To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;
To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled],
And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,

The wise will hear and increase their learning,
And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],

To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation,
And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].

If they say, “Come with us;
Let us lie in wait to shed blood,
Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

I also will laugh at your disaster;
I will mock when your dread and panic come,

He guards the paths of justice;
And He preserves the way of His saints (believers).

But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

That you may exercise discrimination and discretion (good judgment),
And your lips may reserve knowledge and answer wisely [to temptation].

Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him;
Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God].

A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,

That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.

“So I came out to meet you [that you might share with me the feast of my offering],
Diligently I sought your face and I have found you.

Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound];
Like a bird fluttering straight into the net,
He did not know that it would cost him his life.

“For wisdom is better than rubies;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches,
And that I may fill their treasuries.

When He set for the sea its boundary
So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth—

But he does not know that the spirits of the dead are there,
And that her guests are [already] in the depths of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

The teaching of the wise is a fountain and source of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.

Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.

The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise,
That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.

The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)
Will remain among the wise.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.

A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],
And leads him in a way that is not good.

The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,
And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).

He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord,
And the Lord will repay him for his good deed.

Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,
That you may be wise in the time to come.

Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).

That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,
But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar.

The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being.

Blows that wound cleanse away evil,
And strokes reach to the innermost parts.

There is no [human] wisdom or understanding
Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.

So that your trust and reliance and confidence may be in the Lord,
I have taught these things to you today, even to you.

To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?

When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.

Buy truth, and do not sell it;
Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and learns.

Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected]
Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].

Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].

Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]
Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.

Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction]
Than love that is hidden.

Like a bird that wanders from her nest [with its comfort and safety],
So is a man who wanders from his home.

Oil and perfume make the heart glad;
So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches (reprimands, criticizes) me.

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold [to separate the impurities of the metal],
And each is tested by the praise given to him [and his response to it, whether humble or proud].

To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

He who has an evil and envious eye hurries to be rich
And does not know that poverty will come upon him.

He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized),
Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].

I have not learned [skillful and godly] wisdom,
Nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One [who is the source of wisdom].

Keep deception and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,

The leech has two daughters,
“Give, give!”
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four that do not say, “It is enough”:

Sheol, and the barren womb,
Earth that is never satisfied with water,
And fire that never says, “It is enough.”

The eye that mocks a father
And scorns a mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young vultures will devour it.

Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor concubines],
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.

She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].

“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
But you excel them all.”