Proverbs 10:1-18:5

English Standard Version

^(B)A wise son makes a glad father,
    ^(C)but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
^2 (D)Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
    ^(E)but righteousness delivers from death.
^3 (F)The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
    ^(G)but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
⁴ A slack hand ^(H)causes poverty,
    ^(I)but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
⁵ He who ^(J)gathers in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps in harvest is ^(K)a son who brings shame.
⁶ Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
    but ^(L)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.^[a]
7 (M)The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
    but ^(N)the name of the wicked will rot.
^8 (O)The wise of heart will receive commandments,
    but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
^9 (P)Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but he who makes his ways crooked ^(Q)will be found out.
¹⁰ Whoever ^(R)winks the eye causes trouble,
    and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
^11 (S)The mouth of the righteous is ^(T)a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked ^(U)conceals violence.
¹² Hatred stirs up strife,
    but ^(V)love covers all offenses.
¹³ On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
    but ^(W)a rod is for the back of him who ^(X)lacks sense.
¹⁴ The wise ^(Y)lay up knowledge,
    but ^(Z)the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
^15 (AA)A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
    the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
¹⁶ The wage of the righteous leads ^(AB)to life,
    the gain of the wicked to sin.
¹⁷ Whoever heeds instruction is on ^(AC)the path to life,
    but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
¹⁸ The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
    and whoever utters slander is a fool.
^19 (AD)When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
    ^(AE)but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is ^(AF)choice silver;
    the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
²¹ The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for ^(AG)lack of sense.
^22 (AH)The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
    and he adds no sorrow with it.^[b]
23 Doing wrong is ^(AI)like a joke to a fool,
    but ^(AJ)wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
^24 (AK)What the wicked dreads ^(AL)will come upon him,
    but ^(AM)the desire of the righteous will be granted.
²⁵ When ^(AN)the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
    but ^(AO)the righteous is established forever.
²⁶ Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
    so is the sluggard to those who send him.
^27 (AP)The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    ^(AQ)but the years of the wicked will be short.
^28 (AR)The hope of the righteous brings joy,
    ^(AS)but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
^29 (AT)The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,
    but destruction to evildoers.
^30 (AU)The righteous will never be removed,
    but ^(AV)the wicked will not dwell in the land.
^31 (AW)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
³² The lips of the righteous ^(AX)know what is acceptable,
    but the mouth of the wicked, ^(AY)what is perverse.
11 ^(AZ)A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    ^(BA)but a just weight is his delight.
^2 (BB)When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with ^(BC)the humble is wisdom.
^3 (BD)The integrity of the upright guides them,
    ^(BE)but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
^4 (BF)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
    ^(BG)but righteousness delivers from death.
⁵ The righteousness of the blameless ^(BH)keeps his way straight,
    but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
^6 (BI)The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous ^(BJ)are taken captive by their lust.
⁷ When the wicked dies, his ^(BK)hope will perish,
    and ^(BL)the expectation of wealth^[c] perishes too.
^8 (BM)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
    and the wicked walks into it instead.
⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
    but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
^10 (BN)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
    and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
    but ^(BO)by the mouth of the wicked ^(BP)it is overthrown.
¹² Whoever ^(BQ)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.
¹³ Whoever ^(BR)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
¹⁴ Where there is ^(BS)no guidance, a people falls,
    ^(BT)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
^15 (BU)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
    but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
^16 (BV)A gracious woman gets honor,
    and ^(BW)violent men get riches.
^17 (BX)A man who is kind benefits himself,
    but a cruel man hurts himself.
¹⁸ The wicked earns deceptive wages,
    but one who ^(BY)sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
¹⁹ Whoever is steadfast in righteousness ^(BZ)will live,
    but ^(CA)he who pursues evil will die.
²⁰ Those of ^(CB)crooked heart are ^(CC)an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of ^(CD)blameless ways are ^(CE)his delight.
^21 (CF)Be assured, ^(CG)an evil person will not go unpunished,
    but ^(CH)the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
²² Like ^(CI)a gold ring in a pig's snout
    is a beautiful woman without discretion.
²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    ^(CJ)the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
^24 (CK)One gives ^(CL)freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
^25 (CM)Whoever brings blessing ^(CN)will be enriched,
    and ^(CO)one who waters will himself be watered.
^26 (CP)The people curse him who holds back grain,
    but ^(CQ)a blessing is on the head of him who ^(CR)sells it.
²⁷ Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,^[d]
    but evil comes to ^(CS)him who searches for it.
²⁸ Whoever ^(CT)trusts in his riches will fall,
    but the righteous will ^(CU)flourish like a green leaf.
²⁹ Whoever ^(CV)troubles his own household will ^(CW)inherit the wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is ^(CX)a tree of life,
    and whoever ^(CY)captures souls is wise.
³¹ If ^(CZ)the righteous is repaid on earth,
    how much more the wicked and the sinner!
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but he who ^(DA)hates reproof is ^(DB)stupid.
² A good man ^(DC)obtains favor from the Lord,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.
³ No one is established by wickedness,
    but the root of ^(DD)the righteous will never be moved.
^4 (DE)An excellent wife is ^(DF)the crown of her husband,
    but she who ^(DG)brings shame is like ^(DH)rottenness in his bones.
^5 (DI)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
⁶ The words of the wicked ^(DJ)lie in wait for blood,
    but ^(DK)the mouth of the upright delivers them.
^7 (DL)The wicked are ^(DM)overthrown and are no more,
    ^(DN)but the house of the righteous will stand.
⁸ A man is commended according to his good sense,
    but one of twisted mind is ^(DO)despised.
⁹ Better to be lowly and have a servant
    than to play the great man and lack bread.
^10 (DP)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
    but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
^11 (DQ)Whoever works his land ^(DR)will have plenty of bread,
    ^(DS)but he who follows ^(DT)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
¹² Whoever is wicked covets ^(DU)the spoil of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
¹³ An evil man is ensnared ^(DV)by the transgression of his lips,^{[e]
    (DW)}but the righteous escapes from trouble.
¹⁴ From the fruit of his mouth ^(DX)a man is satisfied with good,
    ^(DY)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
^15 (DZ)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    but a wise man listens to advice.
^16 (EA)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.
^17 (EB)Whoever speaks^[f] the truth gives honest evidence,
    but ^(EC)a false witness utters deceit.
^18 (ED)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings ^(EE)healing.
¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
    but ^(EF)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of ^(EG)those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.
^21 (EH)No ill befalls the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.
^22 (EI)Lying lips are ^(EJ)an abomination to the Lord,
    ^(EK)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
^23 (EL)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    ^(EM)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
^24 (EN)The hand of the diligent will rule,
    while the slothful will be ^(EO)put to forced labor.
^25 (EP)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.
²⁶ One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,^[g]
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
^27 (EQ)Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
    but the diligent man will get precious wealth.^[h]
28 (ER)In the path of righteousness is life,
    and in its pathway there is no death.
13 A wise son hears his father's instruction,
    but ^(ES)a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
² From the fruit of his mouth a man ^(ET)eats what is good,
    but the desire of the treacherous ^(EU)is for violence.
^3 (EV)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
    ^(EW)he who opens wide his lips ^(EX)comes to ruin.
^4 (EY)The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
    while the soul of the diligent ^(EZ)is richly supplied.
⁵ The righteous hates falsehood,
    but the wicked brings shame^[i] and disgrace.
^6 (FA)Righteousness guards him whose ^(FB)way is blameless,
    but sin overthrows the wicked.
^7 (FC)One pretends to be rich,^[j] yet has nothing;
    ^(FD)another pretends to be poor,^[k] yet has great wealth.
⁸ The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
    but a poor man ^(FE)hears no threat.
^9 (FF)The light of the righteous rejoices,
    but ^(FG)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
^10 (FH)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom.
^11 (FI)Wealth gained hastily^[l] will dwindle,
    but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    ^(FJ)but a desire fulfilled is ^(FK)a tree of life.
¹³ Whoever ^(FL)despises ^(FM)the word^[m] brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment^[n] will be ^(FN)rewarded.
¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is ^(FO)a fountain of life,
    that one may ^(FP)turn away from the snares of death.
^15 (FQ)Good sense wins ^(FR)favor,
    but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.^[o]
16 (FS)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
    ^(FT)but a fool flaunts his folly.
¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but ^(FU)a faithful envoy brings healing.
¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace come to him who ^(FV)ignores instruction,
    ^(FW)but whoever ^(FX)heeds reproof is honored.
^19 (FY)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
²⁰ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
^21 (FZ)Disaster^[p] pursues sinners,
    ^(GA)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
^22 (GB)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
    but ^(GC)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
²³ The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through ^(GD)injustice.
^24 (GE)Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.^[q]
25 (GF)The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
14 ^(GG)The wisest of women ^(GH)builds her house,
    but folly with her own hands ^(GI)tears it down.
² Whoever ^(GJ)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is ^(GK)devious in his ways despises him.
³ By the mouth of a fool comes ^(GL)a rod for his back,^{[r]
    (GM)}but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
    but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
^5 (GN)A faithful witness does not lie,
    but ^(GO)a false witness breathes out lies.
^6 (GP)A scoffer seeks wisdom ^(GQ)in vain,
    but ^(GR)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
⁷ Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.
^9 (GS)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.^[s]
10 The heart knows its own ^(GT)bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
^11 (GU)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
^12 (GV)There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but ^(GW)its end is the way to death.^[t]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and ^(GX)the end of joy may be ^(GY)grief.
¹⁴ The backslider in heart will be ^(GZ)filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and ^(HA)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
^15 (HB)The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
^16 (HC)One who is wise is cautious^[u] and ^(HD)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.
¹⁷ A man of ^(HE)quick temper acts foolishly,
    and a man of evil devices is hated.
¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
^19 (HF)The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
^20 (HG)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    ^(HH)but the rich has many friends.
²¹ Whoever ^(HI)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but ^(HJ)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
²² Do they not go astray who ^(HK)devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet^{[v] (HL)}steadfast love and faithfulness.
²³ In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk ^(HM)tends only to poverty.
²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the folly of fools brings folly.
²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
    but one who ^(HN)breathes out lies is deceitful.
²⁶ In the fear of the Lord one has ^(HO)strong confidence,
    and ^(HP)his children will have ^(HQ)a refuge.
²⁷ The fear of the Lord is ^(HR)a fountain of life,
    that one may ^(HS)turn away from the snares of death.
²⁸ In ^(HT)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
    but without people a prince is ruined.
²⁹ Whoever is ^(HU)slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
³⁰ A tranquil^[w] heart gives ^(HV)life to the flesh,
    but ^(HW)envy^[x] makes ^(HX)the bones rot.
³¹ Whoever oppresses a poor man ^(HY)insults his ^(HZ)Maker,
    ^(IA)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
^32 (IB)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
    but ^(IC)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
³³ Wisdom ^(ID)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.^[y]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin is a reproach to any people.
³⁵ A servant who deals wisely has ^(IE)the king's favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
15 ^(IF)A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but ^(IG)a harsh word stirs up anger.
² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but ^(IH)the mouths of fools pour out folly.
^3 (II)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
^4 (IJ)A gentle^[z] tongue is ^(IK)a tree of life,
    but ^(IL)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
^5 (IM)A fool ^(IN)despises his father's instruction,
    but ^(IO)whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
⁶ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
^7 (IP)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    ^(IQ)not so the hearts of fools.^[aa]
8 (IR)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(IS)the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves him ^(IT)who pursues righteousness.
¹⁰ There is ^(IU)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    ^(IV)whoever hates reproof will die.
¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more ^(IW)the hearts of the children of man!
^12 (IX)A scoffer ^(IY)does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
^13 (IZ)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by ^(JA)sorrow of heart the spirit is ^(JB)crushed.
^14 (JC)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
¹⁵ All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but ^(JD)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
^16 (JE)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
^17 (JF)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than ^(JG)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
^18 (JH)A hot-tempered man ^(JI)stirs up strife,
    but he who is ^(JJ)slow to anger quiets contention.
¹⁹ The way of ^(JK)a sluggard is like a hedge of ^(JL)thorns,
    but the path of the upright is ^(JM)a level highway.
^20 (JN)A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
^21 (JO)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding ^(JP)walks straight ahead.
^22 (JQ)Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and ^(JR)a word in season, how good it is!
²⁴ The path of life leads upward ^(JS)for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of ^(JT)the proud
    but ^(JU)maintains ^(JV)the widow's boundaries.
^26 (JW)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but ^(JX)gracious words are pure.
²⁷ Whoever is ^(JY)greedy for unjust gain ^(JZ)troubles his own household,
    but he who hates ^(KA)bribes will live.
²⁸ The heart of the righteous ^(KB)ponders how to answer,
    but ^(KC)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
²⁹ The Lord is ^(KD)far from the wicked,
    but he ^(KE)hears the prayer of the righteous.
^30 (KF)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and ^(KG)good news refreshes^[ab] the bones.
^31 (KH)The ear that listens to ^(KI)life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
³² Whoever ^(KJ)ignores instruction ^(KK)despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof ^(KL)gains intelligence.
^33 (KM)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and ^(KN)humility comes before honor.

16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but ^(KO)the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
^2 (KP)All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord ^(KQ)weighs the spirit.^[ac]
3 (KR)Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.
^4 (KS)The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even ^(KT)the wicked for the day of trouble.
⁵ Everyone who is arrogant in heart is ^(KU)an abomination to the Lord;
    ^(KV)be assured, he will not go unpunished.
⁶ By ^(KW)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by ^(KX)the fear of the Lord one ^(KY)turns away from evil.
⁷ When a man's ways please the Lord,
    ^(KZ)he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
^8 (LA)Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
^9 (LB)The heart of man plans his way,
    but ^(LC)the Lord establishes his steps.
^10 (LD)An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
^11 (LE)A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for ^(LF)the throne is established by righteousness.
^13 (LG)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.
^14 (LH)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
    and a wise man will ^(LI)appease it.
^15 (LJ)In the light of a king's face there is life,
    and his ^(LK)favor is like ^(LL)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
^16 (LM)How much better to get wisdom than ^(LN)gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ^(LO)silver.
¹⁷ The highway of the upright ^(LP)turns aside from evil;
    whoever guards his way preserves his life.
^18 (LQ)Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
^19 (LR)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to ^(LS)divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Whoever gives thought to the word^{[ad] (LT)}will discover good,
    and blessed is he ^(LU)who trusts in the Lord.
²¹ The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech ^(LV)increases persuasiveness.
²² Good sense is ^(LW)a fountain of life to him who has it,
    but the instruction of fools is folly.
^23 (LX)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
^24 (LY)Gracious words are like ^(LZ)a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and ^(MA)health to the body.
²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.^[ae]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his ^(MB)mouth urges him on.
^27 (MC)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech^[af] is like ^(MD)a scorching fire.
^28 (ME)A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and ^(MF)a whisperer ^(MG)separates close friends.
²⁹ A man of violence ^(MH)entices his neighbor
    and leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰ Whoever winks his eyes plans^{[ag] (MI)}dishonest things;
    he who ^(MJ)purses his lips brings evil to pass.
^31 (MK)Gray hair is ^(ML)a crown of glory;
    it ^(MM)is gained in a righteous life.
^32 (MN)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
^33 (MO)The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is ^(MP)from the Lord.
17 ^(MQ)Better is a dry morsel with quiet
    than a house full of feasting^[ah] with strife.
² A servant who deals wisely will rule over ^(MR)a son who acts shamefully
    and ^(MS)will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
^3 (MT)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    ^(MU)and the Lord tests hearts.
⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
    and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
⁵ Whoever mocks the poor ^(MV)insults his Maker;
    he who is ^(MW)glad at calamity will not go ^(MX)unpunished.
^6 (MY)Grandchildren are ^(MZ)the crown of the aged,
    and the glory of children is their fathers.
⁷ Fine speech is not ^(NA)becoming to a fool;
    still less is ^(NB)false speech to a prince.
^8 (NC)A bribe is like a magic^[ai] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
    wherever he turns he prospers.
⁹ Whoever ^(ND)covers an offense seeks love,
    but he who repeats a matter ^(NE)separates close friends.
¹⁰ A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
    than a hundred blows into a fool.
¹¹ An evil man seeks only rebellion,
    and ^(NF)a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
¹² Let a man meet ^(NG)a she-bear robbed of her cubs
    ^(NH)rather than a fool in his folly.
¹³ If anyone ^(NI)returns evil for good,
    ^(NJ)evil will not depart from his house.
¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so ^(NK)quit before the quarrel breaks out.
¹⁵ He who ^(NL)justifies the wicked and he who ^(NM)condemns the righteous
    are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
¹⁶ Why should a fool have money in his hand ^(NN)to buy wisdom
    when he has no sense?
^17 (NO)A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity.
¹⁸ One who lacks sense gives a pledge
    and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
¹⁹ Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
    he who ^(NP)makes his door high seeks destruction.
^20 (NQ)A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
    and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
²¹ He who ^(NR)sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
    and the father of a fool has no joy.
^22 (NS)A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit ^(NT)dries up the bones.
²³ The wicked accepts ^(NU)a bribe in secret^[aj]
    to ^(NV)pervert the ways of justice.
^24 (NW)The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
    but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
^25 (NX)A foolish son is a grief to his father
    ^(NY)and bitterness to ^(NZ)her who bore him.
^26 (OA)To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
    nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
²⁷ Whoever ^(OB)restrains his words has knowledge,
    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
²⁸ Even a fool ^(OC)who keeps silent is considered wise;
    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
18 Whoever ^(OD)isolates himself seeks his own desire;
    he breaks out against all sound judgment.
² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only ^(OE)in expressing his opinion.
³ When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
    and with dishonor comes disgrace.
⁴ The words of a man's mouth are ^(OF)deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
⁵ It is not good to ^(OG)be partial to^[ak] the wicked
    or to ^(OH)deprive the righteous of justice.