Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].

For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord,
And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].

“The Lord created and possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old [were accomplished].

“From everlasting I was established and ordained,
From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].

“Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;

Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman;
And I was daily His delight;
Rejoicing before Him always,

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

The evil will bow down before the good,
And the wicked [will bow down] at the gates of the righteous.

Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the Lord—
How much more the hearts and inner motives of the children of men.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.

Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.

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

The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];
Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.

[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],
But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.

Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance,
But humility comes before honor.

He who answers before he hears [the facts]—
It is folly and shame to him.

A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him
And brings him before great men.

Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work?
He will stand [in honor] before kings;
He will not stand before obscure men.

When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is [set] before you;

Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

Do not rush out to argue your case [before magistrates or judges];
Otherwise what will you do in the end [when your case is lost and]
When your neighbor (opponent) humiliates you?

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring
Is a righteous man who yields and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,
His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.

Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood,
But who is able to endure and stand before [the sin of] jealousy?

Two things I have asked of You;
Do not deny them to me before I die:

Do not slander or malign a servant before his master [stay out of another’s personal life],
Or he will curse you [for your interference], and you will be found guilty.

The lion, which is mighty among beasts
And does not turn back before any;

She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.