And he lifted up his oracle and said, "From Aram Balak lead me, from the mountains of the east the king of Moab, 'Go for me, curse Jacob, and go, denounce Israel.' How can I curse [whom] God has not cursed, and how can I denounce [whom] Yahweh has not denounced? read more. Because from the top of [the] rocks I see him, from hilltops I watch him. Behold, a people [who] dwell alone, they do not consider themselves among the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob, or [as] a number the fourth part of Israel? Let my life die the death of an upright person, and let my end be like his!"

The scroll of this law will not depart from your mouth; you will meditate on it day and night so that {you may observe diligently all that is written} in it. For then you will succeed [in] your ways and prosper.

Just as the ancient proverb says, 'From the wicked, wickedness goes out,' but my hand will not be against you!

He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five.

Now the queen of Sheba had heard of the fame of Solomon regarding the name of Yahweh, and she came to test him with hard questions.

Then they called to the king, so Eliakim the son of Hilkiah who [was] over the palace, Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, came out to them.

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God or with respect to the law and the commandment to seek his God, he did with all his heart, and he prospered.

And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God or with respect to the law and the commandment to seek his God, he did with all his heart, and he prospered.

"Look, happy [is the] human being whom God reproves; and you must not despise the discipline of Shaddai,

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

"Were you born the firstborn of the human race? And were you brought forth {before} [the] hills? Have you listened in God's confidential discussion? And do you limit wisdom to yourself?

Then Job again took up his discourse and said,

Then Job again took up his discourse and said,

to turn human beings aside [from their] deeds, and he keeps man from pride. He spares his life from [the] pit and his life from passing over the river [of death]. read more. "And he is reproved with pain on his bed, even [with] the strife of his bones continually, {so that} his life loathes bread, and his inner self [loathes] {appetizing food}. His flesh is wasted away from sight, and his bones, [which] are invisible, are bared. And {he} draws near to the pit and his life to the killers. "If there is a messenger beside him, a mediator, one of a thousand, to declare to a human being his uprightness {so that} he is gracious [to] him, and he says, 'Deliver him from descending into [the] pit; I have found a ransom.' His flesh is renewed with [his] youth; he returns to [the] days of his youthful strength. He prays to God, then he accepts him, and he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he repays to the human being his righteousness. "He will sing to men, and he will say, 'I have sinned and have perverted [what is] right, and it was not paid back to me. He redeemed my life from going down into the pit, so {I will enjoy the light}.' Look, God does all these [things] twice, three times with a person to bring his life back from [the] pit {so that he may enjoy the light of life}.

I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will {propound} my riddle on a lyre.

I will offer a parable [with] my mouth. I will pour out riddles from long ago,

Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

to understand a proverb and an expression, words of wisdom and their riddles.

to understand a proverb and an expression, words of wisdom and their riddles.

for their feet run to evil, and they hurry to shed blood,

if you seek her like silver and search her out {like treasure},

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and retreat from evil. There shall be healing for your {flesh}, and refreshment for your body.

Do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, my child. Do not be weary of his reproof

Do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, my child. Do not be weary of his reproof because whomever Yahweh will love, he will rebuke, as a father delights in his son.

because whomever Yahweh will love, he will rebuke, as a father delights in his son. Happy [is] {the one} who finds wisdom, and one who obtains understanding. read more. For her income is better than the income of silver, and her revenue than [that of] gold.

Then you will walk in the confidence of your ways, and your foot will not stumble.

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

With those who scorn, he is scornful, but to those who are humble, he gives favor.

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

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child makes a father glad, but a foolish child grieves his mother.

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child makes a father glad, but a foolish child grieves his mother.

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child makes a father glad, but a foolish child grieves his mother. Treasures of wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

Treasures of wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. Yahweh will not cause a righteous person to go hungry, but the craving of the wicked he will thwart. read more. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent enriches. He who gathers in the summer [is] a child who is prudent; he who sleeps at the harvest [is] a child who brings shame. Blessings [belong] to the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of righteousness [is] like a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. A heart of wisdom will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity will walk securely, but whoever follows perversity, his ways will be made known. The winking of an eye causes trouble, and the foolishness of lips comes to ruin. A fountain of life [is] a mouth of righteousness, and a mouth of wickedness conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers over all offenses.

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers over all offenses. On the lips of one who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod [is] for the back of one who lacks {sense}. read more. Those who are wise lay up knowledge, but [to] the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near.

Those who are wise lay up knowledge, but [to] the mouth of the fool, ruin draws near. The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength; the ruin of the poor [is] their poverty.

The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength; the ruin of the poor [is] their poverty.

The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength; the ruin of the poor [is] their poverty. The wage of the righteous [leads] to life; the gain of the wicked to sin. read more. [On] the path to life is he who guards instruction, but he who rejects rebuke goes astray. He who conceals hatred [has] lips of deceit, and he who utters slander--he is a fool. In many words, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. Choice silver is a tongue of righteousness, a heart of wickedness is {of little worth}. Lips of righteousness feed many, but fools {die for lack of sense}. The blessing of Yahweh makes [one] rich, and he does not increase sorrow with it.

A stronghold for the upright is the way of Yahweh, but ruin [belongs] to {evildoers}.

Wealth does not profit on the day of wrath, but righteousness will deliver from death.

He who lacks {sense} belittles his neighbor, but a person of intelligence will remain silent.

{Rest assured}, the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

{Rest assured}, the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

If the righteous on earth will be repaid, {how much more} the wicked and sinner.

A person will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved.

The lazy will not roast his game, but diligence is the precious wealth of a man.

There is a way [that seems] upright {to} a man, but its end [is] the way of death.

He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him, but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.

A child of wisdom will make a father glad, but a {foolish person}, he despises his mother.

Fear of Yahweh [is] the instruction of the wise, and before honor [comes] humility.

An abomination of Yahweh [are] all who are arrogant of heart; {rest assured}, he will not go unpunished.

There is a way [that seems] upright {to} a man, but its end [is] the way of death.

He who mocks the poor insults him who made him; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

[For] he who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.

He who spares his sayings knows knowledge, and a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

The wealth of the rich [is] {his strong city}, and like a wall, it is high in his imagination. In the presence of destruction, the heart of a man will be haughty, but in the presence of honor, humble.

The lot will put an end to disputes, and between powerful contenders it will decide.

The rage of a king growls like a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Roaring like the lion [is the] dreaded anger of a king; he who provokes him forfeits his life.

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

He who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished {in the midst of darkness}.

Every way of a man is upright in his [own] eyes, but Yahweh weighs hearts.

Better to dwell on the corner of a roof than [to] share a house with a woman of contention.

Better to live in a land of wilderness than [with] a wife of quarrels and provocation.

He who sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his anger will fail.

A deep pit is the mouth of an {adulteress}, [he with whom] Yahweh is angry will fall there.

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.

May your heart not envy the sinners, but [live] in fear of Yahweh {all day}.

Do not envy men of evil, and do not desire to be with them.

For seven [times] the righteous will fall, but he will rise, but the wicked will be overthrown by calamity.

Do not fret because of the evildoers; do not envy the wicked.

These [sayings] are also for the wise: {Partiality} in judgment is not good.

These [sayings] are also for the wise: {Partiality} in judgment is not good. Whoever says to the guilty, "You are righteous," the people will curse him; the nations will abhor him.

Whoever says to the guilty, "You are righteous," the people will curse him; the nations will abhor him. But they who rebuke will have delight, and upon them blessings of goodness will come.

But they who rebuke will have delight, and upon them blessings of goodness will come. He will kiss [the] lips, he who gives an honest answer.

He will kiss [the] lips, he who gives an honest answer. Prepare your work in the street and get it ready for yourself in the field; afterward, then you shall build your house.

Prepare your work in the street and get it ready for yourself in the field; afterward, then you shall build your house. Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor nor deceive with your lips.

Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor nor deceive with your lips. Do not say, "Just as he has done to me, so shall I do to him; I will pay back the man according to his deed."

Do not say, "Just as he has done to me, so shall I do to him; I will pay back the man according to his deed." I passed by the field of a lazy person, and over the vineyard of a person lacking {sense};

I passed by the field of a lazy person, and over the vineyard of a person lacking {sense}; and behold, it was overgrown--all of it was covered [with] thorns, its surface with nettles, and {its stone wall} was broken down.

and behold, it was overgrown--all of it was covered [with] thorns, its surface with nettles, and {its stone wall} was broken down. Then I myself saw and my heart considered; I looked, and I took hold of instruction:

Then I myself saw and my heart considered; I looked, and I took hold of instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands for rest,

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands for rest, and your poverty will come running, and your lack like an armed warrior.

and your poverty will come running, and your lack like an armed warrior.

These are also proverbs of Solomon which officials of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

These are also proverbs of Solomon which officials of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

As heaven is to height and the earth is to depth, so [is] the heart of kings--there is no searching.

[Like] one who removes a garment on a cold day, [or like] vinegar on natron, [is] he who sings songs to a heavy heart. If your enemy [is] hungry, feed him bread, and if thirsty, let him drink water. read more. For coals of fire you will heap upon his head, and Yahweh will reward you.

Like a dog returning to his vomit [is] a fool reverting to his folly. [Do] you see a man 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 the day will bring.

You see a man who is hasty in his words: [there is more] hope for a fool than him.

The words of Lemuel, [the] king--an oracle that his mother taught him: What, my son? And what, my son in my womb? And what, son of my vows? read more. Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to destroy kings. [It is] not for the kings, O Lemuel; drinking wine [is] not for the kings, nor [is] strong drink for rulers. Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed, and he will pervert the rights of all the {afflicted}. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those {in bitter distress}.

The Teacher was full of wisdom, and he taught the people with knowledge. He carefully considered many proverbs and carefully arranged them.

"Son of man, what [is] this proverb {you people have} about the land of Israel, {saying}, '{The days are prolonged}, and every vision has come to nothing.' Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "I will put an end [to] this proverb, and they will not quote it as a proverb again in Israel." ' But say to them, 'The days are near, and [also] the word of every vision.'

"Son of man, tell a riddle and quote a proverb to the house of Israel,

"Son of man, tell a riddle and quote a proverb to the house of Israel, and you must say, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "{The great eagle with great wings and long feathers} [and] {full of variegated plumage} came to Lebanon and he took the treetop of the cedar.

"{What do you mean by} quoting this proverb about the land of Israel, {saying}, 'The fathers, they ate unripe fruit, and the teeth of the child became blunt.'

Then I said, "Ah, Lord Yahweh, they are saying about me, '[Is] he not posing a parable?'"

And {deliver a proverb} to {the rebellious house}, and you must say to them, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh: "Place the pot! Place [it] and also pour water into it.

Shall not all of these take up a taunt against him, with ridicule and riddles against him, saying, 'Woe to him who heaps up what is not his'? [For] how long? And, '[Woe to him] who makes himself heavy with pledges'?

Shall not all of these take up a taunt against him, with ridicule and riddles against him, saying, 'Woe to him who heaps up what is not his'? [For] how long? And, '[Woe to him] who makes himself heavy with pledges'?

For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'The one who speaks evil of father or mother {must certainly die}.'

And he said to them, "Doubtless you will tell me this parable: 'Physician, heal yourself!' Whatever we have heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in your hometown also!"

His disciples said, "Behold, now you are speaking {plainly} and are telling [us] no figurative saying!

just as it is written, "[There] is no one righteous, not even one;

Their feet [are] swift to shed blood;

Think the same [thing] toward one another; {do not think arrogantly}, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise {in your own sight}. Pay back no one evil for evil. Take thought for [what is] good in the sight of all people.

But "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him [something] to drink; for [by] doing this, you will heap up coals of fire upon his head."

Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked, for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap,

And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, [if we] do not give up.

For even when we were with you, we used to command this to you: that if anyone does not want to work, neither should he eat.

And have you completely forgotten the exhortation which instructs you as sons? "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, or give up [when you] are corrected by him. For the Lord disciplines the one whom he loves, and punishes every son whom he accepts."

Understand [this], my dear brothers: every person must be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,

But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes 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 carry on business and make a profit,"

As many as I love, I reprove and discipline. Be zealous, therefore, and repent!