[1] The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:[2] What, my son? What, son of my womb?What, son of my vows?[3] Give not your strength to women,your ways to those who destroy kings.[4] It is not for kings, O Lemuel,it is not for kings to drink wine,or for rulers to desire […]
[1] The words of Agur son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ith’i-el,to Ith’i-el and Ucal:[2] Surely I am too stupid to be a man.I have not the understanding of a man.[3] I have not learned wisdom,nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.[4] Who has ascended to heaven and come down?Who has […]
[1] He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neckwill suddenly be broken beyond healing.[2] When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;but when the wicked rule, the people groan.[3] He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,but one who keeps company with harlots squanders his substance.[4] By justice a king gives stability to […]
[1] The wicked flee when no one pursues,but the righteous are bold as a lion.[2] When a land transgressesit has many rulers;but with men of understanding and knowledgeits stability will long continue.[3] A poor man who oppresses the pooris a beating rain that leaves no food.[4] Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,but those […]
[1] Do not boast about tomorrow,for you do not know what a day may bring forth.[2] Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;a stranger, and not your own lips.[3] A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.[4] Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming;but who can stand […]
[1] Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,so honor is not fitting for a fool.[2] Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,a curse that is causeless does not alight.[3] A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,and a rod for the back of fools.[4] Answer not a […]
[1] These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezeki’ah king of Judah copied.[2] It is the glory of God to conceal things,but the glory of kings is to search things out.[3] As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,so the mind of kings is unsearchable.[4] Take away the dross from […]
[1] Be not envious of evil men,nor desire to be with them;[2] for their minds devise violence,and their lips talk of mischief.[3] By wisdom a house is built,and by understanding it is established;[4] by knowledge the rooms are filledwith all precious and pleasant riches.[5] A wise man is mightier than a strong man,and a man […]
[1] When you sit down to eat with a ruler,observe carefully what is before you;[2] and put a knife to your throatif you are a man given to appetite.[3] Do not desire his delicacies,for they are deceptive food.[4] Do not toil to acquire wealth;be wise enough to desist.[5] When your eyes light upon it, it […]
[1] A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,and favor is better than silver or gold.[2] The rich and the poor meet together;the LORD is the maker of them all.[3] A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;but the simple go on, and suffer for it.[4] The reward for humility and fear […]
[1] The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;he turns it wherever he will.[2] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,but the LORD weighs the heart.[3] To do righteousness and justiceis more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.[4] Haughty eyes and a proud heart,the lamp […]
[1] Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler;and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.[2] The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a lion;he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life.[3] It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife;but every fool will be […]
[1] Better is a poor man who walks in his integritythan a man who is perverse in speech, and is a fool.[2] It is not good for a man to be without knowledge,and he who makes haste with his feet misses his way.[3] When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,his heart rages against […]
[1] He who is estranged seeks pretextsto break out against all sound judgment.[2] A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,but only in expressing his opinion.[3] When wickedness comes, contempt comes also;and with dishonor comes disgrace.[4] The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.[5] It is not good […]
[1] Better is a dry morsel with quietthan a house full of feasting with strife.[2] A slave who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.[3] The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,and the LORD tries hearts.[4] An evildoer listens […]
[1] The plans of the mind belong to man,but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.[2] All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,but the LORD weighs the spirit.[3] Commit your work to the LORD,and your plans will be established.[4] The LORD has made everything for its purpose,even the […]
[1] A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.[2] The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,but the mouths of fools pour out folly.[3] The eyes of the LORD are in every place,keeping watch on the evil and the good.[4] A gentle tongue is a tree of life,but perverseness in it breaks […]
[1] Wisdom builds her house,but folly with her own hands tears it down.[2] He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD,but he who is devious in his ways despises him.[3] The talk of a fool is a rod for his back,but the lips of the wise will preserve them.[4] Where there are no oxen, there […]
[1] A wise son hears his father’s instruction,but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.[2] From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good,but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.[3] He who guards his mouth preserves his life;he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.[4] The soul of the sluggard […]
[1] Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,but he who hates reproof is stupid.[2] A good man obtains favor from the LORD,but a man of evil devices he condemns.[3] A man is not established by wickedness,but the root of the righteous will never be moved.[4] A good wife is the crown of her husband,but she who brings […]