Bible in 90 Days
22 Don’t say, “I’ll get even with you for the wrong you did to me!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right for you.
23 The Lord hates weights that weigh things heavier or lighter than they really are.
Scales that are not honest don’t please him.
24 The Lord directs a person’s steps.
So how can anyone understand their own way?
25 A person is trapped if they make a hasty promise to God
and only later thinks about what they said.
26 A wise king gets rid of evil people.
He runs the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of a person is the lamp of the Lord.
It lights up what is deep down inside them.
28 Love and truth keep a king safe.
Faithful love makes his throne secure.
29 Young men are proud of their strength.
Gray hair brings honor to old men.
30 Blows and wounds scrub evil away.
And beatings make you pure deep down inside.
21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is like a stream of water.
The Lord directs it toward all those who please him.
2 A person might think their own ways are right.
But the Lord knows what they are thinking.
3 Do what is right and fair.
The Lord accepts that more than sacrifices.
4 The proud eyes and hearts of sinful people are like a field not plowed.
Those things produce nothing good.
5 The plans of people who work hard succeed.
You can be just as sure that those in a hurry will become poor.
6 A fortune made by people who tell lies
amounts to nothing and leads to death.
7 The harmful things that evil people do will drag them away.
They refuse to do what is right.
8 The path of those who are guilty is crooked.
But the conduct of those who are not guilty is honest.
9 It is better to live on a corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife.
10 Sinful people long to do evil.
They don’t show their neighbors any mercy.
11 When you punish someone who makes fun of others, childish people get wise.
By paying attention to wise people, the childish get knowledge.
12 The Blameless One knows where sinners live.
And he destroys them.
13 Whoever refuses to listen to the cries of poor people
will also cry out and not be answered.
14 A secret gift calms down anger.
A hidden favor softens great anger.
15 When you do what is fair, you make godly people glad.
But you terrify those who do what is evil.
16 Whoever leaves the path of understanding
ends up with those who are dead.
17 Anyone who loves pleasure will become poor.
Anyone who loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
18 Evil people become the payment for setting godly people free.
Those who aren’t faithful are the payment for honest people.
19 It is better to live in a desert
than to live with a nagging wife who loves to argue.
20 Wise people store up the best food and olive oil.
But foolish people eat up everything they have.
21 Anyone who wants to be godly and loving
finds life, success and honor.
22 A wise person can attack a strong city.
They can pull down the place of safety its people trust in.
23 Those who are careful about what they say
keep themselves out of trouble.
24 A proud person is called a mocker.
He thinks much too highly of himself.
25 Some people will die while they are still hungry.
That’s because their hands refuse to work.
26 All day long they hunger for more.
But godly people give without holding back.
27 God hates sacrifices that are brought by evil people.
He hates it even more when they bring them for the wrong reason.
28 Witnesses who aren’t honest will die.
But anyone who listens carefully will be a successful witness.
29 Sinful people try to look as if they were bold.
But honest people think about how they live.
30 No wisdom, wise saying or plan
can succeed against the Lord.
31 You can prepare a horse for the day of battle.
But the power to win comes from the Lord.
22 You should want a good name more than you want great riches.
To be highly respected is better than having silver or gold.
2 The Lord made rich people and poor people.
That’s what they have in common.
3 Wise people see danger and go to a safe place.
But childish people keep going and suffer for it.
4 Being humble comes from having respect for the Lord.
This will bring you wealth and honor and life.
5 Thorns and traps lie in the paths of evil people.
But those who value their lives stay far away from them.
6 Start children off on the right path.
And even when they are old, they will not turn away from it.
7 Rich people rule over those who are poor.
Borrowers are slaves to lenders.
8 Anyone who plants evil gathers a harvest of trouble.
Their power to treat others badly will be destroyed.
9 Those who give freely will be blessed.
That’s because they share their food with those who are poor.
10 If you drive away those who make fun of others, fighting also goes away.
Arguing and unkind words will stop.
11 A person who has a pure and loving heart and speaks kindly
will be a friend of the king.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge.
But he does away with the words of those who aren’t faithful.
13 People who don’t want to work say, “There’s a lion outside!”
Or they say, “I’ll be murdered if I go out into the streets!”
14 The mouth of a woman who commits adultery is like a deep pit.
Any man the Lord is angry with falls into it.
15 Children are going to do foolish things.
But correcting them will drive that foolishness far away.
16 You might treat poor people badly or give gifts to rich people.
Trying to get rich in these ways will instead make you poor.
30 Sayings of Wise People
Saying 1
17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of wise people.
Apply your heart to the sayings I teach.
18 It is pleasing when you keep them in your heart.
Have all of them ready on your lips.
19 You are the one I am teaching today.
That’s because I want you to trust in the Lord.
20 I have written 30 sayings for you.
They will give you knowledge and good advice.
21 I am teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth.
Then you can give honest reports to those you serve.
Saying 2
22 Don’t take advantage of poor people just because they are poor.
Don’t treat badly those who are in need by taking them to court.
23 The Lord will stand up for them in court.
He will require the lives of people who have taken the lives of those in need.
Saying 3
24 Don’t be a friend of a person who has a bad temper.
Don’t go around with a person who gets angry easily.
25 You might learn their habits.
And then you will be trapped by them.
Saying 4
26 Don’t agree to pay for what someone else owes.
And don’t agree to pay their bills for them.
27 If you don’t have the money to pay,
your bed will be taken right out from under you!
Saying 5
28 Don’t move old boundary stones
set up by your people of long ago.
Saying 6
29 Do you see someone who does good work?
That person will serve kings.
That person won’t serve officials of lower rank.
Saying 7
23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
look carefully at what’s in front of you.
2 Put a knife to your throat
if you like to eat too much.
3 Don’t long for his fancy food.
It can fool you.
Saying 8
4 Don’t wear yourself out to get rich.
Don’t trust how wise you think you are.
5 When you take even a quick look at riches, they are gone.
They grow wings and fly away into the sky like an eagle.
Saying 9
6 Don’t eat the food of anyone who doesn’t want to share it.
Don’t long for his fancy food.
7 He is the kind of person
who is always thinking about how much it costs.
“Eat and drink,” he says to you.
But he doesn’t mean it.
8 You will throw up what little you have eaten.
You will have wasted your words of praise.
Saying 10
9 Don’t speak to foolish people.
They will laugh at your wise words.
Saying 11
10 Don’t move old boundary stones.
Don’t try to take over the fields of children whose fathers have died.
11 That’s because the God who guards them is strong.
He will stand up for them in court against you.
Saying 12
12 Apply your heart to what you are taught.
Listen carefully to words of knowledge.
Saying 13
13 Don’t hold back correction from a child.
If you correct them, they won’t die.
14 So correct them.
Then you will save them from death.
Saying 14
15 My son, if your heart is wise,
my heart will be very glad.
16 Deep down inside, I will be happy
when you say what is right.
Saying 15
17 Do not long for what sinners have.
But always show great respect for the Lord.
18 There really is hope for you in days to come.
So your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 16
19 My son, listen and be wise.
Set your heart on the right path.
20 Don’t join those who drink too much wine.
Don’t join those who stuff themselves with meat.
21 Those who drink or eat too much will become poor.
If they sleep too much, they’ll have to wear rags.
Saying 17
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life.
Don’t hate your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and don’t sell it.
Get wisdom, instruction and understanding as well.
24 The father of a godly child is very happy.
A man who has a wise son is glad.
25 May your father and mother be glad.
May the woman who gave birth to you be joyful.
Saying 18
26 My son, give me your heart.
May you be happy living the way you see me live.
27 An unfaithful wife is like a deep pit.
A wife who commits adultery is like a narrow well.
28 She hides and waits like a thief.
She causes many men to sin.
Saying 19
29 Who has trouble? Who has sorrow?
Who argues? Who has problems?
Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?
30 Those who spend too much time with wine.
Or those who like to taste wine mixed with spices.
31 Don’t look at wine when it is red.
Don’t look at it when it bubbles in the cup.
And don’t look at it when it goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a snake.
It bites like a poisonous serpent.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights.
Your mind will imagine weird things.
34 You will feel like someone sleeping on the ocean.
You will think you are lying among the ropes in a boat.
35 “They hit me,” you will say. “But I’m not hurt!
They beat me. But I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”
Saying 20
24 Do not want what evil people have.
Don’t long to be with them.
2 In their hearts they plan to hurt others.
With their lips they talk about making trouble.
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built.
Through understanding it is made secure.
4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled
with priceless and beautiful things.
Saying 22
5 Wise people have success by means of great power.
Those who have knowledge gather strength.
6 If you go to war, you surely need guidance.
If you want to win, you need many good advisers.
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for foolish people.
They shouldn’t speak when people meet at the city gate to conduct business.
Saying 24
8 Anyone who thinks up sinful things to do
will be known as one who plans evil.
9 Foolish plans are sinful.
People hate those who make fun of others.
Saying 25
10 If you grow weak when trouble comes,
your strength is very small!
11 Save those who are being led away to death.
Hold back those who are about to be killed.
12 Don’t say, “But we didn’t know anything about this.”
Doesn’t the God who knows what you are thinking see it?
Doesn’t the God who guards your life know it?
He will pay back everyone for what they have done.
Saying 26
13 Eat honey, my son, because it is good.
Honey from a honeycomb has a sweet taste.
14 I want you to know that wisdom is like honey for you.
If you find it, there is hope for you tomorrow.
So your hope will not be cut off.
Saying 27
15 Don’t hide and wait like a burglar near a godly person’s house.
Don’t rob their home.
16 Even if godly people fall down seven times, they always get up.
But those who are evil trip and fall when trouble comes.
Saying 28
17 Don’t be happy when your enemy falls.
When he trips, don’t let your heart be glad.
18 The Lord will see it, but he won’t be pleased.
He might turn his anger away from your enemy.
Saying 29
19 Don’t be upset because of evil people.
Don’t long for what sinners have.
20 Tomorrow evil people won’t have any hope.
The lamps of sinners will be blown out.
Saying 30
21 My son, have respect for the Lord and the king.
Don’t join with officials who disobey them.
22 The Lord and the king will suddenly destroy them.
Who knows what trouble those two can bring?
More Sayings of Wise People
23 Here are more sayings of wise people.
Taking sides in court is not good.
24 A curse will fall on those who say the guilty are not guilty.
Nations will ask for bad things to happen to them.
People will speak against them.
25 But it will go well with those who sentence guilty people.
Rich blessings will come to them.
26 An honest answer
is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Put your outdoor work in order.
Get your fields ready.
After that, build your house.
28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbor for no reason.
Would you use your lips to tell lies?
29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to them what they have done to me.
I’ll get even with them for what they did.”
30 I went past the field of someone who didn’t want to work.
I went past the vineyard of someone who didn’t have any sense.
31 Thorns had grown up everywhere.
The ground was covered with weeds.
The stone wall had fallen down.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed.
I learned a lesson from what I saw.
33 You might sleep a little or take a little nap.
You might even fold your hands and rest.
34 Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you.
You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.
More Proverbs of Solomon
25 These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were gathered together by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.
2 When God hides a matter, he gets glory.
When kings figure out a matter, they get glory.
3 The heavens are high and the earth is deep.
In the same way, the minds of kings are impossible to figure out.
4 Remove the scum from the silver.
Then the master worker can make something out of it.
5 Remove ungodly officials from where the king is.
Then the king can make his throne secure because of the godliness around him.
6 Don’t brag in front of the king.
Don’t claim a place among his great men.
7 Let the king say to you, “Come up here.”
That’s better than for him to shame you in front of his nobles.
What you have seen with your own eyes
8 don’t bring too quickly to court.
What will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
don’t tell others any secrets you promised to keep.
10 If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame.
And the charge against you will stand.
11 The right ruling at the right time
is like golden apples in silver jewelry.
12 A wise judge’s warning to a listening ear
is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold.
13 A messenger trusted by the one who sends him
is like a drink cooled by snow at harvest time.
He renews the spirit of his master.
14 A person who brags about gifts never given
is like wind and clouds that don’t produce rain.
15 If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side.
And gentle words can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough.
If you eat too much of it, you will throw up.
17 Don’t go to your neighbor’s home very often.
If they see too much of you, they will hate you.
18 A person who is a false witness against a neighbor
is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes
is like a broken tooth or a disabled foot.
20 You may sing songs to a troubled heart.
But that’s like taking a coat away on a cold day.
It’s like pouring vinegar on a wound.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 By doing these things, you will pile up burning coals on his head.
And the Lord will reward you.
23 Like a north wind that brings rain you didn’t expect
is a crafty tongue that brings looks of shock.
24 It is better to live on a corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife.
25 Hearing good news from a land far away
is like drinking cold water when you are tired.
26 Sometimes godly people give in to those who are evil.
Then they become like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.
27 It isn’t good for you to eat too much honey.
And you shouldn’t try to search out matters too deep for you.
28 A person without self-control
is like a city whose walls are broken through.
26 It isn’t proper to honor a foolish person.
That’s like having snow in summer or rain at harvest time.
2 A curse given for no reason is like a wandering bird or a flying sparrow.
It doesn’t go anywhere.
3 A whip is for a horse, and a harness is for a donkey.
And a beating is for the backs of foolish people.
4 Don’t answer a foolish person in keeping with their foolish acts.
If you do, you yourself will be just like them.
5 Answer a foolish person in keeping with their foolish acts.
If you do not, they will be wise in their own eyes.
6 Sending a message in the hand of a foolish person
is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison.
7 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person
is like disabled legs that are useless.
8 Giving honor to a foolish person
is like tying a stone in a slingshot.
9 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person
is like a thorn in the hand of someone who is drunk.
10 Anyone who hires a foolish person or someone who is passing by
is like a person who shoots arrows at just anybody.
11 Foolish people who do the same foolish things again
are like a dog that returns to where it has thrown up.
12 Do you see a person who is wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.
13 A person who doesn’t want to work says, “There’s a lion in the road!
There’s an angry lion wandering in the streets!”
14 A person who doesn’t want to work turns over in bed
just like a door that swings back and forth.
15 A person who doesn’t want to work leaves his hand in his plate.
He acts as if he is too tired to bring his hand back up to his mouth.
16 A person who doesn’t want to work is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who give careful answers.
17 Don’t be quick to get mixed up in someone else’s fight.
That’s like grabbing a stray dog by its ears.
18 Suppose a crazy person shoots
flaming arrows that can kill.
19 Someone who lies to their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!” is just like that crazy person.
20 If you don’t have wood, your fire goes out.
If you don’t talk about others, arguing dies down.
21 Coal glows, and wood burns.
And a person who argues stirs up conflict.
22 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food.
They go deep down inside you.
23 Warm words that come from an evil heart
are like a shiny coating on a clay pot.
24 Enemies use their words as a mask.
They hide their evil plans in their hearts.
25 Even though what they say can be charming, don’t believe them.
That’s because seven things God hates fill that person’s heart.
26 Their hatred can be hidden by lies.
But their evil plans will be shown to everyone.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.
If someone rolls a big stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A tongue that tells lies hates the people it hurts.
And words that seem to praise you destroy you.
27 Don’t brag about tomorrow.
You don’t know what a day will bring.
2 Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth.
Let an outsider praise you, and not your own lips.
3 Stones are heavy, and sand weighs a lot.
But letting a foolish person make you angry is a heavier load than both of them.
4 Anger is mean, and great anger overpowers you.
But who can face jealousy?
5 Being warned openly is better
than being loved in secret.
6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted.
But an enemy kisses you many times.
7 When you are full, you even hate honey.
When you are hungry, even what is bitter tastes sweet.
8 Anyone who runs away from home
is like a bird that flies away from its nest.
9 Perfume and incense bring joy to your heart.
And the sweetness of a friend comes from their honest advice.
10 Don’t desert your friend or a friend of your family.
And don’t go to your relative’s house when trouble strikes you.
A neighbor nearby is better than a relative far away.
11 My son, be wise and bring joy to my heart.
Then I can answer anyone who makes fun of me.
12 Wise people see danger and go to a safe place.
But childish people keep on going and suffer for it.
13 Take the coat of one who puts up money for what a stranger owes.
Hold it until you get paid back if it is done for an outsider.
14 Suppose you loudly bless your neighbor early in the morning.
Then you might as well be cursing him.
15 A nagging wife is like the dripping
of a leaky roof in a rainstorm.
16 Stopping her is like trying to stop the wind.
It’s like trying to grab olive oil with your hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
18 A person who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit.
And a person who protects their master will be honored.
19 When you look into water, you see a likeness of your face.
When you look into your heart, you see what you are really like.
20 Death and the Grave are never satisfied.
People’s eyes are never satisfied either.
21 Fire tests silver, and heat tests gold.
But people are tested by the praise they receive.
22 Suppose you could grind a foolish person in a mill.
Suppose you could grind them as you would grind grain with a tool.
Even then you could not remove their foolishness from them.
23 Be sure you know how your flocks are doing.
Pay careful attention to your herds.
24 Riches don’t last forever.
And a crown is not secure for all time to come.
25 The hay is removed, and new growth appears.
The grass from the hills is gathered in.
26 Then your lambs will provide you with clothes.
And the money from selling your goats will buy you a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family.
It will also feed your female servants.
28 Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them.
But those who do what is right are as bold as lions.
2 A country has many rulers when its people don’t obey.
But an understanding ruler knows how to keep order.
3 A ruler who treats poor people badly
is like a pounding rain that leaves no crops.
4 Those who turn away from instruction praise sinners.
But those who learn from it oppose them.
5 Sinful people don’t understand what is right.
But those who worship the Lord understand it completely.
6 It is better to be poor and live without blame
than to be rich and follow a crooked path.
7 A child who understands what is right learns from instruction.
But a child who likes to eat too much brings shame on his father.
8 Someone might get rich by taking interest or profit from poor people.
But that person only piles up wealth for someone who will be kind to poor people.
9 If you don’t pay attention to my instruction,
even your prayers are hated.
10 Those who lead honest people down an evil path
will fall into their own trap.
But those who are without blame
will receive good things.
11 Rich people may think they are wise.
But a poor person with understanding knows that rich people are fooling themselves.
12 When godly people win, everyone is very happy.
But when sinners take charge, everyone hides.
13 Anyone who hides their sins doesn’t succeed.
But anyone who admits their sins and gives them up finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who always trembles in front of God.
But anyone who makes their heart stubborn will get into trouble.
15 An evil person who rules over helpless people
is like a roaring lion or an angry bear.
16 A ruler who is mean to his people takes money from them by force.
But one who hates money gained in the wrong way will rule a long time.
17 Anyone troubled by the guilt of murder
will seek to escape their guilt by death.
No one should keep them from it.
18 Anyone who lives without blame is kept safe.
But anyone whose path is crooked will fall into the pit.
19 Those who work their land will have plenty of food.
But those who chase dreams will be very poor.
20 A faithful person will be richly blessed.
But anyone who wants to get rich will be punished.
21 Favoring one person over another is not good.
But a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 Those who won’t share what they have want to get rich.
They don’t know they are going to be poor.
23 It is better to warn a person than to pretend to praise them.
In the end that person will be more pleased with you.
24 Anyone who steals from their parents and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is just like someone who destroys.
25 People who always want more stir up conflict.
But those who trust in the Lord will succeed.
26 Those who trust in themselves are foolish.
But those who live wisely are kept safe.
27 Those who give to poor people will have all they need.
But those who close their eyes to the poor will receive many curses.
28 When those who are evil take charge, other people hide.
But when those who are evil die, godly people grow stronger.
29 Whoever still won’t obey after being warned many times
will suddenly be destroyed. Nothing can save them.
2 When those who do right grow stronger, the people are glad.
But when those who do wrong become rulers, the people groan.
3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad.
But a man who spends time with prostitutes wastes his father’s wealth.
4 By doing what is fair, a king makes a country secure.
But those who only want money tear it down.
5 Those who only pretend to praise their neighbors
are spreading a net to catch them by the feet.
6 Sinful people are trapped by their own sin.
But godly people shout for joy and are glad.
7 Those who do what is right want to treat poor people fairly.
But those who do what is wrong don’t care about the poor.
8 Those who make fun of others stir up a city.
But wise people turn anger away.
9 Suppose a wise person goes to court with a foolish person.
Then the foolish person gets mad and pokes fun, and there is no peace.
10 Murderers hate honest people.
They try to kill those who do what is right.
11 Foolish people let their anger run wild.
But wise people keep themselves under control.
12 If rulers listen to lies,
all their officials become evil.
13 The Lord gives sight to the eyes of poor people and those who treat others badly.
That’s what they both have in common.
14 If a king judges poor people fairly,
his throne will always be secure.
15 If a child is corrected, they become wise.
But a child who is not corrected brings shame to their mother.
16 When those who do wrong grow stronger, so does sin.
But those who do right will see them destroyed.
17 If you correct your children, they will give you peace.
They will bring you the delights you desire.
18 Where there is no message from God, people don’t control themselves.
But blessed is the one who obeys wisdom’s instruction.
19 Servants can’t be corrected only by words.
Even if they understand, they won’t obey.
20 Have you seen someone who speaks without thinking?
There is more hope for foolish people than for that person.
21 A servant who has been spoiled from youth
will have no respect for you later on.
22 An angry person stirs up fights.
And a person with a bad temper commits many sins.
23 Pride brings a person low.
But those whose spirits are low will be honored.
24 To help a thief is to become your own enemy.
When you go to court, you won’t dare to say anything.
25 If you are afraid of people, it will trap you.
But if you trust in the Lord, he will keep you safe.
26 Many people want to meet a ruler.
But only the Lord sees that people are treated fairly.
27 Those who do what is right hate dishonest people.
Those who do what is wrong hate honest people.
The Sayings of Agur
30 These sayings are the words of Agur, son of Jakeh. These sayings came from God.
This man said to Ithiel:
“I am weary, God.
But I can still have success.
2 Surely I am only a dumb animal and not a man.
I don’t understand as other men do.
3 I haven’t learned wisdom.
And I don’t know the things the Holy One knows.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a coat?
Who has set in place all the boundaries of the earth?
What is his name? What is his son’s name?
Surely you know!
5 “Every word of God is perfect.
He is like a shield to those who trust in him.
He keeps them safe.
6 Don’t add to his words.
If you do, he will correct you.
He will prove that you are a liar.
7 “Lord, I ask you for two things.
Don’t refuse me before I die.
8 Keep lies far away from me.
Don’t make me either poor or rich,
but give me only the bread I need each day.
9 If you don’t, I might have too much.
Then I might say I don’t know you.
I might say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I might become poor and steal.
Then I would bring shame to the name of my God.
10 “Don’t tell lies about a servant when you talk to their master.
If you do, they will curse you, and you will pay for your lies.
11 “Some people curse their fathers.
Others don’t bless their mothers.
12 Some are pure in their own eyes.
But their dirty sins haven’t been washed away.
13 Some have eyes that are very proud.
They look down on others.
14 Some people have teeth like swords.
The teeth in their jaws are as sharp as knives.
They are ready to eat up the poor people of the earth.
They are ready to eat up those who are the most needy.
15 “A leech has two daughters.
They cry out, ‘Give! Give!’
“Three things are never satisfied.
Four things never say, ‘Enough!’
16 The first is the grave.
The second is a woman who can’t have a baby.
The third is land, which never gets enough water.
And the fourth is fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’
17 “One person makes fun of their father.
Another doesn’t honor their mother when she is old.
The ravens of the valley will peck out their eyes.
Then the vultures will eat them.
18 “Three things are too amazing for me.
There are four things I don’t understand.
19 The first is the way of an eagle in the sky.
The second is the way of a snake on a rock.
The third is the way of a ship on the ocean.
And the fourth is the way of a man with a young woman.
20 “This is the way of a woman who commits adultery.
She eats and wipes her mouth.
Then she says, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong.’
21 “Under three things the earth shakes.
Under four things it can’t stand up.
22 The first is a servant who becomes a king.
The second is a foolish and ungodly person who gets plenty to eat.
23 The third is a mean woman who gets married.
And the fourth is a servant who takes the place of the woman she works for.
24 “Four things on earth are small.
But they are very wise.
25 The first are ants, which aren’t very strong.
But they store up their food in the summer.
26 The second are hyraxes, which aren’t very powerful.
But they make their home among the rocks.
27 The third are locusts, which don’t have a king.
But they all march forward in ranks.
28 And the fourth are lizards, which your hand can catch.
But you will find them in kings’ palaces.
29 “Three things walk as if they were kings.
Four things move as kings do.
30 The first is a lion, which is mighty among the animals. It doesn’t back away from anything.
31 The second is a rooster, which walks proudly.
The third is a billy goat.
And the fourth is a king, who is secure against any who might oppose him.
32 “Do you do foolish things?
Do you think you are better than others?
Do you plan evil?
If you do, put your hand over your mouth and stop talking!
33 If you churn cream, you will produce butter.
If you twist a nose, you will produce blood.
And if you stir up anger, you will produce a fight.”
The Sayings of King Lemuel
31 These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. These sayings came from God.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, my very own son!
Listen, you who are the answer to my prayers!
3 Don’t waste your strength on women.
Don’t waste it on those who destroy kings.
4 Lemuel, it isn’t good for kings to drink wine.
It isn’t good for rulers to long for beer.
5 If they do, they might drink and forget what has been commanded.
They might take away the rights of all those who are treated badly.
6 Let beer be for those who are dying.
Let wine be for those who are sad and troubled.
7 Let them drink and forget how poor they are.
Let them forget their suffering.
8 Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.
9 Speak up and judge fairly.
Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy.
The Excellent Woman
10 Who can find an excellent woman?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her completely.
She gives him all the important things he needs.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She chooses wool and flax.
She loves to work with her hands.
14 She is like the ships of traders.
She brings her food from far away.
15 She gets up while it is still night.
She provides food for her family.
She also gives some to her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it.
She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
17 She gets ready to work hard.
Her arms are strong.
18 She sees that her trading earns a lot of money.
Her lamp doesn’t go out at night.
19 With one hand she holds the wool.
With the other she spins the thread.
20 She opens her arms to those who are poor.
She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
21 When it snows, she’s not afraid for her family.
All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
22 She makes her own bed coverings.
She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate.
There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen clothes and sells them.
She supplies belts to the traders.
25 She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes.
She can laugh at the days that are coming.
26 She speaks wisely.
She teaches faithfully.
27 She watches over family matters.
She is busy all the time.
28 Her children stand up and call her blessed.
Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
29 He says, “Many women do excellent things.
But you are better than all the others.”
30 Charm can fool you. Beauty fades.
But a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her honor for all that her hands have done.
Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.
Everything Is Meaningless
1 These are the words of the Teacher. He was the son of David. He was also the king in Jerusalem.
2 “Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Everything is completely meaningless!
Nothing has any meaning.”
3 What do people get for all their work?
Why do they work so hard on this earth?
4 People come and people go.
But the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises. Then it sets.
And then it hurries back to where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south.
Then it turns to the north.
Around and around it goes.
It always returns to where it started.
7 Every stream flows into the ocean.
But the ocean never gets full.
The streams return
to the place they came from.
8 All things are tiresome.
They are more tiresome than anyone can say.
But our eyes never see enough of anything.
Our ears never hear enough.
9 Everything that has ever been will come back again.
Everything that has ever been done will be done again.
Nothing is new on earth.
10 There isn’t anything about which someone can say,
“Look! Here’s something new.”
It was already here long ago.
It was here before we were.
11 No one remembers the people of long ago.
Even those who haven’t been born yet
won’t be remembered
by those who will be born after them.
Wisdom Is Meaningless
12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I decided to study things carefully. I used my wisdom to check everything out. I looked into everything that is done on earth. What a heavy load God has put on human beings! 14 I’ve seen what is done on this earth. All of it is meaningless. It’s like chasing the wind.
15 People can’t straighten things that are crooked.
They can’t count things that don’t even exist.
16 I said to myself, “Look, I’ve now grown wiser than anyone who ruled over Jerusalem in the past. I have a lot of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 Then I used my mind to understand what it really means to be wise. And I wanted to know what foolish pleasure is all about. But I found out that it’s also like chasing the wind.
18 A lot of human wisdom leads to a lot of sorrow.
More knowledge only brings more sadness.
Pleasure Is Meaningless
2 I said to myself, “Come on. I’ll try out pleasure. I want to find out if it is good.” But it also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter doesn’t make any sense,” I said. “And what can pleasure do for me?” 3 I tried cheering myself up by drinking wine. I even tried living in a foolish way. But wisdom was still guiding my mind. I wanted to see what was good for people to do on earth during their short lives.
4 So I started some large projects. I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks. I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made lakes to water groves of healthy trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves. And I had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem ever had before. 8 I stored up silver and gold for myself. I gathered up the treasures of kings and their kingdoms. I got some male and female singers. I also got many women for myself. Women delight the hearts of men. 9 I became far more important than anyone in Jerusalem had ever been before. And in spite of everything, I didn’t lose my wisdom.
10 I gave myself everything my eyes wanted.
There wasn’t any pleasure that I refused to give myself.
I took delight in everything I did.
And that was what I got for all my work.
11 But then I looked over everything my hands had done.
I saw what I had worked so hard to get.
And nothing had any meaning.
It was like chasing the wind.
Nothing was gained on this earth.
Wisdom and Foolish Pleasure Are Meaningless
12 I decided to think about wisdom.
I also thought about foolish pleasure.
What more can a new king do?
Can he do anything more than others have already done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than foolishness,
just as light is better than darkness.
14 The eyes of a wise person see things clearly.
A person who is foolish lives in darkness.
But I finally realized that death catches up
with both of them.
15 Then I said to myself,
“What happens to a foolish person will catch up with me too.
So what do I gain by being wise?”
I said to myself,
“That doesn’t have any meaning either.”
16 Like a foolish person, a wise person won’t be remembered very long.
The days have already come when both of them have been forgotten.
Like a person who is foolish,
a wise person must die too!
Work Is Meaningless
17 So I hated life. That’s because the work done on this earth made me sad. None of it has any meaning. It’s like chasing the wind. 18 I hated everything I had worked for on earth. I’ll have to leave all of it to someone who lives after me. 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Either way, they’ll take over everything on earth I’ve worked so hard for. That doesn’t have any meaning either. 20 So I began to lose hope because of all my hard work on this earth. 21 A person might use wisdom, knowledge and skill to do their work. But then they have to leave everything they own to someone who hasn’t worked for it. That doesn’t have any meaning either. In fact, it isn’t fair. 22 What do people get for all their hard work on earth? What do they get for all their worries? 23 As long as they live, their work is nothing but pain and sorrow. Even at night their minds can’t rest. That doesn’t have any meaning either.
24 A person can’t do anything better than eat, drink and be satisfied with their work. I’m finally seeing that those things also come from the hand of God. 25 Without his help, who can eat or find pleasure? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness to the person who pleases him. But to a sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth. Then the sinner must hand it over to the one who pleases God. That doesn’t have any meaning either. It’s like chasing the wind.
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.