\q2 and it will become a vessel for the smith.
\q1 
\v 5 Remove the wicked before a king,
\q2 and his throne will be established in righteousness.\f + \fr 25:5 \ft Hebrew “in the righteousness” \f*
\q1 
\v 6 Do not promote yourself before the king,
\q2 and in the place of the great ones do not stand.
\q1 
\v 7 For \add it is\add* better \add that\add* he say to you, “Ascend here,”
\q2 than he humble you before a noble.
\q1 What your eyes have seen,
\q1 
\v 8 do not hastily bring out to court,
\q2 for\f + \fr 25:8 \ft Or “lest” \f* what will you do at its end,
\q2 when your neighbor puts you to shame?
\q1 
\v 9 Argue your argument with your neighbor \add himself\add*,
\q2 the secret of another do not disclose,
\q1 
\v 10 lest he who hears shame you
\q2 and your ill repute will not end.
\q1 
\v 11 Apples of gold in a setting of silver
\q2 is a matter spoken at\f + \fr 25:11 \ft Hebrew “on” \f* its proper time.
\q1 
\v 12 A ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
\q2 \add is\add* a rebuke of the wise to the ear of a listener.
\q1 
\v 13 Like the cold of snow on a day\f + \fr 25:13 \ft Or “at a season” \f* of harvest
\q2 \add is\add* a faithful messenger to those who send him,
\q2 and the soul\f + \fr 25:13 \ft Or “life,” or “inner self” \f* of his master is refreshed.\f + \fr 25:13 \ft Or “returned” \f*
\q1 
\v 14 \add Like\add* clouds and wind when there is no rain,
\q2 \add so too is\add* a man who boasts in a gift of deception.
\q1 
\v 15 ⸤With patience⸥\f + \fr 25:15 \ft Literally “With length of face” \f* a ruler may be persuaded,
\q2 and a soft tongue will break a bone.\f + \fr 25:15 \ft Or “strength” \f*
\q1 
\v 16 \add If\add* you find honey, eat what is sufficient for you,
\q2 lest you have your fill of it and vomit it out.
\q1 
\v 17 Make your foot scarce in the house of your neighbor,
\q2 lest he become weary of you and hate you.
\q1 
\v 18 \add Like\add* a club and sword and a sharp arrow
\q2 \add is\add* a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
\q1 
\v 19 A bad tooth and a lame foot
\q2 \add is\add* the trust of a faithless person ⸤in a time⸥\f + \fr 25:19 \ft Literally “on a day” \f* of trouble.
\q1 
\v 20 \add Like\add* one who removes a garment on a cold day, \add or like\add* vinegar on natron,\f + \fr 25:20 \ft A mineral salt found on dry lake beds often used as a preservative. \f*
\q2 \add is\add* he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
\q1 
\v 21 If your enemy \add is\add* hungry, feed him bread,
\q2 and if thirsty, let him drink water.
\q1 
\v 22 For coals of fire you will heap upon his head,
\q2 and Yahweh will reward you.
\q1 
\v 23 The wind of the north produces rain,
\q2 and a backbiting tongue, angry faces.
\q1 
\v 24 Better to live upon the corner of a roof
\q2 than \add with\add* a woman\f + \fr 25:24 \ft Or “wife” \f* of contention and \add in a\add* shared house.
\q1 
\v 25 \add Like\add* cold water\f + \fr 25:25 \ft Hebrew “waters” \f* upon a weary soul,\f + \fr 25:25 \ft Or “life,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 \add so too is\add* good news from a distant place.
\q1 
\v 26 \add Like\add* a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
\q2 is the righteous who gives way before the wicked.
\q1 
\v 27 To eat much honey is not good,
\q2 nor \add is\add* seeking one’s honor\f + \fr 25:27 \ft Hebrew “their honor” \f* honorable.
\q1 
\v 28 A breached city \add where\add* there is no wall
\q2 \add is like\add* a man who ⸤has no⸥\f + \fr 25:28 \ft Literally “there is no” \f* self-control for his spirit.
\sd0
\c 26
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Like snow in the summer and like rain at the harvest,
\q2 so honor is not fitting for a fool.
\q1 
\v 2 Like the sparrow \add is\add* to fluttering and like the swallow \add is\add* to flying,
\q2 so an undeserved curse does not go forth.
\q1 
\v 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
\q2 and a rod for the back of fools.
\q1 
\v 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly
\q2 lest you become like him—even you.
\q1 
\v 5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
\q2 or else he will be wise in his own eyes.
\q1 
\v 6 \add Like\add* cutting off feet \add or\add* drinking violence,
\q2 so \add is\add* he who sends messages in the hand of a fool.
\q1 
\v 7 \add Like\add* legs that hang limp from a lame person,
\q2 so \add is\add* a proverb in the mouth of fools.
\q1 
\v 8 Like binding a stone in a sling,
\q2 so \add is\add* giving honor to a fool.
\q1 
\v 9 \add Like\add* a thorn that goes up in the hand of a drunkard,
\q2 so \add is\add* a proverb in the mouth of fools.
\q1 
\v 10 \add Like\add* an archer who wounds everyone,
\q2 so \add is\add* he who hires a fool or he who hires passersby.
\q1 
\v 11 Like a dog returning to his vomit
\q2 \add is\add* a fool reverting to his folly.
\q1 
\v 12 \add Do\add* you see a man wise in his own eyes?
\q2 \add There is more\add* hope for a fool than for him.
\q1 
\v 13 A lazy person says “A lion \add is\add* in the road!
\q2 A lion among the streets!”
\q1 
\v 14 The door turns on its hinge,
\q2 and a lazy person on his bed.
\q1 
\v 15 A lazy person buries his hands in the dish;
\q2 he is \add too\add* tired to return it to his mouth.
\q1 
\v 16 A lazy person is wiser in his eyes
\q2 than seven who answer discreetly.
\q1 
\v 17 Grabbing onto the ears of a dog
\q2 passing by \add is\add* one who meddles in a quarrel \add that is\add* not his own.
\q1 
\v 18 Like a maniac who shoots
\q2 firebrands, arrows, and death,
\q1 
\v 19 so \add is\add* a man who deceives his neighbor,
\q2 but says “Am I not joking?”
\q1 
\v 20 For lack of wood, a fire goes out,
\q2 and where there is no whisperer, quarreling will cease.
\q1 
\v 21 \add As\add* charcoal \add is\add* to hot embers and wood \add is\add* to fire,
\q2 so a man of quarrels \add is\add* to kindling strife.
\q1 
\v 22 The words of a whisperer \add are\add* like delicious morsels,
\q2 and they go down to the inner parts of the body.
\q1 
\v 23 \add Like\add* ⸤impure silver⸥\f + \fr 26:23 \ft Literally “silver of impurities” \f* which overlays an earthen vessel,
\q2 \add so are\add* smooth lips and an evil heart\f + \fr 26:23 \ft Or “mind” \f*.
\q1 
\v 24 On his lips, an enemy will pretend,
\q2 but ⸤inside⸥\f + \fr 26:24 \ft Literally “in his midst” \f* he will harbor deceit.
\q1 
\v 25 When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him,
\q2 for seven abominations \add are\add* in his heart.
\q1 
\v 26 Though hatred is covered with guile,
\q2 its evil will be exposed in the assembly.
\q1 
\v 27 He who digs a pit, in it he will fall,
\q2 and he who rolls a stone, on him it will come back.
\q1 
\v 28 A tongue of deceit hates its victim,
\q2 and a flattering mouth makes ruin.
\sd0
\c 27
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  Do not boast ⸤about tomorrow⸥,\f + \fr 27:1 \ft Literally “on the day of tomorrow” \f*
\q2 for you do not know what the day will bring.
\q1 
\v 2 May another praise you and not your own mouth,
\q2 a stranger and not your own lips.
\q1 
\v 3 Heavy \add is\add* a stone and weighty \add is\add* sand,
\q2 but \add the\add* provocation of a fool \add is\add* heavier than both of them.
\q1 
\v 4 Cruel \add is\add* wrath and overwhelming \add is\add* anger,
\q2 but who will stand before jealousy?
\q1 
\v 5 Better a rebuke that is open
\q2 than a love that is hidden.
\q1 
\v 6 The wounds of a friend mean well,
\q2 but the kisses of an enemy are profane.
\q1 
\v 7 An ⸤appetite⸥\f + \fr 27:7 \ft Literally “soul” \f* that is sated spurns honey,
\q2 but \add to\add* an ⸤appetite⸥\f + \fr 27:7 \ft Literally “soul” \f* that is ravenous, all bitterness \add is\add* sweet.
\q1 
\v 8 Like a bird that strays from its nest,
\q2 so is a man who strays from his place.
\q1 
\v 9 Perfume and incense will gladden a heart,
\q2 and the pleasantness of one’s friend \add is\add* ⸤personal advice⸥.\f + \fr 27:9 \ft Literally “because of advice of a person” \f*
\q1 
\v 10 As for your friend and a friend of your father, do not forsake \add them\add*,
\q2 and the house of your brother, do not enter on the day of your calamity.
\q2 Better is a close neighbor than a distant brother.
\q1 
\v 11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,
\q2 and I will answer him who reproaches me \add with\add* a word.
\q1 
\v 12 \add When\add* the clever sees danger, he hides;
\q2 the simple go on \add and\add* suffer.
\q1 
\v 13 Take his garment, for he gives surety \add to\add* a stranger,
\q2 and to ⸤an adulteress⸥\f + \fr 27:13 \ft Literally “a foreign woman” \f*—\add so\add* take his pledge.
\q1 
\v 14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice
\q2 early in the morning,
\q2 a curse will be reckoned to him.
\q1 
\v 15 Dripping constantly on a day of heavy rain
\q2 and a woman\f + \fr 27:15 \ft Or “wife” \f* of contention are alike.
\q1 
\v 16 \add In\add* restraining her, he restrains wind,\f + \fr 27:16 \ft Or “breath, or “spirit” \f*
\q2 and his right hand will grasp oil\f + \fr 27:16 \ft Or “fat” \f*.
\q1 
\v 17 \add As\add* iron sharpens\f + \fr 27:17 \ft Or “is united with” \f* iron,
\q2 so ⸤one man sharpens another⸥.\f + \fr 27:17 \ft Literally “a man sharpens \fq the \ft faces of his friend” \f*
\q1 
\v 18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
\q2 and he who guards his master\f + \fr 27:18 \ft Or “lord” \f* will be honored.
\q1 
\v 19 As the waters \add reflect\add* ⸤face to face⸥,\f + \fr 27:19 \ft Literally “the faces to the faces” \f*
\q2 so the heart of a person \add reflects\add* the person.
\q1 
\v 20 Sheol\f + \fr 27:20 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f* and Abaddon\f + \fr 27:20 \ft Poetic synonym for “Sheol.” Only mentioned in the \sc ot\sc* in relation to Sheol, the grave, or death. \f* will not be satisfied,
\q2 and the eyes of a person will not be satisfied \add either\add*.
\q1 
\v 21 A crucible \add is\add* for the silver, and a furnace for the gold,
\q2 but a man \add is tested by\add* the mouth of him who praises him.
\q1 
\v 22 If you crush a fool in the mortar with the pestle ⸤along with⸥\f + \fr 27:22 \ft Or “in the midst of” \f* the crushed grain,
\q2 it will not drive folly from upon him.
\q1 
\v 23 You will surely know the ⸤condition⸥\f + \fr 27:23 \ft Literally “faces” \f* of your flock;
\q2 your heart\f + \fr 27:23 \ft Or “mind” \f* attends to the herds.
\q1 
\v 24 For riches \add are\add* not forever,
\q2 nor a crown for generation \add after\add* generation.
\q1 
\v 25 When the grass is gone, then green growth will appear,
\q2 and the herbs of the mountains will be gathered.
\q1 
\v 26 Lambs \add will be\add* your clothing,
\q2 and goats the price of the field.
\q1 
\v 27 And \add there will be\add* enough goats’ milk for your food,
\q2 for \add the\add* food of your household and \add the\add* ⸤nourishment⸥\f + \fr 27:27 \ft Literally “life” \f* of your maidservants.
\sd0
\c 28
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  The wicked flee, but no one pursues,
\q2 but the righteous is bold like a lion.
\q1 
\v 2 By the rebellion of a land, her rulers increase,
\q2 but by a person of intelligence who knows justice, it will last.
\q1 
\v 3 A man \add who is\add* poor and oppresses the impoverished
\q2 \add is\add* a beating rain ⸤that leaves⸥\f + \fr 28:3 \ft Literally “and there is” \f* no food.
\q1 
\v 4 Those who forsake instruction will praise the wicked,
\q2 but they who guard instruction will struggle against them.
\q1 
\v 5 Men of evil do not understand justice,
\q2 but seekers of Yahweh understand completely.\f + \fr 28:5 \ft Or “everything” \f*
\q1 
\v 6 Better \add to be\add* poor and walking in one’s integrity
\q2 than to be crooked of ways when one \add is\add* rich.
\q1 
\v 7 He who keeps instruction \add is\add* a child of understanding,
\q2 but the companion of gluttons will shame his father.
\q1 
\v 8 He who augments his wealth with interest and with usury
\q2 gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.
\q1 
\v 9 He who turns his ear from listening to instruction,
\q2 even his prayer \add is\add* an abomination.
\q1 
\v 10 He who misleads the upright onto the way of evil,
\q2 into his pits he will fall.
\q2 But as for the blameless, they will inherit good.
\q1 
\v 11 A man of wealth \add is\add* wise in his own eyes,
\q2 but the intelligent poor sees through him.
\q1 
\v 12 When the righteous triumphs, great \add is\add* the glory,
\q2 but with \add the\add* rising of the wicked, a person will be hidden.
\q1 
\v 13 He who conceals his transgression will not prosper,
\q2 but he who confesses and forsakes will obtain mercy.
\q1 
\v 14 Happy is the person who fears continuously,
\q2 but he who is stubborn of heart,\f + \fr 28:14 \ft Or “mind” \f* will fall into calamity.
\q1 
\v 15 \add Like\add* a roaring lion and a charging bear
\q2 \add is\add* a wicked ruler over a poor people.
\q1 
\v 16 A ruler who lacks understanding is\f + \fr 28:16 \ft Hebrew “and” \f* a cruel oppressor,
\q2 \add but\add* those who hate unjust gain will have long\f + \fr 28:16 \ft Or “prolong” \f* days.
\q1 
\v 17 A person who is burdened with \add the\add* blood of ⸤another⸥,\f + \fr 28:17 \ft Literally “life” \f*
\q2 until death he will flee;
\q2 do not take hold of him.
\q1 
\v 18 He who walks in integrity will be safe,
\q2 but he who takes crooked paths will fall in one.
\q1 
\v 19 He who tills his ground will have plenty bread,
\q2 but he who follows fantasies will have plenty \add of\add* poverty.
\q1 
\v 20 A man of faithfulness \add has\add* abundant blessings,
\q2 but he who hurries to become rich will not go unpunished.
\q1 
\v 21 ⸤Showing partiality⸥\f + \fr 28:21 \ft Literally “Recognizing faces” \f* \add is\add* not good,
\q2 and over a morsel of bread, a strong man will do wrong.
\q1 
\v 22 He who hurries for wealth is ⸤a man with an evil eye⸥,\f + \fr 28:22 \ft Literally “a man of evil of eye” \f*
\q2 but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
\q1 
\v 23 He who rebukes a person will afterward find \add more\add* favor
\q2 than he who flatters \add with the\add* tongue.
\q1 
\v 24 He who robs his father and his mother and says, “There is no crime,”
\q2 is partner to a man who corrupts.
\q1 
\v 25 The ⸤greedy person⸥\f + \fr 28:25 \ft Literally “wide soul” \f* will stir up strife,
\q2 but he who trusts in Yahweh will be enriched.
\q1 
\v 26 He who trusts in his own heart\f + \fr 28:26 \ft Or “mind,” or “sense” \f* is a fool,
\q2 but he who walks in wisdom will be saved.
\q1 
\v 27 \add For\add* he who gives to the poor, there is no lacking,
\q2 but \add for\add* he\f + \fr 28:27 \ft Hebrew “those” \f* who turns his eyes, \add there are\add* many curses.
\q1 
\v 28 With \add the\add* rising of the wicked, humankind will be hidden,
\q2 and with their perishing, \add the\add* righteous will multiply.
\sd0
\c 29
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1  A man who is reproved, being stubborn of neck—
\q2 suddenly he will be broken, and there will not be healing.
\q1 
\v 2 When the righteous are numerous, the people will rejoice,
\q2 but when the wicked are ruling, people will groan.
\q1 
\v 3 A man who loves wisdom will make his parents glad,
\q2 but the friend of prostitutes\f + \fr 29:3 \ft Or “whores” \f* will squander his wealth.
\q1 
\v 4 By justice a king gives stability \add to\add* a land,
\q2 but a man of bribes will ruin it.
\q1 
\v 5 A strong man who flatters his neighbor
\q2 is spreading a net for his feet.
\q1 
\v 6 In transgression, an evil man \add is\add* a snare,
\q2 but \add the\add* righteous will sing and rejoice.\f + \fr 29:6 \ft Hebrew “he will rejoice” \f*
\q1 
\v 7 \add The\add* righteous knows \add the\add* case of the poor,
\q2 but \add the\add* wicked does not understand knowledge.
\q1 
\v 8 Men of scoffing set a city aflame,
\q2 but the wise turn away wrath.
\q1 
\v 9 \add If\add* a wise man goes to court with a foolish man,
\q2 then there is rankling and ridicule,\f + \fr 29:9 \ft Hebrew “there is ridicule” \f* but there is no relief.
\q1 
\v 10 Men of blood hate \add the\add* blameless,
\q2 and they seek the life of the upright.\f + \fr 29:10 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 11 A fool gives all his breath,\f + \fr 29:11 \ft Or “spirit” \f*
\q2 but \add the\add* wise holds back in quiet.
\q1 
\v 12 A ruler listening to a word of falsehood,
\q2 all his officials are wicked.
\q1 
\v 13 The poor and a man of oppression have \add this\add* in common:
\q2 Yahweh gives ⸤light to the eyes of them both⸥.\f + \fr 29:13 \ft Literally “light of the eyes of the two of them” \f*
\q1 
\v 14 A king who judges with truthfulness \add to\add* the poor,
\q2 his throne will be established forever.
\q1 
\v 15 As for a rod and reproof, they\f + \fr 29:15 \ft Hebrew “it” \f* will give wisdom,
\q2 but a neglected child is disgraced \add by\add* his mother.
\q1 
\v 16 With the increase of the wicked, transgression will increase,
\q2 but the righteous will look on his downfall.
\q1 
\v 17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest,
\q2 and they will give delight to your soul.\f + \fr 29:17 \ft Or “life,” or “inner self” \f*
\q1 
\v 18 When there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
\q2 but as for he who guards instruction, happiness \add is\add* his.
\q1 
\v 19 By words, a servant is not disciplined,
\q2 for he will understand, but there is no giving heed.
\q1 
\v 20 You see a man who is hasty in his words:
\q2 \add there is more\add* hope for a fool than him.
\q1 
\v 21 He who pampers his servant from childhood,
\q2 ⸤arrogance will be his end⸥.\f + \fr 29:21 \ft Literally “and its/his end will be arrogance” \f*
\q1 
\v 22 A man of anger will stir strife,
\q2 and the owner of anger, much transgression.
\q1 
\v 23 The pride of a person will bring him humiliation,
\q2 and the lowly of spirit will obtain honor.
\q1 
\v 24 Being a partner with a thief is hating one’s life;\f + \fr 29:24 \ft Or “soul,” or “inner self” \f*
\q2 a curse he will hear, but not disclose.
\q1 
\v 25 The fear of a person will lay a snare,
\q2 but he who trusts in Yahweh will be secure.
\q1 
\v 26 Many are those who seek the ⸤favor⸥\f + \fr 29:26 \ft Literally “faces” \f* of a ruler,
\q2 but from Yahweh ⸤one obtains justice⸥.\f + \fr 29:26 \ft Literally “\fq comes \ft justice for a man” \f*
\q1 
\v 27 A man of injustice is an abomination to the righteous,
\q2 but the ⸤upright⸥\f + \fr 29:27 \ft Literally “upright of way” \f* is an abomination to the wicked.
\sd0
\c 30
\s1 The Oracle of Agur
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 The words of Agur, son of Yakeh, the oracle.
\q2 Thus says the man to Ithiel, to Ithiel, and Ucal:\f + \fr 30:1 \ft Or “I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out” \f*
\q1 
\v 2 Certainly I \add am more\add* stupid than a man,
\q2 and the understanding of humankind \add is\add* not for me.
\q1 
\v 3 And I have not learned wisdom,
\q2 nor will I know knowledge of the Holy One.\f + \fr 30:3 \ft Or “holy ones” \f*
\q1 
\v 4 Who has ascended \add to\add* heaven and come down?
\q2 Who has gathered \add the\add* wind in the hollow of his hand?
\q2 Who has wrapped water in a\f + \fr 30:4 \ft Hebrew “the” \f* garment?
\q2 Who has established all the ends of the earth?
\q2 What \add is\add* his name and what is the name of his child?
\q2 For \add surely\add* you know.
\q1 
\v 5 Every word of God \add is\add* flawless;
\q2 he \add is\add* a shield for him who takes refuge in him.
\q1 
\v 6 Do not add to his words
\q2 lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
\q1 
\v 7 Two things I ask from you;
\q2 do not deny me before I die:
\q1 
\v 8 Keep falsehood and a ⸤lying word⸥\f + \fr 30:8 \ft Literally “word of a lie” \f* far from me;
\q2 do not give me poverty or wealth;
\q2 provide me \add with\add* food \add only for\add* my need.
\q1 
\v 9 Or else I will be satisfied and will deny \add him\add*
\q2 and say “Who \add is\add* Yahweh?”
\q1 Or\f + \fr 30:9 \ft Or “Lest” \f* I will be poor and will steal
\q2 and profane the name of my God.
\q1 
\v 10 Do not slander a servant to his master,
\q2 or else he will curse you and you will be guilty.
\q1 
\v 11 \add There is\add* a generation \add that\add* will curse its father,
\q2 and its mother it will not bless.
\q1 
\v 12 \add There is\add* a generation \add that is\add* pure in its own eyes,
\q2 but from its filthiness it will not be cleansed.
\q1 
\v 13 \add There is\add* a generation—how lofty \add are\add* their eyes!
\q2 And their eyelids they will lift.
\q1 
\v 14 \add There is\add* a generation whose teeth \add are\add* swords,
\q2 and its jawbones, knives,
\q1 \add in order\add* to devour the poor from the earth\f + \fr 30:14 \ft Or “land” \f*
\q2 and the needy from humankind.
\q1 
\v 15 For the leech, \add there are\add* two daughters;
\q2 “Give, give!” \add they cry\add*.
\q1 As for three of these, they are not satisfied;
\q2 as for four, they do not say enough.
\q1 
\v 16 Sheol\f + \fr 30:16 \ft A term for the place where the dead reside, i.e., the Underworld \f* and barrenness of womb,
\q2 the land is not satisfied \add with\add* water,
\q2 and fire does not say “enough!”
\q1 
\v 17 The eye \add that\add* mocks a father
\q2 and scorns the obedience of a mother—
\q1 the ravens of the valley will peck it out,
\q2 and the offspring of vultures will eat it.
\q1 
\v 18 Three of these are \add too\add* wonderful for me,
\q2 and four, I do not understand them:
\q1 
\v 19 the way of the eagle in the sky,
\q2 the way of a snake on a rock,
\q2 the way of a ship in the heart of the sea,
\q2 and the way of a man with a young woman.
\q1 
\v 20 This is the way of a woman committing adultery:
\q2 she eats and wipes her mouth,
\q2 and says “I have not done wrong.”
\q1 
\v 21 Under three \add things\add* the earth\f + \fr 30:21 \ft Or “land” \f* trembles,
\q2 and under four, it is not able to bear up:
\q1 
\v 22 under a slave when he becomes king,
\q2 and a fool when he is satisfied \add with\add* food;
\q1 
\v 23 under an unloved woman when she gets married,
\q2 and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.
\q1 
\v 24 There \add are\add* four small things on the earth,
\q2 and they \add are\add* ⸤exceedingly wise⸥:\f + \fr 30:24 \ft Literally “wise \fq ones \ft from wise \fq ones \ft ” \f*
\q1 
\v 25 The ants \add are\add* a people \add who are\add* not strong,
\q2 yet they prepare their food in the summer;
\q1 
\v 26 the badgers \add are\add* a people \add who are\add* not mighty,
\q2 yet they set their house on the rock;
\q1 
\v 27 there is no king for the locust,
\q2 yet it marches in rank;
\q1 
\v 28 a lizard you \add can\add* seize with hands,
\q2 yet it is in palaces of kings.
\q1 
\v 29 There \add are\add* three \add things\add* that are magnificent of stride,
\q2 and four that are magnificent \add when\add* moving:
\q1 
\v 30 a mighty lion among the beasts,\f + \fr 30:30 \ft Hebrew “beasts” \f*
\q2 but he will not turn back from ⸤any face⸥;\f + \fr 30:30 \ft Literally “faces of all” \f*
\q1 
\v 31 a strutting rooster or he-goat,
\q2 and a king \add whose\add* army \add is\add* with him.
\q1 
\v 32 If you have been foolish by exalting yourself,
\q2 and if you have devised evil, \add put your\add* hand to \add your\add* mouth.
\q1 
\v 33 For pressing milk produces curd,
\q2 and pressing the nose produces blood,
\q2 so pressing ⸤anger⸥\f + \fr 30:33 \ft Literally “nostrils” \f* produces strife.
\sd0
\c 31
\s1 The Oracle of King Lemuel
\sd0
\q1 
\v 1 The words of Lemuel, \add the\add* king—an oracle
\q2 that his mother taught him:
\q1 
\v 2 What, my son? And what, my son in my womb?
\q2 And what, son of my vows?
\q1 
\v 3 Do not give your strength to the women,
\q2 and your ways to destroy kings.
\q1 
\v 4 \add It is\add* not for the kings, O Lemuel;
\q2 drinking wine \add is\add* not for the kings,
\q2 nor \add is\add* strong drink for rulers.
\q1 
\v 5 Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed,
\q2 and he will pervert the rights\f + \fr 31:5 \ft Hebrew “right” \f* of all the ⸤afflicted⸥.\f + \fr 31:5 \ft Literally “sons of affliction” \f*
\q1 
\v 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
\q2 and wine to those ⸤in bitter distress⸥.\f + \fr 31:6 \ft Literally “to bitterness of soul” \f*
\q1 
\v 7 He will drink and forget his poverty,
\q2 and his misery he will not remember \add any\add* more.
\q1 
\v 8 Open your mouth for the mute,
\q2 for the rights\f + \fr 31:8 \ft Hebrew “right” \f* of all the ⸤needy⸥.\f + \fr 31:8 \ft Literally “the sons of the needy” \f*
\q1 
\v 9 Open your mouth, judge righteousness,
\q2 and defend \add the\add* poor and needy.
\sd0
\s1 An Excellent Woman\f + \fr 31:9 \ft \xt Prov 31:10–31 \ft is an acrostic poem \f*
\sd0
\q1 
\v 10 A woman\f + \fr 31:10 \ft Or “wife” \f* of excellence,\f + \fr 31:10 \ft Or “strength,” or “valor,” or “ability,” or “efficiency” \f* who will find?
\q2 For her worth \add is\add* far more than precious jewels.
\q1 
\v 11 The heart of her husband\f + \fr 31:11 \ft Or “lord” \f* trusts in her,
\q2 and gain he will not lack.
\q1 
\v 12 She does him good, but not harm
\q2 all the days of her life.
\q1 
\v 13 She seeks wool and flax,
\q2 and she works with the diligence of ⸤her hands⸥.\f + \fr 31:13 \ft Literally “her palms” \f*
\q1 
\v 14 She is like the ships of a merchant;
\q2 from far off she brings her food;\f + \fr 31:14 \ft Or “bread” \f*
\q1 
\v 15 And she arises while \add it is\add* still night,
\q2 and gives food to her household,
\q2 and tasks to her servant girls.
\q1 
\v 16 She considers a field and buys it,
\q2 from the fruit of ⸤her hand⸥\f + \fr 31:16 \ft Literally “her palm” \f* she plants a vineyard.
\q1 
\v 17 She girds her waist in strength,
\q2 and makes her arms strong.
\q1 
\v 18 She perceives that her merchandise \add is\add* good;
\q2 her lamp does not go out in the night.
\q1 
\v 19 Her hands she puts onto the distaff,\f + \fr 31:19 \ft A stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound in preparation for spinning \f*
\q2 and her palms hold a spindle.
\q1 
\v 20 Her palm she opens to the poor,
\q2 and her hand she reaches \add out\add* to the needy.
\q1 
\v 21 She does not fear for her house \add when\add* it snows,
\q2 for ⸤her entire household⸥\f + \fr 31:21 \ft Literally “all her house, household” \f* is clothed \add in\add* crimson.
\q1 
\v 22 She makes for herself coverings;
\q2 her clothing \add is\add* fine linen and purple.
\q1 
\v 23 Her husband\f + \fr 31:23 \ft Or “lord” \f* is known at the gates,
\q2 in his seat among the elders of the land.
\q1 
\v 24 Linen garments she makes and sells,
\q2 and she supplies sashes for the merchants.
\q1 
\v 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
\q2 and she laughs ⸤at the future⸥.\f + \fr 31:25 \ft Literally “to the day/time coming after” \f*
\q1 
\v 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
\q2 and instruction of kindness \add is\add* upon her tongue.
\q1 
\v 27 She looks after the ways of her household,
\q2 and the bread of idleness she will not eat.
\q1 
\v 28 Her children rise and consider her happy,
\q2 her husband\f + \fr 31:28 \ft Or “lord” \f* \add also\add*, and he praises her;
\q1 
\v 29 “Many daughters have done excellence,\f + \fr 31:29 \ft Or “strength,” or “valor,” or “ability,” or “efficiency” \f*
\q2 but ⸤you surpass⸥\f + \fr 31:29 \ft Literally “you ascend over” \f* all of them.”
\q1 
\v 30 Charm\f + \fr 31:30 \ft Hebrew “The charm” \f* \add is\add* deceit and beauty\f + \fr 31:30 \ft Hebrew “the beauty” \f* \add is\add* vain;\f + \fr 31:30 \ft Or “vapor,” or “emptiness,” or “breath” \f*
\q2 \add but\add* a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.
\q1 
\v 31 Give to her from the fruit of her hand,
\q2 and may they praise her works in the city gates.
\sd0