Proverbs

10My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent. 11If they say, “Come with us. Let’s lay in wait for blood. Let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause. 12Let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down into the pit. 13We’ll find all valuable wealth. We’ll fill our houses with plunder. 14You shall cast your lot among us. We’ll all have one purse.” 15My son, don’t walk on the path with them. Keep your foot from their path, 16for their feet run to evil. They hurry to shed blood. 17For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird: 18but these lay wait for their own blood. They lurk secretly for their own lives. 19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.

5Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

9Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: 10so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

27Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.

Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

1My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger; 2You are trapped by the words of your mouth. You are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 3Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. 4Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

6Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 7which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 9How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man.

18With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity. 19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver. 20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice; 21that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. 25The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.

People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

A righteous man respects the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded to him.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.

The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.

A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.

In all hard work there is profit, but the talk of the lips leads only to poverty.

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. 17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.

Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established.

He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.

Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.

One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.

He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.

There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won’t be blessed in the end.

Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.

The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.

A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.

Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

22Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court; 23for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts. 27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

4Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. 5Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

3Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;

for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.

Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

30I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: 33a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; 34so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.

6Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; 7for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. 25When his speech is charming, don’t believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.

Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.

23Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds: 24for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations. 25The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in. 26The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field. 27There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.

He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.

One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

20A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished. 21To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. 22A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.

One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.

7“Two things I have asked of you; don’t deny me before I die: 8Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; 9lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

24“There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: 25the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.

8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

10Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. 12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. 14She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. 15She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. 16She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. 17She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night. 19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. 25Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.” 30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.