Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor,
But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice.

He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].

The [consistently] righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need [of bread].

The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives],
But the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles].

He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect],
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

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.

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
But much revenue [because of good crops] comes by the strength of the ox.

A faithful and trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness speaks lies.

A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom],
But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].

The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.

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

The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will thrive.

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

The naive or inexperienced person [is easily misled and] believes every word he hears,
But the prudent man [is discreet and astute and] considers well where he is going.

A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil,
But the fool is arrogant and careless.

The naive [are unsophisticated and easy to exploit and] inherit foolishness,
But the sensible [are thoughtful and far-sighted and] are crowned with knowledge.

The poor man is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.

He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.

Do they not go astray who devise evil and wander from the way of righteousness?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.

The crown of the wise is their wealth [of wisdom],
But the foolishness of [closed-minded] fools is [nothing but] folly.

A truthful witness saves lives,
But he who speaks lies is treacherous.

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

He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control],
But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].

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

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

The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing,
But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death.

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

Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.

The king’s favor and good will are toward a servant who acts wisely and discreetly,
But his anger and wrath are toward him who acts shamefully.

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.

The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.

A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction,
But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.

Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom],
But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].

The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight!

The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].

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

The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.

All the days of the afflicted are bad,
But a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of the circumstances].

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.

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

Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].

Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they are established and succeed.

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.

Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,
But pure words are pleasant words to Him.

He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.

The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way],
But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things.

The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],
But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself,
But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].

The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

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

The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,
But a wise man will appease it.

Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

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

The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,
But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

[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.

A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].

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

The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness,
But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?

The poor man pleads,
But the rich man answers roughly.

The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.

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

All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

The king’s wrath terrifies like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is as [refreshing and nourishing as] dew on the grass.

House and wealth are the inheritance from fathers,
But a wise, understanding, and sensible wife is [a gift and blessing] from the Lord.

He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life,
But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.

Discipline and teach your son while there is hope,
And do not [indulge your anger or resentment by imposing inappropriate punishment nor] desire his destruction.

Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).

That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,
But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar.

It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].

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.

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,
But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?

“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].

There is gold, and an abundance of pearls,
But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all].

Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage,
But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.

The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise;
But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God),
But to the evildoers it is disaster.

There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future],
But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

He craves all the day long [and does no work],
But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].

A false witness will perish,
But a man who listens to the truth will speak forever and go unchallenged.

A wicked man puts on a bold face,
But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].

The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance and victory belong to the Lord.

A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it],
But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].

The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and the one who has it,
But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].
He says to you, “Eat and drink,”
Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].

Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation],
But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day.

Buy truth, and do not sell it;
Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

“They struck me, but I was not hurt!
They beat me, but I did not feel it!
When will I wake up?
I will seek more wine.”

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,
But the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse.

But to those [honorable judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.