For they will be like an elegant garland on your head, and like pendants around your neck.

We will swallow them alive like Sheol, those full of vigor like those going down to the Pit.

when what you dread comes like a whirlwind, and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm, when distressing trouble comes on you.

if you seek it like silver, and search for it like hidden treasure,

He stores up effective counsel for the upright, and is like a shield for those who live with integrity,

She is like a tree of life to those who obtain her, and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed.

But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, growing brighter and brighter until full day.

The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; they do not know what causes them to stumble.

Deliver yourself like a gazelle from a snare, and like a bird from the trap of the fowler.

and your poverty will come like a robber, and your need like an armed man.

For the commandments are like a lamp, instruction is like a light, and rebukes of discipline are like the road leading to life,

Suddenly a woman came out to meet him! She was dressed like a prostitute and with secret intent.

Suddenly he went after her like an ox that goes to the slaughter, like a stag prancing into a trapper's snare

till an arrow pierces his liver -- like a bird hurrying into a trap, and he does not know that it will cost him his life.

The wealth of a rich person is like a fortified city, but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty.

What the righteous say is like the best silver, but what the wicked think is of little value.

Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

The way of the Lord is like a stronghold for the upright, but it is destruction to evildoers.

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who rejects discretion.

The one who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life, and the one who wins souls is wise.

A noble wife is the crown of her husband, but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is like a tree of life.

Instruction from the wise is like a life-giving fountain, to turn a person from deadly snares.

The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares.

Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.

The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway.

A king's wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

In the light of the king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain.

Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire.

Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness.

Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.

A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds.

Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife breaks out!

The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being.

The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.

The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination.

A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.

A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A foolish child is the ruin of his father, and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping.

The king's terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.

Counsel in a person's heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out.

There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel.

The human spirit is like the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.

Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.

The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

When you gaze upon riches, they are gone, for they surely make wings for themselves, and fly off into the sky like an eagle!

for he is like someone calculating the cost in his mind. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you;

for a prostitute is like a deep pit; a harlot is like a narrow well.

Indeed, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men.

Afterward it bites like a snake, and stings like a viper.

And you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, and like one who lies down on the top of the rigging.

Do not lie in wait like the wicked against the place where the righteous live; do not assault his home.

Like a kiss on the lips is the one who gives an honest answer.

and your poverty will come like a bandit, and your need like an armed robber."

Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters.

Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.

Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness.

Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.

Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land.

Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.

Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.

Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.

Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by.

Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.

Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows,

Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.

The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person's innermost being.

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.

Like a bird that wanders from its nest, so is a person who wanders from his home.

A poor person who oppresses the weak is like a driving rain without food.

Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Every word of God is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him.

There is a generation whose teeth are like swords and whose molars are like knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among the human race.

She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.

I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile -- like chasing the wind!

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless -- like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth."

For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies -- just like the fool!

So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile -- like chasing the wind.

For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth -- only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile -- like chasing the wind!

I also thought to myself, "It is for the sake of people, so God can clearly show them that they are like animals.

Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless -- like chasing the wind.

There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.