The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];
But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net
In the sight of any bird;

For they eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.

Tear yourself away like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,

For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread [to be eaten up],
And the immoral woman hunts [with a hook] the precious life [of a man].

Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound];
Like a bird fluttering straight into the net,
He did not know that it would cost him his life.

“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

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

“When there were no ocean depths I was born,
When there were no fountains and springs overflowing with water.

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

“Come, eat my food
And drink the wine I have mixed [and accept my gifts].

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

“Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden];
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

When pride comes [boiling up with an arrogant attitude of self-importance], then come dishonor and shame,
But with the humble [the teachable who have been chiseled by trial and who have learned to walk humbly with God] there is wisdom and soundness of mind.

Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.

Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant,
Than he who [boastfully] honors himself [pretending to be what he is not] and lacks bread.

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.

Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,
But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.

In the mouth of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God] is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.

Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.

The Lord will tear down the house of the proud and arrogant (self-righteous),
But He will establish and protect the boundaries [of the land] of the [godly] widow.

Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord;
Be assured he will not go unpunished.

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

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).

A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs
Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.

Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread.

Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].

“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names
Who acts with overbearing and insolent pride.

He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.

Do not eat the bread of a selfish man,
Or desire his delicacies;

Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
For he refreshes the life of his masters.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

Like a bird that wanders from her nest [with its comfort and safety],
So is a man who wanders from his home.

He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows worthless people and frivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down,
But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.

She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.