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Summary: Proverbs is structured around wisdom, instruction, and practical godly living.
Proverbs Chapter 1:1-33
Purpose of Proverbs
1 𝑺 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 𝑺 to know wisdom and instruction;
3 𝑺 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
4 𝑺 to give prudence to the simple,
5 𝑺 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
6 𝑺 to understand a proverb and parables,
7 𝑺 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge,
A Father’s Warning Against Sinners
8 𝑺 My son, listen to your father’instruction,
9 𝑺 for they will be a garland to grace your head,
10 𝑺 My son, if sinners entice you,
11 𝑺 If they say, ‘Come with us.
12 𝑺 Let’swallow them up alive like Sheol,
13 𝑺 We’ll find all valuable wealth.
14 𝑺 You shall cast your lot among us.
15 𝑺 my son, don’t walk on the path with them.
16 𝑺 for their feet run to evil.
17 𝑺 For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
18 𝑺 but these lay in wait for their own blood.
19 𝑺 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.
Wisdom Calls Out
20 𝑺 Wisdom calls aloud in the street.
21 𝑺 She calls at the head of noisy places.
22 𝑺 ‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
23 𝑺 Turn at my reproof.
24 𝑺 Because I have called, and you have refused;
25 𝑺 but you have ignored all my counsel,
26 𝑺 I also will laugh at your disaster.
27 𝑺 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
28 𝑺 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer.
29 𝑺 because they hated knowledge,
30 𝑺 They wanted none of my counsel.
31 𝑺 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of their own way,
32 𝑺 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them.
33 𝑺 But whoever listens to me will dwell securely,
Proverbs Chapter 2:1-22
The Value of Wisdom
1 𝑺 My son, if you will receive my words,
2 𝑺 so as to turn your ear to wisdom,
3 𝑺 yes, if you call out for discernment,
4 𝑺 if you seek her as silver,
5 𝑺 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
6 𝑺 For Yahweh gives wisdom.
7 𝑺 He lays up sound wisdom for the upright.
8 𝑺 that he may guard the paths of justice,
9 𝑺 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
10 𝑺 For wisdom will enter into your heart.
11 𝑺 Discretion will watch over you.
Deliverance from Evil Men
12 𝑺 to deliver you from the way of evil,
13 𝑺 who forsake the paths of uprightness,
14 𝑺 who rejoice to do evil,
15 𝑺 who are crooked in their ways,
Deliverance from the Forbidden Woman
16 𝑺 to deliver you from the strange woman,
17 𝑺 who forsakes the friend of her youth,
18 𝑺 for her house leads down to death,
19 𝑺 None who go to her return again,
20 𝑺 Therefore walk in the way of good men,
21 𝑺 For the upright will dwell in the land.
22 𝑺 But the wicked will be cut off from the land.
Proverbs Chapter 3:1-35
Trust in the LORD
1 𝑺 My son, don’t forget my teaching,
2 𝑺 for they will add to you length of days,
3 𝑺 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you.
4 𝑺 So you will find favor,
5 𝑺 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,
6 𝑺 In all your ways acknowledge him,
7 𝑺 Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
8 𝑺 It will be health to your body,
9 𝑺 Honor Yahweh with your substance,
10 𝑺 so your barns will be filled with plenty,
11 𝑺 My son, don’t despise Yahweh’discipline,
12 𝑺 for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects,
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
13 𝑺 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
14 𝑺 For her good profit is better than getting silver,
15 𝑺 She is more precious than rubies.
16 𝑺 Length of days is in her right hand.
17 𝑺 Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
18 𝑺 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
19 𝑺 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth.
20 𝑺 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
Wisdom Gives Security
21 𝑺 My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
22 𝑺 so they will be life to your soul,
23 𝑺 Then you shall walk in your way securely.
24 𝑺 When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
25 𝑺 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear,
26 𝑺 for Yahweh will be your confidence,
Practical Counsel
27 𝑺 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,
28 𝑺 Don’t say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again;
29 𝑺 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor,
30 𝑺 Don’t strive with a man without cause,
31 𝑺 Don’t envy the man of violence.
32 𝑺 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh,
33 𝑺 Yahweh’curse is in the house of the wicked,
34 𝑺 Surely he mocks the mockers,
35 𝑺 The wise will inherit glory,
Proverbs Chapter 4:1-27
A Father’s Instruction
1 𝑺 Listen, sons, to a father’instruction.
2 𝑺 for I give you sound learning.
3 𝑺 For I was a son to my father,
4 𝑺 He taught me, and said to me:
5 𝑺 Get wisdom.
6 𝑺 Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you.
7 𝑺 Wisdom is supreme.
8 𝑺 Esteem her, and she will exalt you.
9 𝑺 She will give to your head a garland of grace.
The Way of Wisdom
10 𝑺 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings.
11 𝑺 I have taught you in the way of wisdom.
12 𝑺 When you go, your steps will not be hampered.
13 𝑺 Take firm hold of instruction.
14 𝑺 Don’t enter into the path of the wicked.
15 𝑺 Avoid it, and don’t pass by it.
16 𝑺 For they don’t sleep unless they do evil.
17 𝑺 For they eat the bread of wickedness
18 𝑺 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light
19 𝑺 The way of the wicked is like darkness.
Guard Your Heart
20 𝑺 My son, attend to my words.
21 𝑺 Let them not depart from your eyes.
22 𝑺 For they are life to those who find them,
23 𝑺 Keep your heart with all diligence,
24 𝑺 Put away from yourself a perverse mouth.
25 𝑺 Let your eyes look straight ahead.
26 𝑺 Make the path of your feet level.
27 𝑺 Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left.
Proverbs Chapter 5:1-23
Warning Against Adultery
1 𝑺 My son, pay attention to my wisdom.
2 𝑺 that you may maintain discretion,
3 𝑺 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey.
4 𝑺 but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,
5 𝑺 Her feet go down to death.
6 𝑺 She gives no thought to the way of life.
7 𝑺 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me.
8 𝑺 Remove your way far from her.
9 𝑺 lest you give your honor to others,
10 𝑺 lest strangers feast on your wealth,
11 𝑺 You will groan at your latter end,
12 𝑺 and say, ‘How I have hated instruction,
13 𝑺 I haven’t obeyed the voice of my teachers,
14 𝑺 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
Enjoy the Wife of Your Youth
15 𝑺 Drink water out of your own cistern,
16 𝑺 Should your springs overflow in the streets,
17 𝑺 Let them be for yourself alone,
18 𝑺 Let your spring be blessed.
19 𝑺 A loving doe and a graceful deer—
20 𝑺 For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress?
21 𝑺 For the ways of man are before Yahweh’eyes.
22 𝑺 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him.
23 𝑺 He will die for lack of instruction.
Proverbs Chapter 6:1-35
Warning Against Surety
1 𝑺 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor,
2 𝑺 you are trapped by the words of your mouth;
3 𝑺 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself,
4 𝑺 Give no sleep to your eyes,
5 𝑺 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
The Lesson from the Ant
6 𝑺 Go to the ant, you sluggard.
7 𝑺 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
8 𝑺 provides her bread in the summer,
9 𝑺 How long will you sleep, sluggard?
10 𝑺 A little sleep, a little slumber,
11 𝑺 so your poverty will come as a robber,
The Worthless Person
12 𝑺 A worthless person, a man of iniquity,
13 𝑺 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet,
14 𝑺 in whose heart is perverseness,
15 𝑺 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly.
16 𝑺 There are six things which Yahweh hates;
17 𝑺 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue,
18 𝑺 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
19 𝑺 a false witness who utters lies,
Warning Against Adultery
20 𝑺 My son, keep your father’commandment,
21 𝑺 Bind them continually on your heart.
22 𝑺 When you walk, it will lead you.
23 𝑺 For the commandment is a lamp,
24 𝑺 to keep you from the immoral woman,
25 𝑺 Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart,
26 𝑺 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread.
27 𝑺 Can a man scoop fire into his lap,
28 𝑺 Or can one walk on hot coals,
29 𝑺 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’wife.
30 𝑺 Men don’t despise a thief
31 𝑺 but if he is found, he shall restore seven times.
32 𝑺 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding.
33 𝑺 He will get wounds and dishonor.
34 𝑺 For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband.
35 𝑺 He won’t regard any ransom,
Proverbs Chapter 7:1-27
The Seduction of the Forbidden Woman
1 𝑺 My son, keep my words.
2 𝑺 Keep my commandments and live!
3 𝑺 Bind them on your fingers.
4 𝑺 Tell wisdom, ‘You are my sister.’
5 𝑺 that they may keep you from the strange woman,
6 𝑺 For at the window of my house,
7 𝑺 I saw among the simple ones.
8 𝑺 passing through the street near her corner,
9 𝑺 in the twilight, in the evening of the day,
10 𝑺 Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute,
11 𝑺 She is loud and defiant.
12 𝑺 Now she is in the streets, now in the squares,
13 𝑺 So she caught him, and kissed him.
14 𝑺 ‘Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me.
15 𝑺 Therefore I came out to meet you,
16 𝑺 I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry,
17 𝑺 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 𝑺 Come, let’take our fill of loving until the morning.
19 𝑺 For my husband isn’t at home.
20 𝑺 He has taken a bag of money with him.
21 𝑺 With persuasive words, she led him astray.
22 𝑺 He followed her immediately,
23 𝑺 Until an arrow strikes through his liver,
24 𝑺 Now therefore, sons, listen to me.
25 𝑺 Don’t let your heart turn to her ways.
26 𝑺 for she has thrown down many wounded.
27 𝑺 Her house is the way to Sheol,
Proverbs Chapter 8:1-36
The Call of Wisdom
1 𝑺 Doesn’t wisdom cry out?
2 𝑺 On the top of high places by the way,
3 𝑺 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
4 𝑺 ‘I call to you men!
5 𝑺 You simple, understand prudence!
6 𝑺 Hear, for I will speak excellent things.
7 𝑺 For my mouth speaks truth.
8 𝑺 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness.
9 𝑺 They are all plain to him who understands,
10 𝑺 Receive my instruction rather than silver,
11 𝑺 For wisdom is better than rubies.
12 𝑺 ‘I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling.
13 𝑺 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
14 𝑺 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine.
15 𝑺 By me kings reign,
16 𝑺 By me princes rule,
17 𝑺 I love those who love me.
18 𝑺 With me are riches, honor,
19 𝑺 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
20 𝑺 I walk in the way of righteousness,
21 𝑺 that I may give wealth to those who love me.
Wisdom at Creation
22 𝑺 ‘Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work,
23 𝑺 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
24 𝑺 When there were no depths, I was born,
25 𝑺 Before the mountains were settled in place,
26 𝑺 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
27 𝑺 When he established the heavens, I was there.
28 𝑺 when he established the clouds above,
29 𝑺 when he gave to the sea its boundary,
30 𝑺 then I was the craftsman by his side.
31 𝑺 rejoicing in his whole world.
32 𝑺 ‘Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
33 𝑺 Hear instruction, and be wise.
34 𝑺 Blessed is the man who hears me,
35 𝑺 For whoever finds me finds life,
36 𝑺 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.
Proverbs Chapter 9:1-18
The Invitation of Wisdom
1 𝑺 Wisdom has built her house.
2 𝑺 She has prepared her meat.
3 𝑺 She has sent out her maidens.
4 𝑺 ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’
5 𝑺 ‘Come, eat some of my bread,
6 𝑺 Leave your simple ways, and live.
7 𝑺 One who corrects a mocker invites insult.
8 𝑺 Don’t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you.
9 𝑺 Instruct a wise person, and he will be still wiser.
10 𝑺 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.
11 𝑺 For by me your days will be multiplied.
12 𝑺 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself.
The Invitation of Folly
13 𝑺 The foolish woman is loud,
14 𝑺 She sits at the door of her house,
15 𝑺 to call to those who pass by,
16 𝑺 ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here.’
17 𝑺 ‘Stolen water is sweet.
18 𝑺 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there,
Proverbs Chapter 10:1-32
Proverbs of Solomon: Righteousness and Wickedness
1 𝑺 The proverbs of Solomon.
2 𝑺 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
3 𝑺 Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry,
4 𝑺 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand,
5 𝑺 He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
6 𝑺 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
7 𝑺 The memory of the righteous is blessed,
8 𝑺 The wise in heart accept commandments,
9 𝑺 He who walks blamelessly walks surely,
10 𝑺 One who winks with the eye causes sorrow,
11 𝑺 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life,
12 𝑺 Hatred stirs up strife,
13 𝑺 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment,
14 𝑺 Wise men lay up knowledge,
15 𝑺 The rich man’wealth is his strong city.
16 𝑺 The labor of the righteous leads to life.
17 𝑺 He is in the way of life who heeds correction,
18 𝑺 He who hides hatred has lying lips.
19 𝑺 In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience,
20 𝑺 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver.
21 𝑺 The lips of the righteous feed many,
22 𝑺 Yahweh’blessing brings wealth,
23 𝑺 It is a fool’pleasure to do wickedness,
24 𝑺 What the wicked fear will overtake them,
25 𝑺 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more;
26 𝑺 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
27 𝑺 The fear of Yahweh prolongs days,
28 𝑺 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
29 𝑺 The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright,
30 𝑺 The righteous will never be removed,
31 𝑺 The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom,
32 𝑺 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
Proverbs Chapter 11:1-31
The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted
1 𝑺 A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh,
2 𝑺 When pride comes, then comes shame,
3 𝑺 The integrity of the upright shall guide them,
4 𝑺 Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath,
5 𝑺 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way,
6 𝑺 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them,
7 𝑺 When a wicked man dies, hope perishes,
8 𝑺 A righteous person is delivered out of trouble,
9 𝑺 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
10 𝑺 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.
11 𝑺 By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted,
12 𝑺 One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom,
13 𝑺 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence,
14 𝑺 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls,
15 𝑺 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it,
16 𝑺 A gracious woman obtains honor,
17 𝑺 The merciful man does good to his own soul,
18 𝑺 Wicked people earn deceitful wages,
19 𝑺 He who is truly righteous gets life.
20 𝑺 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh,
21 𝑺 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished,
22 𝑺 Like a gold ring in a pig’snout,
23 𝑺 The desire of the righteous is only good.
24 𝑺 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more.
25 𝑺 The liberal soul shall be made fat.
26 𝑺 People curse someone who withholds grain,
27 𝑺 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
28 𝑺 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
29 𝑺 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind.
30 𝑺 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.
31 𝑺 Behold, the righteous shall be repaid on the earth,
Proverbs Chapter 12:1-28
The Righteous and the Wicked
1 𝑺 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge,
2 𝑺 A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh,
3 𝑺 A man shall not be established by wickedness,
4 𝑺 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband,
5 𝑺 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
6 𝑺 The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood,
7 𝑺 The wicked are overthrown, and are no more,
8 𝑺 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,
9 𝑺 Better is he who is little known, and has a servant,
10 𝑺 A righteous man respects the life of his animal,
11 𝑺 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread,
12 𝑺 The wicked desires the plunder of evil men,
13 𝑺 An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips,
14 𝑺 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
15 𝑺 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
16 𝑺 A fool shows his annoyance the same day,
17 𝑺 He who is truthful testifies honestly,
18 𝑺 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword,
19 𝑺 Truth’lips will be established forever,
20 𝑺 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil,
21 𝑺 No mischief shall happen to the righteous,
22 𝑺 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh,
23 𝑺 A prudent man keeps his knowledge,
24 𝑺 The hands of the diligent ones shall rule,
25 𝑺 Anxiety in a man’heart weighs it down,
26 𝑺 A righteous person is cautious in friendship,
27 𝑺 The slothful man doesn’t roast his game,
28 𝑺 In the way of righteousness is life;
Proverbs Chapter 13:1-25
Wisdom in Daily Life
1 𝑺 A wise son listens to his father’instruction,
2 𝑺 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things,
3 𝑺 He who guards his mouth guards his soul.
4 𝑺 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,
5 𝑺 A righteous man hates lies,
6 𝑺 Righteousness guards the way of integrity,
7 𝑺 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing.
8 𝑺 The ransom of a man’life is his riches,
9 𝑺 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
10 𝑺 Pride only breeds quarrels,
11 𝑺 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
12 𝑺 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
13 𝑺 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it,
14 𝑺 The teaching of the wise is a spring of life,
15 𝑺 Good understanding wins favor,
16 𝑺 Every prudent man acts from knowledge,
17 𝑺 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
18 𝑺 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline,
19 𝑺 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
20 𝑺 One who walks with wise men grows wise,
21 𝑺 Misfortune pursues sinners,
22 𝑺 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’children,
23 𝑺 An abundance of food is in poor people’fields,
24 𝑺 One who spares the rod hates his son,
25 𝑺 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul,
Proverbs Chapter 14:1-35
The Ways of Wisdom and Folly
1 𝑺 Every wise woman builds her house,
2 𝑺 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
3 𝑺 The fool’talk brings a rod to his back,
4 𝑺 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,
5 𝑺 A truthful witness will not lie,
6 𝑺 A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it,
7 𝑺 Stay away from a foolish man,
8 𝑺 The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way,
9 𝑺 Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
10 𝑺 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy;
11 𝑺 The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
12 𝑺 There is a way which seems right to a man,
13 𝑺 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful,
14 𝑺 The unfaithful will be repaid for his own ways;
15 𝑺 A simple man believes everything,
16 𝑺 A wise man fears and shuns evil,
17 𝑺 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly,
18 𝑺 The simple inherit folly,
19 𝑺 The evil bow down before the good,
20 𝑺 The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor,
21 𝑺 He who despises his neighbor sins,
22 𝑺 Don’t they go astray who plot evil?
23 𝑺 In all hard work there is profit,
24 𝑺 The crown of the wise is their riches,
25 𝑺 A truthful witness saves souls,
26 𝑺 In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress,
27 𝑺 The fear of Yahweh is a fountain of life,
28 𝑺 In the multitude of people is the king’glory,
29 𝑺 He who is slow to anger has great understanding,
30 𝑺 The life of the body is a heart at peace,
31 𝑺 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker,
32 𝑺 The wicked is brought down in his calamity,
33 𝑺 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
34 𝑺 Righteousness exalts a nation,
35 𝑺 The king’favor is toward a servant who deals wisely,
Proverbs Chapter 15:1-33
Gentle Answers and Wise Living
1 𝑺 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
2 𝑺 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
3 𝑺 Yahweh’eyes are everywhere,
4 𝑺 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
5 𝑺 A fool despises his father’correction,
6 𝑺 In the house of the righteous is much treasure,
7 𝑺 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
8 𝑺 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
9 𝑺 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
10 𝑺 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way.
11 𝑺 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh—
12 𝑺 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved;
13 𝑺 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
14 𝑺 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
15 𝑺 All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
16 𝑺 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
17 𝑺 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
18 𝑺 A wrathful man stirs up contention,
19 𝑺 The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
20 𝑺 A wise son makes a father glad,
21 𝑺 Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom,
22 𝑺 Where there is no counsel, plans fail;
23 𝑺 Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
24 𝑺 The path of life leads upward for the wise,
25 𝑺 Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud,
26 𝑺 Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked,
27 𝑺 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
28 𝑺 The heart of the righteous weighs answers,
29 𝑺 Yahweh is far from the wicked,
30 𝑺 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
31 𝑺 The ear that listens to reproof lives,
32 𝑺 He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
33 𝑺 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom.
Proverbs Chapter 16:1-33
Commit Your Work to the LORD
1 𝑺 The plans of the heart belong to man,
2 𝑺 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,
3 𝑺 Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
4 𝑺 Yahweh has made everything for its own end—
5 𝑺 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh;
6 𝑺 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
7 𝑺 When a man’ways please Yahweh,
8 𝑺 Better is a little with righteousness,
9 𝑺 A man’heart plans his course,
The King’s Wisdom
10 𝑺 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king.
11 𝑺 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s;
12 𝑺 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
13 𝑺 Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
14 𝑺 The king’wrath is a messenger of death,
15 𝑺 In the light of the king’face is life.
The Value of Wisdom
16 𝑺 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
17 𝑺 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
18 𝑺 Pride goes before destruction,
19 𝑺 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor,
20 𝑺 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
21 𝑺 The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
22 𝑺 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
23 𝑺 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
24 𝑺 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
25 𝑺 There is a way which seems right to a man,
26 𝑺 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him,
27 𝑺 A worthless man devises mischief.
28 𝑺 A perverse man stirs up strife.
29 𝑺 A man of violence entices his neighbor,
30 𝑺 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
31 𝑺 Gray hair is a crown of glory.
32 𝑺 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
33 𝑺 The lot is cast into the lap,
Proverbs Chapter 17:1-28
Wisdom in Relationships
1 𝑺 Better is a dry morsel with quietness,
2 𝑺 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame,
3 𝑺 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,
4 𝑺 An evildoer heeds wicked lips.
5 𝑺 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.
6 𝑺 Children’children are the crown of old men;
7 𝑺 Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool,
8 𝑺 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
9 𝑺 He who covers an offense promotes love;
10 𝑺 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding
11 𝑺 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
12 𝑺 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man,
13 𝑺 Whoever rewards evil for good,
14 𝑺 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam,
15 𝑺 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous,
16 𝑺 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
17 𝑺 A friend loves at all times;
18 𝑺 A man void of understanding strikes hands,
19 𝑺 He who loves disobedience loves strife.
20 𝑺 One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity,
21 𝑺 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves.
22 𝑺 A cheerful heart makes good medicine,
23 𝑺 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret,
24 𝑺 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding,
25 𝑺 A foolish son brings grief to his father,
26 𝑺 Also to punish the righteous is not good,
27 𝑺 He who spares his words has knowledge.
28 𝑺 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
Proverbs Chapter 18:1-24
Words and Their Power
1 𝑺 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness,
2 𝑺 A fool has no delight in understanding,
3 𝑺 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,
4 𝑺 The words of a man’mouth are like deep waters.
5 𝑺 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good,
6 𝑺 A fool’lips come into strife,
7 𝑺 A fool’mouth is his destruction,
8 𝑺 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels:
9 𝑺 One who is slack in his work
10 𝑺 Yahweh’name is a strong tower:
11 𝑺 The rich man’wealth is his strong city,
12 𝑺 Before destruction the heart of man is proud,
13 𝑺 He who answers before he hears,
14 𝑺 A man’spirit will sustain him in sickness,
15 𝑺 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge.
16 𝑺 A man’gift makes room for him,
17 𝑺 He who pleads his cause first seems right—
18 𝑺 The lot settles disputes,
19 𝑺 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city.
20 𝑺 A man’stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth.
21 𝑺 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
22 𝑺 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing,
23 𝑺 The poor plead for mercy,
24 𝑺 A man of many companions may be ruined,
Proverbs Chapter 19:1-29
Wisdom and Integrity
1 𝑺 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
2 𝑺 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge,
3 𝑺 The foolishness of man subverts his way;
4 𝑺 Wealth adds many friends,
5 𝑺 A false witness shall not be unpunished.
6 𝑺 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler,
7 𝑺 All the relatives of the poor shun him;
8 𝑺 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
9 𝑺 A false witness shall not be unpunished.
10 𝑺 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool,
11 𝑺 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger.
12 𝑺 The king’wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
13 𝑺 A foolish son is the calamity of his father.
14 𝑺 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
15 𝑺 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep.
16 𝑺 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
17 𝑺 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh;
18 𝑺 Discipline your son, for there is hope;
19 𝑺 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty,
20 𝑺 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
21 𝑺 There are many plans in a man’heart,
22 𝑺 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness.
23 𝑺 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment;
24 𝑺 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
25 𝑺 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
26 𝑺 He who robs his father and drives away his mother
27 𝑺 If you stop listening to instruction, my son,
28 𝑺 A corrupt witness mocks justice,
29 𝑺 Penalties are prepared for scoffers,
Proverbs Chapter 20:1-30
Wise Conduct and Character
1 𝑺 Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler.
2 𝑺 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion.
3 𝑺 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
4 𝑺 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
5 𝑺 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
6 𝑺 Many men claim to be men of unfailing love,
7 𝑺 A righteous man walks in integrity.
8 𝑺 A king who sits on the throne of judgment
9 𝑺 Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure.
10 𝑺 Differing weights and differing measures,
11 𝑺 Even a child makes himself known by his doings,
12 𝑺 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
13 𝑺 Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty.
14 𝑺 ‘It’no good, it’no good,’ says the buyer;
15 𝑺 There is gold and abundance of rubies,
16 𝑺 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger;
17 𝑺 Fraudulent food is sweet to a man,
18 𝑺 Plans are established by advice;
19 𝑺 He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets;
20 𝑺 Whoever curses his father or his mother,
21 𝑺 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
22 𝑺 Don’t say, ‘I will pay back evil.’
23 𝑺 Yahweh detests differing weights,
24 𝑺 A man’steps are from Yahweh;
25 𝑺 It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication,
26 𝑺 A wise king winnows out the wicked,
27 𝑺 The spirit of man is Yahweh’lamp,
28 𝑺 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe.
29 𝑺 The glory of young men is their strength.
30 𝑺 Wounding blows cleanse away evil,
Proverbs Chapter 21:1-31
The LORD Weighs the Heart
1 𝑺 The king’heart is in Yahweh’hand like the watercourses.
2 𝑺 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
3 𝑺 To do righteousness and justice
4 𝑺 A high look and a proud heart,
5 𝑺 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
6 𝑺 Getting treasures by a lying tongue
7 𝑺 The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
8 𝑺 The way of the guilty is devious,
9 𝑺 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
10 𝑺 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
11 𝑺 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
12 𝑺 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked,
13 𝑺 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
14 𝑺 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
15 𝑺 It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
16 𝑺 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
17 𝑺 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
18 𝑺 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
19 𝑺 It is better to dwell in a desert land,
20 𝑺 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
21 𝑺 He who follows after righteousness and kindness
22 𝑺 A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
23 𝑺 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
24 𝑺 The proud and arrogant man—’Scoffer’ is his name—
25 𝑺 The desire of the sluggard kills him,
26 𝑺 There are those who covet greedily all day long;
27 𝑺 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
28 𝑺 A false witness will perish.
29 𝑺 A wicked man hardens his face;
30 𝑺 There is no wisdom nor understanding
31 𝑺 The horse is prepared for the day of battle;
Proverbs Chapter 22:1-29
A Good Name and Wise Living
1 𝑺 A good name is more desirable than great riches,
2 𝑺 The rich and the poor have this in common:
3 𝑺 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
4 𝑺 The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh
5 𝑺 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked;
6 𝑺 Train up a child in the way he should go,
7 𝑺 The rich rule over the poor.
8 𝑺 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
9 𝑺 He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
10 𝑺 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;
11 𝑺 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
12 𝑺 Yahweh’eyes watch over knowledge,
13 𝑺 The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside!
14 𝑺 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit.
15 𝑺 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child;
16 𝑺 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,
The Sayings of the Wise
17 𝑺 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.
18 𝑺 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,
19 𝑺 I teach you today, even you,
20 𝑺 Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things
21 𝑺 To teach you truth, reliable words,
22 𝑺 Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor;
23 𝑺 for Yahweh will plead their case,
24 𝑺 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man.
25 𝑺 lest you learn his ways
26 𝑺 Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,
27 𝑺 If you don’t have means to pay,
28 𝑺 Don’t move the ancient boundary stone
29 𝑺 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
Proverbs Chapter 23:1-35
Wisdom at the Table
1 𝑺 When you sit to eat with a ruler,
2 𝑺 put a knife to your throat
3 𝑺 Don’t be desirous of his dainties,
4 𝑺 Don’t weary yourself to be rich.
5 𝑺 Why do you set your eyes on that which is not?
6 𝑺 Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye,
7 𝑺 for as he thinks about the cost, so he is.
8 𝑺 You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten
9 𝑺 Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,
10 𝑺 Don’t move the ancient boundary stone.
11 𝑺 for their Defender is strong.
12 𝑺 Apply your heart to instruction,
13 𝑺 Don’t withhold correction from a child.
14 𝑺 Punish him with the rod,
15 𝑺 My son, if your heart is wise,
16 𝑺 Yes, my heart will rejoice
V4 Overworking
Do Not Envy Sinners
17 𝑺 Don’t let your heart envy sinners,
18 𝑺 Indeed surely there is a future hope,
19 𝑺 Listen, my son, and be wise,
20 𝑺 Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine,
21 𝑺 for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor;
22 𝑺 Listen to your father who gave you life,
23 𝑺 Buy the truth, and don’t sell it.
24 𝑺 The father of the righteous has great joy.
25 𝑺 Let your father and your mother be glad!
26 𝑺 My son, give me your heart;
27 𝑺 For a prostitute is a deep pit;
28 𝑺 Yes, she lies in wait like a robber,
Warning Against Drunkenness
29 𝑺 Who has woe?
30 𝑺 Those who stay long at the wine;
31 𝑺 Don’t look at the wine when it is red,
32 𝑺 In the end, it bites like a snake,
33 𝑺 Your eyes will see strange things,
34 𝑺 Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea,
35 𝑺 ‘They hit me, and I was not hurt!
Proverbs Chapter 24:1-34
Wisdom and Strength
1 𝑺 Don’t be envious of evil men,
2 𝑺 for their hearts plot violence
3 𝑺 Through wisdom a house is built;
4 𝑺 by knowledge the rooms are filled
5 𝑺 A wise man has great power.
6 𝑺 for by wise guidance you wage your war,
7 𝑺 Wisdom is too high for a fool.
8 𝑺 One who plots to do evil
9 𝑺 The schemes of folly are sin.
10 𝑺 If you falter in the time of trouble,
11 𝑺 Rescue those who are being led away to death!
12 𝑺 If you say, ‘Behold, we didn’t know this,’
13 𝑺 My son, eat honey, for it is good,
14 𝑺 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul.
15 𝑺 Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous.
16 𝑺 for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again,
17 𝑺 Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls.
18 𝑺 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him,
19 𝑺 Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers,
20 𝑺 for there will be no reward to the evil man.
21 𝑺 My son, fear Yahweh and the king.
22 𝑺 for their calamity will rise suddenly.
V12 No excuses
V17 Schadenfreude
More Sayings of the Wise
23 𝑺 These also are sayings of the wise:
24 𝑺 He who says to the wicked, ‘You are righteous,’
25 𝑺 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
26 𝑺 An honest answer
27 𝑺 Prepare your work outside,
28 𝑺 Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause.
29 𝑺 Don’t say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me;
30 𝑺 I went by the field of the sluggard,
31 𝑺 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns.
32 𝑺 Then I saw, and considered well.
33 𝑺 a little sleep, a little slumber,
34 𝑺 so your poverty will come as a robber
V27 Advise when starting of
V30 Laziness
Proverbs Chapter 25:1-28
Proverbs of Solomon Copied by Hezekiah’s Men
1 𝑺 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 𝑺 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
3 𝑺 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
4 𝑺 Take away the dross from the silver,
5 𝑺 Take away the wicked from the king’presence,
6 𝑺 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
7 𝑺 for it is better that it be said to you, ‘Come up here,’
8 𝑺 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
9 𝑺 Debate your case with your neighbor,
10 𝑺 lest one who hears it put you to shame,
11 𝑺 A word fitly spoken
12 𝑺 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
13 𝑺 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
14 𝑺 As clouds and wind without rain,
15 𝑺 By patience a ruler is persuaded.
16 𝑺 Have you found honey?
17 𝑺 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’house,
18 𝑺 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
19 𝑺 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
20 𝑺 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
21 𝑺 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
22 𝑺 for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
23 𝑺 The north wind produces rain;
24 𝑺 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
25 𝑺 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
26 𝑺 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,
27 𝑺 It is not good to eat much honey,
28 𝑺 Like a city that is broken down and without walls
Proverbs Chapter 26:1-28
Fools and Sluggards
1 𝑺 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
2 𝑺 Like a fluttering sparrow,
3 𝑺 A whip is for the horse,
4 𝑺 Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
5 𝑺 Answer a fool according to his folly,
6 𝑺 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
7 𝑺 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose,
8 𝑺 As one who binds a stone in a sling,
9 𝑺 Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
10 𝑺 As an archer who wounds all,
11 𝑺 As a dog that returns to his vomit,
12 𝑺 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
13 𝑺 The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion in the road!
14 𝑺 As the door turns on its hinges,
15 𝑺 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish.
16 𝑺 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
17 𝑺 Like one who grabs a dog’ears
18 𝑺 Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19 𝑺 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, ‘Am I not joking?’
20 𝑺 For lack of wood a fire goes out.
21 𝑺 As coals are to hot embers,
22 𝑺 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
23 𝑺 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
24 𝑺 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
25 𝑺 When his speech is charming, don’t believe him,
26 𝑺 His malice may be concealed by deception,
27 𝑺 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it.
28 𝑺 A lying tongue hates those it hurts;
Proverbs Chapter 27:1-27
Wisdom in Daily Life
1 𝑺 Don’t boast about tomorrow;
2 𝑺 Let another man praise you,
3 𝑺 A stone is heavy,
4 𝑺 Wrath is cruel,
5 𝑺 Better is open rebuke
6 𝑺 The wounds of a friend are faithful,
7 𝑺 A full soul loathes a honeycomb;
8 𝑺 As a bird that wanders from her nest,
9 𝑺 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart;
10 𝑺 Don’t forsake your friend and your father’friend.
11 𝑺 Be wise, my son,
12 𝑺 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge;
13 𝑺 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger.
14 𝑺 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,
15 𝑺 A continual dropping on a rainy day
16 𝑺 restraining her is like restraining the wind,
17 𝑺 Iron sharpens iron;
18 𝑺 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit.
19 𝑺 Like water reflects a face,
20 𝑺 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied;
21 𝑺 The crucible is for silver,
22 𝑺 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain,
23 𝑺 Know well the state of your flocks,
24 𝑺 for riches are not forever,
25 𝑺 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears,
26 𝑺 The lambs are for your clothing,
27 𝑺 There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food,
Proverbs Chapter 28:1-28
The Righteous and the Wicked
1 𝑺 The wicked flee when no one pursues;
2 𝑺 In rebellion, a land has many rulers,
3 𝑺 A needy man who oppresses the poor
4 𝑺 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked;
5 𝑺 Evil men don’t understand justice;
6 𝑺 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
7 𝑺 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son;
8 𝑺 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest
9 𝑺 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
10 𝑺 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
11 𝑺 The rich man is wise in his own eyes;
12 𝑺 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory;
13 𝑺 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper,
14 𝑺 Blessed is the man who always fears;
15 𝑺 As a roaring lion or a charging bear,
16 𝑺 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment.
17 𝑺 A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death.
18 𝑺 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe;
19 𝑺 One who works his land will have an abundance of food;
20 𝑺 A faithful man is rich with blessings;
21 𝑺 To show partiality is not good,
22 𝑺 A stingy man hurries after riches,
23 𝑺 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
24 𝑺 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, ‘It’not wrong,’
25 𝑺 One who is greedy stirs up strife;
26 𝑺 One who trusts in himself is a fool;
27 𝑺 One who gives to the poor has no lack;
28 𝑺 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;
Proverbs Chapter 29:1-27
Wisdom and Leadership
1 𝑺 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck
2 𝑺 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
3 𝑺 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father;
4 𝑺 The king by justice makes the land stable,
5 𝑺 A man who flatters his neighbor
6 𝑺 An evil man is snared by his sin,
7 𝑺 The righteous care about justice for the poor.
8 𝑺 Mockers stir up a city,
9 𝑺 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man,
10 𝑺 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity;
11 𝑺 A fool vents all of his anger,
12 𝑺 If a ruler listens to lies,
13 𝑺 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
14 𝑺 The king who fairly judges the poor,
15 𝑺 The rod of correction gives wisdom,
16 𝑺 When the wicked increase, sin increases;
17 𝑺 Correct your son, and he will give you peace;
18 𝑺 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
19 𝑺 A servant can’t be corrected by words.
20 𝑺 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
21 𝑺 He who pampers his servant from youth
22 𝑺 An angry man stirs up strife,
23 𝑺 A man’pride brings him low,
24 𝑺 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul.
25 𝑺 The fear of man proves to be a snare,
26 𝑺 Many seek the ruler’favor,
27 𝑺 A dishonest man detests the righteous,
Proverbs Chapter 30:1-33
The Words of Agur
1 𝑺 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the revelation:
2 𝑺 ‘Surely I am the most ignorant man,
3 𝑺 I have not learned wisdom,
4 𝑺 Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended?
5 𝑺 ‘Every word of God is flawless.
6 𝑺 Don’t you add to his words,
7 𝑺 ‘Two things I have asked of you.
8 𝑺 Remove far from me falsehood and lies.
9 𝑺 lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’
10 𝑺 ‘Don’t slander a servant to his master,
11 𝑺 There is a generation that curses their father,
12 𝑺 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes,
13 𝑺 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes!
14 𝑺 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
The Things Never Satisfied
15 𝑺 ‘The leech has two daughters:
16 𝑺 Sheol,
17 𝑺 ‘The eye that mocks at his father,
18 𝑺 ‘There are three things which are too amazing for me,
19 𝑺 The way of an eagle in the air,
20 𝑺 ‘So is the way of an adulterous woman:
21 𝑺 ‘For three things the earth trembles,
22 𝑺 For a servant when he is king,
23 𝑺 for an unloved woman when she is married,
V20 Self deception
Four Things Small but Wise
24 𝑺 ‘There are four things which are little on the earth,
25 𝑺 The ants are not a strong people,
26 𝑺 The hyraxes are but a feeble folk,
27 𝑺 The locusts have no king,
28 𝑺 You can catch a lizard with your hands,
Four Stately Things
29 𝑺 ‘There are three things which are stately in their march,
30 𝑺 The lion, which is mightiest among animals,
31 𝑺 the greyhound;
32 𝑺 ‘If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself,
33 𝑺 For as the churning of milk produces butter,
Proverbs Chapter 31:1-31
The Words of King Lemuel
1 𝑺 The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 𝑺 ‘Oh, my son!
3 𝑺 Don’t give your strength to women,
4 𝑺 It is not for kings, Lemuel,
5 𝑺 lest they drink, and forget the law,
6 𝑺 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish,
7 𝑺 Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
8 𝑺 Open your mouth for the mute,
9 𝑺 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
The Excellent Wife
10 𝑺 Who can find a worthy woman?
11 𝑺 The heart of her husband trusts in her.
12 𝑺 She does him good, and not harm,
13 𝑺 She seeks wool and flax,
14 𝑺 She is like the merchant ships.
15 𝑺 She rises also while it is yet night,
16 𝑺 She considers a field, and buys it.
17 𝑺 She arms her waist with strength,
18 𝑺 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
19 𝑺 She lays her hands to the distaff,
20 𝑺 She opens her arms to the poor;
21 𝑺 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
22 𝑺 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
23 𝑺 Her husband is respected in the gates,
24 𝑺 She makes linen garments and sells them,
25 𝑺 Strength and dignity are her clothing.
26 𝑺 She opens her mouth with wisdom.
27 𝑺 She looks well to the ways of her household,
28 𝑺 Her children rise up and call her blessed.
29 𝑺 ‘Many women do noble things,
30 𝑺 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
31 𝑺 Give her of the fruit of her hands!
