The Wise Words of Solomon
10These are the wise words of Solomon:
Wise children make their father happy,
but foolish children make their mother sad.
2Riches gotten by doing wrong have no value,
but right living will save you from death.
3The Lord does not let good people go hungry,
but he keeps evil people from getting what they want.
4A lazy person will end up poor,
but a hard worker will become rich.
5Those who gather crops on time are wise,
but those who sleep through the harvest are a disgrace.
6Good people will have rich blessings,
but the wicked will be overwhelmed by violence.
7Good people will be remembered as a blessing,
but evil people will soon be forgotten.
8The wise do what they are told,
but a talkative fool will be ruined.
9The honest person will live in safety,
but the dishonest will be caught.
10A wink may get you into trouble,
and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.
11The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water,
but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.
12Hatred stirs up trouble,
but love forgives all wrongs.
13Wise people speak with understanding,
but people without wisdom should be punished.
14The wise don’t tell everything they know,
but the foolish talk too much and are ruined.
15Having lots of money protects the rich,
but having no money destroys the poor.
16Good people are rewarded with life,
but evil people are paid with punishment.
17Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life.
18Whoever hides hate is a liar.
Whoever tells lies is a fool.
19If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin;
if you are wise, you will keep quiet.
20The words of a good person are like pure silver,
but an evil person’s thoughts are worth very little.
21Good people’s words will help many others,
but fools will die because they don’t have wisdom.
22The Lord’s blessing brings wealth,
and no sorrow comes with it.
23A foolish person enjoys doing wrong,
but a person with understanding enjoys doing what is wise.
24Evil people will get what they fear most,
but good people will get what they want most.
25A storm will blow the evil person away,
but a good person will always be safe.
26A lazy person affects the one he works for
like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27Whoever respects the Lord will have a long life,
but the life of an evil person will be cut short.
28A good person can look forward to happiness,
but an evil person can expect nothing.
29The Lord will protect good people
but will ruin those who do evil.
30Good people will always be safe,
but evil people will not remain in the land.
31A good person says wise things,
but a liar’s tongue will be stopped.
32Good people know the right thing to say,
but evil people only tell lies.
11The Lord hates dishonest scales,
but he is pleased with honest weights.
2Pride leads only to shame;
it is wise to be humble.
3Good people will be guided by honesty;
dishonesty will destroy those who are not trustworthy.
4Riches will not help when it’s time to die,
but right living will save you from death.
5The goodness of the innocent makes life easier,
but the wicked will be destroyed by their wickedness.
6Doing right brings freedom to honest people,
but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.
7When the wicked die, hope dies with them;
their hope in riches will come to nothing.
8The good person is saved from trouble;
it comes to the wicked instead.
9With words an evil person can destroy a neighbor,
but a good person will escape by being resourceful.
10When good people succeed, the city is happy.
When evil people die, there are shouts of joy.
11Good people bless and build up their city,
but the wicked can destroy it with their words.
12People without good sense find fault with their neighbors,
but those with understanding keep quiet.
13Gossips can’t keep secrets,
but a trustworthy person can.
14Without leadership a nation falls,
but lots of good advice will save it.
15Whoever guarantees to pay somebody else’s loan will suffer.
It is safer to avoid such promises.
16A kind woman gets respect,
but cruel men get only wealth.
17Kind people do themselves a favor,
but cruel people bring trouble on themselves.
18An evil person really earns nothing,
but a good person will surely be rewarded.
19Those who are truly good will live,
but those who chase after evil will die.
20The Lord hates those with evil hearts
but is pleased with those who are innocent.
21Evil people will certainly be punished,
but those who do right will be set free.
22A beautiful woman without good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23Those who do right only wish for good,
but the wicked can expect to be defeated by God’s anger.
24Some people give much but get back even more.
Others don’t give what they should and end up poor.
25Whoever gives to others will get richer;
those who help others will themselves be helped.
26People curse those who keep all the grain,
but they bless the one who is willing to sell it.
27Whoever looks for good will find kindness,
but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28Those who trust in riches will be ruined,
but a good person will be healthy like a green leaf.
29Whoever brings trouble to his family
will be left with nothing but the wind.
A fool will be a servant to the wise.
30A good person gives life to others;
the wise person teaches others how to live.
31Good people will be rewarded on earth,
and the wicked and the sinners will be punished.
12Anyone who loves learning accepts correction,
but a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
2The Lord is pleased with a good person,
but he will punish anyone who plans evil.
3Doing evil brings no safety at all,
but a good person has safety and security.
4A good wife is like a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.
5The plans that good people make are fair,
but the advice of the wicked will trick you.
6The wicked talk about killing people,
but the words of good people will save them.
7Wicked people die and they are no more,
but a good person’s family continues.
8The wisdom of the wise wins praise,
but there is no respect for the stupid.
9A person who is not important but has a servant is better off
than someone who acts important but has no food.
10Good people take care of their animals,
but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the one who chases empty dreams is not wise.
12The wicked want what other evil people have stolen,
but good people want to give what they have to others.
13Evil people are trapped by their evil talk,
but good people stay out of trouble.
14People will be rewarded for what they say,
and they will also be rewarded for what they do.
15Fools think they are doing right,
but the wise listen to advice.
16Fools quickly show that they are upset,
but the wise ignore insults.
17An honest witness tells the truth,
but a dishonest witness tells lies.
18Careless words stab like a sword,
but wise words bring healing.
19Truth will continue forever,
but lies are only for a moment.
20Those who plan evil are full of lies,
but those who plan peace are happy.
21No harm comes to a good person,
but an evil person’s life is full of trouble.
22The Lord hates those who tell lies
but is pleased with those who keep their promises.
23Wise people keep what they know to themselves,
but fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are.
24Hard workers will become leaders,
but those who are lazy will be slaves.
25Worry is a heavy load,
but a kind word cheers you up.
26Good people take advice from their friends,
but an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
27The lazy catch no food to cook,
but a hard worker will have great wealth.
28Doing what is right is the way to life,
but there is another way that leads to death.
13Wise children take their parents’ advice,
but whoever makes fun of wisdom won’t listen to correction.
2People will be rewarded for what they say,
but those who can’t be trusted want only violence.
3Those who are careful about what they say protect their lives,
but whoever speaks without thinking will be ruined.
4The lazy will not get what they want,
but those who work hard will.
5Good people hate what is false,
but the wicked do shameful and disgraceful things.
6Doing what is right protects the honest person,
but doing evil ruins the sinner.
7Some people pretend to be rich but really have nothing.
Others pretend to be poor but really are wealthy.
8The rich may have to pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor will face no such danger.
9Good people can look forward to a bright future,
but the future of the wicked is like a flame going out.
10Pride only leads to arguments,
but those who take advice are wise.
11Money that comes easily disappears quickly,
but money that is gathered little by little will grow.
12It is sad not to get what you hoped for.
But wishes that come true are like eating fruit from the tree of life.
13Those who reject what they are taught will pay for it,
but those who obey what they are told will be rewarded.
14The teaching of a wise person gives life.
It is like a fountain that can save people from death.
15People with good understanding will be well liked,
but the lives of those who are not trustworthy are hard.
16Every wise person acts with good sense,
but fools show how foolish they are.
17A wicked messenger brings nothing but trouble,
but a trustworthy one makes everything right.
18A person who refuses correction will end up poor and disgraced,
but the one who accepts correction will be honored.
19It is so good when wishes come true,
but fools hate to stop doing evil.
20Spend time with the wise and you will become wise,
but the friends of fools will suffer.
21Trouble always comes to sinners,
but good people enjoy success.
22Good people leave their wealth to their grandchildren,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for good people.
23A poor person’s field might produce plenty of food,
but others often steal it away.
24If you do not punish your children, you don’t love them,
but if you love your children, you will correct them.
25Good people have enough to eat,
but the wicked will go hungry.
14A wise woman strengthens her family,
but a foolish woman destroys hers by what she does.
2People who live good lives respect the Lord,
but those who live evil lives don’t.
3Fools will be punished for their proud words,
but the words of the wise will protect them.
4When there are no oxen, no food is in the barn.
But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown.
5A truthful witness does not lie,
but a false witness tells nothing but lies.
6Those who make fun of wisdom look for it and do not find it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7Stay away from fools,
because they can’t teach you anything.
8A wise person will understand what to do,
but a foolish person is dishonest.
9Fools don’t care if they sin,
but honest people work at being right.
10No one else can know your sadness,
and strangers cannot share your joy.
11The wicked person’s house will be destroyed,
but a good person’s tent will still be standing.
12Some people think they are doing right,
but in the end it leads to death.
13Someone who is laughing may be sad inside,
and joy may end in sadness.
14Evil people will be paid back for their evil ways,
and good people will be rewarded for their good ones.
15Fools will believe anything,
but the wise think about what they do.
16Wise people are careful and stay out of trouble,
but fools are careless and quick to act.
17Someone with a quick temper does foolish things,
but someone with understanding remains calm.
18Fools are rewarded with nothing but more foolishness,
but the wise are rewarded with knowledge.
19Evil people will bow down to those who are good;
the wicked will bow down at the door of those who do right.
20The poor are rejected, even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.
21It is a sin to hate your neighbor,
but being kind to the needy brings happiness.
22Those who make evil plans will be ruined,
but those who plan to do good will be loved and trusted.
23Those who work hard make a profit,
but those who only talk will be poor.
24Wise people are rewarded with wealth,
but fools only get more foolishness.
25A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is a traitor.
26Those who respect the Lord will have security,
and their children will be protected.
27Respect for the Lord gives life.
It is like a fountain that can save people from death.
28A king is honored when he has many people to rule,
but a prince is ruined if he has none.
29Patient people have great understanding,
but people with quick tempers show their foolishness.
30Peace of mind means a healthy body,
but jealousy will rot your bones.
31Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
32The wicked are ruined by their own evil,
but those who do right are protected even in death.
33Wisdom lives in those with understanding,
and even fools recognize it.
34Doing what is right makes a nation great,
but sin will bring disgrace to any people.
35A king is pleased with a wise servant,
but he will become angry with one who causes him shame.
15A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger,
but an unkind answer will cause more anger.
2Wise people use knowledge when they speak,
but fools pour out foolishness.
3The Lord’s eyes see everything;
he watches both evil and good people.
4As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life,
but dishonest words crush the spirit.
5Fools reject their parents’ correction,
but anyone who accepts correction is wise.
6Much wealth is in the houses of good people,
but evil people get nothing but trouble.
7Wise people use their words to spread knowledge,
but there is no knowledge in the thoughts of fools.
8The Lord hates the sacrifice that the wicked offer,
but he likes the prayers of honest people.
9The Lord hates what evil people do,
but he loves those who do what is right.
10The person who quits doing what is right will be punished,
and the one who hates to be corrected will die.
11The Lord knows what is happening in the world of the dead,
so he surely knows the thoughts of the living.
12Those who make fun of wisdom don’t like to be corrected;
they will not ask the wise for advice.
13Happiness makes a person smile,
but sadness can break a person’s spirit.
14People with understanding want more knowledge,
but fools just want more foolishness.
15Every day is hard for those who suffer,
but a happy heart is like a continual feast.
16It is better to be poor and respect the Lord
than to be wealthy and have much trouble.
17It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you
than to eat meat with those who hate you.
18People with quick tempers cause trouble,
but those who control their tempers stop a quarrel.
19A lazy person’s life is like a patch of thorns,
but an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway.
20Wise children make their father happy,
but foolish children disrespect their mother.
21A person without wisdom enjoys being foolish,
but someone with understanding does what is right.
22Plans fail without good advice,
but they succeed with the advice of many others.
23People enjoy giving good advice.
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing.
24Wise people’s lives get better and better.
They avoid whatever would cause their death.
25The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house,
but he will protect the widow’s property.
26The Lord hates evil thoughts
but is pleased with kind words.
27Greedy people bring trouble to their families,
but the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.
28Good people think before they answer,
but the wicked simply pour out evil.
29The Lord does not listen to the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of those who do right.
30Good news makes you feel better.
Your happiness will show in your eyes.
31If you listen to correction to improve your life,
you will live among the wise.
32Those who refuse correction hate themselves,
but those who accept correction gain understanding.
33Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must be humble.
16People may make plans in their minds,
but only the Lord can make them come true.
2You may believe you are doing right,
but the Lord will judge your reasons.
3Depend on the Lord in whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
4The Lord makes everything go as he pleases.
He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.
5The Lord hates those who are proud.
They will surely be punished.
6Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin.
By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.
7When people live so that they please the Lord,
even their enemies will make peace with them.
8It is better to be poor and right
than to be wealthy and dishonest.
9People may make plans in their minds,
but the Lord decides what they will do.
10The words of a king are like a message from God,
so his decisions should be fair.
11The Lord wants honest balances and scales;
all the weights are his work.
12Kings hate those who do wrong,
because governments only continue if they are fair.
13Kings like honest people;
they value someone who speaks the truth.
14An angry king can put someone to death,
so a wise person will try to make him happy.
15A smiling king can give people life;
his kindness is like a spring shower.
16It is better to get wisdom than gold,
and to choose understanding rather than silver!
17Good people stay away from evil.
By watching what they do, they protect their lives.
18Pride leads to destruction;
a proud attitude brings ruin.
19It is better to be humble and be with those who suffer
than to share stolen property with the proud.
20Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed,
and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.
21The wise are known for their understanding.
Their pleasant words make them better teachers.
22Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it,
but foolishness brings punishment to fools.
23Wise people’s minds tell them what to say,
and that helps them be better teachers.
24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
making people happy and healthy.
25Some people think they are doing right,
but in the end it leads to death.
26The workers’ hunger helps them,
because their desire to eat makes them work.
27Useless people make evil plans,
and their words are like a burning fire.
28A useless person causes trouble,
and a gossip ruins friendships.
29Cruel people trick their neighbors
and lead them to do wrong.
30Someone who winks is planning evil,
and the one who grins is planning something wrong.
31Gray hair is like a crown of honor;
it is earned by living a good life.
32Patience is better than strength.
Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.
33People throw lots to make a decision,
but the answer comes from the Lord.
17It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace
than to have a feast where there is quarreling.
2A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful child
and will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his children.
3A hot furnace tests silver and gold,
but the Lord tests hearts.
4Evil people listen to evil words.
Liars pay attention to cruel words.
5Whoever mistreats the poor insults their Maker;
whoever enjoys someone’s trouble will be punished.
6Old people are proud of their grandchildren,
and children are proud of their parents.
7Fools should not be proud,
and rulers should not be liars.
8Some people think they can pay others to do anything they ask.
They think it will work every time.
9Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend,
but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.
10A wise person will learn more from a warning
than a fool will learn from a hundred lashings.
11Disobedient people look only for trouble,
so a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
12It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to meet a fool doing foolish things.
13Whoever gives evil in return for good
will always have trouble at home.
14Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam,
so stop it before a fight breaks out.
15The Lord hates both of these things:
freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent.
16It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom,
because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.
17A friend loves you all the time,
and a brother helps in time of trouble.
18It is not wise to promise
to pay what your neighbor owes.
19Whoever loves to argue loves to sin.
Whoever brags a lot is asking for trouble.
20A person with an evil heart will find no success,
and the person whose words are evil will get into trouble.
21It is sad to have a foolish child;
there is no joy in being the parent of a fool.
22A happy heart is like good medicine,
but a broken spirit drains your strength.
23When the wicked accept money to do wrong
there can be no justice.
24The person with understanding is always looking for wisdom,
but the mind of a fool wanders everywhere.
25Foolish children make their father sad
and cause their mother great sorrow.
26It is not good to punish the innocent
or to beat leaders for being honest.
27The wise say very little,
and those with understanding stay calm.
28Even fools seem to be wise if they keep quiet;
if they don’t speak, they appear to understand.
18Unfriendly people are selfish
and hate all good sense.
2Fools do not want to understand anything.
They only want to tell others what they think.
3Do something evil, and people won’t like you.
Do something shameful, and they will make fun of you.
4Spoken words can be like deep water,
but wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5It is not good to honor the wicked
or to be unfair to the innocent.
6The words of fools start quarrels.
They make people want to beat them.
7The words of fools will ruin them;
their own words will trap them.
8The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
People like to gobble them up.
9A person who doesn’t work hard
is just like someone who destroys things.
10The Lord is like a strong tower;
those who do right can run to him for safety.
11Rich people trust their wealth to protect them.
They think it is like the high walls of a city.
12Proud people will be ruined,
but the humble will be honored.
13Anyone who answers without listening
is foolish and confused.
14The will to live can get you through sickness,
but no one can live with a broken spirit.
15The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge;
the wise person listens to learn more.
16Taking gifts to important people
will help get you in to see them.
17The person who tells one side of a story seems right,
until someone else comes and asks questions.
18Throwing lots can settle arguments
and keep the two sides from fighting.
19A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city,
and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.
20People will be rewarded for what they say;
they will be rewarded by how they speak.
21What you say can mean life or death.
Those who speak with care will be rewarded.
22When a man finds a wife, he finds something good.
It shows that the Lord is pleased with him.
23The poor beg for mercy,
but the rich give rude answers.
24Some friends may ruin you,
but a real friend will be more loyal than a brother.
19It is better to be poor and honest
than to be foolish and tell lies.
2Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good.
If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake.
3People’s own foolishness ruins their lives,
but in their minds they blame the Lord.
4Wealthy people are always finding more friends,
but the poor lose all theirs.
5A witness who lies will not go free;
liars will never escape.
6Many people want to please a leader,
and everyone is friends with those who give gifts.
7Poor people’s relatives avoid them;
even their friends stay far away.
They run after them, begging,
but they are gone.
8Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor,
and those who love learning will succeed.
9A witness who lies will not go free,
liars will die.
10A fool should not live in luxury.
A slave should not rule over princes.
11The wise are patient;
they will be honored if they ignore insults.
12An angry king is like a roaring lion,
but his kindness is like the dew on the grass.
13A foolish child brings disaster to a father,
and a quarreling wife is like dripping water.
14Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.
15Lazy people sleep a lot,
and idle people will go hungry.
16Those who obey the commands protect themselves,
but those who are careless will die.
17Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord;
he will reward you for what you have done.
18Correct your children while there is still hope;
do not let them destroy themselves.
19People with quick tempers will have to pay for it.
If you help them out once, you will have to do it again.
20Listen to advice and accept correction,
and in the end you will be wise.
21People can make all kinds of plans,
but only the Lord’s plan will happen.
22People want others to be loyal,
so it is better to be poor than to be a liar.
23Those who respect the Lord will live
and be satisfied, unbothered by trouble.
24Though the lazy person puts his hand in the dish,
he won’t lift the food to his mouth.
25Whip those who make fun of wisdom, and perhaps foolish people will gain some wisdom.
Correct those with understanding, and they will gain knowledge.
26A child who robs his father and sends away his mother
brings shame and disgrace on himself.
27Don’t stop listening to correction, my child,
or you will forget what you have already learned.
28An evil witness makes fun of fairness,
and wicked people love what is evil.
29People who make fun of wisdom will be punished,
and the backs of foolish people will be beaten.
20Wine and beer make people loud and uncontrolled;
it is not wise to get drunk on them.
2An angry king is like a roaring lion.
Making him angry may cost you your life.
3Foolish people are always fighting,
but avoiding quarrels will bring you honor.
4Lazy farmers don’t plow when they should;
they expect a harvest, but there is none.
5People’s thoughts can be like a deep well,
but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there.
6Many people claim to be loyal,
but it is hard to find a trustworthy person.
7The good people who live honest lives
will be a blessing to their children.
8When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he knows evil when he sees it.
9No one can say, “I am innocent;
I have never done anything wrong.”
10The Lord hates both these things:
dishonest weights and dishonest measures.
11Even children are known by their behavior;
their actions show if they are innocent and good.
12The Lord has made both these things:
ears to hear and eyes to see.
13If you love to sleep, you will be poor.
If you stay awake, you will have plenty of food.
14Buyers say, “This is bad. It’s no good.”
Then they go away and brag about what they bought.
15There is gold and plenty of rubies,
but only a few people speak with knowledge.
16Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger’s debts,
and keep it until he pays what the stranger owes.
17Stolen food may taste sweet at first,
but later it will feel like a mouth full of gravel.
18Get advice if you want your plans to work.
If you go to war, get the advice of others.
19Gossips can’t keep secrets,
so avoid people who talk too much.
20Those who curse their father or mother
will be like a light going out in darkness.
21Wealth inherited quickly in the beginning
will do you no good in the end.
22Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.”
Wait for the Lord, and he will make things right.
23The Lord hates dishonest weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
24The Lord decides what a person will do;
no one understands what his life is all about.
25It’s dangerous to promise something to God too quickly.
After you’ve thought about it, it may be too late.
26A wise king sorts out the evil people,
and he punishes them as they deserve.
27The Lord looks deep inside people
and searches through their thoughts.
28Loyalty and truth keep a king in power;
he continues to rule if he is loyal.
29The young glory in their strength,
and the old are honored for their gray hair.
30Hard punishment will get rid of evil,
and whippings can change an evil heart.
21The Lord can control a king’s mind as he controls a river;
he can direct it as he pleases.
2You may believe you are doing right,
but the Lord judges your reasons.
3Doing what is right and fair
is more important to the Lord than sacrifices.
4Proud looks, proud thoughts,
and evil actions are sin.
5The plans of hard-working people earn a profit,
but those who act too quickly become poor.
6Wealth that comes from telling lies
vanishes like a mist and leads to death.
7The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
because they refuse to do what is right.
8Guilty people live dishonest lives,
but honest people do right.
9It is better to live in a corner on the roof[a]
than inside the house with a quarreling wife.
10Evil people only want to harm others.
Their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11If you punish those who make fun of wisdom, a foolish person may gain some wisdom.
But if you teach the wise, they will get knowledge.
12God, who is always right, watches the house of the wicked
and brings ruin on every evil person.
13Whoever ignores the poor when they cry for help
will also cry for help and not be answered.
14A secret gift will calm an angry person;
a present given in secrecy will quiet great anger.
15When justice is done, good people are happy,
but evil people are ruined.
16Whoever does not use good sense
will end up among the dead.
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and perfume will never be rich.
18Wicked people will suffer instead of good people,
and those who cannot be trusted will suffer instead of those who do right.
19It is better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarreling and complaining wife.
20Wise people’s houses are full of the best foods and olive oil,
but fools waste everything they have.
21Whoever tries to live right and be loyal
finds life, success, and honor.
22A wise person can defeat a city full of warriors
and tear down the defenses they trust in.
23Those who are careful about what they say
keep themselves out of trouble.
24People who act with stubborn pride
are called “proud,” “bragger,” and “mocker.”
25Lazy people’s desire for sleep will kill them,
because they refuse to work.
26All day long they wish for more,
but good people give without holding back.
27The Lord hates sacrifices brought by evil people,
particularly when they offer them for the wrong reasons.
28A lying witness will be forgotten,
but a truthful witness will speak on.
29Wicked people are stubborn,
but good people think carefully about what they do.
30There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice
that can succeed against the Lord.
31You can get the horses ready for battle,
but it is the Lord who gives the victory.
22Being respected is more important than having great riches.
To be well thought of is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor are alike
in that the Lord made them all.
3The wise see danger ahead and avoid it,
but fools keep going and get into trouble.
4Respecting the Lord and not being proud
will bring you wealth, honor, and life.
5Evil people’s lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps.
People who guard themselves don’t have such problems.
6Train children to live the right way,
and when they are old, they will not stray from it.
7The rich rule over the poor,
and borrowers are servants to lenders.
8Those who plan evil will receive trouble.
Their cruel anger will come to an end.
9Generous people will be blessed,
because they share their food with the poor.
10Get rid of the one who makes fun of wisdom.
Then fighting, quarrels, and insults will stop.
11Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words
will have even the king as a friend.
12The Lord guards knowledge,
but he destroys false words.
13The lazy person says, “There’s a lion outside!
I might get killed out in the street!”
14The words of an unfaithful wife are like a deep trap.
Those who make the Lord angry will get caught by them.
15Every child is full of foolishness,
but punishment can get rid of it.
16Whoever gets rich by mistreating the poor,
and gives presents to the wealthy, will become poor.
Other Wise Sayings
17Listen carefully to what wise people say;
pay attention to what I am teaching you.
18It will be good to keep these things in mind
so that you are ready to repeat them.
19I am teaching them to you now
so that you will put your trust in the Lord.
20I have written thirty sayings for you,
which give knowledge and good advice.
21I am teaching you true and reliable words
so that you can give true answers to anyone who asks.
22Do not abuse poor people because they are poor,
and do not take away the rights of the needy in court.
23The Lord will defend them in court
and will take the life of those who take away their rights.
24Don’t make friends with quick-tempered people
or spend time with those who have bad tempers.
25If you do, you will be like them.
Then you will be in real danger.
26Don’t promise to pay what someone else owes,
and don’t guarantee anyone’s loan.
27If you cannot pay the loan,
your own bed may be taken right out from under you.
28Don’t move an old stone that marks a border,
because those stones were set up by your ancestors.
29Do you see people skilled in their work?
They will work for kings, not for ordinary people.
23If you sit down to eat with a ruler,
notice the food that is in front of you.
2Control yourself
if you have a big appetite.
3Don’t be greedy for his fine foods,
because that food might be a trick.
4Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;
be wise enough to control yourself.
5Wealth can vanish in the wink of an eye.
It can seem to grow wings
and fly away like an eagle.
6Don’t eat the food of selfish people;
don’t be greedy for their fine foods.
7Selfish people are always worrying
about how much the food costs.
They tell you, “Eat and drink,”
but they don’t really mean it.
8You will throw up the little you have eaten,
and you will have wasted your kind words.
9Don’t speak to fools;
they will only ignore your wise words.
10Don’t move an old stone that marks a border,
and don’t take fields that belong to orphans.
11God, their defender, is strong;
he will take their side against you.
12Remember what you are taught,
and listen carefully to words of knowledge.
13Don’t fail to punish children.
If you spank them, they won’t die.
14If you spank them,
you will save them from death.
15My child, if you are wise,
then I will be happy.
16I will be so pleased
if you speak what is right.
17Don’t envy sinners,
but always respect the Lord.
18Then you will have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
19Listen, my child, and be wise.
Keep your mind on what is right.
20Don’t drink too much wine
or eat too much food.
21Those who drink and eat too much become poor.
They sleep too much and end up wearing rags.
22Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not forget your mother when she is old.
23Learn the truth and never reject it.
Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.
24The father of a good child is very happy;
parents who have wise children are glad because of them.
25Make your father and mother happy;
give your mother a reason to be glad.
26My son, pay attention to me,
and watch closely what I do.
27A prostitute is as dangerous as a deep pit,
and an unfaithful wife is like a narrow well.
28They ambush you like robbers
and cause many men to be unfaithful to their wives.
29Who has trouble? Who has pain?
Who fights? Who complains?
Who has unnecessary bruises?
Who has bloodshot eyes?
30It is people who drink too much wine,
who try out all different kinds of strong drinks.
31Don’t stare at the wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly.
32Later it bites like a snake
with poison in its fangs.
33Your eyes will see strange sights,
and your mind will be confused.
34You will feel dizzy as if you’re in a storm on the ocean,
as if you’re on top of a ship’s sails.
35You will think, “They hit me, but I’m not hurt.
They beat me up, but I don’t remember it.
I wish I could wake up.
Then I would get another drink.”
24Don’t envy evil people
or try to be friends with them.
2Their minds are always planning violence,
and they always talk about making trouble.
3It takes wisdom to have a good family,
and it takes understanding to make it strong.
4It takes knowledge to fill a home
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5Wise people have great power,
and those with knowledge have great strength.
6So you need advice when you go to war.
If you have lots of good advice, you will win.
7Foolish people cannot understand wisdom.
They have nothing to say in a discussion.
8Whoever makes evil plans
will be known as a troublemaker.
9Making foolish plans is sinful,
and making fun of wisdom is hateful.
10If you give up when trouble comes,
it shows that you are weak.
11Save those who are being led to their death;
rescue those who are about to be killed.
12If you say, “We don’t know anything about this,”
God, who knows what’s in your mind, will notice.
He is watching you, and he will know.
He will reward each person for what he has done.
13My child, eat honey because it is good.
Honey from the honeycomb tastes sweet.
14In the same way, wisdom is pleasing to you.
If you find it, you have hope for the future,
and your wishes will come true.
15Don’t be wicked and attack a good family’s house;
don’t rob the place where they live.
16Even though good people may be bothered by trouble seven times, they are never defeated,
but the wicked are overwhelmed by trouble.
17Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated;
don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
18The Lord will notice and be displeased.
He may not be angry with them anymore.
19Don’t envy evil people,
and don’t be jealous of the wicked.
20An evil person has nothing to hope for;
the wicked will die like a flame that is put out.
21My child, respect the Lord and the king.
Don’t join those people who refuse to obey them.
22The Lord and the king will quickly destroy such people.
Those two can cause great disaster!
More Words of Wisdom
23These are also sayings of the wise:
It is not good to take sides when you are the judge.
24Don’t tell the wicked that they are innocent;
people will curse you, and nations will hate you.
25But things will go well if you punish the guilty,
and you will receive rich blessings.
26An honest answer is as pleasing
as a kiss on the lips.
27First, finish your outside work
and prepare your fields.
After that, you can build your house.
28Don’t testify against your neighbor for no good reason.
Don’t say things that are false.
29Don’t say, “I’ll get even;
I’ll do to him what he did to me.”
30I passed by a lazy person’s field
and by the vineyard of someone with no sense.
31Thorns had grown up everywhere.
The ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone walls had fallen down.
32I thought about what I had seen;
I learned this lesson from what I saw.
33You sleep a little; you take a nap.
You fold your hands and lie down to rest.
34Soon you will be as poor as if you had been robbed;
you will have as little as if you had been held up.
More Wise Sayings of Solomon
25These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.
2God is honored for what he keeps secret.
Kings are honored for what they can discover.
3No one can measure the height of the skies or the depth of the earth.
So also no one can understand the mind of a king.
4Remove the scum from the silver,
so the silver can be used by the silversmith.
5Remove wicked people from the king’s presence;
then his government will be honest and last a long time.
6Don’t brag to the king
and act as if you are great.
7It is better for him to give you a higher position
than to bring you down in front of the prince.
Because of something you have seen,
8do not quickly take someone to court.
What will you do later
when your neighbor proves you wrong?
9If you have an argument with your neighbor,
don’t tell other people what was said.
10Whoever hears it might shame you,
and you might not ever be respected again.
11The right word spoken at the right time
is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.
12A wise warning to someone who will listen
is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.
13Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them,
like the coolness of snow in the summertime.
14People who brag about gifts they never give
are like clouds and wind that give no rain.
15With patience you can convince a ruler,
and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.
16If you find honey, don’t eat too much,
or it will make you throw up.
17Don’t go to your neighbor’s house too often;
too much of you will make him hate you.
18When you lie about your neighbors,
it hurts them as much as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Trusting unfaithful people when you are in trouble
is like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot.
20Singing songs to someone who is sad
is like taking away his coat on a cold day
or pouring vinegar on soda.
21If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
22Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23As the north wind brings rain,
telling gossip brings angry looks.
24It is better to live in a corner on the roof[b]
than inside the house with a quarreling wife.
25Good news from a faraway place
is like a cool drink when you are tired.
26A good person who gives in to evil
is like a muddy spring or a dirty well.
27It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor does it bring you honor to brag about yourself.
28Those who do not control themselves
are like a city whose walls are broken down.
26It shouldn’t snow in summer or rain at harvest.
Neither should a foolish person ever be honored.
2Curses will not harm someone who is innocent;
they are like sparrows or swallows that fly around and never land.
3Whips are for horses, and harnesses are for donkeys,
so paddles are good for fools.
4Don’t answer fools when they speak foolishly,
or you will be just like them.
5Answer fools when they speak foolishly,
or they will think they are really wise.
6Sending a message by a foolish person
is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison.
7A wise saying spoken by a fool
is as useless as the legs of a crippled person.
8Giving honor to a foolish person
is like tying a stone in a slingshot.
9A wise saying spoken by a fool
is like a thorn stuck in the hand of a drunk.
10Hiring a foolish person or anyone just passing by
is like an archer shooting at just anything.
11A fool who repeats his foolishness
is like a dog that goes back to what it has thrown up.
12There is more hope for a foolish person
than for those who think they are wise.
13The lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the road!
There’s a lion in the streets!”
14Like a door turning back and forth on its hinges,
the lazy person turns over and over in bed.
15Lazy people may put their hands in the dish,
but they are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.
16The lazy person thinks he is wiser
than seven people who give sensible answers.
17Interfering in someone else’s quarrel as you pass by
is like grabbing a dog by the ears.
18Like a madman shooting
deadly, burning arrows
19is the one who tricks a neighbor
and then says, “I was just joking.”
20Without wood, a fire will go out,
and without gossip, quarreling will stop.
21Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going,
a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.
22The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food;
people like to gobble them up.
23Kind words from a wicked mind
are like a shiny coating on a clay pot.
24Those who hate you may try to fool you with their words,
but in their minds they are planning evil.
25People’s words may be kind, but don’t believe them,
because their minds are full of evil thoughts.
26Lies can hide hate,
but the evil will be plain to everyone.
27Whoever digs a pit for others will fall into it.
Whoever tries to roll a boulder down on others will be crushed by it.
28Liars hate the people they hurt,
and false praise can ruin others.
27Don’t brag about tomorrow;
you don’t know what may happen then.
2Don’t praise yourself. Let someone else do it.
Let the praise come from a stranger and not from your own mouth.
3Stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but a complaining fool is worse than either.
4Anger is cruel and destroys like a flood,
but no one can put up with jealousy!
5It is better to correct someone openly
than to have love and not show it.
6The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you,
but the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies.
7When you are full, not even honey tastes good,
but when you are hungry, even something bitter tastes sweet.
8A person who leaves his home
is like a bird that leaves its nest.
9The sweet smell of perfume and oils is pleasant,
and so is good advice from a friend.
10Don’t forget your friend or your parent’s friend.
Don’t always go to your family for help when trouble comes.
A neighbor close by is better than a family far away.
11Be wise, my child, and make me happy.
Then I can respond to any insult.
12The wise see danger ahead and avoid it,
but fools keep going and get into trouble.
13Take the coat of someone who promises to pay a stranger’s loan,
and keep it until he pays what the stranger owes.
14If you loudly greet your neighbor early in the morning,
he will think of it as a curse.
15A quarreling wife is as bothersome
as a continual dripping on a rainy day.
16Stopping her is like stopping the wind
or trying to grab oil in your hand.
17As iron sharpens iron,
so people can improve each other.
18Whoever tends a fig tree gets to eat its fruit,
and whoever takes care of his master will receive honor.
19As water reflects your face,
so your mind shows what kind of person you are.
20People will never stop dying and being destroyed,
and they will never stop wanting more than they have.
21A hot furnace tests silver and gold,
and people are tested by the praise they receive.
22Even if you ground up a foolish person like grain in a bowl,
you couldn’t remove the foolishness.
23Be sure you know how your sheep are doing,
and pay attention to the condition of your cattle.
24Riches will not go on forever,
nor do governments go on forever.
25Bring in the hay, and let the new grass appear.
Gather the grass from the hills.
26Make clothes from the lambs’ wool,
and sell some goats to buy a field.
27There will be plenty of goat’s milk
to feed you and your family
and to make your servant girls healthy.
28Evil people run even though no one is chasing them,
but good people are as brave as a lion.
2When a country is lawless, it has one ruler after another;
but when it is led by a leader with understanding and knowledge, it continues strong.
3Rulers who mistreat the poor
are like a hard rain that destroys the crops.
4Those who disobey what they have been taught praise the wicked,
but those who obey what they have been taught are against them.
5Evil people do not understand justice,
but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6It is better to be poor and innocent
than to be rich and wicked.
7Children who obey what they have been taught are wise,
but friends of troublemakers disgrace their parents.
8Some people get rich by overcharging others,
but their wealth will be given to those who are kind to the poor.
9If you refuse to obey what you have been taught,
your prayers will not be heard.
10Those who lead good people to do wrong
will be ruined by their own evil,
but the innocent will be rewarded with good things.
11Rich people may think they are wise,
but the poor with understanding will prove them wrong.
12When good people triumph, there is great happiness,
but when the wicked get control, everybody hides.
13If you hide your sins, you will not succeed.
If you confess and reject them, you will receive mercy.
14Those who are always respectful will be happy,
but those who are stubborn will get into trouble.
15A wicked ruler is as dangerous to poor people
as a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16A ruler without wisdom will be cruel,
but the one who refuses to take dishonest money will rule a long time.
17Don’t help those who are guilty of murder;
let them run until they die.
18Innocent people will be kept safe,
but those who are dishonest will suddenly be ruined.
19Those who work their land will have plenty of food,
but the ones who chase empty dreams instead will end up poor.
20A truthful person will have many blessings,
but those eager to get rich will be punished.
21It is not good for a judge to take sides,
but some will sin for only a piece of bread.
22Selfish people are in a hurry to get rich
and do not realize they soon will be poor.
23Those who correct others will later be liked
more than those who give false praise.
24Whoever robs father or mother
and says, “It’s not wrong,”
is just like someone who destroys things.
25A greedy person causes trouble,
but the one who trusts the Lord will succeed.
26Those who trust in themselves are foolish,
but those who live wisely will be kept safe.
27Whoever gives to the poor will have everything he needs,
but the one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.
28When the wicked get control, everybody hides,
but when they die, good people do well.
29Whoever is stubborn after being corrected many times
will suddenly be hurt beyond cure.
2When good people do well, everyone is happy,
but when evil people rule, everyone groans.
3Those who love wisdom make their parents happy,
but friends of prostitutes waste their money.
4If a king is fair, he makes his country strong,
but if he takes gifts dishonestly, he tears his country down.
5Those who give false praise to their neighbors
are setting a trap for them.
6Evil people are trapped by their own sin,
but good people can sing and be happy.
7Good people care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked are not concerned.
8People who make fun of wisdom cause trouble in a city,
but wise people calm anger down.
9When a wise person takes a foolish person to court,
the fool only shouts or laughs, and there is no peace.
10Murderers hate an honest person
and try to kill those who do right.
11Foolish people lose their tempers,
but wise people control theirs.
12If a ruler pays attention to lies,
all his officers will become wicked.
13The poor person and the cruel person are alike
in that the Lord gave eyes to both of them.
14If a king judges poor people fairly,
his government will continue forever.
15Correction and punishment make children wise,
but those left alone will disgrace their mother.
16When there are many wicked people, there is much sin,
but those who do right will see them destroyed.
17Correct your children, and you will be proud;
they will give you satisfaction.
18Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,
but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.
19Words alone cannot correct a servant,
because even if they understand, they won’t respond.
20Do you see people who speak too quickly?
There is more hope for a foolish person than for them.
21If you spoil your servants when they are young,
they will bring you grief later on.
22An angry person causes trouble;
a person with a quick temper sins a lot.
23Pride will ruin people,
but those who are humble will be honored.
24Partners of thieves are their own worst enemies.
If they have to testify in court, they are afraid to say anything.
25Being afraid of people can get you into trouble,
but if you trust the Lord, you will be safe.
26Many people want to speak to a ruler,
but justice comes only from the Lord.
27Good people hate those who are dishonest,
and the wicked hate those who are honest.
Wise Words from Agur
30These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh.
This is his message to Ithiel and Ucal:
2“I am the most stupid person there is,
and I have no understanding.
3I have not learned to be wise,
and I don’t know much about God, the Holy One.
4Who has gone up to heaven and come back down?
Who can hold the wind in his hand?
Who can gather up the waters in his coat?
Who has set in place the ends of the earth?
What is his name or his son’s name?
Tell me, if you know!
5“Every word of God is true.
He guards those who come to him for safety.
6Do not add to his words,
or he will correct you and prove you are a liar.
7“I ask two things from you, Lord.
Don’t refuse me before I die.
8Keep me from lying and being dishonest.
And don’t make me either rich or poor;
just give me enough food for each day.
9If I have too much, I might reject you
and say, ‘I don’t know the Lord.’
If I am poor, I might steal
and disgrace the name of my God.
10“Do not say bad things about servants to their masters,
or they will curse you, and you will suffer for it.
11“Some people curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers.
12Some people think they are pure,
but they are not really free from evil.
13Some people have such a proud look!
They look down on others.
14Some people have teeth like swords;
their jaws seem full of knives.
They want to remove the poor from the earth
and the needy from the land.
15“Greed has two daughters
named ‘Give’ and ‘Give.’
There are three things that are never satisfied,
really four that never say, ‘I’ve had enough!’:
16the cemetery, the childless mother,
the land that never gets enough rain,
and fire that never says, ‘I’ve had enough!’
17“If you make fun of your father
and refuse to obey your mother,
the birds of the valley will peck out your eyes,
and the vultures will eat them.
18“There are three things that are too hard for me,
really four I don’t understand:
19the way an eagle flies in the sky,
the way a snake slides over a rock,
the way a ship sails on the sea,
and the way a man and a woman fall in love.
20“This is the way of a woman who takes part in adultery:
She acts as if she had eaten and washed her face;
she says, ‘I haven’t done anything wrong.’
21“There are three things that make the earth tremble,
really four it cannot stand:
22a servant who becomes a king,
a foolish person who has plenty to eat,
23a hated woman who gets married,
and a maid who replaces her mistress.
24“There are four things on earth that are small,
but they are very wise:
25Ants are not very strong,
but they store up food in the summer.
26Rock badgers are not very powerful,
but they can live among the rocks.
27Locusts have no king,
but they all go forward in formation.
28Lizards can be caught in the hand,
but they are found even in kings’ palaces.
29“There are three things that strut proudly,
really four that walk as if they were important:
30a lion, the proudest animal,
which is strong and runs from nothing,
31a rooster, a male goat,
and a king when his army is around him.
32“If you have been foolish and proud,
or if you have planned evil, shut your mouth.
33Just as stirring milk makes butter,
and twisting noses makes them bleed,
so stirring up anger causes trouble.”
Wise Words of King Lemuel
31These are the words of King Lemuel, the message his mother taught him:
2“My son, I gave birth to you.
You are the son I prayed for.
3Don’t waste your strength on women
or your time on those who ruin kings.
4“Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel,
and rulers should not desire beer.
5If they drink, they might forget the law
and keep the needy from getting their rights.
6Give beer to people who are dying
and wine to those who are sad.
7Let them drink and forget their need
and remember their misery no more.
8“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
9Speak up and judge fairly,
and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
The Good Wife
10It is hard to find a good wife,
because she is worth more than rubies.
11Her husband trusts her completely.
With her, he has everything he needs.
12She does him good and not harm
for as long as she lives.
13She looks for wool and flax
and likes to work with her hands.
14She is like a trader’s ship,
bringing food from far away.
15She gets up while it is still dark
and prepares food for her family
and feeds her servant girls.
16She inspects a field and buys it.
With money she earned, she plants a vineyard.
17She does her work with energy,
and her arms are strong.
18She knows that what she makes is good.
Her lamp burns late into the night.
19She makes thread with her hands
and weaves her own cloth.
20She welcomes the poor
and helps the needy.
21She does not worry about her family when it snows,
because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm.
22She makes coverings for herself;
her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.
23Her husband is known at the city meetings,
where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land.
24She makes linen clothes and sells them
and provides belts to the merchants.
25She is strong and is respected by the people.
She looks forward to the future with joy.
26She speaks wise words
and teaches others to be kind.
27She watches over her family
and never wastes her time.
28Her children speak well of her.
Her husband also praises her,
29saying, “There are many fine women,
but you are better than all of them.”
30Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you,
but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.
31Give her the reward she has earned;
she should be praised in public for what she has done.
Footnotes
- 21:9 roof In Bible times houses were built with flat roofs. The roof was used for drying things such as flax and fruit. And it was used as an extra room, as a place for worship, and as a cool place to sleep in the summer.
- 25:24 roof In Bible times houses were built with flat roofs. The roof was used for drying things such as flax and fruit. And it was used as an extra room, as a place for worship, and as a cool place to sleep in the summer.
