But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.

The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.

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].

He will die for lack of instruction (discipline),
And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost.

So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely]
And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].

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

Suddenly he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter [not knowing the outcome],
Or as one in stocks going to the correction [to be given] to a fool,

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 mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall,
But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf.

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

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Good understanding wins favor [from others],
But the way of the unfaithful is hard [like barren, dry soil].

In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin.

A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body,
But passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones.

The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him],
But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway.

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

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];
The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,
And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

A foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a [quarrelsome] wife are like a constant dripping [of water].

A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].

When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.

Do not look at wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the glass,
When it goes down smoothly.

At the last it bites like a serpent
And stings like a viper.

Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken at the right time.

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and learns.

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.

Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a man who boasts falsely of gifts [he does not give].

Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need,
Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.

Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow
Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance).

Like a broken tooth or an unsteady foot
Is confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble.

Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like [a reactive, useless mixture of] vinegar on soda,
Is he who [thoughtlessly] sings [joyful] songs to a heavy heart.

Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
So is good news from a distant land.

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

Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected]
Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] fool.

Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,
So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].

Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,
Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.

Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].

Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],
So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.

Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].

Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.

Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]
Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.

Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows, and death,

For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.

The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]
Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.

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

Even though you pound a [hardened, arrogant] fool [who rejects wisdom] in a mortar with a pestle like grain,
Yet his foolishness will not leave him.

Be diligent to know the condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;

A poor man who oppresses and exploits the lowly
Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],
But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.

The leech has two daughters,
“Give, give!”
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four that do not say, “It is enough”:

The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.

She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.