I am on the verge of complete ruin
before the entire community.”

For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes,
and He considers all his paths.

“The Lord made me
at the beginning of His creation,
before His works of long ago.

I was formed before ancient times,
from the beginning, before the earth began.

I was delivered
before the mountains and hills were established,

before He made the land, the fields,
or the first soil on earth.

I was a skilled craftsman beside Him.
I was His delight every day,
always rejoicing before Him.

The evil bow before those who are good,
the wicked, at the gates of the righteous.

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord—
how much more, human hearts.

The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.

The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches,
and humility comes before honor.

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Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor.

The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

A gift opens doors for a man
and brings him before the great.

When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
consider carefully what is before you,

Don’t brag about yourself before the king,
and don’t stand in the place of the great;

Two things I ask of You;
don’t deny them to me before I die:

a lion, which is mightiest among beasts
and doesn’t retreat before anything,