For their feet run to evil,
And they hurry to shed blood.

“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,
Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.

In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

Who winks with his eyes [in mockery], who shuffles his feet [to signal],
Who points with his fingers [to give subversive instruction];

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

For jealousy enrages the [wronged] husband;
He will not spare [the guilty one] on the day of vengeance.

That they may keep you from the immoral woman,
From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.

“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],
And I find knowledge and discretion.

The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.

Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.

He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;
And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

The righteousness of the blameless will smooth their way and keep it straight,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones.

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools],
But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.

He who oppresses the poor taunts and insults his Maker,
But he who is kind and merciful and gracious to the needy honors Him.

A heart full of joy and goodness makes a cheerful face,
But when a heart is full of sadness the spirit is crushed.

A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish man despises his mother.

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.

When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker,
And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished.

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

Wealth makes many friends,
But a poor man is separated from his friend.

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,
And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].

Plans are established by counsel;
So make war [only] with wise guidance.

The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all.

To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?

Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts;
Or go [along] with a hot-tempered man,

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.

He who plans to do evil
Will be called a schemer or deviser of evil.

My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
That I may reply to him who reproaches (reprimands, criticizes) me.

A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,
But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.

The shephanim are not a mighty folk,
Yet they make their houses in the rocks;

She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.

She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.