Study

14. Proverbs of Solomon

    ² Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly,
   but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

    ³ A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,
   but the lips of the wise protect them.

    ⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
   but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

    ⁵ An honest witness does not deceive,
   but a false witness pours out lies.

    ⁶ The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
   but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

    ⁷ Stay away from a fool,
   for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

    ⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
   but the folly of fools is deception.

    ⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin,
   but goodwill is found among the upright.

    ¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness,
   and no one else can share its joy.

    ¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
   but the tent of the upright will flourish.

    ¹² There is a way that appears to be right,
   but in the end it leads to death.

    ¹³ Even in laughter the heart may ache,
   and rejoicing may end in grief.

    ¹⁴ The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,
   and the good rewarded for theirs.

    ¹⁵ The simple believe anything,
   but the prudent give thought to their steps.

    ¹⁶ The wise fear the LORD and shun evil,
   but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

    ¹⁷ A quick-tempered person does foolish things,
   and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

    ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly,
   but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

    ¹⁹ Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
   and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

    ²⁰ The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
   but the rich have many friends.

    ²¹ It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
   but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

    ²² Do not those who plot evil go astray?
   But those who plan what is good find Or show love and faithfulness.

    ²³ All hard work brings a profit,
   but mere talk leads only to poverty.

    ²⁴ The wealth of the wise is their crown,
   but the folly of fools yields folly.

    ²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,
   but a false witness is deceitful.

    ²⁶ Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
   and for their children it will be a refuge.

    ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
   turning a person from the snares of death.

    ²⁸ A large population is a king’s glory,
   but without subjects a prince is ruined.

    ²⁹ Whoever is patient has great understanding,
   but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

    ³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body,
   but envy rots the bones.

    ³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
   but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

    ³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
   but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

    ³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning
   and even among fools she lets herself be known. Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

    ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
   but sin condemns any people.

    ³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant,
   but a shameful servant arouses his fury.