Bible in 90 Days
7 My son, obey my words,
and treasure my commands.(A)
2 Keep my commands and live;(B)
protect my teachings
as the pupil of your eye.(C)
3 Tie them to your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(D)
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”(E)
and call understanding your relative.
5 She will keep you from a forbidden woman,
a stranger with her flattering talk.(F)
A Story of Seduction
6 At the window of my house
I looked through my lattice.(G)
7 I saw among the inexperienced,[a]
I noticed among the youths,
a young man lacking sense.
8 Crossing the street near her corner,
he strolled down the road to her house
9 at twilight, in the evening,
in the dark of the night.(H)
10 A woman came to meet him
dressed like a prostitute,(I)
having a hidden agenda.[b]
11 She is loud and defiant;(J)
her feet do not stay at home.(K)
12 Now in the street, now in the squares,(L)
she lurks at every corner.(M)
13 She grabs him and kisses him;
she brazenly says[c] to him,
14 “I’ve made fellowship offerings;[d]
today I’ve fulfilled my vows.(N)
15 So I came out to meet you,
to search for you, and I’ve found you.
16 I’ve spread coverings on my bed(O)—
richly colored linen from Egypt.(P)
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.(Q)
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning.(R)
Let’s feast on each other’s love!
19 My husband isn’t home;
he went on a long journey.
20 He took a bag of money with him
and will come home at the time of the full moon.”
21 She seduces him with her persistent pleading;
she lures with her flattering[e] talk.
22 He follows her impulsively
like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer bounding toward a trap[f]
23 until an arrow pierces its[g] liver,(S)
like a bird darting into a snare(T)—
he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.
24 Now, my sons, listen to me,
and pay attention to the words of my mouth.
25 Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways;
don’t stray onto her paths.(U)
26 For she has brought many down to death;
her victims are countless.[h]
27 Her house is the road to Sheol,
descending to the chambers of death.(V)
Wisdom’s Appeal
8 Doesn’t Wisdom(W) call out?
Doesn’t Understanding make her voice heard?
2 At the heights overlooking the road,
at the crossroads, she takes her stand.
3 Beside the gates(X) at the entry to[i] the city,
at the main entrance, she cries out:
4 “People, I call out to you;
my cry is to mankind.
5 Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;
develop common sense, you who are foolish.
6 Listen, for I speak of noble things,
and what my lips say is right.
7 For my mouth tells the truth,(Y)
and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
none of them are deceptive or perverse.(Z)
9 All of them are clear to the perceptive,(AA)
and right to those who discover knowledge.
10 Accept my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.(AB)
11 For wisdom is better than jewels,(AC)
and nothing desirable can compare with it.(AD)
12 I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(AE)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(AF)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and competence;[j]
I have understanding and strength.(AG)
15 It is by me that kings reign(AH)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[k]
17 I love those who love me,(AI)
and those who search for me find me.(AJ)
18 With me are riches and honor,(AK)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(AL)
19 My fruit is better than solid gold,
and my harvest than pure silver.(AM)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 “The Lord made[l] me
at the beginning of His creation,[m]
before His works of long ago.(AN)
23 I was formed before ancient times,
from the beginning, before the earth began.(AO)
24 I was born
when there were no watery depths(AP)
and no springs filled with water.
25 I was delivered
before the mountains and hills were established,(AQ)
26 before He made the land, the fields,
or the first soil on earth.
27 I was there when He established the heavens,(AR)
when He laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean,(AS)
28 when He placed the skies above,
when the fountains of the ocean gushed out,
29 when He set a limit for the sea
so that the waters would not violate His command,(AT)
when He laid out the foundations of the earth.(AU)
30 I was a skilled craftsman[n] beside Him.(AV)
I was His[o] delight every day,
always rejoicing before Him.
31 I was rejoicing in His inhabited world,(AW)
delighting in the human race.(AX)
32 “And now, my sons, listen to me;
those who keep my ways are happy.(AY)
33 Listen to instruction and be wise;(AZ)
don’t ignore it.
34 Anyone who listens to me is happy,(BA)
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35 For the one who finds me finds life(BB)
and obtains favor from the Lord,(BC)
36 but the one who misses me[p] harms himself;(BD)
all who hate me love death.”(BE)
Wisdom versus Foolishness
9 Wisdom has built her house;(BF)
she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat;(BG) she has mixed her wine;(BH)
she has also set her table.(BI)
3 She has sent out her female servants;(BJ)
she calls out from the highest points of the city:(BK)
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense,(BL) she says,
5 “Come, eat my bread,(BM)
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live;
pursue the way of understanding.
7 The one who corrects a mocker
will bring dishonor on himself;
the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.[q]
8 Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;(BN)
rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.(BO)
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.(BP)
10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,(BQ)
and the knowledge of the Holy One(BR) is understanding.
11 For by Wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit;(BS)
if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.”
13 The woman Folly is rowdy;(BT)
she is gullible and knows nothing.(BU)
14 She sits by the doorway of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who go straight ahead on their paths:(BV)
16 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!”
To the one who lacks sense, she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten secretly is tasty!”(BW)
18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,(BX)
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.(BY)
A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs
10 Solomon’s proverbs:(BZ)
A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.(CA)
2 Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,
but righteousness rescues from death.(CB)
4 Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(CE)
5 The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(CF)
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(CG)
7 The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(CH)
8 A wise heart accepts commands,(CI)
but foolish lips will be destroyed.
9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely,(CJ)
but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.(CK)
10 A sly wink of the eye(CL) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(CM)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(CN)
12 Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.(CO)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(CP)
14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(CQ)
15 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;(CR)
the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life;
the activity of the wicked leads to sin.(CS)
17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,
but the one who rejects correction goes astray.(CT)
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.(CU)
19 When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is wise.(CV)
20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little value.(CW)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(CX)
23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,(DA)
so wisdom is for a man of understanding.
24 What the wicked dreads will come to him,(DB)
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.(DC)
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,(DF)
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.
29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,
but destruction awaits the malicious.(DK)
30 The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(DL)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,(DO)
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.(DP)
2 When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(DS)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,(DT)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.(DU)
4 Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(DV)
5 The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(DW)
7 When the wicked man dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth[t][u] vanishes.(DX)
8 The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(DY)
9 With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,(DZ)
and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.
11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(EA)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(EB)
12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man with understanding keeps silent.(EC)
13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(ED)
14 Without guidance, people fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(EE)
15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(EF)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.
16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[v] men gain only riches.
18 The wicked man earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(EI)
20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.(EL)
21 Be assured[w] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,(EM)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.
22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.(EN)
24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;(EQ)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.(ER)
25 A generous person will be enriched,(ES)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.(ET)
26 People will curse(EU) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.(EV)
27 The one who searches for what is good(EW) finds favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.(EX)
29 The one who brings ruin on his household(FA)
will inherit the wind,(FB)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.
31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.(FD)
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(FE)
3 Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(FH)
4 A capable wife[y] is her husband’s crown,(FI)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(FJ)
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.
8 A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(FO)
10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,(FP)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(FQ)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(FR)
12 The wicked desire what evil men have,[z]
but the root of the righteous produces fruit.
13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,(FS)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.(FT)
14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(FU)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(FV)
15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(FW)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(FX)
17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(FY)
18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(FZ)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(GA)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(GB)
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(GC)
21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(GD)
but the wicked are full of misery.
23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(GG)
24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(GH)
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(GI)
26 A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[aa]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(GJ)
13 A wise son responds to his father’s discipline,
but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 From the words of his mouth,
a man will enjoy good things,(GN)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.(GO)
3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(GP)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(GQ)
4 The slacker craves, yet has nothing,
but the diligent is fully satisfied.(GR)
5 The righteous hate lying,
but the wicked act disgustingly and disgracefully.
7 One man pretends to be rich but has nothing;(GT)
another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.(GU)
8 Riches are a ransom for a man’s life,(GV)
but a poor man hears no threat.
10 Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,(GY)
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.
11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(GZ)
but whoever earns it through labor[ad] will multiply it.(HA)
12 Delayed hope makes the heart sick,
but fulfilled desire is a tree of life.(HB)
13 The one who has contempt for instruction will pay the penalty,(HC)
but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.(HD)
14 A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life,(HE)
turning people away from the snares of death.(HF)
16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.(HH)
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.(HI)
18 Poverty and disgrace come to those
who ignore discipline,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.(HJ)
19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,
but to turn from evil(HK)
is an abomination to fools.
20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 Disaster pursues sinners,
but good rewards the righteous.(HL)
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his[af] grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(HM)
23 The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food,
but without justice, it is swept away.
24 The one who will not use the rod hates his son,(HN)
but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.(HO)
25 A righteous man eats until he is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is empty.(HP)
2 Whoever lives with integrity fears the Lord,(HS)
but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.(HT)
3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[ag]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(HU)
4 Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty,[ah]
but an abundant harvest comes
through the strength of an ox.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.(HV)
6 A mocker seeks wisdom and doesn’t find it,
but knowledge comes easily to the perceptive.
7 Stay away from a foolish man;
you will gain no knowledge from his speech.(HW)
8 The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.
9 Fools mock at making restitution,[ai]
but there is goodwill among the upright.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.
13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.(IA)
14 The disloyal one will get what his conduct deserves,
and a good man, what his deeds deserve.(IB)
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man who schemes is hated.(IE)
18 The inexperienced inherit foolishness,
but the sensible are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow before those who are good,
the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.
21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,(IH)
but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.(II)
22 Don’t those who plan evil go astray?(IJ)
But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.(IK)
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the foolishness of fools produces foolishness.
25 A truthful witness rescues lives,
but one who utters lies is deceitful.(IM)
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence
and his children have a refuge.(IN)
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning people away from the snares of death.(IO)
28 A large population is a king’s splendor,
but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.
29 A patient person shows great understanding,(IP)
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.
31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,(IS)
but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.(IT)
32 The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin,(IU)
but the righteous one has a refuge in his death.(IV)
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.(IX)
35 A king favors a wise servant,(IY)
but his anger falls on a disgraceful one.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(JB)
3 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere,
observing the wicked and the good.(JC)
5 A fool despises his father’s discipline,
but a person who accepts correction is sensible.(JE)
6 The house of the righteous has great wealth,
but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(JF)
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.(JG)
9 The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.(JH)
10 Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.
12 A mocker doesn’t love one who corrects him;(JK)
he will not consult the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(JL)
15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(JO)
19 A slacker’s way is like a thorny hedge,
but the path of the upright is a highway.(JT)
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.(JU)
21 Foolishness brings joy to one without sense,
but a man with understanding walks a straight path.(JV)
22 Plans fail when there is no counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.(JW)
24 For the discerning the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
25 The Lord destroys the house of the proud,
but He protects the widow’s territory.(JY)
26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,
but pleasant words are pure.(JZ)
27 The one who profits dishonestly(KA) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(KB)
28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(KC)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(KD)
32 Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself,(KI)
but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense.[as](KJ)
33 The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.(KK)
16 The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.(KL)
3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.(KN)
4 The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.(KO)
5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;(KP)
be assured,[au] he will not go unpunished.(KQ)
6 Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,(KR)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.(KS)
8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.(KU)
9 A man’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.(KV)
12 Wicked behavior[ay] is detestable to kings,(KZ)
since a throne is established through righteousness.(LA)
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.
14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise man appeases it.(LB)
15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.
16 Get wisdom—
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding—
it is preferable to silver.(LC)
18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.(LF)
20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(LI)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(LJ)
22 Insight is a fountain of life(LL) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.(LP)
26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger[be] urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(LQ)
28 A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(LR)
30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(LU)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.(LY)
17 Better a dry crust with peace
than a house full of feasting with strife.(LZ)
2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share an inheritance among brothers.
4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk;[bg]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,(MC)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.(MD)
6 Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly,
and the pride of sons is their fathers.
7 Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.
10 A rebuke cuts into a perceptive person
more than a hundred lashes into a fool.
12 Better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs(MJ)
than a fool in his foolishness.
14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.(MM)
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just(MN)—
both are detestable to the Lord.
16 Why does a fool have money in his hand
with no intention of buying wisdom?(MO)
17 A friend loves at all times,(MP)
and a brother is born for a difficult time.
19 One who loves to offend loves strife;(MR)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.
20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(MS)
21 A man fathers a fool to his own sorrow;
the father of a fool has no joy.(MT)
22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(MU)
24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(MX) roam to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is grief to his father
and bitterness to the one who bore him.(MY)
27 The intelligent person restrains his words,(NA)
and one who keeps a cool head[bk]
is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent,
discerning when he seals his lips.(NB)
18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also does,
and along with dishonor, disgrace.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the guilty(NE)
by perverting the justice due the innocent.(NF)
6 A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(NG)
7 A fool’s mouth is his devastation,
and his lips are a trap for his life.(NH)
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;
in his imagination it is like a high wall.(NM)
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(NP)
14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(NQ)
15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks it.(NR)
17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(NT)
18 Casting the lot(NU) ends quarrels
and separates powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to reach[br]
than a fortified city,
and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(NV)
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(NW)
24 A man with many friends may be harmed,[bs]
but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.(OB)
19 Better a poor man who lives with integrity(OC)
than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.
3 A man’s own foolishness leads him astray,
yet his heart rages against the Lord.(OF)
4 Wealth attracts many friends,(OG)
but a poor man is separated from his friend.
7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him;(OL)
how much more do his friends
keep their distance from him!
He may pursue them with words,(OM)
but they are not there.[bu]
8 The one who acquires good sense[bv] loves himself;
one who safeguards understanding finds success.(ON)
9 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and one who utters lies perishes.(OO)
14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,(OX)
but a sensible wife is from the Lord.
15 Laziness induces deep sleep,
and a lazy person will go hungry.(OY)
19 A person with great anger bears the penalty;
if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.(PE)
21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,
but the Lord’s decree will prevail.(PG)
22 What is desirable in a man is his fidelity;
better to be a poor man than a liar.(PH)
24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;
he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth.(PJ)
25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson;(PK)
rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.(PL)
26 The one who assaults his father and evicts his mother
is a disgraceful and shameful son.
27 If you stop listening to correction, my son,
you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A worthless witness mocks justice,
and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.(PM)
29 Judgments are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.(PN)
20 Wine is a mocker,(PO) beer is a brawler,
and whoever staggers because of them is not wise.
2 A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.(PP)
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,(PQ)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.(PR)
4 The slacker does not plow during planting season;[cb]
at harvest time he looks,[cc] and there is nothing.(PS)
5 Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water;(PT)
but a man of understanding draws it out.
6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy man?(PU)
7 The one who lives with integrity is righteous;(PV)
his children[cd] who come after him will be happy.(PW)
8 A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes.(PX)
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?(PY)
11 Even a young man is known by his actions—
if his behavior is pure and upright.(QA)
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord made them both.(QB)
13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.(QC)
14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.
15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.(QD)
16 Take his garment,[cf]
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.(QE)
17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,(QF)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.
21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.(QM)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.