Historical
Chapter 16
1 Plans are made in human hearts,
but from the Lord comes the tongue’s response.[a]
2 All one’s ways are pure[b] in one’s own eyes,
but the measurer of motives is the Lord.(A)
3 Entrust your works to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord has made everything for a purpose,
even the wicked for the evil day.[c]
5 Every proud heart[d] is an abomination to the Lord;(B)
be assured that none will go unpunished.
6 By steadfast loyalty guilt is expiated,
and by the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.[e]
7 When the Lord is pleased with someone’s ways,
he makes even enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better a little with justice,
than a large income with injustice.
9 The human heart plans the way,
but the Lord directs the steps.[f](C)
10 An oracle is upon the king’s lips,
no judgment of his mouth is false.[g]
11 Balance and scales belong to the Lord;
every weight in the sack is his concern.(D)
12 Wrongdoing is an abomination to kings,
for by justice the throne endures.(E)
13 The king takes delight in honest lips,
and whoever speaks what is right he loves.(F)
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,(G)
but a wise person can pacify it.
15 A king’s smile means life,
and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.[h]
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is preferable to silver.[i](H)
17 The path of the upright leads away from misfortune;
those who attend to their way guard their lives.[j]
18 Pride goes before disaster,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be humble with the poor
than to share plunder with the proud.(I)
20 Whoever ponders a matter will be successful;
happy the one who trusts in the Lord!
21 The wise of heart is esteemed for discernment,
and pleasing speech gains a reputation for learning.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to those who have it,
but folly is the training of fools.
23 The heart of the wise makes for eloquent speech,
and increases the learning on their lips.
24 Pleasing words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the taste and invigorating to the bones.
25 Sometimes a way seems right,
but the end of it leads to death!(J)
26 The appetite of workers works for them,
for their mouths urge them on.[k](K)
27 Scoundrels are a furnace of evil,
and their lips are like a scorching fire.
28 Perverse speech sows discord,
and talebearing separates bosom friends.(L)
29 The violent deceive their neighbors,
and lead them into a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks an eye plans perversity;
whoever purses the lips does evil.[l]
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;(M)
it is gained by a life that is just.
32 The patient are better than warriors,
and those who rule their temper, better than the conqueror of a city.(N)
33 Into the bag the lot is cast,
but from the Lord comes every decision.[m]
Chapter 17
1 Better a dry crust with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.[n]
2 A wise servant will rule over an unworthy son,
and will share the inheritance of the children.[o]
3 The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold,
but the tester of hearts is the Lord.
4 The evildoer gives heed to wicked lips,
the liar, to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reviles their Maker;
whoever rejoices in their misfortune will not go unpunished.(O)
6 Children’s children are the crown of the elderly,
and the glory of children is their parentage.
7 Fine words ill fit a fool;
how much more lying lips, a noble!
8 A bribe seems a charm to its user;
at every turn it brings success.[p]
9 Whoever overlooks an offense fosters friendship,
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.[q]
10 A single reprimand does more for a discerning person
than a hundred lashes for a fool.[r]
11 The wicked pursue only rebellion,
and a merciless messenger is sent against them.[s]
12 Face a bear robbed of her cubs,
but never fools in their folly![t]
13 If you return evil for good,
evil will not depart from your house.[u](P)
14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam;
check a quarrel before it bursts forth!
15 Whoever acquits the wicked,(Q) whoever condemns the just—
both are an abomination to the Lord.
16 Of what use is money in the hands of fools
when they have no heart to acquire wisdom?[v]
17 A friend is a friend at all times,
and a brother is born for the time of adversity.(R)
18 Those without sense give their hands in pledge,
becoming surety for their neighbors.(S)
19 Those who love an offense love a fight;(T)
those who build their gate high[w] court disaster.
20 The perverse in heart come to no good,
and the double-tongued fall into trouble.[x]
21 Whoever conceives a fool has grief;
the father of a numskull has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is the health of the body,
but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.(U)
23 A guilty person takes out a bribe from the pocket,
thus perverting the course of justice.[y]
24 On the countenance of a discerning person is wisdom,(V)
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.[z]
25 A foolish son is vexation to his father,
and bitter sorrow to her who bore him.(W)
26 It is wrong to fine an innocent person,
but beyond reason to scourge nobles.
27 Those who spare their words are truly knowledgeable,
and those who are discreet are intelligent.(X)
28 Even fools, keeping silent, are considered wise;
if they keep their lips closed, intelligent.[aa]
Chapter 18
1 One who is alienated seeks a pretext,
with all persistence picks a quarrel.
2 Fools take no delight in understanding,
but only in displaying what they think.[ab]
3 With wickedness comes contempt,
and with disgrace, scorn.
4 The words of one’s mouth are deep waters,
the spring of wisdom, a running brook.[ac](Y)
5 It is not good to favor the guilty,
nor to reject the claim of the just.(Z)
6 The lips of fools walk into a fight,
and their mouths are asking for a beating.[ad]
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin;
their lips are a deadly snare.(AA)
8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels:
they sink into one’s inmost being.(AB)
9 Those slack in their work
are kin to the destroyer.
10 [ae]The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the just run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city;(AC)
they fancy it a high wall.
12 Before disaster the heart is haughty,(AD)
but before honor is humility.
13 Whoever answers before listening,(AE)
theirs is folly and shame.[af]
14 One’s spirit supports one when ill,
but a broken spirit who can bear?[ag]
15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.[ah]
16 Gifts clear the way for people,
winning access to the great.(AF)
17 Those who plead the case first seem to be in the right;
then the opponent comes and cross-examines them.[ai]
18 The lot puts an end to disputes,
and decides a controversy between the mighty.[aj]
19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a stronghold;
such strife is more daunting than castle gates.[ak]
20 With the fruit of one’s mouth one’s belly is filled,
with the produce of one’s lips one is sated.[al](AG)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;(AH)
those who choose one shall eat its fruit.[am]
22 To find a wife is to find happiness,
a favor granted by the Lord.(AI)
23 The poor implore,
but the rich answer harshly.
24 There are friends who bring ruin,
but there are true friends more loyal than a brother.(AJ)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.