And Balaam took up his discourse and said, "From Aram Balak has brought me, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains: 'Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!' How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? read more. For from the top of the crags I see him, from the hills I behold him; behold, a people dwelling alone, and not counting itself among the nations! Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!"

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be against you.

He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.

And when they called for the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

"Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.

At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.

"Are you the first man who was born? Or were you brought forth before the hills? Have you listened in the council of God? And do you limit wisdom to yourself?

And Job again took up his discourse, and said:

And Job again took up his discourse, and said:

that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. read more. "Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food. His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death. If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; then manprays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me. He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.' "Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.

I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,

The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, read more. for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. read more. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. read more. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. read more. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

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

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

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

A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

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

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

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

Who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"?

If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORDweighs the heart.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,

Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.

Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,

These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.

These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good. Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,

Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.

but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done."

Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done." I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction.

Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, read more. for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? read more. Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.

"Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, 'The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing'? Tell them therefore, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.' But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision.

"Son of man, propound a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;

"Son of man, propound a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel; say, Thus says the Lord GOD: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, rich in plumage of many colors, came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.

"What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge'?

Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! They are saying of me, 'Is he not a maker of parables?'"

And utter a parable to the rebellious house and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Set on the pot, set it on; pour in water also;

Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, "Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own-- for how long?-- and loads himself with pledges!"

Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, "Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own-- for how long?-- and loads himself with pledges!"

For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.'

And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well."

His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!

as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;

"Their feet are swift to shed blood;

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"--

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.