Website owner: James Miller
Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep;
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
A foolish woman is clamorous;
She is simple, and knows nothing.
For she sits at the door of her house,
On a seat by the highest places of the city,
To call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their way:
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here";
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
"Stolen water is sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of hell.
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.
The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins.
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of wisdom.
When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy man to those who send him.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight is His delight.
When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.
The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.
The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.
The people will curse him who withholds grain,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,
But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.
He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.
He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
A virtuous woman is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
The truthful lip shall be established forever,
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
He who despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD,
But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
Go from the presence of a foolish man,
When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.
A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But the rich has many friends.
He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is impulsive exalts folly.
A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones.
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
A fool despises his father's instruction,
But he who receives correction is prudent.
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who follows righteousness.
Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And he who hates correction will die.
A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD,
Than great treasure with trouble.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
Than a fatted calf with hatred.
A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
The way of life winds upward for the wise,
That he may turn away from hell below.
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
But he who hates bribes will live.
The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
The LORD is far from the wicked,
But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom,
And before honor is humility.
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
When a man's ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.
It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,
For a throne is established by righteousness.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And they love him who speaks what is right.
How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.
But the correction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
A violent man entices his neighbor,
And leads him in a way that is not good.
He winks his eye to devise perverse things;
He purses his lips and brings about evil.
The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,
If it is found in the way of righteousness.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness,
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame,
And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the LORD tests the hearts.
He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
An evildoer gives heed to false lips;
A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.
Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.
Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
Whoever rewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes surety for his friend.
He who loves a quarrel loves sin:
He who builds a high gate invites destruction.
He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.
A merry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.
A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back
To pervert the ways of justice.
A foolish son is a grief to his father,
And bitterness to her who bore him.
He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.
A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
A fool's lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
A fool's mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
And he sins who hastens with his feet.
Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
All the brothers of the poor hate him;
How much more do his friends go far from him!
He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.
A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who speaks lies shall perish.
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
And an idle person will suffer hunger.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But he who is careless of his ways will die.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,
And He will pay back what he has given.
Chasten your son while there is hope,
And do not set your heart on his destruction.
A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise in your latter days.
What is desired in a man is kindness,
And a poor man is better than a liar.
The fear of the LORD leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
Cease listening to instruction, my son,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good.
A disreputable witness scorns justice,
And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
The lazy man will not plow because of winter;
He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man?
The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.
Diverse weights and diverse measures,
They are both alike, an abomination to the LORD.
Even a child is known by his deeds,
Whether what he does is pure and right.
Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread.
"It is good for nothing," cries the buyer;
But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.
There is gold and a multitude of rubies,
But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
Whoever curses his father or his mother,
His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning
Will not be blessed at the end.
Do not say, "I will recompense evil";
Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.
Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness and honor.
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.
There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.
A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished.
By humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches and honor and life.
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave;
Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend.
The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside!
I shall be slain in the streets!"
The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
He who is abhorred by the LORD will fall there.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of correction will drive it far from him.
He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,
And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.
Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
For the LORD will plead their cause,
And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a furious man do not go,
Lest you learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.
Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men.
When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food.
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Apply your heart to instruction,
And your ears to words of knowledge.
Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.
Do not let your heart envy sinners,
But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
For surely there is a hereafter,
And your hope will not be cut off.
Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.
Do not mix with winebibbers,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
Listen to your father who begot you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her who bore you rejoice.
My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.
For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men.
Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
"They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"
Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.
Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
If you say, "Surely we did not know this,"
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;
If you have found it, there is a prospect,
And your hope will not be cut off.
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man,
against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not plunder his resting place;
For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
For there will be no prospect for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
My son, fear the LORD and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change;
For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring?
Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceive with your lips?
Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work."
I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
And there it was, all overgrown with thorns;
Its surface was covered with nettles;
Its stone wall was broken down.
When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction:
A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
For it is better that he say to you,
"Come up here,"
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.
The north wind brings forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
It is not good to eat much honey;
So to seek one's own glory is not glory.
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.
As snow in summer and rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,
So a curse without cause shall not alight.
A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool's back.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
Like one who binds a stone in a sling
Is he who gives honor to a fool.
The great God who formed everything
Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!"
As a door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy man on his bed.
The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, "I was only joking!"
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
But a fool's wrath is heavier than both of them.
Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,
But who is able to stand before jealousy?
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Like a bird that wanders from its nest
Is a man who wanders from his place.
Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend,
Nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
A continual dripping on a very rainy day
And a contentious woman are alike;
Whoever restrains her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
As in water face reflects face,
So a man's heart reveals the man.
Hell and Destruction are never full;
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;
For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
The lambs will provide your clothing,
And the goats the price of a field;
You shall have enough goats' milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And the nourishment of your maidservants.
The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.
Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
But the blameless will inherit good.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.
He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people.
A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.
Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, "It is no transgression,"
The same is companion to a destroyer.
He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.
He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
A man who flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
The righteous considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.
If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his well-being.
A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.
If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.
Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.
Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.
An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.
A man's pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
Many seek the ruler's favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
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