Font Size
Proverbs 1-17
Young's Literal Translation
Proverbs 1-17
Young's Literal Translation
1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 For knowing wisdom and instruction, For understanding sayings of intelligence,
3 For receiving the instruction of wisdom, Righteousness, judgment, and uprightness,
4 For giving to simple ones -- prudence, To a youth -- knowledge and discretion.
5 (The wise doth hear and increaseth learning, And the intelligent doth obtain counsels.)
6 For understanding a proverb and its sweetness, Words of the wise and their acute sayings.
7 Fear of Jehovah [is] a beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and instruction fools have despised!
8 Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, And leave not the law of thy mother,
9 For a graceful wreath [are] they to thy head, And chains to thy neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice thee be not willing.
11 If they say, `Come with us, we lay wait for blood, We watch secretly for the innocent without cause,
12 We swallow them as Sheol -- alive, And whole -- as those going down [to] the pit,
13 Every precious substance we find, We fill our houses [with] spoil,
14 Thy lot thou dost cast among us, One purse is -- to all of us.'
15 My son! go not in the way with them, Withhold thy foot from their path,
16 For their feet to evil do run, And they haste to shed blood.
17 Surely in vain is the net spread out before the eyes of any bird.
18 And they for their own blood lay wait, They watch secretly for their own lives.
19 So [are] the paths of every gainer of dishonest gain, The life of its owners it taketh.
20 Wisdom in an out-place crieth aloud, In broad places she giveth forth her voice,
21 At the head of the multitudes she calleth, In the openings of the gates, In the city her sayings she saith:
22 `Till when, ye simple, do ye love simplicity? And have scorners their scorning desired? And do fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn back at my reproof, lo, I pour forth to you my spirit, I make known my words with you.
24 Because I have called, and ye refuse, I stretched out my hand, and none is attending,
25 And ye slight all my counsel, And my reproof ye have not desired.
26 I also in your calamity do laugh, I deride when your fear cometh,
27 When your fear cometh as destruction, And your calamity as a hurricane doth come, When on you come adversity and distress.
28 Then they call me, and I do not answer, They seek me earnestly, and find me not.
29 Because that they have hated knowledge, And the fear of Jehovah have not chosen.
30 They have not consented to my counsel, They have despised all my reproof,
31 And they eat of the fruit of their way, And from their own counsels they are filled.
32 For the turning of the simple slayeth them, And the security of the foolish destroyeth them.
33 And whoso is hearkening to me dwelleth confidently, And [is] quiet from fear of evil!'
2 My son, if thou dost accept my sayings, And my commands dost lay up with thee,
2 To cause thine ear to attend to wisdom, Thou inclinest thy heart to understanding,
3 For, if for intelligence thou callest, For understanding givest forth thy voice,
4 If thou dost seek her as silver, And as hid treasures searchest for her,
5 Then understandest thou fear of Jehovah, And knowledge of God thou findest.
6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom, From His mouth knowledge and understanding.
7 Even to lay up for the upright substance, A shield for those walking uprightly.
8 To keep the paths of judgment, And the way of His saints He preserveth.
9 Then understandest thou righteousness, And judgment, and uprightness -- every good path.
10 For wisdom cometh into thy heart, And knowledge to thy soul is pleasant,
11 Thoughtfulness doth watch over thee, Understanding doth keep thee,
12 To deliver thee from an evil way, From any speaking froward things,
13 Who are forsaking paths of uprightness, To walk in ways of darkness,
14 Who are rejoicing to do evil, They delight in frowardness of the wicked,
15 Whose paths [are] crooked, Yea, they are perverted in their ways.
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, From the stranger who hath made smooth her sayings,
17 Who is forsaking the guide of her youth, And the covenant of her God hath forgotten.
18 For her house hath inclined unto death, And unto Rephaim her paths.
19 None going in unto her turn back, Nor do they reach the paths of life.
20 That thou dost go in the way of the good, And the paths of the righteous dost keep.
21 For the upright do inhabit the earth, And the perfect are left in it,
22 And the wicked from the earth are cut off, And treacherous dealers plucked out of it!
3 My son! my law forget not, And my commands let thy heart keep,
2 For length of days and years, Life and peace they do add to thee.
3 Let not kindness and truth forsake thee, Bind them on thy neck, Write them on the tablet of thy heart,
4 And find grace and good understanding In the eyes of God and man.
5 Trust unto Jehovah with all thy heart, And unto thine own understanding lean not.
6 In all thy ways know thou Him, And He doth make straight thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes, Fear Jehovah, and turn aside from evil.
8 Healing it is to thy navel, And moistening to thy bones.
9 Honour Jehovah from thy substance, And from the beginning of all thine increase;
10 And filled are thy barns [with] plenty, And [with] new wine thy presses break forth.
11 Chastisement of Jehovah, my son, despise not, And be not vexed with His reproof,
12 For whom Jehovah loveth He reproveth, Even as a father the son He is pleased with.
13 O the happiness of a man [who] hath found wisdom, And of a man [who] bringeth forth understanding.
14 For better [is] her merchandise Than the merchandise of silver, And than gold -- her increase.
15 Precious she [is] above rubies, And all thy pleasures are not comparable to her.
16 Length of days [is] in her right hand, In her left [are] wealth and honour.
17 Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, And all her paths [are] peace.
18 A tree of life she [is] to those laying hold on her, And whoso is retaining her [is] happy.
19 Jehovah by wisdom did found the earth, He prepared the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge depths have been rent, And clouds do drop dew.
21 My son! let them not turn from thine eyes, Keep thou wisdom and thoughtfulness,
22 And they are life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then thou goest thy way confidently, And thy foot doth not stumble.
24 If thou liest down, thou art not afraid, Yea, thou hast lain down, And sweet hath been thy sleep.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, And of the desolation of the wicked when it cometh.
26 For Jehovah is at thy side, And He hath kept thy foot from capture.
27 Withhold not good from its owners, When thy hand [is] toward God to do [it].
28 Say not thou to thy friend, `Go, and return, and to-morrow I give,' And substance with thee.
29 Devise not against thy neighbour evil, And he sitting confidently with thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, If he have not done thee evil.
31 Be not envious of a man of violence, Nor fix thou on any of his ways.
32 For an abomination to Jehovah [is] the perverted, And with the upright [is] His secret counsel.
33 The curse of Jehovah [is] in the house of the wicked. And the habitation of the righteous He blesseth.
34 If the scorners He doth scorn, Yet to the humble He doth give grace.
35 Honour do the wise inherit, And fools are bearing away shame!
4 Hear, ye sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
2 For good learning I have given to you, My law forsake not.
3 For, a son I have been to my father -- tender, And an only one before my mother.
4 And he directeth me, and he saith to me: `Let thy heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she doth preserve thee, Love her, and she doth keep thee.
7 The first thing [is] wisdom -- get wisdom, And with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she doth lift thee up, She honoureth thee, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She giveth to thy head a wreath of grace, A crown of beauty she doth give thee freely.
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life [are] multiplied to thee.
11 In a way of wisdom I have directed thee, I have caused thee to tread in paths of uprightness.
12 In thy walking thy step is not straitened, And if thou runnest, thou stumblest not.
13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she [is] thy life.
14 Into the path of the wicked enter not, And be not happy in a way of evil doers.
15 Avoid it, pass not over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.
16 For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not [some] to stumble.
17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And wine of violence they drink.
18 And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established,
19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
20 My son, to my words give attention, To my sayings incline thine ear,
21 Let them not turn aside from thine eyes, Preserve them in the midst of thy heart.
22 For life they [are] to those finding them, And to all their flesh healing.
23 Above every charge keep thy heart, For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.
24 Turn aside from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee,
25 Thine eyes do look straightforward, And thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder thou the path of thy feet, And all thy ways [are] established.
27 Incline not [to] the right or to the left, Turn aside thy foot from evil!
5 My son! to my wisdom give attention, To mine understanding incline thine ear,
2 To observe thoughtfulness, And knowledge do thy lips keep.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And smoother than oil [is] her mouth,
4 And her latter end [is] bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a sword [with] mouths.
5 Her feet are going down to death, Sheol do her steps take hold of.
6 The path of life -- lest thou ponder, Moved have her paths -- thou knowest not.
7 And now, ye sons, hearken to me, And turn not from sayings of my mouth.
8 Keep far from off her thy way, And come not near unto the opening of her house,
9 Lest thou give to others thy honour, And thy years to the fierce,
10 Lest strangers be filled [with] thy power, And thy labours in the house of a stranger,
11 And thou hast howled in thy latter end, In the consumption of thy flesh and thy food,
12 And hast said, `How have I hated instruction, And reproof hath my heart despised,
13 And I have not hearkened to the voice of my directors, And to my teachers have not inclined mine ear.
14 As a little thing I have been all evil, In the midst of an assembly and a company.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, Even flowing ones out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be scattered abroad, In broad places rivulets of waters.
17 Let them be to thee for thyself, And not to strangers with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed, And rejoice because of the wife of thy youth,
19 A hind of loves, and a roe of grace! Let her loves satisfy thee at all times, In her love magnify thyself continually.
20 And why dost thou magnify thyself, My son, with a stranger? And embrace the bosom of a strange woman?
21 For over-against the eyes of Jehovah are the ways of each, And all his paths He is pondering.
22 His own iniquities do capture the wicked, And with the ropes of his sin he is holden.
23 He dieth without instruction, And in the abundance of his folly magnifieth himself!
6 My son! if thou hast been surety for thy friend, Hast stricken for a stranger thy hand,
2 Hast been snared with sayings of thy mouth, Hast been captured with sayings of thy mouth,
3 Do this now, my son, and be delivered, For thou hast come into the hand of thy friend. Go, trample on thyself, and strengthen thy friend,
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, And slumber to thine eyelids,
5 Be delivered as a roe from the hand, And as a bird from the hand of a fowler.
6 Go unto the ant, O slothful one, See her ways and be wise;
7 Which hath not captain, overseer, and ruler,
8 She doth prepare in summer her bread, She hath gathered in harvest her food.
9 Till when, O slothful one, dost thou lie? When dost thou arise from thy sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little clasping of the hands to rest,
11 And thy poverty hath come as a traveller, And thy want as an armed man.
12 A man of worthlessness, a man of iniquity, Walking [with] perverseness of mouth,
13 Winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, Directing with his fingers,
14 Frowardness [is] in his heart, devising evil at all times, Contentions he sendeth forth.
15 Therefore suddenly cometh his calamity, Instantly he is broken -- and no healing.
16 These six hath Jehovah hated, Yea, seven [are] abominations to His soul.
17 Eyes high -- tongues false -- And hands shedding innocent blood --
18 A heart devising thoughts of vanity -- Feet hasting to run to evil --
19 A false witness [who] doth breathe out lies -- And one sending forth contentions between brethren.
20 Keep, my son, the command of thy father, And leave not the law of thy mother.
21 Bind them on thy heart continually, Tie them on thy neck.
22 In thy going up and down, it leadeth thee, In thy lying down, it watcheth over thee, And thou hast awaked -- it talketh [with] thee.
23 For a lamp [is] the command, And the law a light, And a way of life [are] reproofs of instruction,
24 To preserve thee from an evil woman, From the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Desire not her beauty in thy heart, And let her not take thee with her eyelids.
26 For a harlot consumeth unto a cake of bread, And an adulteress the precious soul hunteth.
27 Doth a man take fire into his bosom, And are his garments not burnt?
28 Doth a man walk on the hot coals, And are his feet not scorched?
29 So [is] he who hath gone in unto the wife of his neighbour, None who doth touch her is innocent.
30 They do not despise the thief, When he stealeth to fill his soul when he is hungry,
31 And being found he repayeth sevenfold, All the substance of his house he giveth.
32 He who committeth adultery [with] a woman lacketh heart, He is destroying his soul who doth it.
33 A stroke and shame he doth find, And his reproach is not wiped away,
34 For jealousy [is] the fury of a man, And he doth not spare in a day of vengeance.
35 He accepteth not the appearance of any atonement, Yea, he doth not consent, Though thou dost multiply bribes!
7 My son! keep my sayings, And my commands lay up with thee.
2 Keep my commands, and live, And my law as the pupil of thine eye.
3 Bind them on thy fingers, Write them on the tablet of thy heart.
4 Say to wisdom, `My sister Thou [art].' And cry to understanding, `Kinswoman!'
5 To preserve thee from a strange woman, From a stranger who hath made smooth her sayings.
6 For, at a window of my house, Through my casement I have looked out,
7 And I do see among the simple ones, I discern among the sons, A young man lacking understanding,
8 Passing on in the street, near her corner, And the way [to] her house he doth step,
9 In the twilight -- in the evening of day, In the darkness of night and blackness.
10 And, lo, a woman to meet him -- (A harlot's dress, and watchful of heart,
11 Noisy she [is], and stubborn, In her house her feet rest not.
12 Now in an out-place, now in broad places, And near every corner she lieth in wait) --
13 And she laid hold on him, and kissed him, She hath hardened her face, and saith to him,
14 `Sacrifices of peace-offerings [are] by me, To-day I have completed my vows.
15 Therefore I have come forth to meet thee, To seek earnestly thy face, and I find thee.
16 [With] ornamental coverings I decked my couch, Carved works -- cotton of Egypt.
17 I sprinkled my bed -- myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, we are filled [with] loves till the morning, We delight ourselves in loves.
19 For the man is not in his house, He hath gone on a long journey.
20 A bag of money he hath taken in his hand, At the day of the new moon he cometh to his house.'
21 She turneth him aside with the abundance of her speech, With the flattery of her lips she forceth him.
22 He is going after her straightway, As an ox unto the slaughter he cometh, And as a fetter unto the chastisement of a fool,
23 Till an arrow doth split his liver, As a bird hath hastened unto a snare, And hath not known that it [is] for its life.
24 And now, ye sons, hearken to me, And give attention to sayings of my mouth.
25 Let not thy heart turn unto her ways, Do not wander in her paths,
26 For many [are] the wounded she caused to fall, And mighty [are] all her slain ones.
27 The ways of Sheol -- her house, Going down unto inner chambers of death!
8 Doth not wisdom call? And understanding give forth her voice?
2 At the head of high places by the way, Between the paths she hath stood,
3 At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, The entrance of the openings, she crieth aloud,
4 `Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice [is] unto the sons of men.
5 Understand, ye simple ones, prudence, And ye fools, understand the heart,
6 Hearken, for noble things I speak, And the opening of my lips [is] uprightness.
7 For truth doth my mouth utter, And an abomination to my lips [is] wickedness.
8 In righteousness [are] all the sayings of my mouth, Nothing in them is froward and perverse.
9 All of them [are] plain to the intelligent, And upright to those finding knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For better [is] wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.
12 I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a knowledge of devices I find out.
13 The fear of Jehovah [is] to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, And a froward mouth, I have hated.
14 Mine [is] counsel and substance, I [am] understanding, I have might.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,
16 By me do chiefs rule, and nobles, All judges of the earth.
17 I love those loving me, And those seeking me earnestly do find me.
18 Wealth and honour [are] with me, Lasting substance and righteousness.
19 Better [is] my fruit than gold, even fine gold, And mine increase than choice silver.
20 In a path of righteousness I cause to walk, In midst of paths of judgment,
21 To cause my lovers to inherit substance, Yea, their treasures I fill.
22 Jehovah possessed me -- the beginning of His way, Before His works since then.
23 From the age I was anointed, from the first, From former states of the earth.
24 In there being no depths, I was brought forth, In there being no fountains heavy [with] waters,
25 Before mountains were sunk, Before heights, I was brought forth.
26 While He had not made the earth, and out-places, And the top of the dusts of the world.
27 In His preparing the heavens I [am] there, In His decreeing a circle on the face of the deep,
28 In His strengthening clouds above, In His making strong fountains of the deep,
29 In His setting for the sea its limit, And the waters transgress not His command, In His decreeing the foundations of earth,
30 Then I am near Him, a workman, And I am a delight -- day by day. Rejoicing before Him at all times,
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, And my delights [are] with the sons of men.
32 And now, ye sons, hearken to me, Yea, happy are they who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and slight not.
34 O the happiness of the man hearkening to me, To watch at my doors day by day, To watch at the door-posts of my entrance.
35 For whoso is finding me, hath found life, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
36 And whoso is missing me, is wronging his soul, All hating me have loved death!
9 Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars -- seven.
2 She hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath arranged her table.
3 She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the city:
4 `Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,
5 `Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled.
6 Forsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding.
7 The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it -- shame, And a reprover of the wicked -- his blemish.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.
9 Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he increaseth learning.
10 The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.
11 For by me do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life.
12 If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned -- thyself bearest [it].
13 A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.
14 And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne -- the high places of the city,
15 To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths.
16 `Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.' And whoso lacketh heart -- she said to him,
17 `Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.'
18 And he hath not known that Rephaim [are] there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!
10 Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son causeth a father to rejoice, And a foolish son [is] an affliction to his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit not, And righteousness delivereth from death.
3 Jehovah causeth not the soul of the righteous to hunger, And the desire of the wicked He thrusteth away.
4 Poor [is] he who is working -- a slothful hand, And the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 Whoso is gathering in summer [is] a wise son, Whoso is sleeping in harvest [is] a son causing shame.
6 Blessings [are] for the head of the righteous, And the mouth of the wicked cover doth violence.
7 The remembrance of the righteous [is] for a blessing, And the name of the wicked doth rot.
8 The wise in heart accepteth commands, And a talkative fool kicketh.
9 Whoso is walking in integrity walketh confidently, And whoso is perverting his ways is known.
10 Whoso is winking the eye giveth grief, And a talkative fool kicketh.
11 A fountain of life [is] the mouth of the righteous, And the mouth of the wicked cover doth violence.
12 Hatred awaketh contentions, And over all transgressions love covereth.
13 In the lips of the intelligent is wisdom found, And a rod [is] for the back of him who is lacking understanding.
14 The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool [is] near ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich [is] his strong city, The ruin of the poor [is] their poverty.
16 The wage of the righteous [is] for life, The increase of the wicked for sin.
17 A traveller to life [is] he who is keeping instruction, And whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.
18 Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, And whoso is bringing out an evil report is a fool.
19 In the abundance of words transgression ceaseth not, And whoso is restraining his lips [is] wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous [is] chosen silver, The heart of the wicked -- as a little thing.
21 The lips of the righteous delight many, And fools for lack of heart die.
22 The blessing of Jehovah -- it maketh rich, And He addeth no grief with it.
23 To execute inventions [is] as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.
24 The feared thing of the wicked it meeteth him, And the desire of the righteous is given.
25 As the passing by of a hurricane, So the wicked is not, And the righteous is a foundation age-during.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, And as smoke to the eyes, So [is] the slothful to those sending him.
27 The fear of Jehovah addeth days, And the years of the wicked are shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous [is] joyful, And the expectation of the wicked perisheth.
29 The way of Jehovah [is] strength to the perfect, And ruin to workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous to the age is not moved, And the wicked inhabit not the earth.
31 The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, And the tongue of frowardness is cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know a pleasing thing, And the mouth of the wicked perverseness!
11 Balances of deceit [are] an abomination to Jehovah, And a perfect weight [is] His delight.
2 Pride hath come, and shame cometh, And with the lowly [is] wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright leadeth them, And the perverseness of the treacherous destroyeth them.
4 Wealth profiteth not in a day of wrath, And righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect maketh right his way, And by his wickedness doth the wicked fall.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them, And in mischief the treacherous are captured.
7 In the death of a wicked man, hope perisheth, And the expectation of the iniquitous hath been lost.
8 The righteous from distress is drawn out, And the wicked goeth in instead of him.
9 With the mouth a hypocrite corrupteth his friend, And by knowledge the righteous are drawn out.
10 In the good of the righteous a city exulteth, And in the destruction of the wicked [is] singing.
11 By the blessing of the upright is a city exalted, And by the mouth of the wicked thrown down.
12 Whoso is despising his neighbour lacketh heart, And a man of understanding keepeth silence.
13 A busybody is revealing secret counsel, And the faithful of spirit is covering the matter.
14 Without counsels do a people fall, And deliverance [is] in a multitude of counsellors.
15 Evil [one] suffereth when he hath been surety [for] a stranger, And whoso is hating suretyship is confident.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour, And terrible [men] retain riches.
17 A kind man is rewarding his own soul, And the fierce is troubling his own flesh.
18 The wicked is getting a lying wage, And whoso is sowing righteousness -- a true reward.
19 Rightly [is] righteousness for life, And whoso is pursuing evil -- for his own death.
20 An abomination to Jehovah [are] the perverse of heart, And the perfect of the way [are] His delight.
21 Hand to hand, the wicked is not acquitted, And the seed of the righteous hath escaped.
22 A ring of gold in the nose of a sow -- A fair woman and stubborn of behaviour.
23 The desire of the righteous [is] only good, The hope of the wicked [is] transgression.
24 There is who is scattering, and yet is increased, And who is keeping back from uprightness, only to want.
25 A liberal soul is made fat, And whoso is watering, he also is watered.
26 Whoso is withholding corn, the people execrate him, And a blessing [is] for the head of him who is selling.
27 Whoso is earnestly seeking good Seeketh a pleasing thing, And whoso is seeking evil -- it meeteth him.
28 Whoso is confident in his wealth he falleth, And as a leaf, the righteous flourish.
29 Whoso is troubling his own house inheriteth wind, And a servant [is] the fool to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life, And whoso is taking souls [is] wise.
31 Lo, the righteous in the earth is recompensed, Surely also the wicked and the sinner!
12 Whoso is loving instruction, is loving knowledge, And whoso is hating reproof [is] brutish.
2 The good bringeth forth favour from Jehovah, And the man of wicked devices He condemneth.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, And the root of the righteous is not moved.
4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.
5 The thoughts of the righteous [are] justice, The counsels of the wicked -- deceit.
6 The words of the wicked [are]: `Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
7 Overthrow the wicked, and they are not, And the house of the righteous standeth.
8 According to his wisdom is a man praised, And the perverted of heart becometh despised.
9 Better [is] the lightly esteemed who hath a servant, Than the self-honoured who lacketh bread.
10 The righteous knoweth the life of his beast, And the mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.
11 Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
12 The wicked hath desired the net of evil doers, And the root of the righteous giveth.
13 In transgression of the lips [is] the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress.
14 From the fruit of the mouth [is] one satisfied [with] good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
15 The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes, And whoso is hearkening to counsel [is] wise.
16 The fool -- in a day is his anger known, And the prudent is covering shame.
17 Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness -- deceit.
18 A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of those devising evil, And to those counselling peace [is] joy.
21 No iniquity is desired by the righteous, And the wicked have been full of evil.
22 An abomination to Jehovah [are] lying lips, And stedfast doers [are] his delight.
23 A prudent man is concealing knowledge, And the heart of fools proclaimeth folly.
24 The hand of the diligent ruleth, And slothfulness becometh tributary.
25 Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.
26 The righteous searcheth his companion, And the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
27 The slothful roasteth not his hunting, And the wealth of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the path of righteousness [is] life, And in the way of [that] path [is] no death!
13 A wise son -- the instruction of a father, And a scorner -- he hath not heard rebuke.
2 From the fruit of the mouth a man eateth good, And the soul of the treacherous -- violence.
3 Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him!
4 The soul of the slothful is desiring, and hath not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.
5 A false word the righteous hateth, And the wicked causeth abhorrence, and is confounded.
6 Righteousness keepeth him who is perfect in the way, And wickedness overthroweth a sin offering.
7 There is who is making himself rich, and hath nothing, Who is making himself poor, and wealth [is] abundant.
8 The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches, And the poor hath not heard rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth, And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
10 A vain man through pride causeth debate, And with the counselled [is] wisdom.
11 Wealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.
12 Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, And a tree of life [is] the coming desire.
13 Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.
14 The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth grace, And the way of the treacherous [is] hard.
16 Every prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil, And a faithful ambassador is healing.
18 Whoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, And an abomination to fools [is]: Turn from evil.
20 Whoso is walking with wise men is wise, And a companion of fools suffereth evil.
21 Evil pursueth sinners, And good recompenseth the righteous.
22 A good man causeth sons' sons to inherit, And laid up for the righteous [is] the sinner's wealth.
23 Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.
24 Whoso is sparing his rod is hating his son, And whoso is loving him hath hastened him chastisement.
25 The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, And the belly of the wicked lacketh!
14 Every wise woman hath builded her house, And the foolish with her hands breaketh it down.
2 Whoso is walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah, And the perverted [in] his ways is despising Him.
3 In the mouth of a fool [is] a rod of pride, And the lips of the wise preserve them.
4 Without oxen a stall [is] clean, And great [is] the increase by the power of the ox.
5 A faithful witness lieth not, And a false witness breatheth out lies.
6 A scorner hath sought wisdom, and it is not, And knowledge to the intelligent [is] easy.
7 Go from before a foolish man, Or thou hast not known the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way, And the folly of fools [is] deceit.
9 Fools mock at a guilt-offering, And among the upright -- a pleasing thing.
10 The heart knoweth its own bitterness, And with its joy a stranger doth not intermeddle.
11 The house of the wicked is destroyed, And the tent of the upright flourisheth.
12 There is a way -- right before a man, And its latter end [are] ways of death.
13 Even in laughter is the heart pained, And the latter end of joy [is] affliction.
14 From his ways is the backslider in heart filled, And a good man -- from his fruits.
15 The simple giveth credence to everything, And the prudent attendeth to his step.
16 The wise is fearing and turning from evil, And a fool is transgressing and is confident.
17 Whoso is short of temper doth folly, And a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 The simple have inherited folly, And the prudent are crowned [with] knowledge.
19 The evil have bowed down before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 Even of his neighbour is the poor hated, And those loving the rich [are] many.
21 Whoso is despising his neighbour sinneth, Whoso is favouring the humble, O his happiness.
22 Do not they err who are devising evil? And kindness and truth [are] to those devising good,
23 In all labour there is advantage, And a thing of the lips [is] only to want.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, The folly of fools [is] folly.
25 A true witness is delivering souls, And a deceitful one breatheth out lies.
26 In the fear of Jehovah [is] strong confidence, And to His sons there is a refuge.
27 The fear of Jehovah [is] a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.
28 In the multitude of a people [is] the honour of a king, And in lack of people the ruin of a prince.
29 Whoso is slow to anger [is] of great understanding, And whoso is short in temper is exalting folly.
30 A healed heart [is] life to the flesh, And rottenness to the bones [is] envy.
31 An oppressor of the poor reproacheth his Maker, And whoso is honouring Him Is favouring the needy.
32 In his wickedness is the wicked driven away, And trustful in his death [is] the righteous.
33 In the heart of the intelligent wisdom doth rest. And in the midst of fools it is known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation, And the goodliness of peoples [is] a sin-offering.
35 The favour of a king [is] to a wise servant, And an object of his wrath is one causing shame!
15 A soft answer turneth back fury, And a grievous word raiseth up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge good, And the mouth of fools uttereth folly.
3 In every place are the eyes of Jehovah, Watching the evil and the good.
4 A healed tongue [is] a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.
5 A fool despiseth the instruction of his father, And whoso is regarding reproof is prudent.
6 [In] the house of the righteous [is] abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked -- trouble.
7 The lips of the wise scatter knowledge, And the heart of fools [is] not right.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright [is] His delight.
9 An abomination to Jehovah [is] the way of the wicked, And whoso is pursuing righteousness He loveth.
10 Chastisement [is] grievous to him who is forsaking the path, Whoso is hating reproof dieth.
11 Sheol and destruction [are] before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scorner loveth not his reprover, Unto the wise he goeth not.
13 A joyful heart maketh glad the face, And by grief of heart is the spirit smitten.
14 The heart of the intelligent seeketh knowledge, And the mouth of fools enjoyeth folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted [are] evil, And gladness of heart [is] a perpetual banquet.
16 Better [is] a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than much treasure, and tumult with it.
17 Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
18 A man of fury stirreth up contention, And the slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19 The way of the slothful [is] as a hedge of briers, And the path of the upright is raised up.
20 A wise son rejoiceth a father. And a foolish man is despising his mother.
21 Folly is joy to one lacking heart, And a man of intelligence directeth [his] going.
22 Without counsel [is] the making void of purposes, And in a multitude of counsellors it is established.
23 Joy [is] to a man in the answer of his mouth, And a word in its season -- how good!
24 A path of life [is] on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.
25 The house of the proud Jehovah pulleth down, And He setteth up the border of the widow.
26 An abomination to Jehovah [are] thoughts of wickedness, And pure [are] sayings of pleasantness.
27 A dishonest gainer is troubling his house, And whoso is hating gifts liveth.
28 The heart of the righteous meditateth to answer, And the mouth of the wicked uttereth evil things.
29 Far [is] Jehovah from the wicked, And the prayer of the righteous He heareth.
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, A good report maketh fat the bone.
31 An ear that is hearing the reproof of life Doth lodge among the wise.
32 Whoso is refusing instruction is despising his soul, And whoso is hearing reproof Is getting understanding.
33 The fear of Jehovah [is] the instruction of wisdom, And before honour [is] humility!
16 Of man [are] arrangements of the heart, And from Jehovah an answer of the tongue.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.
3 Roll unto Jehovah thy works, And established are thy purposes,
4 All things hath Jehovah wrought for Himself, And also the wicked [worketh] for a day of evil.
5 An abomination to Jehovah [is] every proud one of heart, Hand to hand he is not acquitted.
6 In kindness and truth pardoned is iniquity, And in the fear of Jehovah Turn thou aside from evil.
7 When a man's ways please Jehovah, even his enemies, He causeth to be at peace with him.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, And Jehovah establisheth his step.
10 An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
11 A just beam and balances [are] Jehovah's, His work [are] all the stones of the bag.
12 An abomination to kings [is] doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.
13 The delight of kings [are] righteous lips, And whoso is speaking uprightly he loveth,
14 The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.
15 In the light of a king's face [is] life, And his good-will [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 To get wisdom -- how much better than gold, And to get understanding to be chosen than silver!
17 A highway of the upright [is], `Turn from evil,' Whoso is preserving his soul is watching his way.
18 Before destruction [is] pride, And before stumbling -- a haughty spirit.'
19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.
20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.
21 To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.
22 A fountain of life [is] understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,
24 Sayings of pleasantness [are] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way right before a man, And its latter end -- ways of death.
26 A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused [him] to bend over it.
27 A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips -- as a burning fire.
28 A froward man sendeth forth contention, A tale-bearer is separating a familiar friend.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And hath causeth him to go in a way not good.
30 Consulting his eyes to devise froward things, Moving his lips he hath accomplished evil.
31 A crown of beauty [are] grey hairs, In the way of righteousness it is found.
32 Better [is] the slow to anger than the mighty, And the ruler over his spirit than he who is taking a city.
33 Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!
17 Better [is] a dry morsel, and rest with it, Than a house full of the sacrifices of strife.
2 A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.
3 A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah.
4 An evil doer is attentive to lips of vanity, Falsehood is giving ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.
6 Sons' sons [are] the crown of old men, And the glory of sons [are] their fathers.
7 Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
8 A stone of grace [is] the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.
10 Rebuke cometh down on the intelligent More than a hundred stripes on a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.
12 The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And -- not a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.
14 The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
15 Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these [are] an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Why [is] this -- a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?
17 At all times is the friend loving, And a brother for adversity is born.
18 A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.
19 Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
20 The perverse of heart findeth not good, And the turned in his tongue falleth into evil.
21 Whoso is begetting a fool hath affliction for it, Yea, the father of a fool rejoiceth not.
22 A rejoicing heart doth good to the body, And a smitten spirit drieth the bone.
23 A bribe from the bosom the wicked taketh, To turn aside the paths of judgment.
24 The face of the intelligent [is] to wisdom, And the eyes of a fool -- at the end of the earth.
25 A provocation to his father [is] a foolish son, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26 Also, to fine the righteous is not good, To smite nobles for uprightness.
27 One acquainted with knowledge is sparing his words, And the cool of temper [is] a man of understanding.
Proverbs 1-9
New International Version
Proverbs 1-9
New International Version
Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs(A) of Solomon(B) son of David, king of Israel:(C)
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,[a](D)
knowledge and discretion(E) to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,(F)
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,(G)
the sayings and riddles(H) of the wise.[b](I)
7 The fear of the Lord(J) is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools[c] despise wisdom(K) and instruction.(L)
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
8 Listen, my son,(M) to your father’s(N) instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(O)
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.(P)
10 My son, if sinful men entice(Q) you,
do not give in(R) to them.(S)
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait(T) for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow(U) them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;(V)
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot(W)”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot(X) on their paths;(Y)
16 for their feet rush into evil,(Z)
they are swift to shed blood.(AA)
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait(AB) for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!(AC)
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.(AD)
Wisdom’s Rebuke
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,(AE)
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall[d] she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple(AF) love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate(AG) knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse(AH) to listen when I call(AI)
and no one pays attention(AJ) when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh(AK) when disaster(AL) strikes you;
I will mock(AM) when calamity overtakes you(AN)—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster(AO) sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;(AP)
they will look for me but will not find me,(AQ)
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord.(AR)
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,(AS)
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.(AT)
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;(AU)
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety(AV)
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”(AW)
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
2 My son,(AX) if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding(AY)—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight(AZ)
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,(BA)
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.(BB)
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;(BC)
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.(BD)
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield(BE) to those whose walk is blameless,(BF)
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.(BG)
9 Then you will understand(BH) what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,(BI)
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.(BJ)
12 Wisdom will save(BK) you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,(BL)
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,(BM)
15 whose paths are crooked(BN)
and who are devious in their ways.(BO)
16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,(BP)
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.[e](BQ)
18 Surely her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.(BR)
19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.(BS)
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,(BT)
and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked(BU) will be cut off from the land,(BV)
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.(BW)
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
3 My son,(BX) do not forget my teaching,(BY)
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years(BZ)
and bring you peace and prosperity.(CA)
3 Let love and faithfulness(CB) never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.(CC)
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.(CD)
5 Trust in the Lord(CE) with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths(CF) straight.[f](CG)
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;(CH)
fear the Lord(CI) and shun evil.(CJ)
8 This will bring health to your body(CK)
and nourishment to your bones.(CL)
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits(CM) of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled(CN) to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.(CO)
11 My son,(CP) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,(CQ)
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,(CR)
as a father the son he delights in.[g](CS)
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.(CT)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(CU)
nothing you desire can compare with her.(CV)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(CW)
in her left hand are riches and honor.(CX)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.(CY)
18 She is a tree of life(CZ) to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.(DA)
19 By wisdom(DB) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,(DC)
by understanding he set the heavens(DD) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son,(DE) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(DF)
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(DG)
an ornament to grace your neck.(DH)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(DI)
and your foot will not stumble.(DJ)
24 When you lie down,(DK) you will not be afraid;(DL)
when you lie down, your sleep(DM) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(DN)
and will keep your foot(DO) from being snared.(DP)
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.(DQ)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.(DR)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy(DS) the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse(DT)
but takes the upright into his confidence.(DU)
33 The Lord’s curse(DV) is on the house of the wicked,(DW)
but he blesses the home of the righteous.(DX)
34 He mocks(DY) proud mockers(DZ)
but shows favor to the humble(EA) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
4 Listen, my sons,(EB) to a father’s instruction;(EC)
pay attention and gain understanding.(ED)
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold(EE) of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.(EF)
5 Get wisdom,(EG) get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;(EH)
love her, and she will watch over you.(EI)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[h] wisdom.
Though it cost all(EJ) you have,[i] get understanding.(EK)
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.(EL)
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.(EM)”
10 Listen, my son,(EN) accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.(EO)
11 I instruct(EP) you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.(EQ)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.(ER)
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.(ES)
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.(ET)
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot rest until they do evil;(EU)
they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.(EV)
18 The path of the righteous(EW) is like the morning sun,(EX)
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.(EY)
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;(EZ)
they do not know what makes them stumble.(FA)
20 My son,(FB) pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.(FC)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(FD)
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.(FE)
23 Above all else, guard(FF) your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.(FG)
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes(FH) look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[j] paths for your feet(FI)
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;(FJ)
keep your foot from evil.
Warning Against Adultery
5 My son,(FK) pay attention to my wisdom,
turn your ear to my words(FL) of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,
and her speech is smoother than oil;(FM)
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,(FN)
sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.(FO)
6 She gives no thought to the way of life;
her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.(FP)
7 Now then, my sons, listen(FQ) to me;
do not turn aside from what I say.
8 Keep to a path far from her,(FR)
do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you lose your honor to others
and your dignity[k] to one who is cruel,
10 lest strangers feast on your wealth
and your toil enrich the house of another.(FS)
11 At the end of your life you will groan,
when your flesh and body are spent.
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
How my heart spurned correction!(FT)
13 I would not obey my teachers
or turn my ear to my instructors.
14 And I was soon in serious trouble(FU)
in the assembly of God’s people.”(FV)
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets,
your streams of water in the public squares?
17 Let them be yours alone,
never to be shared with strangers.
18 May your fountain(FW) be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.(FX)
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer(FY)—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife?
Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
21 For your ways are in full view(FZ) of the Lord,
and he examines(GA) all your paths.(GB)
22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;(GC)
the cords of their sins hold them fast.(GD)
23 For lack of discipline they will die,(GE)
led astray by their own great folly.(GF)
Warnings Against Folly
6 My son,(GG) if you have put up security(GH) for your neighbor,(GI)
if you have shaken hands in pledge(GJ) for a stranger,
2 you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth.
3 So do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:
Go—to the point of exhaustion—[l]
and give your neighbor no rest!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes,
no slumber to your eyelids.(GK)
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle(GL) from the hand of the hunter,(GM)
like a bird from the snare of the fowler.(GN)
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;(GO)
consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer(GP)
and gathers its food at harvest.(GQ)
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?(GR)
When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest(GS)—
11 and poverty(GT) will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
12 A troublemaker and a villain,
who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks maliciously with his eye,(GU)
signals with his feet
and motions with his fingers,(GV)
14 who plots evil(GW) with deceit in his heart—
he always stirs up conflict.(GX)
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;(GY)
he will suddenly(GZ) be destroyed—without remedy.(HA)
16 There are six things the Lord hates,(HB)
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,(HC)
a lying tongue,(HD)
hands that shed innocent blood,(HE)
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,(HF)
19 a false witness(HG) who pours out lies(HH)
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.(HI)
Warning Against Adultery
20 My son,(HJ) keep your father’s command
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(HK)
21 Bind them always on your heart;
fasten them around your neck.(HL)
22 When you walk, they will guide you;
when you sleep, they will watch over you;
when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For this command is a lamp,
this teaching is a light,(HM)
and correction and instruction
are the way to life,(HN)
24 keeping you from your neighbor’s wife,
from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.(HO)
25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes.
26 For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread,
but another man’s wife preys on your very life.(HP)
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps(HQ) with another man’s wife;(HR)
no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,(HS)
though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery(HT) has no sense;(HU)
whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Blows and disgrace are his lot,
and his shame will never(HV) be wiped away.
34 For jealousy(HW) arouses a husband’s fury,(HX)
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not accept any compensation;
he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.(HY)
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
7 My son,(HZ) keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;(IA)
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(IB)
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and to insight, “You are my relative.”
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words.(IC)
6 At the window of my house
I looked down through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who had no sense.(ID)
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight,(IE) as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly(IF) and defiant,
her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
at every corner she lurks.)(IG)
13 She took hold of him(IH) and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:(II)
14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
and I have food from my fellowship offering(IJ) at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed(IK)
with myrrh,(IL) aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!(IM)
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
and will not be home till full moon.”
21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.(IN)
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer[m] stepping into a noose[n](IO)
23 till an arrow pierces(IP) his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
little knowing it will cost him his life.(IQ)
24 Now then, my sons, listen(IR) to me;
pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.(IS)
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.(IT)
Wisdom’s Call
8 Does not wisdom call out?(IU)
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:(IV)
4 “To you, O people, I call out;(IW)
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple,(IX) gain prudence;(IY)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[o]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,(IZ)
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,(JA)
11 for wisdom is more precious(JB) than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(JC)
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.(JD)
13 To fear the Lord(JE) is to hate evil;(JF)
I hate(JG) pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.(JH)
15 By me kings reign
and rulers(JI) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(JJ)
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[p]
17 I love those who love me,(JK)
and those who seek me find me.(JL)
18 With me are riches and honor,(JM)
enduring wealth and prosperity.(JN)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(JO)
what I yield surpasses choice silver.(JP)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(JQ)
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.(JR)
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[q][r]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;(JS)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(JT)
before the hills, I was given birth,(JU)
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.(JV)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(JW)
when he marked out the horizon(JX) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(JY)
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(JZ)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(KA)
so the waters would not overstep his command,(KB)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(KC)
30 Then I was constantly[s] at his side.(KD)
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.(KE)
32 “Now then, my children, listen(KF) to me;
blessed are(KG) those who keep my ways.(KH)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(KI) to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(KJ) find life(KK)
and receive favor from the Lord.(KL)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(KM)
all who hate me love death.”(KN)
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
9 Wisdom has built(KO) her house;
she has set up[t] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(KP)
she has also set her table.(KQ)
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls(KR)
from the highest point of the city,(KS)
4 “Let all who are simple(KT) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(KU) she says,
5 “Come,(KV) eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.(KW)
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;(KX)
walk in the way of insight.”(KY)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.
- Proverbs 1:6 Or understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles
- Proverbs 1:7 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.
- Proverbs 1:21 Septuagint; Hebrew / at noisy street corners
- Proverbs 2:17 Or covenant of her God
- Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths
- Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child
- Proverbs 4:7 Or Wisdom is supreme; therefore get
- Proverbs 4:7 Or wisdom. / Whatever else you get
- Proverbs 4:26 Or Make level
- Proverbs 5:9 Or years
- Proverbs 6:3 Or Go and humble yourself,
- Proverbs 7:22 Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool
- Proverbs 7:22 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.
- Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
- Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
- Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
- Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
- Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child
- Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
- Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.