Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28

1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
  but the godly are as bold as lions.

2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
  But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

3 A poor person who oppresses the poor
  is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;
  to obey the law is to fight them.

5 Evil people don't understand justice,
  but those who follow the LORD understand completely.

6 Better to be poor and honest
  than to be dishonest and rich.

7 Young people who obey the law are wise;
  those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.*

8 Income from charging high interest rates
  will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

9 God detests the prayers
  of a person who ignores the law.

10 Those who lead good people along an evil path
  will fall into their own trap,
  but the honest will inherit good things.

11 Rich people may think they are wise,
  but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.

12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
  When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.

13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
  but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong,*
  but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor
  as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

16 A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people,
  but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

17 A murderer's tormented conscience will drive him into the grave.
  Don't protect him!

18 The blameless will be rescued from harm,
  but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.

19 A hard worker has plenty of food,
  but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

20 The trustworthy person will get a rich reward,
  but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

21 Showing partiality is never good,
  yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
  but don't realize they're headed for poverty.

23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
  far more than flattery.

24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
  and says, "What's wrong with that?"
  is no better than a murderer.

25 Greed causes fighting;
  trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.

26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
  but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,
  but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.

28 When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
  When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26

1 Honor is no more associated with fools
  than snow with summer or rain with harvest.

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
  an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.

3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle,
  and a fool with a rod to his back!

4 Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools,
  or you will become as foolish as they are.

5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,
  or they will become wise in their own estimation.

6 Trusting a fool to convey a message
  is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison!

7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
  is as useless as a paralyzed leg.

8 Honoring a fool
  is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.

9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
  is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.

10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander
  is like an archer who shoots at random.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
  so a fool repeats his foolishness.

12 There is more hope for fools
  than for people who think they are wise.

13 The lazy person claims, "There's a lion on the road!
  Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"

14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges,
  so the lazy person turns over in bed.

15 Lazy people take food in their hand
  but don't even lift it to their mouth.

16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter
  than seven wise counselors.

17 Interfering in someone else's argument
  is as foolish as yanking a dog's ears.

18 Just as damaging
  as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19 is someone who lies to a friend
  and then says, "I was only joking."

20 Fire goes out without wood,
  and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
  as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

22 Rumors are dainty morsels
  that sink deep into one's heart.

23 Smooth* words may hide a wicked heart,
  just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
  but they're deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don't believe them.
  Their hearts are full of many evils.*
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
  their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.

27 If you set a trap for others,
  you will get caught in it yourself.
If you roll a boulder down on others,
  it will crush you instead.

28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
  and flattering words cause ruin.

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25

MORE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.

2 It is God's privilege to conceal things
  and the king's privilege to discover them.

3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
  or all that goes on in the king's mind!

4 Remove the impurities from silver,
  and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5 Remove the wicked from the king's court,
  and his reign will be made secure by justice.

6 Don't demand an audience with the king
  or push for a place among the great.
7 It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table
  than to be sent away in public disgrace.

Just because you've seen something,
8   don't be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
  if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

9 When arguing with your neighbor,
  don't betray another person's secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
  and you will never regain your good reputation.

11 Timely advice is lovely,
  like golden apples in a silver basket.

12 To one who listens, valid criticism
  is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
  They revive the spirit of their employer.

14 A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it
  is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

15 Patience can persuade a prince,
  and soft speech can break bones.

16 Do you like honey?
  Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick!

17 Don't visit your neighbors too often,
  or you will wear out your welcome.

18 Telling lies about others
  is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
  or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble
  is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.

20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
  is like taking someone's coat in cold weather
  or pouring vinegar in a wound.*

21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
  If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
  and the LORD will reward you.

23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
  so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

24 It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic
  than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

25 Good news from far away
  is like cold water to the thirsty.

26 If the godly give in to the wicked,
  it's like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

27 It's not good to eat too much honey,
  and it's not good to seek honors for yourself.

28 A person without self-control
  is like a city with broken-down walls.

Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24

1 Don't envy evil people
  or desire their company.
2 For their hearts plot violence,
  and their words always stir up trouble.

3 A house is built by wisdom
  and becomes strong through good sense.
4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled
  with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

5 The wise are mightier than the strong,*
  and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
6 So don't go to war without wise guidance;
  victory depends on having many advisers.

7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools.
  Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.

8 A person who plans evil
  will get a reputation as a troublemaker.
9 The schemes of a fool are sinful;
  everyone detests a mocker.

10 If you fail under pressure,
  your strength is too small.

11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
  save them as they stagger to their death.
12 Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know."
  For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
  He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

13 My child,* eat honey, for it is good,
  and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
  If you find it, you will have a bright future,
  and your hopes will not be cut short.

15 Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly,
  and don't raid the house where the godly live.
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
  But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

17 Don't rejoice when your enemies fall;
  don't be happy when they stumble.
18 For the LORD will be displeased with you
  and will turn his anger away from them.

19 Don't fret because of evildoers;
  don't envy the wicked.
20 For evil people have no future;
  the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

21 My child, fear the LORD and the king.
Don't associate with rebels,
22   for disaster will hit them suddenly.
Who knows what punishment will come
  from the LORD and the king?

MORE SAYINGS OF THE WISE

23 Here are some further sayings of the wise:

It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24 A judge who says to the wicked, "You are innocent,"
  will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
25 But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;
  rich blessings will be showered on them.

26 An honest answer
  is like a kiss of friendship.

27 Do your planning and prepare your fields
  before building your house.

28 Don't testify against your neighbors without cause;
  don't lie about them.
29 And don't say, "Now I can pay them back for what they've done to me!
  I'll get even with them!"

30 I walked by the field of a lazy person,
  the vineyard of one with no common sense.
31 I saw that it was overgrown with nettles.
  It was covered with weeds,
  and its walls were broken down.
32 Then, as I looked and thought about it,
  I learned this lesson:
33 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
  a little folding of the hands to rest—
34 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
  scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22

1 Choose a good reputation over great riches;
  being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and poor have this in common:
  The LORD made them both.

3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
  The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

4 True humility and fear of the LORD
  lead to riches, honor, and long life.

5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
  whoever values life will avoid it.

6 Direct your children onto the right path,
  and when they are older, they will not leave it.

7 Just as the rich rule the poor,
  so the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
  and their reign of terror will come to an end.*

9 Blessed are those who are generous,
  because they feed the poor.

10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
  Quarrels and insults will disappear.

11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
  will have the king as a friend.

12 The LORD preserves those with knowledge,
  but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

13 The lazy person claims, "There's a lion out there!
  If I go outside, I might be killed!"

14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
  those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.

15 A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness,
  but physical discipline will drive it far away.

16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
  or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

SAYINGS OF THE WISE

17 Listen to the words of the wise;
  apply your heart to my instruction.

18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
  and always ready on your lips.

19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
  so you will trust in the LORD.

20 I have written thirty sayings* for you,
  filled with advice and knowledge.

21 In this way, you may know the truth
  and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

22 Don't rob the poor just because you can,
  or exploit the needy in court.
23 For the LORD is their defender.
  He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

24 Don't befriend angry people
  or associate with hot-tempered people,
25 or you will learn to be like them
  and endanger your soul.

26 Don't agree to guarantee another person's debt
  or put up security for someone else.
27 If you can't pay it,
  even your bed will be snatched from under you.

28 Don't cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
  set up by previous generations.

29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
  They will serve kings
  rather than working for ordinary people.

Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD;
  he guides it wherever he pleases.

2 People may be right in their own eyes,
  but the LORD examines their heart.

3 The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just
  than when we offer him sacrifices.

4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
  and evil actions are all sin.

5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
  but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

6 Wealth created by a lying tongue
  is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.*

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
  because they refuse to do what is just.

8 The guilty walk a crooked path;
  the innocent travel a straight road.

9 It's better to live alone in the corner of an attic
  than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

10 Evil people desire evil;
  their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
  if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

12 The Righteous One* knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
  he will bring disaster on them.

13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
  will be ignored in their own time of need.

14 A secret gift calms anger;
  a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

15 Justice is a joy to the godly,
  but it terrifies evildoers.

16 The person who strays from common sense
  will end up in the company of the dead.

17 Those who love pleasure become poor;
  those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
  and traitors in place of the honest.

19 It's better to live alone in the desert
  than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

20 The wise have wealth and luxury,
  but fools spend whatever they get.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
  will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 The wise conquer the city of the strong
  and level the fortress in which they trust.

23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
  and you will stay out of trouble.

24 Mockers are proud and haughty;
  they act with boundless arrogance.

25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
  for their hands refuse to work.

26 Some people are always greedy for more,
  but the godly love to give!

27 The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
  especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

28 A false witness will be cut off,
  but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

29 The wicked bluff their way through,
  but the virtuous think before they act.

30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan
  can stand against the LORD.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
  but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Proverbs 19

1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity

than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

2 Desire without knowledge is not good,

and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

3When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,

his heart rages against the Lord.

4 Wealth brings many new friends,

but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

6 Many seek the favor of a generous man,

and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7 All a poor man’s brothers hate him;

how much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;

he who keeps understanding will discover good.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who breathes out lies will perish.

10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,

much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11 Good sense makes one slow to anger,

and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

12A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13 A foolish son is ruin to his father,

and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers,

but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep,

and an idle person will suffer hunger.

16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;

he who despises his ways will die.

17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,

and he will repay him for his deed.

18 Discipline your son, for there is hope;

do not set your heart on putting him to death.

19A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,

for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

20Listen to advice and accept instruction,

that you may gain wisdom in the future.

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,

and a poor man is better than a liar.

23The fear of the Lord leads to life,

and whoever has it rests satisfied;

he will not be visited by harm.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish

and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;

reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother

is a son who brings shame and reproach.

27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A worthless witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,

and beating for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 18

1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks 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 bubbling brook.

5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.

6 A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.

7  A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.

9 Whoever is slack in his work
is a brother to him who destroys.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.

12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.

13 If one gives an answer before he hears,
it is his folly and shame.

14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness,
but a crushed spirit who can bear?

15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great.

17 The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.

18 The lot puts an end to quarrels
and decides between powerful contenders.

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,
and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.

23 The poor use entreaties,
but the rich answer roughly.

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant 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 tests hearts.

4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

7 Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly.

13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.

19 Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

20 A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

21 He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

23 The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.

24 The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

26 To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 16

1The plans of the heart 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 wicked for the day of trouble.

5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness

than great revenues with injustice.

9 The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,

and a wise man will appease it.

15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,

and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;

whoever guards his way preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,

and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

21The wise of heart is called discerning,

and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

25There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

26A worker’s appetite works for him;

his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man plots evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A dishonest man spreads strife,

and a whisperer separates close friends.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor

and leads him in a way that is not good.

30Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;

he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is gained in a righteous life.

32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the Lord.