Balaam proclaimed his poem: Balak brought me from Aram; the king of Moab, from the eastern mountains: "Come, put a curse on Jacob for me; come, denounce Israel!" How can I curse someone God has not cursed? How can I denounce someone the Lord has not denounced? read more. I see them from the top of rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. There is a people living alone; it does not consider itself among the nations. Who has counted the dust of Jacob or numbered the dust clouds of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright; let the end of my [life] be like theirs.

This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.

As the old proverb says, 'Wickedness comes from wicked people.' My hand will never be against you.

Solomon composed 3,000 proverbs, and his songs numbered 1,005.

The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon's fame connected with the name of the Lord and came to test him with difficult questions.

Then they called for the king, but Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebnah the court secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the court historian, came out to them.

He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.

He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.

See how happy the man is God corrects; so do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.

You will laugh at destruction and hunger and not fear the animals of the earth.

Were you the first person ever born, or were you brought forth before the hills? Do you listen in on the council of God, or have a monopoly on wisdom?

Job continued his discourse, saying:

Job continued his discourse, saying:

in order to turn a person [from his] actions and suppress his pride. God spares his soul from the Pit, his life from crossing the river [of death]. read more. A person may be disciplined on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones, so that he detests bread, and his soul [despises his] favorite food. His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his unseen bones stick out. He draws near the Pit, and his life to the executioners. If there is an angel on his side, one mediator out of a thousand, to tell a person what is right for him and to be gracious to him and say, "Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom," then his flesh will be healthier than in his youth, and he will return to the days of his youthful vigor. He will pray to God, and God will delight in him. That man will behold His face with a shout of joy, and God will restore his righteousness to him. He will look at men and say, "I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved. He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will continue to see the light." God certainly does all these things two or three times to a man in order to turn him back from the Pit, so he may shine with the light of life.

I turn my ear to a proverb; I explain my riddle with a lyre.

I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past-

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

for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.

for understanding a proverb or a parable, the words of the wise, and their riddles.

because their feet run toward trouble and they hurry to commit murder.

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

Don't consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.

Do not despise the Lord's instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline;

Do not despise the Lord's instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.

for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in. Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, read more. for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.

Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble.

Don't envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;

He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.

I was brought forth before the mountains and hills were established,

Solomon's proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.

Solomon's proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.

Solomon's proverbs: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother. Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone, but righteousness rescues from death.

Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone, but righteousness rescues from death. The Lord will not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the wicked what they crave. read more. Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches. The son who gathers during summer is prudent; the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed. The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. A sly wink of the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will be destroyed. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.

Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense. read more. The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.

The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction. A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

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

A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; the poverty of the poor is their destruction. The labor of the righteous leads to life; the activity of the wicked leads to sin. read more. The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. The Lord's blessing enriches, and struggle adds nothing to it.

The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable, but destruction awaits the malicious.

Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath, but righteousness rescues from death.

Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense, but a man with understanding keeps silent.

Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

If the righteous will be repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and sinful.

Man cannot be made secure by wickedness, but the root of the righteous is immovable.

A lazy man doesn't roast his game, but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious.

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

The one who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish one despises his mother.

The fear of the Lord is wisdom's instruction, and humility comes before honor.

Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is the way of death.

The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished.

If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.

The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding.

A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but before honor comes humility.

[Casting] the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.

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

A king's terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion; anyone who provokes him endangers himself.

Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"?

Whoever curses his father or mother- his lamp will go out in deep darkness.

All the ways of a man seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives.

Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

The one who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit; a man cursed by the Lord will fall into it.

Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge.

Don't be jealous of sinners; instead, always fear the Lord.

Don't envy evil men or desire to be with them,

Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

Don't worry because of evildoers, and don't envy the wicked.

These [sayings] also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.

These [sayings] also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"- people will curse him, and tribes will denounce him;

Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"- people will curse him, and tribes will denounce him; but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a generous blessing will come to them.

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a generous blessing will come to them. He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.

He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips. Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterwards, build your house.

Complete your outdoor work, and prepare your field; afterwards, build your house. Don't testify against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.

Don't testify against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips. Don't say, "I'll do to him what he did to me; I'll repay the man for what he has done."

Don't say, "I'll do to him what he did to me; I'll repay the man for what he has done." I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense.

I went by the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense. Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined.

Thistles had come up everywhere, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was ruined. I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction:

I saw, and took it to heart; I looked, and received instruction: a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest,

a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.

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

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

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

As the heaven is high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.

Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day, or like [pouring] vinegar on soda. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; read more. for you will heap coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Don't boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what a day might bring.

Do you see a man who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: What [should I say], my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? read more. Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers [to desire] beer. Otherwise, they will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. Give beer to one who is dying, and wine to one whose life is bitter.

In addition to the Teacher being a wise man, he constantly taught the people knowledge; he weighed, explored, and arranged many proverbs.

"Son of man, what is this proverb you [people] have about the land of Israel, which goes: The days keep passing by, and every vision fails? Therefore say to them: This is what the Lord God says: I will put a stop to this proverb, and they will not use it again in Israel. But say to them: The days draw near, as well as the fulfillment of every vision.

"Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel.

"Son of man, pose a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel. You are to say: This is what the Lord God says: A great eagle with great wings, long pinions, and full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took the top of the cedar.

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

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God , they are saying of me: Isn't he [just] posing riddles?"

Now speak a parable to the rebellious house. Tell them: This is what the Lord God says: Put the pot on [the fire]- put [it] on, and then pour water into it!

Won't all of these take up a taunt against him, with mockery and riddles about him? They will say: Woe to him who amasses what is not his- how much longer?- and loads himself with goods taken in pledge.

Won't all of these take up a taunt against him, with mockery and riddles about him? They will say: Woe to him who amasses what is not his- how much longer?- and loads himself with goods taken in pledge.

For God said: Honor your father and your mother; and, The one who speaks evil of father or mother must be put to death.

Then He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me: 'Doctor, heal yourself.' 'All we've heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in Your hometown also.' "

"Ah!" His disciples said. "Now You're speaking plainly and not using any figurative language.

as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one;

Their feet are swift to shed blood;

Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes.

But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.

Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap,

So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up.

In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: "If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat."

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly, or faint when you are reproved by Him; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and punishes every son whom He receives.

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit."

As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.