for they are eager to inflict harm, and they hasten to shed blood.

Such are the ways of all who gain profit unjustly; it takes away the life of those who obtain it!

whose paths are morally crooked, and who are devious in their ways;

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are very pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.

Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil.

For they cannot sleep unless they cause harm; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble.

for they are life to those who find them and healing to one's entire body.

Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words are smoother than olive oil,

Lest she should make level the path leading to life, her paths are unstable but she does not know it.

And at the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and your body are wasted away.

For the ways of a person are in front of the Lord's eyes, and the Lord weighs all that person's paths.

There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him:

a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil,

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

Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding a close relative,

for she has brought down many fatally wounded, and all those she has slain are many.

You who are naive, discern wisdom! And you fools, understand discernment!

All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing in them twisted or crooked.

All of them are clear to the discerning and upright to those who find knowledge.

Riches and honor are with me, long-lasting wealth and righteousness.

"So now, children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you are a mocker, you alone must bear it.

calling out to those who are passing by her in the way, who go straight on their way.

"Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!"

But they do not realize that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the speech of the wicked conceals violence.

Those who are wise store up knowledge, but foolish speech leads to imminent destruction.

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

When the storm passes through, the wicked are swept away, but the righteous are an everlasting foundation.

The Lord abhors those who are perverse in heart, but those who are blameless in their ways are his delight.

If the righteous are recompensed on earth, how much more the wicked sinner!

The plans of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the righteous household will stand.

A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.

The righteous do not encounter any harm, but the wicked are filled with calamity.

The Lord abhors a person who lies, but those who deal truthfully are his delight.

The lazy person does not roast his prey, but personal possessions are precious to the diligent.

Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen.

The naive inherit folly, but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge.

Those who are evil will bow before those who are good, and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous.

A poor person is disliked even by his neighbors, but those who love the rich are many.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good.

Death and Destruction are before the Lord -- how much more the hearts of humans!

All the days of the afflicted are bad, but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with abundant advisers they are established.

The Lord abhors the plans of the wicked, but pleasant words are pure.

When a person's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he even reconciles his enemies to himself.

Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork.

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

The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the Lord.

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

Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent -- both of them are an abomination to the Lord.

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

The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.

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

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

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.

A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

There are many plans in a person's mind, but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand.

Judgments are prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools.

The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him.

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

Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance.

The Lord abhors differing weights, and dishonest scales are wicked.

The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord -- so how can anyone understand his own way?

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips.

for the Lord will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them.

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

by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of precious and pleasing treasures.

These sayings also are from the wise: To show partiality in judgment is terrible:

The one who says to the guilty, "You are innocent," peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him.

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:

As the heaven is high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

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.

When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.

As Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so the eyes of a person are never satisfied.

When the righteous rejoice, great is the glory, but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.

Scornful people inflame a city, but those who are wise turn away wrath.

Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you are found guilty.

There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

There is a generation whose eyes are so lofty, and whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully.

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.

The leech has two daughters: "Give! Give!" There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, "Enough" --

There are three things that are too wonderful for me, four that I do not understand:

There are four things on earth that are small, but they are exceedingly wise:

ants are creatures with little strength, but they prepare their food in the summer;

rock badgers are creatures with little power, but they make their homes in the crags;

There are three things that are magnificent in their step, four things that move about magnificently:

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;

She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.