² Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!^(B)
3 Do not spend your strength^[a] on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.^(C)

⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,^(D)
    not for rulers to crave beer,
⁵ lest they drink^(E) and forget what has been decreed,^(F)
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
⁶ Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine^(G) for those who are in anguish!
⁷ Let them drink^(H) and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.

⁸ Speak^(I) up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.^(J)

A wise son brings joy to his father,^(C)
    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

² Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,^(D)
    but righteousness delivers from death.^(E)

³ The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,^(F)
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.^(G)

⁴ Lazy hands make for poverty,^(H)
    but diligent hands bring wealth.^(I)

⁵ He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.^(J)

⁶ Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.^[a](K)

⁷ The name of the righteous^(L) is used in blessings,^[b]
    but the name of the wicked^(M) will rot.^(N)

⁸ The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.^(O)

⁹ Whoever walks in integrity^(P) walks securely,^(Q)
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.^(R)

¹⁰ Whoever winks maliciously^(S) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,^(T)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.^(U)

¹² Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.^(V)

¹³ Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,^(W)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.^(X)

¹⁴ The wise store up knowledge,^(Y)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.^(Z)

¹⁵ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,^(AA)
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.^(AB)

¹⁶ The wages of the righteous is life,^(AC)
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.^(AD)

¹⁷ Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,^(AE)
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

¹⁸ Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips^(AF)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

¹⁹ Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.^(AG)

²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

²¹ The lips of the righteous nourish many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.^(AH)

²² The blessing of the Lord^(AI) brings wealth,^(AJ)
    without painful toil for it.^(AK)

²³ A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,^(AL)
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

²⁴ What the wicked dread^(AM) will overtake them;^(AN)
    what the righteous desire will be granted.^(AO)

²⁵ When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm^(AP) forever.^(AQ)

²⁶ As vinegar to the teeth and smoke^(AR) to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.^(AS)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord adds length to life,^(AT)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.^(AU)

²⁸ The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.^(AV)

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.^(AW)

³⁰ The righteous will never be uprooted,
    but the wicked will not remain in the land.^(AX)

³¹ From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,^(AY)
    but a perverse tongue^(AZ) will be silenced.

³² The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,^(BA)
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.^(BB)

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,^(BC)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.^(BD)

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,^(BE)
    but with humility comes wisdom.^(BF)

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.^(BG)

⁴ Wealth^(BH) is worthless in the day of wrath,^(BI)
    but righteousness delivers from death.^(BJ)

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,^(BK)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.^(BL)

⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.^(BM)

⁷ Hopes placed in mortals die with them;^(BN)
    all the promise of^[c] their power comes to nothing.^(BO)

⁸ The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.^(BP)

⁹ With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.^(BQ)

¹⁰ When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;^(BR)
    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.^(BS)

¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,^(BT)
    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.^(BU)

¹² Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,^(BV)
    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.^(BW)

¹³ A gossip betrays a confidence,^(BX)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.^(BY)

¹⁴ For lack of guidance a nation falls,^(BZ)
    but victory is won through many advisers.^(CA)

¹⁵ Whoever puts up security^(CB) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.^(CC)

¹⁶ A kindhearted woman gains honor,^(CD)
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

¹⁷ Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

¹⁸ A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.^(CE)

¹⁹ Truly the righteous attain life,^(CF)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.^(CG)

²⁰ The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,^(CH)
    but he delights^(CI) in those whose ways are blameless.^(CJ)

²¹ Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
    but those who are righteous will go free.^(CK)

²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

²⁴ One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

²⁵ A generous^(CL) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.^(CM)

²⁶ People curse the one who hoards grain,
    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

²⁷ Whoever seeks good finds favor,
    but evil comes to one who searches for it.^(CN)

²⁸ Those who trust in their riches will fall,^(CO)
    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.^(CP)

²⁹ Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.^(CQ)

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,^(CR)
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

³¹ If the righteous receive their due^(CS) on earth,
    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.^(CT)

² Good people obtain favor from the Lord,^(CU)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.^(CV)

³ No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.^(CW)

⁴ A wife of noble character^(CX) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.^(CY)

⁵ The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

⁶ The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.^(CZ)

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more,^(DA)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.^(DB)

⁸ A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped^(DC) mind is despised.

⁹ Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

¹⁰ The righteous care for the needs of their animals,^(DD)
    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

¹¹ Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.^(DE)

¹² The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
    but the root of the righteous endures.

¹³ Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,^(DF)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.^(DG)

¹⁴ From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,^(DH)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.^(DI)

¹⁵ The way of fools seems right to them,^(DJ)
    but the wise listen to advice.^(DK)

¹⁶ Fools^(DL) show their annoyance at once,^(DM)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.^(DN)

¹⁷ An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.^(DO)

¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords,^(DP)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.^(DQ)

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.^(DR)

²¹ No harm overtakes the righteous,^(DS)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

²² The Lord detests lying lips,^(DT)
    but he delights^(DU) in people who are trustworthy.^(DV)

²³ The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,^(DW)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.^(DX)

²⁴ Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.^(DY)

²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the heart,^(DZ)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

²⁶ The righteous choose their friends carefully,
    but the way of the wicked leads them astray.^(EA)

²⁷ The lazy do not roast^[d] any game,
    but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

²⁸ In the way of righteousness there is life;^(EB)
    along that path is immortality.

13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.^(EC)

² From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,^(ED)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

³ Those who guard their lips^(EE) preserve their lives,^(EF)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.^(EG)

⁴ A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,^(EH)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

⁵ The righteous hate what is false,^(EI)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

⁶ Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.^(EJ)

⁷ One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;^(EK)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.^(EL)

⁸ A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.^(EM)

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.^(EN)

¹⁰ Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.^(EO)

¹¹ Dishonest money dwindles away,^(EP)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.^(EQ)

¹³ Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,^(ER)
    but whoever respects^(ES) a command is rewarded.^(ET)

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,^(EU)
    turning a person from the snares of death.^(EV)

¹⁵ Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.^[e]

¹⁶ All who are prudent act with^[f] knowledge,
    but fools expose^(EW) their folly.^(EX)

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,^(EY)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.^(EZ)

¹⁸ Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,^(FA)
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.^(FB)

¹⁹ A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,^(FC)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.^(FD)

²¹ Trouble pursues the sinner,^(FE)
    but the righteous^(FF) are rewarded with good things.^(FG)

²² A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.^(FH)

²³ An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

²⁴ Whoever spares the rod^(FI) hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline^(FJ) them.^(FK)

²⁵ The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.^(FL)

14 The wise woman builds her house,^(FM)
    but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

² Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

³ A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,^(FN)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.^(FO)

⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
    but from the strength of an ox^(FP) come abundant harvests.

⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.^(FQ)

⁶ The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.^(FR)

⁷ Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,^(FS)
    but the folly of fools is deception.^(FT)

⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,^(FU)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.^(FV)

¹² There is a way that appears to be right,^(FW)
    but in the end it leads to death.^(FX)

¹³ Even in laughter^(FY) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

¹⁴ The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,^(FZ)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.^(GA)

¹⁵ The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.^(GB)

¹⁶ The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,^(GC)
    but a fool^(GD) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

¹⁷ A quick-tempered person^(GE) does foolish things,^(GF)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.^(GG)

¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
    and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.^(GH)

²⁰ The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
    but the rich have many friends.^(GI)

²¹ It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,^(GJ)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.^(GK)

²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?^(GL)
    But those who plan what is good find^[g] love and faithfulness.

²³ All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.^(GM)

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
    but a false witness is deceitful.^(GN)

²⁶ Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,^(GO)
    and for their children it will be a refuge.^(GP)

²⁷ The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,^(GQ)
    turning a person from the snares of death.^(GR)

²⁸ A large population is a king’s glory,
    but without subjects a prince is ruined.^(GS)

²⁹ Whoever is patient has great understanding,^(GT)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.^(GU)

³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.^(GV)

³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,^(GW)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.^(GX)

³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,^(GY)
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.^(GZ)

³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning^(HA)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.^[h]

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,^(HB)
    but sin condemns any people.

³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant,
    but a shameful servant arouses his fury.^(HC)

15 A gentle answer^(HD) turns away wrath,^(HE)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,^(HF)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.^(HG)

³ The eyes^(HH) of the Lord are everywhere,^(HI)
    keeping watch on the wicked and the good.^(HJ)

⁴ The soothing tongue^(HK) is a tree of life,^(HL)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.^(HM)

⁵ A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.^(HN)

⁶ The house of the righteous contains great treasure,^(HO)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.^(HP)

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge,^(HQ)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

⁸ The Lord detests the sacrifice^(HR) of the wicked,^(HS)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.^(HT)

⁹ The Lord detests the way of the wicked,^(HU)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.^(HV)

¹⁰ Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
    the one who hates correction will die.^(HW)

¹¹ Death and Destruction^[i] lie open before the Lord^(HX)—
    how much more do human hearts!^(HY)

¹² Mockers resent correction,^(HZ)
    so they avoid the wise.

¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful,^(IA)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.^(IB)

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,^(IC)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.^(ID)

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.^(IE)

¹⁷ Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.^(IF)

¹⁸ A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,^(IG)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.^(IH)

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,^(II)
    but the path of the upright is a highway.

²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father,^(IJ)
    but a foolish man despises his mother.

²¹ Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,^(IK)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

²² Plans fail for lack of counsel,^(IL)
    but with many advisers^(IM) they succeed.^(IN)

²³ A person finds joy in giving an apt reply^(IO)—
    and how good is a timely word!^(IP)

²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud,^(IQ)
    but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.^(IR)

²⁶ The Lord detests the thoughts^(IS) of the wicked,^(IT)
    but gracious words are pure^(IU) in his sight.

²⁷ The greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates bribes will live.^(IV)

²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,^(IW)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.^(IX)

²⁹ The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.^(IY)

³⁰ Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.^(IZ)

³¹ Whoever heeds life-giving correction
    will be at home among the wise.^(JA)

³² Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,^(JB)
    but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.^(JC)

³³ Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,^(JD)
    and humility comes before honor.^(JE)

16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.^(JF)

² All a person’s ways seem pure to them,^(JG)
    but motives are weighed^(JH) by the Lord.^(JI)

³ Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.^(JJ)

⁴ The Lord works out everything to its proper end^(JK)—
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.^(JL)

⁵ The Lord detests all the proud of heart.^(JM)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.^(JN)

⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord^(JO) evil is avoided.^(JP)

⁷ When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
    he causes their enemies to make peace^(JQ) with them.^(JR)

⁸ Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain^(JS) with injustice.^(JT)

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.^(JU)

¹⁰ The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
    and his mouth does not betray justice.^(JV)

¹¹ Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.^(JW)

¹² Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.^(JX)

¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
    they value the one who speaks what is right.^(JY)

¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,^(JZ)
    but the wise will appease it.^(KA)

¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, it means life;^(KB)
    his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.^(KC)

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight^(KD) rather than silver!^(KE)

¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.^(KF)

¹⁸ Pride^(KG) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit^(KH) before a fall.^(KI)

¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,^[j](KJ)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.^(KK)

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.^[k](KL)

²² Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,^(KM)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³ The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,^(KN)
    and their lips promote instruction.^[l](KO)

²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb,^(KP)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.^(KQ)

²⁵ There is a way that appears to be right,^(KR)
    but in the end it leads to death.^(KS)

²⁶ The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

²⁷ A scoundrel^(KT) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.^(KU)

²⁸ A perverse person stirs up conflict,^(KV)
    and a gossip separates close friends.^(KW)

²⁹ A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.^(KX)

³⁰ Whoever winks^(KY) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor;^(KZ)
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

³² Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

³³ The lot is cast^(LA) into the lap,
    but its every decision^(LB) is from the Lord.^(LC)

17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
    than a house full of feasting, with strife.^(LD)

² A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.